For the hours that you spend wearing breeches it is essential that they are comfortable, whether you’re riding or doing chores on the yard. Also, when you’re wearing them on a daily basis you may not want to spend a fortune on them.
To help you decide on the best pair of everyday breeches that won’t bust your budget, our testers have put seven pairs, each with a price tag of under £90, to the test.
Here’s how each pair of breeches performed and which ones they rate as the best for everyday use.
Each pair of breeches is given a score out of five for fit, performance and value for money. This gives an overall rating out of 15.
Our winner is…
1. COLDSTREAM EQUESTRIAN LEARMOUTH BREECHES
RRP £79.99
Colours: Black/Windsor wine, navy/raspberry sorbet, gargoyle grey/clementine orange
Sizes: 24in-34in
Fit: These are true to size and fit nicely — the four-way stretch material allows for a close fit but is not restrictive. The length of leg is generous — I’m 5ft 10in and the cuff reaches the top of my foot. However, the stretch hem is comfortable and not bulky inside my boots. The only downside is the waistband doesn’t have much stretch to it. 4.5 stars
Performance: I find these breeches comfortable to ride in and the full silicone seat is good too. They are smart looking breeches and I really like the contrast colours. They wash well and after several months of use they have held their shape and still look good. 5 stars
Value for money: Very good value for smart, practical breeches. 4.5 stars
Total score: 14
2. GRAY EQUESTRIAN LEGGINGS
RRP £40
Colours: Navy, grey, steel blue, black, white, purple, burgundy
Sizes: XS-XL+
Fit: I initially thought that these leggings wouldn’t fit me, but thankfully they are super stretchy and actually fit really nicely. They are surprisingly flattering too. The supportive wide waistband doesn’t roll down. 4.5 stars
Performance: These are great for wearing everyday. They are so comfortable, and the breathable material keeps you at a nice temperature — a great choice for hot days. The full seat gives good security without feeling restricted. They wash well and dry quickly. 4.5 stars
Value for money: A very good price for comfortable and practical leggings. 5 stars
Total score: 14
3. DVR EQUESTRIAN PENNY PULL-ON JODHPURS
RRP £79.99
Colours: Navy, black, stone grey
Sizes: XS-XL
Fit: These pull-on breeches fit really nicely and the length of leg is good. I particularly like the wide waistband, and the panelling gives a flattering fit. 5 stars
Performance: Practical and comfortable everyday breeches. They have no seams at the knee, so there’s no restriction when you’re in the saddle. The silicone knee grip gives some additional security in the saddle. They wash well and dry quickly. These breeches are made from recycled plastic, which is a big plus point. 4.5 stars
Value for money: A very good value pair of everyday breeches. 4.5 stars
Total score: 14
4. JUST JODZ LADIES NAVY BREECHES
RRP £29
Colours: Navy, black, beige, white
Sizes: 24in-36in
Fit: A classic style of breeches that are a good fit. The cotton/lycra material has a good amount of stretch and the length of leg is good. 4.5 stars
Performance: The material is lovely and soft and very comfortable to wear. However, the seam over my knee can rub a little when I’m riding. I also found the self-knee and seat doesn’t offer quite as much security in the saddle compared to others that use silicone. They are proving to be durable and wash well. A good choice for everyday riding and yard work. 4 stars
Value for money: Excellent value for everyday breeches. 5 stars
Total score: 13.5
5. EQUETECH INSPIRE RIDING TIGHTS
RRP from £47.95
Colours: Peacock blue, black, beige
Sizes: XS-XXL
Fit: These are a good fit — not quite as stretchy as some others in this test, but the material is soft and the wide waistband is great. 4 stars
Performance: A great choice for everyday riding. They are comfortable to wear and the silicone knee is a good addition. They wash well and have retained their shape. 4.5 stars
Value for money: Excellent value — just worth checking your size before buying. 5 stars
Total score: 13.5
6. HY EQUESTRIAN KENSINGTON BREECHES
RRP £89.99
Colour: Navy/taupe/rose gold
Sizes: 24in-34in
Fit: These are my usual size but I find them a bit snug on my hips and around my waist — if I was buying again I would go up a size. The leg length is generous, but the stretch cuff means there’s no bulk around your ankles. 4 stars
Performance: I love the look of these breeches — they are so smart and the rose gold studs are a lovely addition. I find them comfortable to ride in and the full silicone seat gives a feeling of security without restriction. 4.5 stars
Value for money: Good value for smart breeches, with nice additional detailing. 4.5 stars
Total score: 13
7. VIVENDI APPAREL C180 COMPRESSION LEGGINGS
RRP £48
Colours: black/silver, black/gold, white/silver
Sizes: XXS-XXXL
Fit: Pull-on style leggings that fit nicely. The material gives a close fit, although the wide waistband isn’t quite as stretchy as that on some others in the test. 4 stars
Performance: The material does seem to offer support and they are comfortable to wear all day long. The knee grips are very sticky and I find that they grip my saddle a little too well and don’t allow for movement. These wash well and dry quickly. 4 stars
Value for money: These leggings offer good value for everyday use. 4.5 stars
Total score: 12.5