If you’re new to horseback riding, you might wonder, ‘Are riding trousers really more expensive than regular pants?’ or ‘How do I choose the right pair?’ In this article, we compare riding trousers with regular pants, explore different types, and recommend the best options for beginners.
Differences Between Regular Pants and Riding Trousers
Many riding schools permit just comfortable pants for trial lessons, but once you decide to pursue riding seriously, purchase of proper riding trousers is often recommended. But what are the key differences between regular pants and riding trousers?
Durability
The biggest difference is durability. While jeans seem tough, they tend to tear at high-friction areas like knees or inner thighs. Riding trousers, however, are designed to fit snugly and distribute friction evenly across the fabric, reducing wear over time. Even after years of use, the fabric is less likely to rip.
Initially, thick, stretchy fabric might feel tight, but as you get accustomed to wearing them, they provide strong support for your lower body, offering a reassuring feeling of stability.
Design for Riding
Riding involves intense friction on specific areas such as where the saddle contacts the legs and around the boots. Therefore, riding trousers often feature reinforced material on the inner thighs and seat, which also helps protect the skin from soreness or irritation. Many riding trousers have flat, pocketless designs on the sides to avoid pressure points that would cause discomfort when under load.
Types and Features of Riding Trousers
When choosing riding trousers, aside from color and size, what other aspects should you consider? Here, we discuss the shape and material options for riding trousers.
Same Fabric Type
The reinforced areas at the saddle and inner thighs are made of the same fabric as the rest of the trousers, called ‘same fabric’ or ‘tomonuno’. Despite being slightly slower to dry due to thickness, care is easier because the entire garment is made of the same material, making maintenance simple.
Leather or Silicone Grips
Some riding trousers have labels like ‘seat leather’ or ‘knee grip’. These indicate the addition of non-slip material to improve grip, which can be applied to the seat or knees. There’s no clear superiority—some riders prefer full grip for security, others are satisfied with just knee grip.
Modern silicone grips are increasingly common due to their ease of maintenance and high grip performance. When you own your saddle, choosing a grip that matches its softness and slip characteristics is recommended.
With or Without Tucks
Some trousers feature ‘tucks,’ which are folds sewn into the fabric to give a looser fit around the waist. Tucked riding trousers are especially popular among experienced male riders because they offer less constriction and can be more comfortable for long wear.
Even with tucks, the legs from the knee down are firmly fitted, so there’s no need to worry about difficulty wearing boots or restricted movement.
Hem Shapes
Riding trousers come with two main types of hems: the straightforward ‘jodhpur’ style, which looks like regular pants, and the ‘breech’ style that tightly fits around the ankles with velcro or similar fastenings. Jodhpur-style is often paired with short boots or chaps, while breeches are designed for long boots, reducing bulk around the ankle. However, some jodhpur styles fit snugly like skinny jeans, allowing compatibility with long boots.
Try on to Confirm Size and Durability
As online shopping for riding gear increases, do you really need to try on before buying? It’s important to check the texture and size to ensure comfort, especially since riding trousers fit snugly and material elasticity varies.
Check Feel and Size
Riding trousers are designed to fit tightly, and even a slight mismatch can cause discomfort. Choosing the same size as your current trousers might still feel tight or loose depending on fabric and cut. To avoid wasting money on an ill-fitting pair, try on in physical stores or use online stores with try-on services to confirm the fit first.
Color and Design
When shopping online, color can be uncertain, and there may be slight differences between the online image and reality. Seeing and trying on in person is the best way to ensure the product meets expectations and to avoid disappointment after arrival.
Popular and Affordable Full Grip Riding Trousers
If you’re undecided about which type to choose, the popular and affordable full grip silicone riding trousers are highly recommended. They offer a great balance of function and style, are more affordable than leather options, and provide excellent grip. Many fashionable options are available, making them especially popular among women.
Summary
When starting horse riding, investing in proper riding trousers is a wise choice. While more expensive than typical pants, their functionality and durability are tailored for equestrian use. The various types differ in fabric and shape, but comfort is ultimately subjective. The key is to select based on personal preference.
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