I should admit I haven’t been brave enough to try riding tights as opposed to thicker breeches, but I loved these Sculptor riding tights from Toggi! They are extremely comfortable and smart to wear both round the yard with a pair of short boots, or teamed with chaps in the saddle.
Smart either with or without half-chaps
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For me, they ticked all the boxes required for a sporty garment appropriate for the activity. The fabric is lightweight and flexible so you are not restricted in any way – some thicker fabrics can wrinkle up behind the knees. I’ve tried them out hacking, long-distance riding and for schooling and jumping lessons and they don’t ride up, wrinkle or rub at all. They have small silicone pimples to aid grip in the saddle and I never felt like I was slipping around. They feel like a second skin but without you feeling like you’ve forgotten your trousers! Pleased to report that despite their lightweight aspect, the VPL is unnoticeable.
No VPL
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I was a little concerned about their durability as they do feel lightweight, but the fabric feels quality and isn’t misshapen after a few wears. However, the silicone pimples are starting to wear off already, and I would prefer these to be more heavy-duty.
The phone pocket is useful if you’re not riding, for instance for yard chores, but it felt a bit precarious carrying it out in a stretchy pocket, with no zip, on my hip out hacking.
Discreet phone pocket on the hip
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I tried the navy tights, which is a nice bold navy rather than really dark. Black, grey and pink are also available. The overall impression gives a smarter look than I expected for riding tights. They are reasonably expensive for leggings at RRP £57.50, however Toggi is a well-known brand and they do look like a quality item.
They come in sizes 24–34in. I am a size 8/10 and I tried the size 28in, which I feel is probably closer to a size 12. As such they were a bit loose around the waist and so tended to slip down a bit, but I think they are a true fit, I just selected the wrong size. Luckily they are high waisted so there is room for some slippage.
Ideally, they would be slightly longer in the leg – or offer a long leg version. I’m not particularly tall at 5ft 7in and would have been happy with an extra inch or two.
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Silicone pimples aid grip in the saddle
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A final note – the specification says they are finished with reflective prints. These are barely noticeable, so I think of little use for reflective purposes. However, as this is not something that I’d be looking for in a pair of riding tights, this was immaterial to me.
Verdict
A smart-looking, lightweight pair of riding tights that are extremely comfortable both in the saddle and for yard chores.
Martha Terry is Horse & Hound’s features editor. She has a horse and is at the yard every day. She is currently producing a four-year-old ex-racehorse with a view to eventing after several years off the circuit.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
