Pipers in 2020 - Bubbling/ Rippling at Seams?

[fatappy]

I did search, but most recent were some reccos, but most were quite old.

I bought some pipers when they very first came out - probably 6-7 pairs in 2014-2015. The very first pair are still ok, but every subsequent pair has bubbling/ rippling on the butt and they all need to be donated/ discarded - i just can’t stand it any longer!

Are the newer models still doing this or did I just get an unlucky streak. I checked the reviews on the website and don’t see this mentioned. I do see a few people put them in the dryer, I have never done that, but maybe that would have helped them keep their shape better?

Anyway - would love people’s experience on more recent purchases.

[hairystockings]

As far as I know, all the pipers still do this. I quit buying them because of it which is a bummer. Their early days were great. Seems like the destiny of every pair of pipers is to give their owner diaper butt.

[ajfager]

I bought a pair of full seat Pipers about 3 months ago on clearance. I’ve only ridden in them 5-10 times so far, but they seem to be holding up fine. I’ve washed them and thrown them in the dryer too without any catastrophes. A loose string here and there, but I haven’t noticed any seams unravelling or tearing.

Unsure how frequently you’d be riding in them, but especially if you can find them on sale I’d say they’re worth it. Mine were only $30, so even if they only hold up for a year I guess I won’t be too disappointed.

As an aside, I did buy a pair of Kerrits Griptek II Fullseat breeches on sale ($80) shortly thereafter and I love them. Again, I haven’t put tons of rides on them yet, but quality wise they seem pretty good so far and they’re very flattering. The material is a stretch woven fabric, so it’s very thin but is still quite supportive. Really great for warm weather, but there was also enough stretch to let me put some wool tights on underneath when it snowed here last week. They are extremely grippy though. My first ride, I was half tempted to rub some dirt all over them to get rid of some of the grip, so if you’re used to riding in knee patch breeches you might not like them. They’ve been washed a few times, and they’re still very grippy, but I don’t feel quite so “stuck” in them anymore, or maybe I’ve just gotten used to it.

[Redlei44]

Pipers have never worked for me, fit- or construction-wise. I usually don’t care for super stretchy leggings-type breeches anyway, but I try them occasionally, and Pipers are always cheap looking and cheap feeling to me (including the seam issues you mention). I have heard several times that the SP Hadleys are different (for the better if you don’t like the Pipers, usually) but cannot confirm that myself.

[EsqEquestrian]

I haven’t bought any Pipers recently, but did have the bubbling/rippling effect in 2018/2019. I bought two pairs of Hadleys on sale in 2019, and I like the quality and fit of those a LOT better. They’ve held up pretty solidly with consistent riding, but I have noticed the threads on the knee patches are starting to come undone.

[Mulligan314]

I bought a pair of pipers recently off the recommendation of someone who swears by them(but she also is upfront that she has a ton of pairs that are really old). I haven’t purchased breeches in a long time…LONG…time. When they went on sale for %29 or something, I decided to throw caution to the wind and buy a pair. First ones were too big…diaper butt and baggy knees. Sent back and got a second pair…they are still not my favorite. I cannot attest to the bubbling/seam issues as I haven’t worn them enough to have any of that happen, but I dislike the feel 100%…hence why I haven’t worn them a lot. My sister bought a pair of the Hadleys tights at the same time(same sale) and she loves hers. They look super comfy.

[minniethemare]

I bought a few pairs of Piper original breeches a few years back and had the same problem - they became worn and stretched out, and then rippled along the seams. I switch to Piper Knit breeches, which are a different material (stretchy cotton blend, according to the website), and have not had that issue with any of my knit breeches, despite being heavily worn and also a few years old. The knit breeches I have also had loose threads/some stitching come undone, so that does seem to be typical across the board, but I only buy any when they are on sale (< $35-40) so I don’t feel so bad about trashing them (I’m hard on breeches!). They are warmer than the originals, though, so that may be a deterrant for some.

[technicolorpoetry]

Like Minniethemare mentioned above, the knit pipers (with silicone knee patches) don’t have the bubbly seam issues. All the others I’ve gotten over the past couple of years eventually end up with the issue, though not so badly that I’ve tossed them. Usually it’s pilling and holes in the crotch/upper inner thigh that make me toss my Pipers after a year or so.

[Posting_Trot]

I have not had the problem you’re referencing with the bubbling of the seams, and I have three pairs. The big issue I’ve had is that each pair fits differently, and I’ve sent back at least a couple of pairs because the fit was so off.