Riding breeches are one of the most important pieces of riding gear you’ll invest in. The right riding pants provide better comfort, greater freedom of movement, and a more stable connection to the saddle, whether you ride a few times a month or train several times a week. At Unamari, we develop and design our own riding breeches from Catago and Equipage, and we actively draw on that experience when developing new models. That’s why you’ll find not only a wide selection of riding breeches here - you’ll find models designed for different riders, seasons, and needs.
Why choose riding breeches over regular pants?
It can be tempting to ride in a pair of leggings or jeans if you only ride occasionally. But after just a few rides, most people will realize why riding pants were developed as a very special type of riding apparel.
Women’s riding breeches are designed to fit snugly without being too tight. They have fewer irritating seams on the inside of the legs, where contact with the saddle is greatest, and the materials are selected to follow your movements rather than hinder them. The result is greater comfort and a more stable position in the saddle.
In addition, most riding breeches are equipped with advanced grip technologies or leather on the inside. In Catago and Equipage riding breeches, we use silicone grip, which helps create a more secure grip in the saddle without restricting your freedom of movement. Many riders find that they have a feel on your legs better connection with the horse when they switch from regular pants to riding breeches with grip.
The materials also make a big difference. Modern riding breeches are often made from polyamide, polyester, and spandex, which combine high durability with flexibility and breathability. This means the breeches retain their shape even after many hours of riding, while also helping to regulate temperature during activity.
Which riding breeches are best for you?
There isn’t a single pair of riding breeches that fits everyone. When we develop new models, a large part of the work is focused on creating riding breeches for different types of riders rather than just different colors. That’s why you can find riding pants for every rider here.
For those who want a classic premium pair of riding breeches
If you’re looking for riding breeches you can use for both daily training and competitions, the Catago Rachel is an obvious choice. The Rachel is made from a bonded fabric with 4-way stretch that combines high comfort with a durable construction. The model is available in both knee-grip and full grip versions, so you can choose the option that best suits your riding style.
If you prefer a more modern and sporty look, the Catago Rihanna is a great alternative. The fabric offers maximum freedom of movement, the deep pockets are practical for everyday use, and the high waist provides good support without feeling stiff.
For riders who want an elegant competition look
Some riders want more than just functionality - they also want an exclusive look. The Catago Vesta was developed with exactly that in mind. It combines ultra-lightweight 4-way stretch, full grip, and a high waist with discreet rhinestones and elegant details, making this model ideal for riders who want a stylish look for both training and competitions.
For those who ride all winter long
If you ride outdoors year-round, the choice of materials becomes even more important for your comfort.
For regular winter days, many riders will find the Equipage Janet to be a great choice; it’s made from softshell with a soft, brushed interior and a water-repellent exterior. This combination keeps you warm on the first cold days of spring, through fall, and all winter long.
If you often feel cold in your thighs or lower back, or if you ride outdoors for many hours, Catago HEAT Tech is a completely different product. It features heating elements integrated along the outer thighs and lower back, allowing you to choose between three heat settings using a power bank. It’s a specialized winter model for riders who don’t want the cold to limit their riding.
On the coldest days, the Equipage Clash may be the best solution. It’s a lined overpair of pants worn over your regular riding pants, providing extra protection against wind and cold.
For those who want the best value for their money
The Equipage series is designed for riders who want functional riding breeches at an attractive price. Models such as LEONI, Andalouse, and Alissa offer great comfort, full grip or knee-grip depending on the model, and a fit that suits many Riders. They are the obvious choice for both beginners and experienced riders who want reliable riding pants for everyday use.
Riding breeches for competitions
When competing, it’s important to choose riding breeches that both comply with the rules and provide the comfort you need throughout a long day of competition. Most riders choose white riding breeches for competitions, and a good fit is essential so the pants stay comfortable from warm-up to the final class.
Many dressage riders prefer full grip because it provides extra stability in the saddle, while grip riding pants with full grip and knee-grip are popular choices among show jumpers - it often comes down to personal preference.
If you’re looking for an elegant competition look, we recommend the Catago Vesta, while the Catago Rihanna is an obvious choice if you prioritize a more technical and sporty design. If you’re looking for an affordable competition pair, the Equipage LEONI was designed specifically for competitions and is available in classic white.
Riding breeches or riding tights?
Although riding breeches and riding tights are often mentioned together, there are some clear differences.
- Classic riding breeches for women feature a button, zipper, and belt loops. They offer a more structured fit and are often the preferred choice for competitions or riders who want a traditional look.
- Riding tights are more similar to athletic tights. They typically have an elastic waistband without a button or zipper and are made from highly stretchy materials that hug the body closely. Many riders choose riding tights in the summer or for daily training because they offer maximum freedom of movement.
