Review of Three Budget-Friendly Breeches

breeches make a difference

I may be a tack ho of the best variety, but that does not extend to the breech collection. It KILLS ME to pay $200+ for pants that I will wear out in the sun and rain and mud and snow and destroy. Kills me. I can't do it.

I'm told that more expensive pants wear better, but I'm pretty sure the law of diminishing returns comes in to play in a hurry. Plus it seems that people who are most impressed by durability actually do the least things, you know? Like "omg these breeches lasted me 10 years!" but they only ride one horse for 20 minutes twice a week.

Full disclosure: I spent the past couple years working in a pro situation, which meant 8+ hour days on the regular, all in breeches. I'm currently LOVING the ammy life and I ride my one horse 5-6x a week and do practically no barn chores.

I want a breech to be stretchy enough to not unduly restrict me, firm enough that any unacceptable lumps are smoothed out, durable enough that I can use them for 1-2 years, AREN'T LOW RISE, are front zip, and have sock bottoms. Need normal rise. Hate velcro bottoms. Don't need hips looking wider/more awkward (here's looking at you, side zip).

Tredstep breeches in action

Bachelor #1: Tredstep Symphony Nero Breech in smokie pearl

List price: $89.95
What I paid: ~$75

I was in desperate need of breeches last year and hit a 20% off sale at Bit of Britain. I like Tredstep half chaps, the breeches were well reviewed, and I needed SOMETHING.

I'm normally a 34, I got the 34 and they fit fine. These breeches have a nice sock bottom and an ok rise. The color is fine. They are definitely pants.

That said, they are my least favorite breeches of the lot. The fabric doesn't really have any give to it, which means it's constantly pulling at my knees. It "stretches" out quickly and looks unattractive. The breeches slide down even with a belt on. And despite being stiff and uncomfortable, they really don't flatter anything. I guess the durability is fine, in that I only use them when I desperately need to do laundry, so they're unlikely to wear out soon.

I would not buy these again. It's possible the top fo the line tredsteps are much improved, but if you can't impress me at $90, I'm not shelling out $200.

Equine Couture in action

Bachelor #2: Equine Couture Brittni Knee Patch Breeches in chocolate

List price: $89.95
What I paid: ~$75

These are the product of the same Bit of Britain sale. I basically picked things with a price I could stomach and color I could deal with and clicked order.

Again, got 34 and the 34 fit fine. These breeches also have a sock bottom. It's double layered and doesn't really have a seam at the bottom, which makes them smooth under paddock boots, but it's a minor PITA to put on. Not a deal breaker.

I actually quite like these breeches--they smooth what needs smoothing, give where it matters, and look sharp day in and day out. They don't sag or wear strangely and I really love the grippy silicone knee patch thingy. It grips without making me hotter, which is fantastic.

That said. They are low rise. Not the lowest rise ever, but HELLOOOOOOO MUFFIN TOP. You'll note I only ever wear them with baggy shirts because wow yeah, no one needs to see that. If you are a short-waisted low-rise-loving person, these are the pants for you.

I might buy these again, but I wouldn't pay full price. They do come in nice colors. They have also started to pill somewhat, but since they work twice as hard at the Tredsteps (at least), I'm not too concerned.

sadly no fantastic in action shots yet

Bachelor #3: Smartpak Equine Piper Knee Patch Breeches in ALL THE COLORS

List price: $79.95
What I paid: ~$64

I'm the queen of the 20% off sale. What can I say? Even with cheap breeches, I can't stomach full price.

I have reviewed the Piper breeches before. I kind of liked them. After I wrote the initial review, I liked them less because I was working in a barn and the pipers definitely have a crotch sag issue (no bueno) and they wore out pretty fast.

old pipers in action

But hey! That was almost two years ago.

So here's the updated review.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors. Who doesn't? Fun colors, good price point. My objection to the old fasteners is gone--they covered the painful metal things with fabric and it's all good there.

The Pipers hit every single one of my must have list in breeches--the rise actually works for my long-waisted self, the sock bottoms are spot on, etc.

So what's not to like?

another old piper shot.

Well, the crotch sag is still a thing. It doesn't matter when I'm riding because obviously there's a whole horse+saddle to hold them up. Since my habits no longer include long working barn days, I'm not really concerned about it. And yeah, they'll wear out eventually, but again, riding one horse means that I'm not putting a ton of wear on them.

I will also say that while this fabric is fantastic for the first few hours, it does sort of stretch out and look less flattering after a while on long days. It snaps back when you wash it, but if you're an industry pro, I wouldn't choose these breeches.

As a one horse adult ammy, I pretty much love them.

also not buying more of these

As a size 34, I don't expect breeches to make me look like a 24. I just want them not to make it worse. Maybe someday I'll cave and buy really, truly expensive breeches. Until then, I remain the budget breeches queen and I am not ashamed.

So there you have it. Three kinds of breeches under $100 each. It can be done.