Looking for suggestions for schooling breeches. The mid rise tailored sportsman I have loved in the past do not hold up anymore. Not sure what changed but TS, but the ones that I have bought in last 2 years do not last. Looking for a year round midrise knee patch breech.
RJ Classics are great. My 2-3 year old pairs still look new.
Tredsteps Symphony still hold up great too.
B Vertigo for their comfort, but they do pill a bit when tossed in with the rest of my laundry, but they are so comfortable that I’ll forgive them for it.
I agree about TS. I have 2 pairs of the Trophy Hunters in colors and one has a button that has some sharp part that stabs me in the gut when I bend over occasionally. I can’t figure out why and it’s not that they’re too small… but happens from time to time and it’s made me really resent them.
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I like the Romfh Sarafina, and Struck - I prefer a full seat, but both of these are nice breeches. Durable, comfortable. Romfh is thicker fabric, Struck is lighter (like TS but not cotton blend) but feels very high-end in every way, down to the zipper.
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Another vote for RJs. Basically all I ride in anymore… I have far too many colors.
I’m laughing and also annoyed for you. Have you taken a really good look for the defect? If it’s an exposed metal burr, you could Dremel it smooth.
My Strucks have kept up quality wise. I’m really, really bad and wash with fabric softener which I’ve been told is not great for them and they still look brand new.
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Ditto the RJ recommendation! You can also often find last season’s colors on sale for significantly less than TS too.
Also quite like the couple pair of Romfh Sarafinas I have, but they sadly go on sale less often than the RJs.
I’ve liked the fullseat Tredsteps I have, but be careful on the models–the one pair I ordered was so low rise I couldn’t bend over in them without fear of mooning the world so back they went. Pretty sure the ones I liked that are a bit higher rise are the Neros.
I CANNOT seem to wear out my Romfh Sarafinas. I have never seen breeches that wear like iron they way they do.
For home I do a rotation of old style TS, Dover brand (I like the Wellesley ones, very flattering) and some Kerrits. The Strucks do eventually wear out and lose a good deal of their silicone. I’ve noticed this with both the show and “econ” (ha!) series. I have a four year old green pair (that I love!) and wear it at home when I want to feel tight by comparison in my stickiest show breeches and tall boots at a show. The old Strucks are slick as Crisco, but the fabric still looks fantastic!
I love the Dover brand (I like the Wellesley too) as a cheaper alternative that is often on sale. They wear great! I also have heard awesome things about the Romfh Sarafina breeches but haven’t bit the bullet yet. I may this spring when I start riding again.
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I was 100% Romph Serafinas, which are my favorite traditional breech, then switched to Free Ride - which I find infinitely more comfortable than a traditional breech, and are much cheaper. The Seraphinas are all still going strong 3 years in. I have only had the Free Rides since summer, but I ride multiple horses six days a week, and they are holding up well so far. I also won’t balk at replacing them at the price point. They are a higher rise than the Seraphinas, but I prefer it.
I have some Romfh Serafinas that have lasted for probably four years or more. Love the fit. But they are pricey. I managed to get some on sale one upon a time via State Line.
Bought a few pairs of the Tredstep Nero breeches in the last six months. Like the fit and comfort but can’t speak to the durability. For whatever reason the blue ribbon color has been on sale for roughly half price for several months. It’s lighter and more purple than depicted here, but a fine color.
I am starting to convert to Team Silicone Knee Patch.
Also have a pair of the OEQ Breeches. The rise is a bit too tall for me. Instead of getting the old TS shelf bra effect, it’s more of a low crotch thing. Fine when riding but sometimes annoying when not riding. I suppose that I could wear a belt. The price is certainly right.
Romph and Ariat
The RJs are super-tough, and some of the Dover brand ones are great, although they can fit oddly. I have a couple of pairs of the Wellesley that are nice for cold weather because they are a thicker fabric, but they are a bit baggy around my knees.
I also like the Equine Couture ones- you can usually find them on sale and they are especially nice for summer (very light), although I wear them year-round. These tend to run a bit small, so if you want some but can’t try them on maybe trying ordering a size up. They have a lot of goofy embellishments, like crystal buttons and such, but I don’t care about that for schooling breeches, and if you like bling definitely check them out!
Riding Warehouse has some Sarafina colors on sale.
I tried Halter Ego recently and really like their Perfection 2.0 breeches. Great amount of stick from the silicone knee patches which I like.
They have more compression than the TS, just as an FYI–I like having that extra compression but I know some folks don’t.
The RJs, for whatever reason, have never fit me great and I do not know why. I’m bummed because I like the colors and normally everything RJ fits me fine.
