Winter is coming… a winter breeches thread

[Always_WIP]

I had a fun surprise when I put on my winter breeches for the first time this year - they don’t fit. While it’s great the fitness plan is working, it turns out that my absolute favorite winter breeches are no longer made. Dover bought Noble Equestrian and they aren’t making any winter breeches.

I’m looking for a soft shell winter breech that is fleece lined. Or something that blocks the wind very well. In my experience fleece isn’t enough, especially with the really wet winters here in the PNW. I’m still on the upper end of the size range (34/36) so some of the European brands aren’t viable yet. And while I love Kerrits shirts, their breeches fit very poorly on me.

Any recommendations for a soft shell winter breech/tight?

[TinFoilHat]

So I know your last sentence said Kerrits fits poorly on you, but I did try these on last week in store and I (personally) think they are better made and feel higher quality than their lighter tights. That said, I do like their tights and have both a knee patch pair and the fleece lite IIs. Just wanted to throw these out there just in case since the reviews are good!

Kerrits WindPro

Anyways, here are some others I tried on that I also have on my list to acquire - I want to emphasize that although I do shop for quality, I’m a deal-feen through and through so I don’t splurge for schooling apparel:

Dover Wesley

FITS Thermamax (I have to have these……)

Horze Active Winter (I don’t have these exact ones, but I do have a few full seats in this brand and like them)

The rest that I am wanting are unfortunately mostly in Kerrit’s winter breech lineup and then a couple of non-winter Horze breeches on Amazon ¯_(ツ)_/¯

ETA: Completely skipped over the part in your OP that you wanted soft shell breeches…… So I apologize, my response is probably largely unhelpful.

[JBCool]

While I seriously don’t like the regular Pipers from Smartpak, I LOVE the softshell Pipers. As in, I have several colors.

[Scribbler]

I have Kerrits, Horze, and BVertigo soft shells. I feel they all fit a bit large. I wear long underwear under them, microfiber or fleece or merino wool depending on the temperature. They are water repellant though not water proof. I have good raincoats but they tend to blow back and my knees get wet (also on PNW). I don’t know if any of these brands go up to a 34/36. I bought these when I was a solid 32 and they were generous. I’ve lost a few pounds and they are a bit loose but still wearable. Especially with long underwear.

[GreyDes]

Stickyseat has a wide size range and is made in the US. They use Polartec Windpro, which is the softshell windblocking fabric. https://www.stickyseat.com/7591WPStickyseatPolartecWindProFleeceCargoEuroseatTight.aspx

I also have Pikeur winter, B Vertigo and FITS. The FITS also use (or at least used to) Windpro. These are generally the warmest. The Pikeur is a solid softshell style fleece. B Vertigo is not a softshell. It’s a nice stretchy fabric and warm if there’s no wind but is not nearly as warm as the other three.

[Mango20]

My favorites are the FITS winter tights. They fit me perfectly and are nice and warm, and have a pocket that a phone will fit in. I think I originally got them on sale.

[c0608524]

My winter breeches review.

This is for all us “winter warriors” looking for winter breeches. I own a few different pairs and styles and happy to share my experience with them! For reference: I live in southern Ontario. Not uncommon to see double digit negatives (celsius, of course). Tack up area is heated, arena is not. Since I’ll mention fit, I’m 5’5, weigh about 160 lbs, and carry my weight mostly in lower belly and thighs. My perfect fit breeches are Struck breeches in size 30. Horze Thermal Grand Prix Breeches: h…

I’m a bit different shaped now (163 down to 127, yes I’m proud and want to mention it!) but the post still rings true. I was bored on a night shift and wrote out my reviews

[Always_WIP]

Hell yeah! You should be proud. Congratulations!!! That’s a huge accomplishment.

[Always_WIP]

These look fab, thank you!

[Always_WIP]

Thanks these are some great options! I may not need the softshell I’ve just noticed such a huge difference between the lighter fleece breeches (Kerrits) and my softshell ones. So much warmer when they can block the wind and are a bit thicker and water resistant.

[Always_WIP]

Yay another PNWer! I feel like sometimes it’s harder to find active winter gear here - the wet makes everything a lot harder. I’m way warmer in the dryer winter climates than here. Plus, my barns always seem to be on a mountain or at least an area that the wind absolutely whips through. Just my luck I guess.

I haven’t done the long underwear thing yet for riding but it may come to that. I have some absolutely amazing Patagonia layers but I’m not sure how they would hold up or do as a riding layer. My issue is I get rubs so easily - it’s why as soon as my breeches get baggy I have to buy a new size. Otherwise my skin just hates me. I’m a little worried about layering and getting rubs but I may need to attempt it nonetheless.

My new barn has shed rows and a longer walk to the arena so it’s likely I’ll need to upgrade my gear to stay warm this winter.

[Always_WIP]

I didn’t even know they made these, thanks for the rec! Definitely worth a try at that price point.

[Always_WIP]

That’s ok, I honestly may need to branch out. Thank you for the detailed recs!!

[Scribbler]

@Always_WIP

Yay another PNWer! I feel like sometimes it’s harder to find active winter gear here - the wet makes everything a lot harder. I’m way warmer in the dryer winter climates than here. Plus, my barns always seem to be on a mountain or at least an area that the wind absolutely whips through. Just my luck I guess.

I haven’t done the long underwear thing yet for riding but it may come to that. I have some absolutely amazing Patagonia layers but I’m not sure how they would hold up or do as a riding layer. My issue is I get rubs so easily - it’s why as soon as my breeches get baggy I have to buy a new size. Otherwise my skin just hates me. I’m a little worried about layering and getting rubs but I may need to attempt it nonetheless.

My new barn has shed rows and a longer walk to the arena so it’s likely I’ll need to upgrade my gear to stay warm this winter.

Hmm. My softshell fleece breeches feel more comfortable with a long underwear layer. Especially fleece. The only kind I have destroyed by riding are silk and some thinner merino. The soft microfiber and fleece are indestructible.

I also will wear two waterproof layers, like a water proof parka and then my waterproof raincoat. I have to say, I feel like I don’t get that much mileage out of waterproof membrane gear. Maybe 3 or 4 years and then I can’t keep it waterproof. Now I don’t have any true Goretex because $$$ but I have fairly pricey enough membrane gear from other reputable brands.

[suzyq]

Love the fits thermax ones!

[islgrl]

@JBCool

While I seriously don’t like the regular Pipers from Smartpak, I LOVE the softshell Pipers. As in, I have several colors.

I also don’t like the regular pipers on me but the winter ones are great but you need to go down a size (or two) from your regular size…

[JBCool]

May be a build problem, I wear the same size.

[TWH_Girl]

Horze Active Winter with silicone are warm, comfy and affordable! Have 3 pairs, these are my favorite winter breeches.

[CindyCRNA]

I do the smartpak silicon high waisted breeches and wear fleece lined leggings under them for winter.