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.
To find the best, look for competition breeches crafted from technical and wicking fabrics, that offer compression, ample stretch for unrestricted movement in the saddle, and essential support and grip. For more relaxed options, explore our recommendations for 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 them covered separately, too.
Best competition breeches
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Pikeur Candela Grip Competition Breeches
Seats: Full silicone grip
Colours: White, vanilla cream, truffle, chocolate, mud, dark green, dark shadow, black or nightblue
Sizes: 18–34in, in regular or long
Reasons to buy
Available in regular or long leg length
Lots of colour options
UV protection
Body sculpting
Reasons to avoid
Higher price point
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.
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Ariat Tri Factor X Bellatrix Breeches
Seats: Full silicone seat
Colours: White or brick brown
Sizes: 22–36in, in regular or long
Reasons to buy
Stain-repellent finish
Technical material
Available in regular or long leg length
Reasons to avoid
If you’re looking for knee grip design
These flattering riding breeches feature a comfortable stretch waistband for varying hip angles and Ariat’s ClimateTek for temperature and moisture control. The silicone full seat with a textured surface provides extra grip. Core control technology and compression fabric offer slimming support, a sleek fit, and shape retention.
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Hy Equestrian Roka Royal Breeches
Seats: Full silicone seat
Colours: White
Sizes: 24–34in
Reasons to buy
Moisture wicking fabric
Provide a flattering fit
Reasons to avoid
Only available in white
Crafted with moisture-wicking fabric, these stylish performance breeches feature technical contoured stretch for full movement and a flattering fit. Rose gold diamantés on the pockets add sparkle, while the full silicone seat and no-bulk stretch hem ankles ensure a seamless fit under boots.
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Fouganza Classic 900 Competition Breeches
Seat: Full seat
Colours: White
Sizes: XXS–XL
Reasons to buy
Zip leg pocket
Fabric offers freedom of movement
Reasons to avoid
If you are looking for a high waist design
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.
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LeMieux Imogen Breeches
Seat: Knee grip
Colours: Light grey, navy or white
Sizes: UK 6–18
Reasons to buy
Mid-rise waist
Four-way stretch fabric
Reasons to avoid
Only available with knee grip
These breeches have been design specifically for jumping with in bonded four-way stretch fabric for adaptive movement. They feature a mid-rise waist, knee grip silicone print, a seam-free inside leg with breathable mesh lower sock for comfort under boots, and silicone piping on the pocket.
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Soho Equestrian Cappuccino Breeches
Seat: Full seat and knee grip
Colours: Cappuccino
Sizes: XS–XXL
Reasons to buy
Deep front pockets
Seamless inside leg design
Reasons to avoid
Only available in one colour
These high-waisted Soho Equestrian breeches offer a striking and smart look with fake leather details, combining classic British design and modern style. The four-way stretch fabric provides maximum support, comfort, and performance. They also feature deep front pockets, a seamless inside leg, and elasticated ankles.
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Aztec Diamond Core Mid-Rise Breeches
Seat: Full seat and knee grip
Colours: White, beige, black or navy
Sizes: UK 4–16
Reasons to buy
High waisted
Sweat wicking
Reasons to avoid
If you want a lightweight fabric
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. Also available in young rider sizes.
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Whitaker Miami Ladies Full-Seat Breeches
Seats: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, cream, blue or black
Sizes: 26–34in
Reasons to buy
Performance four-way stretch fabric
Lycra ankles
Reasons to avoid
Only available with full silicone seat
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. Also available in Men’s and children’s sizes.
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Harry Hall Farnell Grip Seat Breeches
Seats: Full silicone grip
Colours: Beige, black, white or navy
Sizes: 24–38in
Reasons to buy
Full silicone seat
Secure waistband
Reasons to avoid
Mid-rise fit
These mid-rise breeches are constructed from a durable four-way stretch fabric and feature a full silicone seat ensuring unrestricted movement and extra stability when in the saddle and stretch ankle panels for added comfort.
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Shires Aubrion Optima Luxe Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, beige, black or navy
Sizes: 24–36in
Reasons to buy
Highly breathable fabric
Offers UPF 50+ sun protection – great for summer competitions
Reasons to avoid
If you are looking for a mid-rise fit
Deluxe high-waisted breeches with an anatomical design and minimal seams that offer comfortable, moisture-managing, second-skin feel and 360-degree contour support. They feature sparkle hip detailing, subtle silicone grip, and perforated ankle cuffs for ventilation in boots.
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Coldstream Kilham Competition Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, taupe, navy or grey
Sizes: 24–34in
Reasons to buy
Contour to your figure
Lightweight and breathable
Reasons to avoid
Not a budget option
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.
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Dublin Cammy Comfort Twill Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: Beige or navy
Sizes: 24in–34in
Reasons to buy
Full seat gel print
Offers UPF 50+ sun protection
Reasons to avoid
Print might not suit your style
A fitted classic style with a four-way stretch twill fabric perfect for all day comfort in and out of the saddle, including a high stretch knit panel at lower leg for a comfortable fit under your boots. The full seat is in a horse silhouette design for extra stability in the saddle. Also features an elasticated mid-rise wide waistband with belt loops and front and back pockets. Also available in children’s sizes.
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Holland Cooper Premium Competition Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: White
Sizes: UK 6–16
Reasons to buy
Reinforced waistband
Water and stain resistant
Signature gold hardware
Reasons to avoid
Swarovski crystals might not suit your style
These high-waisted breeches are designed for competition riders, offering maximum movement and comfort. The tailored design uses breathable four-way stretch fabric with Teflon coating for a comfortable, second-skin feel.
Lower-leg jersey panels reduce bulk under riding boots, while added grip tape applied to inner waistband prevents shirts from rising. They also feature Swarovski crystals on the logo and pockets for added style.
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Mountain Horse Diana Breeches
Seat: Full silicone seat
Colours: White, navy, taupe, burgundy red, green, grey, sand, black or mauve pink
Sizes: EU 34–46
Reasons to buy
Zipped pockets
Breathable
Water and stain resistant
Reasons to avoid
Front zip pockets may not suit your needs
These lightweight breeches offer comfort and style with the high waist, four-way stretch fabric. The wide waistband provides extra core support when in the saddle, while the motion fit back yoke moves with your body movements. The double folded flexible cuff at the leg opening is easy to pull on and take off, while giving comfort and no bulk under riding boots.
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Ego7 EJ Jumping Breeches
Seat: Knee patch
Colours: White, beige, navy blue, Bordeaux, green grey
Sizes: EU 32–46
Reasons to buy
Lots of colour options
Four-way stretch fabric
Reasons to avoid
Only available with knee grip
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.
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 diamanté.
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 to 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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Franchesca is Horse & Hound’s Products Editor. She produces all of our buying guides and gift guides, as well as organising product testing and bringing you news about the latest products to hit the market. If there’s a new launch, Franchesca is the first person to hear about it. She brings you the best deals and is passionate about arming Horse & Hound’s readers with honest, unbiased product reviews. Franchesca loves letting riders and horse owners know what products are coming out, how to make their lives easier and how to spend their money wisely.
