Jeans vs Breeches

[rosegold]

When I was first introduced to riding as a child, I rode in jeans for a year or two until my parents could buy me breeches (a helmet, paddock boots, and half chaps had set us back).

Nowadays, my only jeans are fairly nice ones (for fashion, not for work) that I wouldn’t want to “ruin” at the barn, so I wouldn’t ride in them anyhow, but for a while I did ranch events and rode in work jeans almost every day. It felt odd at first, but the way a western saddle’s built so thickly combined with those long western stirrups made me okay with it eventually.

I’ve never liked riding in jeans when I’m in an English saddle, though, just because jeans are so inflexible and bulky when compared to breeches, and I prefer a closer contact.

TL;DR I prefer jeans in a Western saddle, but breeches otherwise.

[PlanB]

I hate riding in jeans. I prefer breeches or yoga pants.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Started western; then rode huntseat for about ten years; switched back to western a couple of years ago.

The jeans I wore back in the day were awful. Stiff as cardboard and when they got sweaty they felt as if they weighed 25 lbs. I was thrilled to switch to breeches when I changed to english.

But now they make jeans out of lightweight stretchy fabric. I love them for riding. Plus now I have pockets!

[ParadoxFarm]

I don’t wear jeans or anything with bigger seams up the back side, because, yes, they will mar the softer calf-skin saddles. Even when I ride western, I put on a pair of breeches. Usually boot-cut breeches for western so I don’t look like a total idiot. But actually I sometimes where my English ones with boots and half chaps even when riding western. I do like some of the more modern denim breeches out there, but haven’t tried any yet. I like the looks of these: http://www.doversaddlery.com/gd-rdr-equestrian-jn-kneepatch/p/X1-35945/?eid=X18A00U1000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=MerchantAdv&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=114&zmap=0035945317321X1-35945&mkwid=syTe5QpgM&crid=75877033327&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&pdv=c&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4rbABRD_gfPA2-uQqroBEiQA58MNdAGl6d3mxpYcpO3nIDmtrLHsahEVeMoIUIvP0Jtn3IgaApgr8P8HAQ

[Nezzy]

OP- maybe get yourself a pair of riding tights and see what you think.

[HP_sblueskyenterprise]

Well when I rode mostly western I didn’t get rubs from riding in jeans in a western saddle but once I started riding in jeans in an english saddle, I got horrible rubs. The leathers pinched my legs, and it was altogether very uncomfortable. Breeches are so soft, yet supportive, and they don’t wear out in all the wrong places and I haven’t had them ever split in the wrong place like jeans.

[pony_baloney]

[QUOTE=2DogsFarm;8904690]
I used to LOVE HacTac brand jeans & had several pairs in a lot of colors.
I rode H/J & Dressage at the time & they were The.Most.Comfortable in all weather - cool in summer, Warm (with thermals beneath) in Wiinter.
All that for under $100.
Sadly they do not seem to exist any longer - at least not in the US.
The riding jeans I’ve found - under $200! - are not well-made or all that comfortable.[/QUOTE]

I still have a pair of HacTac jeans from 1987ish! Luckily they still fit me and are so comfy but are beginning to wear out a bit where my upper thighs rub. It’s only the past few years that I can squeeze into them.

[Dani]

[QUOTE=Nezzy;8905438]
OP- maybe get yourself a pair of riding tights and see what you think.[/QUOTE]

Tempted, but I really can’t afford to buy too many things for myself right now! Mostly just curious about the difference between the two.

For those that ride in Yoga pants, are those not slippery??

[Magicboy]

I don’t have any info on yoga pants but only ride in breeches, never jeans…even on trails and western tack. Breeches are SO much more comfortable

[cloudy18]

I trail ride, Western, and wear jeans. I do have a pair of riding tights for hotter weather. They’re cooler and have more give than jeans do on sweaty legs. I alo occasionally ride on trails with pickers and thorns, and would think those would do a number on breeches or tights. Although that would be an excuse to buy some nice chaps. I sometimes wear an ugly pair of suede chaps. Wearing jeans under those vs breeches or tights is a bit bulky, but I guess it’s what you’re used to.

[Dani]

I have a nice set of Chinks that I wear over my jeans on trails too, don’t want to damage my jeans lol

[Megaladon]

Breeches, here, full seat to be exact. They are very comfortable and pretty much a necessity when riding big moving horses.

[rockonxox]

I used to ride in jeans and full chaps as a kid and never had issues. Sometime in college I started getting denim burns in not so good places. I haven’t gone back to wearing jeans. I find that the fabric is hot and uncomfortable. The right pair of breeches feels like heaven to me! Comfortable, breathable, sleek, and no seams that would cause issues.

Now if I go on a regular ol’ trail ride (walk/trot with minimal canter work) in a western saddle vs my usual jumping then I would go with jeans. They don’t bother me in that type of situation.

[sophie]

I ride in breeches most of the time, they are more comfortable (stretchy, no seams, grippy knee patch or full seats) and you can find some really cheap, in the $30 range.

But I do ride in jeans / regular pants quite a bit too. I just don’t do any sitting trot or canter then but if those jeans/pants have enough stretch in them, with 1/2 chaps they are fine for a quick - not dressage-y - ride.