I purchased the Smartpak Piper breeches about two weeks ago, wore them once and washed them. Today when I went to wear them I noticed that, on the inner thighs there was a weird wearing. The only way I can describe it would be the fuzziness that appears when you wash polo wraps a lot. These are my first pair of Smartpak breeches and I’m wondering if this is normal wear or something that I should contact the company about. I’m quite disappointed as I’ve only worn and washed them once.
[QUOTE=nycequestrian;7610144]
I purchased the Smartpak Piper breeches about two weeks ago, wore them once and washed them. Today when I went to wear them I noticed that, on the inner thighs there was a weird wearing. The only way I can describe it would be the fuzziness that appears when you wash polo wraps a lot. These are my first pair of Smartpak breeches and I’m wondering if this is normal wear or something that I should contact the company about. I’m quite disappointed as I’ve only worn and washed them once.[/QUOTE]
Contact them - that is not normal. In my experience they will make it right
That weird wearing is generally called pilling.
Pilling… I’ve found that my maroon Piper breeches do that on the inner thigh, but not the other colors. I’ve heard similar feedback about that color. But to be honest for $80 they are the best I’ve found for the fit and price.
I bought SmartPak Piper breeches in Navy and Iron and after the first ride they got the wear you described (pilling) on the inner thigh. I have ridden in them since and it doesn’t seem to be getting worse, but I am not sure I will buy any other pairs.
[QUOTE=hunterrider23;7610212]
That weird wearing is generally called pilling.[/QUOTE]
Thank you! I wasn’t sure if it had an official name or not.
[QUOTE=tua37516;7610224]
Pilling… I’ve found that my maroon Piper breeches do that on the inner thigh, but not the other colors. I’ve heard similar feedback about that color. But to be honest for $80 they are the best I’ve found for the fit and price.[/QUOTE]
Thats interesting. I don’t have the maroon color, I have the charcoal (with the light blue piping).
I bought the Bradley Breeches (I think that is what they were called) and had a similar pilling problem all over. I bought them on sale for about $25.00 so I just let it go - but I would not have been pleased if I had paid full price.
Piper are MUCH nicer than the Bradley, in my opinion.
This is interesting! I was looking into buying the navy with emerald Piper Breeches, but I don’t know if I should anymore. Is it really noticeable or just kind of ‘there’?
[QUOTE=amt813;7610287]
I bought the Bradley Breeches (I think that is what they were called) and had a similar pilling problem all over. I bought them on sale for about $25.00 so I just let it go - but I would not have been pleased if I had paid full price.[/QUOTE]
Yep, my tan Bradleys have done this, quite badly, on the front of the thighs/just above the knees. It hasn’t happened so much with the grey pair. I bought a tan pair of the fullseats on clearance, and I think I’m going to get 3-4 events/shows out of them before the pilling gets to the point they’re relegated to lesson breeches.
I was a tester for the Bradley redesign, and I have to say the fabric on those held up to washing and wearing much better. Not sure when/if they’re bringing them back, though, because that was back in December.
[QUOTE=HunterJumper<3;7610334]
This is interesting! I was looking into buying the navy with emerald Piper Breeches, but I don’t know if I should anymore. Is it really noticeable or just kind of ‘there’?[/QUOTE]
Its not really noticeable (as its on the inner thigh), but I do worry that with further wear it will create a hole or something.
However, I did contact Smartpak and they were very willing to make it right. I will be sending this pair back and exchanging it for another pair to see if I just got a bad pair or what. I really do like the breeches, so I’m hoping the new pair don’t have this problem.
I have three pairs of the Pipers. Charcoal gray in knee patch variety, iron and military green in the full seat variety. I’ve experienced what I would consider mild pilling on all three. The knee patch breeches are the oldest pair, and the pilling was in the crotch area, but has not worsened. The iron full seats pilled where they were coming into contact with the velcro on my quarter sheet, which I would expect. The military green full seats pilled randomly across the outside front of one thigh. I can’t figure out why - I don’t think I leaned on anything or did anything else unusual.
I still think they are quite nice breeches for the price, minor pilling notwithstanding.
I have two pairs of Alexus breeches. One pair (grey) is pilling after maybe five uses over the past few months. The other pair I haven’t worn, but I’m pretty hesitant to use them now. They are expensive enough that it’s painful.
So glad to hear they are re-designing the Bradley! I had a pair of the originals and they pilled really badly after the first wash and I always HATED the fit.
My knee patch maroon and my full seat charcoal/electric corral both did after a few uses. I don’t mind much because I got them on a deal, and I just use them to school. It’s also not noticable. I love these breeches.
[QUOTE=nycequestrian;7610346]
Its not really noticeable (as its on the inner thigh), but I do worry that with further wear it will create a hole or something. [/QUOTE]
Just an fyi, but my fave pair of Kerrits breeches did this in the same spot. For years! I’ll never have the “thigh gap” that skinny girls, so I assume it’s from that, but they pile and pile…and I pull it off when I’m driving around :lol: and I’ve yet to have a hole. Had them, hmmm, at LEAST seven years.
I have several pairs of the pipers and mine do it as well, but not all of them. I refrain from drying them in the dryer and this helps. But it never gets worse after I notice them. I use them for show as well (Jumpers).
[QUOTE=cswoodlandfairy;7611255]
I have several pairs of the pipers and mine do it as well, but not all of them. I refrain from drying them in the dryer and this helps. But it never gets worse after I notice them. I use them for show as well (Jumpers).[/QUOTE]
Thats good to know. I never dry my breeches either as that always seems to shrink them. I am glad to know that it never gets worse. That was my one big worry.
A lot of my breeches and jean pill in the inner thigh, so pretty normal for me.
I own 7 pairs of Pipers and some more then others do pill. I wash in cold in washer and hang dry. I use a fabric shaver and I usually only have to do it one time per pair of pants. After that they never pill again.
I have this shaver which also great for sweaters that pill down your inner arms, etc. Any soft, fairly plush fabric (think felt) is going to pill due to rubbing. Pipers are a very soft breech, which I love them for. No big deal to me that I have to use the shaver on them once per pair.
I have this shaver, but any style/brand would do. http://www.amazon.com/Brookstone-Fabric-Shaver/dp/B002Q2IOR6
