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.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. I’m just not a fan of chilly temperatures, which definitely conflicts with my desire to spend as much time around the barn in and the saddle during the cold winter months.
Over time, I’ve become a bit of a breeches aficionado because I am completely fascinated and slightly awestruck by the sheer number of fabrics that can be used to design a pair of breeches. Different fabrics combined with various styling options make for a lot of choices.
Whenever I look to grab a pair of breeches out of my closet, I always pause for a few moments. On any given day, the “best” pair of breeches to wear can depend on weather conditions, what type of riding I’m planning on, or even which of my horses I’m going to ride.
So my “go to” breeches for a warmer day are not the same pair that I reach for on a colder day. Generally, I gravitate towards a breech with a more substantial fabric for cold weather riding. And I’m even happier if there is a lining to help retain warmth under the fabric.
Another point to consider is that I’ve been continuing to ride my young gelding, Rufus, who started under saddle over the summer. While Roo is generally a confident and quiet “baby” horse, the cooler temperatures and dusky time of day provide the potential of “baby antics.”
Enter the Kerrits Sit Tight N Warm Fullseat Winter Breeches, which I’ve been wearing this season. Continuing to ride during cold weather conditions is not for the faint of heart. Windy days. Rainy days. And even snowy days. They are downright cold!
So I was especially eager to ride in the Sit Tight N Warm breeches to see how I fared in cooler temperatures. The Sit Tight N Warm Winter Breeches are made out of Polartect Windpro fabric, which is resistant to both wind and water.
In addition, the lining of the breeches is made of a soft fleece, which feels warm and comfortable against the skin. The fullseat is constructed out of GripStretch Suede, which has been specifically placed to help provide a secure seat while allowing freedom of movement.
Plus, the GripStretch Suede is also fleece lined! When I pulled on the Sit Tight N Warm Winter Breeches for the first time, I found the fit to feel comfortable. And, I definitely noticed the cozy feeling of the fleece against my skin.
Another feature that enhanced the comfort of the fit is the 2-inch no roll waistband, which stretches to provide a close fit around the waist, without feeling too snug. I also appreciate the stretch panels at the lower leg, which help to provide a nice fit under my tall boots.
In terms of warmth, I absolutely noticed a difference when doing barn work or riding in the Sit Tight N Warm Winter Breeches. The combination of the Polartec Windpro fabric, paired with a cozy fleece lining certainly helps to keep me more comfortable on cold days.
The Polartec Windpro fabric is a four way stretch fabric with four times more wind resistant versus a traditional fleece while remaining highly breathable. I’ve observed that when riding in cold winds, my legs don’t feel the “cold to the bone” chill that is typical in such conditions.
Plus, the fleece lining (along with being super cozy), also wicks the moisture away from my skin if I start sweating, which also helps to keep me warm and comfortable while I’m riding. I also have found the GripStretch Suede to be quite grippy while being comfortable!
GripStretch Suede provides a suede texture that conforms to the body for a nice fit. The technology uses “stretch under tension,” which provides a medium adhesive rip. And in terms of riding, it translates into a full seat that feels grippy, which I like because I feel like I can get a better seat.
The Kerrits Sit Tight N Warm Fullseat Winter Breeches area available in four colors, including Bronze, Black, Cadet (blue) and Pepper (pictured). All colors retail for $129.00 a pair, and you can find them here. The Sit Tight N Warm Breeches are also available in a knee patch version that retails for $119.00, which you can find here.
Go Grippy N WARM Breeches. Go Kerrits. Go Eventing.