Alternatives to the Hadley FS High-waist?

[Knubbsy]

It seems SP is no longer making the Hadley in the high waist; everything else in that line is mid-rise, which doesn’t work for my body dimensions, so what are folks’ recommendations for the following?

• Technical Fabric. I love that the Hadley fabric isn’t a terry but instead more of a smooth finish so hay doesn’t stick to it, substantial enough that things are smoothed out without being too heavyweight, and stains don’t stick around. I’ve heard the fabric is similar to TS but can’t actually confirm.
• Pockets! Bare minimum a pocket I stuff a cell phone in, better two so I can also stuff cookies in a pocket. It can be a seat pocket, a thigh pocket, front pocket, whatever. Just not a tiny coin pocket.
• True High Waist. I have enough “substance” that hitting the true waist is most flattering, and mid-rise tends to be too low when I’m sitting, so shirts come untucked (those that have a higher back might also work).
• Suede/Clarino Full Seat. I don’t love silicone, I’ve tried, but it just feels weird. This seems to be the hardest thing to find.

I don’t care too much about colors and I fit in straight sizing so not an issue there. And I’m fine hemming my own breeches if they run long.

So - recommendations?

[MapleFarm]

Romfh Champion. I think they tick all the boxes?

[enjoytheride]

Smartpak was acquired by Covetrus awhile back and has been slowly phasing out all of their Smartpak tack and apparel to switch back to a supplement focused company. Rumor is they will still carry their blankets.

[BraveSC]

I second the Romfh Champion… if you can get your hands on some Romfh Isabellas to try they are the only silicone seat I like (not weird or overly sticky) and last longer than the champions.

[luvmyhackney]

You might like the new Sync suede seat breeches. I ordered a pair as they are high waist, technical fabric, and folks in my area love the silicone version.

[CanteringCarrot]

I can’t stand silicone breeches and have had a hard time finding nice breeches with a suede knee patch and phone pocket. I can’t do fullseats in the summer here, it’s too hot and humid.

Romfh are OK, but last time I checked they do not have a good pocket to carry a cell phone in as the OP requested. Have they come out with new models that do have this?

I did have Romfh Sarafina fullseats and was not pleased with the fullseat material. The material badly pilled after two wears (maybe I got a dud?). I’ve not had any other fullseats do this aside from a cheap pair of Horze breeches. Granted, I guess the Sarafina isn’t all that expensive either, so I guess you get what you pay for.

I’ve not tried them again and ride exclusively in Pikeur when it comes to suede/clarino fullseats. The only negative there is that while they do have some nice tech fabrics, they’re not all exactly light. The Candela is pretty high waisted and does have a phone pocket though. There are different fabrics available for that model. I think they’d check all of your boxes depending on price and material preference. They wash and wear beautifully.

[Knubbsy]

I don’t need a phone pocket like a thigh pocket (I forget who was instituting that more often - maybe cavallo?) just a servicable pocket - front, back, whatever.

Years ago I had a Horze pair I liked but I’m pretty sure I got it used and considering it still had velcro ankle closures, I imagine it’s especially old!

[Knubbsy]

I’ve been told by SP CS that blankets will still be stocked this fall (I have several Ultimate items that need to be replaced per warranty and they said to go ahead and wait until the fall so we can get the same color) but the apparent discontinuation of clothing, or at least narrower range is making me look elsewhere for breeches

[CanteringCarrot]

Ah ok, I think I misunderstood the, “Bare minimum a pocket I stuff a cell phone in…”

My phone might just be too big. I haven’t been able to fit it into anything but a thigh pocket. Or the extra deep pockets on my Kerrits tights.

[Knubbsy]

I think it makes a difference in rise - at least for me - my mid-rise Hadleys don’t secure my phone as well as my high-waist; it’s more liable to flop out of the pocket in the former rather than the later, with the later I can ride with it peaking out of my back pocket without impacting the phone’s security or (mostly) my seat. I do have a belt bag I can add but sometimes I just want to stuff my phone in my pocket and not need one more thing.

(I’ve edited the original post to clarify I just want to avoid dumb shallow “girl pockets”)

[CanteringCarrot]

Girl pockets are so useless!

I’ve also used a belt bag, but you’re right, it is just one more thing.

My torso is generally too short to not look ridiculous in high waist breeches so I’m fairly reliant on the thigh pocket.

[sami-joe]

For the last decade-plus, I’ve only bought secondhand breeches and my favorite zip-up Kerrit shirt/jackets. I set an alert and forget about it and my searches rarely fail if I’m patient.

Yes, I’ve bought a few things that didn’t work out. Overall, I’ve saved money and reduced my contributions to landfills and the general bane of horse-related consumerism. (Sometimes they’re remaindered, i.e., brand new and sold in bulk to someone who’s reselling individually.)

There are lots of secondhand horse sites/apps, not to mention our local rescue’s thrift shop.
Here’s a quick ebay search on for Hadley breeches high rise.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Hadley+breeches+high+rise&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_odkw=Hadley+breeches+&_osacat=0

[Knubbsy]

@sami-joe 80% of my riding wardrobe is from poshmark, ebay, maryland saddlery, tried equestrian, etc (my bragging rights for the year is a $6 NWOT ariat show shirt) but the online stock of Hadley in my size and preferred fit is dwindling, so I’m looking for other options.

@CanteringCarrot a couple of people I know shove their phones down the front of their breeches between their belts and the waistband or between their waistband and stomach, but I don’t trust that. So the hunt for pockets continues!

[CanteringCarrot]

@luvmyhackney

You might like the new Sync suede seat breeches. I ordered a pair as they are high waist, technical fabric, and folks in my area love the silicone version.

Have you worn yours yet? I was curious about the weight of the material on these, and how the fullseat holds up.

[sami-joe]

@Knubbsy

$6 NWOT ariat show shirt

[luvmyhackney]

I have not worn mine yet. So can’t speak to them, but my barn friend really likes her pair.

[Sticky_Situation]

I miss the old smartpak. Awesome customer service, and the smartpak brand tack and clothing was overall decent quality at affordable prices. They felt like a part of the horse community.

Then private equity came along to remind us that we can’t have nice things.

[enjoytheride]

They’ve been real quiet about reducing their stock too. There are whole sections with no Smartpak brand items, and I wonder if the other brands will no longer be available soon.

[Butterfly1]

I just bought a pair of Sync breeches when they had their 4th of July sale and love them! I’m so impressed with the quality of fabric, stitching and details. They are so comfy too. The suede seat is thin and flexible unlike more traditional breeches. I know they are planning on making them in other colors in the Fall.

[luvmyhackney]

@Butterfly1

The suede seat is thin and flexible unlike more traditional breeches. I know they are planning on making them in other colors in the Fall.

I was slighly grumpy that they did black as the first color in the summer! Why not a nice lighter color. Main reason I haven’t worn them is I just can’t put on a black pair of breeches when its 98F outside.