I am a trail rider who like to be comfortable. I usually ride in jeans, but after getting some new exercise wear recently, I have started to think about some type of legging for riding.
I ride in Ariat paddock boots, no half chaps or chaps, and in a saddle with no roughout. I would love to have a pocket to put my phone in.
Do I need full seat? Knee patches? I am a plus size rider and am hoping for any suggestions you might have.
Thanks!
Performa Rides are really nice- little bit of silicone on the seat (not hot like full seat leather) and have a good sized pocket and come in plus sizes. My other favs are Irideon but I don’t know if they have a pocket model.
Horseware riding tights are the BOMB! They are the most comfortable riding/legging I have ever worn. They are great for any temperature also. I have several pairs and rode multiple horses every day in the crazy heat and they have held up great, with repeated washings. They also have a phone pocket on each side of the leg.
I know the owner of Horseware Ireland rides on the Irish endurance team and he wore them at WEG.
I personally love Kerrits, and many of them have phone pockets, but many people are very happy with just their exercise wear ones! It really depends on saddle comfort, slippiness, etc. I find without half chaps I get pinched by the leathers (wouldn’t be a problem in a western saddle). I say you try your exercise wear ones out, and see if they work, you can at least evaluate if you’d need full seat or knee patches then.
I like full seat breeches. I am a bit fleshy these days but not seriously overweight and find I prefer the fit and look of a proper breech with zipper and belt loops over riding tights. The breeches are still stretchy just not as soft as tights, and if they fit right are comfortable. However for a plus size rider you might find that the really stretchy tights are much more comfortable.
Did you know you can get boot cut breeches and maybe tights with full seats? Boot cut breeches (johdpurs?) are standard in sad
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹dlebred world though unknown in other parts of the continent. I have thought that if I get a Western saddle I would find some boot cut full seat jods in denim.
Kerrits and Tropical Rider
I live in the South so my recommendations are for hot weather, but I love the Kerrits cargo breeches, lots of pockets and very lightweight.
I also like the Noble Outfitters tight, flattering with a secure thigh pocket for your phone.
The Irideon bootcut version is very comfortable and the most supportive fabric. The downside is no phone pocket…there’s one super tiny key pocket.
I have Kerrits icefills and love them. Each thigh has the same generous slash pocket for a phone, a bandana, whatever. They wear well. The legs have small silicone dots for grip.
I have Kerrits microcord for cooler weather. No pockets, but super comfortable. Also wear well. Knee patches, not as secure as the silicone dots.
I ride in paddock boots, in either my dressage or western saddle (slick hard seat) . I’m a 14 in dress clothes.
In the South here too, which at the moment feels like the never ending summer!
Check out Baleaf athletic tights on Amazon. Lots of colors, nice thick fabric (no panty lines), a wide range of sizes, very stretchy, no issues with chafing, breathable and lots of them have giant pockets on each thigh that are very secure - I can easily fit car keys and an iPhone 8 with case into one side. Everything’s stayed put through some pretty athletic trail riding with no issues. I’ve even used the pocket to hold a 24-ounce water bottle one day hiking when I got tired of carrying it. I do ride with a sheepskin seat saver for some extra cushion and grip, however.
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