The best competition breeches are lightweight and breathable, enabling you to stay cool while working hard in warm temperatures. Competition breeches are often either white, cream or fawn in colour to fit with the traditional rules of the major disciplines – so finding a pair that uses stain-repelling technology is a real bonus. However, British Dressage, British Eventing and British Riding Clubs all now permit riders to wear darker options so there are a lot more options available.
Technical fabrics also offer wicking properties as well as compression and the best competition breeches will have sufficient stretch to allow you freedom of movement in the saddle, combined with good support and grip. If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, check out our pick of the best everyday breeches or the best riding tights and leggings. And if you’re after the best men’s competition breeches, we’ve got that covered, too.
Best competition breeches
Pikeur Candela Grip Competition Breeches
Seats: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, vanilla cream, truffle, chocolate, mud, dark green, dark shadow, black or nightblue
Sizes: 18–34in, in regular or long
The Candela Grip is one of Pikeur’s most popular styles – it has a high, wide waist, two slanting front pockets and a stretch ankle finish. The fabric is moisture-wicking and supportive. This style is also available with a mock suede seat.
Ariat Tri Factor Breeches
Seats: Full or knee patch
Colours: White, navy or black
Sizes: 22–36in, in regular or long
These flattering mid-rise breeches benefit from Ariat’s ClimateTek technology, which help with temperature and moisture regulation, while the silicone (either knee patch of full seat) provides grip in the saddle. They are designed with a V-shaped waistband, core control technology and compression fabric for slimming support, a sleek fit and shape retention.
In the UK? Buy direct at ariat.com
Hy Equestrian Roka Rose Breeches
Seats: Full silicone seat
Colours: White
Sizes: 24–34in
These breeches with diamante detailing aim to add some sparkle to your performance. The rose gold and navy diamantes decorate the front and rear pockets, while the full silicone seat offers extra grip and the no-bulk stretch hem ankles offer a nice fit under long boots.
Fouganza Classic 900 Competition Breeches
Seat: Full seat
Colours: White
Sizes: XXS–XL
These mid-rise breeches are designed to have a slimming effect. They have a light silicone grip on the thigh, as well as two zipped rear pockets, a zipped thigh pocket and a Lycra ankle.
Weatherbeeta Duet Full Seat Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: Beige, white, black, or ink navy
Sizes: 26in–34in
Sculpting breeches made from recycled nylon. Fast-drying to help keep you cool and comfortable. Mid-rise fit.
Mark Todd Marceline Breeches
Seat: Knee patch
Colours: White, beige, grey, navy, or navy/rose gold
Sizes: 24–34in
These breeches are designed to have a close, comfortable fit that allows freedom of movement. They feature silicone grip knee patches and a slimline, elasticated sock ankle.
Lemieux Victoria Breeches
Seat: Full silicone or suede
Colours: White or navy
Sizes: 6–18
RRP: From £119.95
Designed with dressage riders in mind. Ultra-thin ankle sock, seam-free inside leg with a flattering heart-shaped rear cut. False pockets minimize bulk for a smart silhouette. Four-way stretch, breathable fabric.
Aztec Diamond Core Mid-Rise Breeches
Seat: Full seat and knee grip
Colours: Beige, black or navy
Sizes: 6–16
Made from mid-weight fabric, these breeches are breathable, sweat-wicking and offer a four-way stretch. There are minimal panels for a streamlined look and a super-soft knitted cuff.
Whitaker Miami Ladies Full-Seat Breeches
Seats: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, cream, blue or black
Sizes: 26–34in
These breeches are crafted from a soft-touch, opaque fabric with four-way stretch that is quick drying and breathable. Designed to flatter, they have a contoured subtle silicone seat that aids security in the saddle, while also offering a smart look.
Harry Hall Farnell Full-Seat Breeches
Seats: Full silicone grip
Colours: Beige, white or corn
Sizes: 24–38in
With an updated fit and design, these mid-rise breeches have a full silicone seat and stretch ankle panels.
Shires Aubrion Chapman Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, beige, black, navy or grey
Sizes: 24–36in
These breeches are both flexible and supportive, as well as lightweight and quick drying. They have a matte-finish full silicone seat for stability, discrete zipped hip pockets, and sleek ankle cuffs.
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Coldstream Kilham Competition Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, taupe or navy
Sizes: 24–34in
These breeches are designed to contour your figure for the perfect fit. They are made from a hair- and water-repellent fabric with Lycra, have a full silicone seat and have inner ankles made from a stretch elastic to ensure a close and smooth fit under long socks.
Dublin Shelby Full Seat Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, black, beige, latte, ink navy
Sizes: 26in–34in
Moisture-control, mirco scretch polyester fabric. Front and back pockets with tonal embroidery detail.
Ego7 EJ Jumping Breeches
Seat: Knee patch
Colours: White, beige, navy blue, Bordeaux, green grey
Sizes: EU 32–46
These jersey breeches feature knee grip patches, flattering front pockets and zip detail on the back. The fabric has a four-way stretch that provides unrestricted movement, support and shape retention.
Shires Aubrion Thompson Breeches
Seat: Knee grips
Colours: White, beige, black, navy, olive or grey
Sizes: 24–34in
These lightweight breeches are made from performance fabric and feature matte silicone knee grips and a contour seat. As one of the cheaper pairs of breeches in this guide, they show you can still feel the part on a budget.
Can I wear dark breeches in competition?
Wearing dark breeches is permitted in some cases, as some competition bodies have updated their rules in recent years. These changes have included the relaxation of dress code. Some bodies now allow black and navy breeches in competition, while others now accept coloured jackets, or those with embellishments such as diamante.
Following rule changes in the US, British Riding Clubs (BRC) introduced black and navy breeches into their dress code in late 2022. British Dressage (BD) updated their 2024 handbook to say ‘Breeches or jodhpurs should predominantly be of a solid, single colour. Dark-coloured contrast seats are permitted. Stripes or bold patterned breeches or jodhpurs are not allowed.’
Eventing Ireland (EI) and British Eventing (BE) also permit the wearing of dark and navy breeches in all three phases. This rule applies to national and training competitions.
Full-seat vs knee-patch breeches
Full-seat breeches tend to be favoured by riders who hack or do dressage as they are great for helping you stay secure in the saddle by promoting stillness from your seat down. For this reason, they can be a little more restrictive and can make it harder to adjust your position. Knee-patch breeches only have grip at the knee – this offers less security, but makes it easier to come out of the saddle and adopt the two-point position if you’re jumping. Traditionally the seat or patches were suede, but more recently variations of silicone grip have become more popular.
Choosing between the two styles is really down to personal preference but luckily there are plenty of design options to suit. Obviously you want look and feel your best when out competing, so style and fit are also key to finding the best pair of competition breeches for you.
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