Mature-Age Riders: Tights vs Breeches Reviews
- Loz
- Dec 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
As a 40+ mature-aged rider (well, mentally I am closer to 12 as we have to have fun riding like we a kid again - keeps you young at heart!), I am finding that I am driven towards overall comfort and functionality of rider tights these days. As I have gotten older, and potentially wiser, I have found what is influencing my choices in rider attire:
fit to my changing body shape (think perimenopause & menopause impacts)
range of motion
not drawing attention to my lumps and bumps
ease of putting on said attire
ease of cleaning (and the product staying clean)
cost
durability of the product
Tights vs Breeches
I am definitely a tights gal. So why tights over breeches? Good question.
Tights have a lot more ability to change with bodily changes in shape, and the fabric technology has increased in quality over the last decade, compared to that of breeches. Additionally, there are less seams and bulk to contend with (which can cause unnecessary rubbing in sensitive areas). And let's just say, I have enough additional bulk now I've entered this part of my life, and adding more is just not great - so let's avoid extra chunk there! The fabric joins are more seamless and comfortable, and the added bonus of not having to worry about zipper breakages in that space! Phew and awesome!
Also breeches generally have zippers and they can get stuffed!! It can be a life-or-death experience when trying to go to the bathroom! Pull on/off leggings are the bomb for that very reason!
Pros and Cons
This table briefly shows which style wins against each feature:
Feature | Tights | Breeches | Reasoning |
Comfort |  |  | The technical fabric in the tights space feels like a second skin and has breathable, contouring, fabrics. |
Durability / Longevity | | | As breech fabrics are thicker and tougher, they tend to last longer. Silicone grip, often seen on tights, wears off more quickly. |
Bulk of Fabric | | | Tights are more contoured to your body with minimal bulk. |
Value for Money | | | Tights are definitely cheaper in the long run. |
Adjust to Body Changes | | | There is a lot more give/stretch in tights than breeches fabrics, so is a lot more forgiving when you change shapes. |
Ease of Care / Washing | | | Tights are easier to care for as most breeches require specialised care. |
Traditional Look | | | Some tights don't have belt loops and can often not have the authentic look of a breech. |
Ease of Getting On | | | Both styles can be fairly easy to get on. Tights can scrunch up better for putting over feet/ankle area. But breeches generally have zippers so can be less efficient time-wise. |
Showing Lumps & Bumps | | | Breeches will show less of the lumps and bumps. Darker coloured tights will be better at hiding lumps and bumps. However, with technology advancing in the tights space, this gap is closing as tights are becoming the go-to globally. |
For me the pros of the tights outweigh the breeches and so I am a convert in this space. I will always reach for my tights over breeches and if I need to purchase any, again, I look for tights first as it ticks the most boxes for me.
Brands I Recommend for Your Consideration
I have tried and tested quite a few brands in this space. So here is a quick list, in alphabetical order, of the ones I recommend (please note, these are images from the manufacturers site and not of me wearing them):
Australian
(good for Western disciplines too)
International
(good for Western disciplines too)
Ensure you shop around to get the best deal... my hot tip here is buy them in the "Black Friday" sales. This is where you will see the biggest discounts on equestrian gear (this is usually October/November around the USA's Thanksgiving period and International sites are mostly on-board with major sales at this time).
Competition Whites/Light Colours
I have already written a post on my recommendations for whites/competitions tights, jodpurs and breeches here (and you will find there is some overlap in brands I recommend). So feel free to dive in and take a look there.
Final Thought
Of course, every rider is unique and it will come down to personal choice, however, I hope this review helps you pick a pair (or more!) that you love as much as I do.
Let me know what you have found in the comments, or if there are others you would like me to add to the review!
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