There is no right or wrong choice. If you prefer a classic look and a more snug fit, regular riding breeches are often the best choice. If you prioritize lightness and flexibility, riding tights can be a good alternative.
Full grip or knee-grip?
One of the decisions we most often help riders make is the choice between full grip and knee-grip.
Full grip covers the entire seat and the inside of the legs with silicone material. It provides the most contact with the saddle and is therefore preferred by many dressage riders or riders who want maximum stability.
Knee grip is positioned only at the knees. It still provides extra grip, but with slightly greater freedom of movement across the seat. That’s why many show jumpers or riders who frequently change positions prefer this option.
However, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Many riders simply choose the type of grip they feel most comfortable with.
High waist or regular waist?
Waist height is primarily a matter of comfort.
High-waisted riding breeches provide extra support around the abdomen and lower back and often stay in place more securely while riding. This is a style many riders prefer for longer training sessions or competitions.
A regular waist offers a more classic fit and can feel more comfortable around the waist. It’s often a matter of personal preference and body shape rather than right or wrong.
Riding pants for summer and winter
The weather plays a major role in determining which riding breeches feel most comfortable.
In the summer, lightweight, breathable materials with high stretch are often the best choice. Materials containing polyamide, polyester, and elastane wick moisture away from the body and help keep you comfortable, even when temperatures rise.
In winter, however, insulation, wind protection, and water-repellent properties make all the difference. Softshell is popular in winter breeches, because the material combines warmth with good freedom of movement, while technologies such as the integrated heating elements in Catago HEAT Tech provide even greater comfort on the coldest days.
The most important thing is to choose riding pants that suit the season and the type of riding you do most often.
Jodhpur breeches
Jodhpur tights are designed for riders who prefer to ride in jodphur boots rather than long riding boots. They are longer than regular riding pants and typically feature an elastic band under the foot as well as an adjustable cuff with a zipper or Velcro, so the pant leg stays neatly over the boot.
They’re used primarily by Icelandic horse riders, but also by other riders who prefer short riding boots. If you ride in traditional long riding boots, regular riding pants are usually the best choice.
What extra features should you look for?
Modern riding breeches are about much more than just grip.
Many riders today want practical cell phone pockets in their riding pants so their phone stays secure while riding. Others prioritize elastic ankle cuffs that reduce bunching under riding boots.
When we develop new models, we also focus heavily on the stretch and shape retention of the materials. A fabric may feel comfortable in the fitting room, but it’s only after many hours in the saddle that it becomes clear whether it retains its shape and continues to provide the same support. That’s why several of our premium models use bonded materials and advanced 4-way stretch, which both provide freedom of movement and help the pants maintain their fit over time.
Why we develop our own riding breeches
One of the advantages of developing both Catago and Equipage is that we can continuously improve the models based on the feedback we receive from riders.
Some riders want extra warmth for winter. Others request lighter materials for summer, more flexible fabrics, or different types of grip. That’s why our collection doesn’t consist of many nearly identical riding breeches, but rather of models, each designed for a specific purpose.
Catago is designed for riders with high expectations for technical materials, fit, and details, while Equipage focuses on functional riding breeches that offer high comfort and great value for everyday use. What both brands have in common is that they’re developed with the challenges riders face in the stable and in the saddle in mind.
Shop new riding breesches in all sizes at Unamari
The best pair of riding brreches isn’t necessarily the most expensive or the most advanced - it’s the pair that suits your riding style.
Whether you’re looking for a classic premium model, warm riding breeches for winter, elegant competition pants, or a comfortable everyday pair, you’ll find a wide selection of riding breeches from Catago and Equipage at Unamari. Riding breeches come in many varieties, and since we develop both brands ourselves, we know the differences between the models down to the smallest detail and can help you choose the riding pants that best suit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are grip riding pants necessary?
Yes, the grip on the breeches helps keep you more securely in the saddle, giving you an even better and safer riding experience.
Can you ride in jeans?
In principle, you can ride in jeans, but it’s definitely recommended that you get riding pants that are better suited for the task.
How do you wash riding breeches?
Typically at 30 degrees. However, it’s important to follow the care instructions carefully to maintain the breeches as well as possible.
What are the best breeches to ride in?
Riding breeches are the best choice for riding, as they are designed to provide comfort, freedom of movement, and a secure grip in the saddle.
How should riding breeches fit?
Riding breeches should fit snugly without being too tight. They shouldn’t bunch up under your riding boots or be too loose at the waist, as this can cause discomfort while riding.
How much do riding breeches cost?
The price varies depending on materials, features, and technology. You’ll find both affordable everyday models and technical premium riding breeches, so you can choose the style that best suits your needs and budget.
