Product Review: Alympic Equestrian Barcelona Breeches

Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.

Trying on the Barcelona Breeches, I was excited to find that the fabric stretches and hugs my figure, without feeling too tight or constricting - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Trying on the Barcelona Breeches, I was excited to find that the fabric stretches and hugs my figure, without feeling too tight or constricting – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I’m someone whose attention is always snagged by awesome colors. You know, ones that are a little outside of the boring every day neutral-type colors that are just so run of the mill. If you know about my breeches obsession, you might be a little disappointed to learn that during my early years of riding, I had a single pair of black knee-patch breeches.

Riding on a budget meant that I stuck with my single, dependable pair of black breeches…no matter how many times a week I found myself in the saddle. Outside of my lessons, I rode whenever the opportunity came up.

And my local tack store’s tent sale the next year (aka – my own personal shopping holiday), I was excited to add a new pair of black breeches, AND a tan pair to my wardrobe. Because having two different colors to switch back and forth between was a total wardrobe upgrade for me.

In the years to follow, my world was pretty much rocked when I started adding different colors of breeches. There were navy blue ones. Brown ones. Burgundy ones. And even some with awesomely subtle plaid patterns.

To this day, different colored breeches still have a sort of allure to me. I don’t tend to like anything too terribly bright, of course, but shades that are tastefully outside of the normal range of tans and blacks pretty much do the trick.

One of the pairs of breeches that was very excited to try out this season are the 2015 Barcelona Breeches from Alympic Equestrian. I first became familiar with the Alympic Equestrian brand earlier this year, and was delighted to have a chance to chat with designer, Autumn Harrier.

I also was happy to notice the large right hip pocket of the Barcelona Breeches, which easily accommodates my large smartphone in a secure manner - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I also was happy to notice the large right hip pocket of the Barcelona Breeches, which easily accommodates my large smartphone in a secure manner – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I truly enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about the thought and care that goes into the design of each pair of breeches and jods. Designs from Alympic keep tradition in mind, while featuring a modern fit that brings together active wear fabric and technology to support performance in the saddle.

One of the reasons that Alympic Equestrian first caught my attention is their incorporation of fun details and colors within their designs. Breeches with an interesting patterned or bright colored waistband? Yes, please!

The Barcelona Breeches are offered in various colors, which include some that are traditional, and others that are tastefully fun and stylish. And the pair of Palm colored breeches that I’ve had the chance to try out are a lovely shade of green that looks terrific when accented by the khaki and white colored waistband.

When the Barcelona Breeches first arrived, I was really quite pleased at my first impression. The fabric (which is a blend of 88% nylon and 12% spandex) is both soft and smooth, and it also has a nice stretchy feel to it. It also offers compression in order to help reduce muscle fatigue while in the saddle.

Trying on the breeches, I was excited to find that the fabric stretches and hugs my figure, without feeling too tight or constricting. The mid to low rise elastic waistband is soft to the touch, and I really like the way that it helps the breeches fit all the way around my waist without gaping.

Plus, the interesting pattern of the custom soft elastic waistband is super stylish, and just contrasts so nicely against the base color of the breeches. I also was happy to notice the large right hip pocket, which easily accommodates my large smartphone in a secure manner.

The stretch synthetic suede knee patches of the Barcelona Breeches are also quite generously sized, which further helps to provide me with a good amount of grip - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The stretch synthetic suede knee patches of the Barcelona Breeches are also quite generously sized, which further helps to provide me with a good amount of grip – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The Barcelona Breeches differ from Alympic Equestrian’s Signature Breeches, in that they have been designed for the warm days of Summer. While they feature an ankle sock sleeve (which eliminates the need for Velcro closures), they also include a mesh calf to go under tall boots.

While I was definitely happy with the fit of the Barcelona Breeches on the ground, I was also glad to have them to function very nicely for me in the saddle. Even as I set off for my first ride, I found myself noticing that I was able to get a nice grip with the stretch synthetic suede knee patches.

The stretch synthetic suede knee patches are also quite generously sized, which further helps to provide me with a good amount of grip…which was especially important while I rode even as my hand was recovering from an injury that happened this Spring.

I found the lightweight fabric to be comfortable, and I also liked how it did not create extra bulk under my boots. I really appreciated it’s wicking properties on warmer days…especially being pair with mesh calves, which I also felt helped to keep me cooler.

The compression properties of the Barcelona Breeches’ fabric also are a welcome feature while I’m riding. There is a noticeable difference that I experience thanks to the compression fabric…because it does help to make my leg muscles less tired, so that I can keep riding strong and kicking on.

The Barcelona Breeches, like the rest of Alympic Equestrian’s collection of breeches and jods, are also MADE IN THE USA…which is something that is important to me, personally.

The Barcelona Breeches from Alympic Equestrian are available in Black, Stone, Apple and Palm. They range from size XS through L, and are available in a regular inseam (33”) or long inseam (36”), and have a retail price of $90.00. You can find the Barcelona Breeches here.

Go Stylish and Functional Summer Breeches. Go Alympic Equestrian. Go Eventing.