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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
You might also like:
Comfy and VPL-free underwear designed specially for equestrians
15 pairs of riding tights and leggings worth trying out
10 pairs of breeches that are worth adding to your summer wardrobe
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