Monday, January 11, 2016

It might be time to replace these...

I've been thinking about getting some new winter breeches.

A hole.

A repaired tear (courtesy of a mesquite tree attack).

Lots of missing stitches.

Mind you, this particular pair of Kerrits fleece knee patch breeches are 12 years old, and I wear them constantly during the winter (ahem below 60 degrees ahem). I've actually got another pair that's in better shape, but they're both really thin in the seat. I tend to wear things until they're unwearable, and I think these are about ready for burial. Still, 12 years of hard use is pretty damn impressive, plus they're warm, comfortable, and hay doesn't stick to them. I'd buy the exact same breeches again, except that nobody actually has them in my size in reasonable colors. Pout.

So, anyone got any recommendations for winter breeches? Knee patch or F/S, I'm not picky. Must come in conservative dressage queen wannabe colors (e.g. not red, pink, purple, electric blue, etc). Hay shedding capabilities a plus.

32 comments:

  1. That's impressive! I have some Devon-Aire fleece breeches just about the same age, and they are almost see-through in the seat at this point. I mostly use them as an under-layer now. If I were you I'd stick with the Kerrits! Definitely my favorite warm, comfy winter breeches.

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    1. Yeah, I'm pretty fond of those Kerrits. I had some Devon-Aire but they wore out pretty quickly.

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  2. Love:
    Irideon Wind Pro

    Could take or leave:
    TuffRider Winter Fleece

    Hate:
    FITS

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  3. I second the Irideon Wind Pro. They're my absolute favorites. I could live in them. I'm about ready to get a second pair because my 10 year old pair is starting to develop those tiny holes in a couple spots.

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    1. Definitely need to try these on. Thanks for the tip!

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  4. 12 years is seriously good going!
    Wish my stuff lasted ad long!

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    1. The Kerrits seem to wear like iron. I have some summer weight Kerrits tights too that are almost as old - love those things!

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  5. I think I have irideon. I don't hate them any more than I hate any other pair of winter breeches, which is a lot.

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    1. I had some summer Irideons that were super slick and I didn't like them, but I'll have to find a winter pair and see how those go.

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  6. I vote irideon too, but I haven't tried any others. These things though, have held up for over 10 years and have no holes in them. They show some wear on the seat (not thinning, just pilling a little bit), but they look half their age. Granted, I only use them in the winter (but yah any time it's under 50 I pack on the layers like I live in Alaska).

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    1. Yeah, mine are worn in the seat too but I wasn't gonna post that pic. ;)

      Under 50 is absolutely frigid. Ski pants are required.

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  7. ha yup i pretty much wear things until the are completely 100% irreparably dead too...

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    1. If I love them, I wear them forever and ever and ever...

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  8. I think you got your money's worth out of those! I like the thicker pipers for winter riding, but I run pretty hot so they might not be 'winter' enough for someone else.

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    1. I'd FREEZE if I wore regular breeches in the winter. Freeze solid. Brrr.

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  9. Kerrits winter breeches is what I have now and they were good for an endurance ride of 50 miles in 40 degree weather. Ariat has some good ones too. Mine are both black so I don't know if they have other colors

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    1. Man, if Kerrits stood up to 50 miles, you know they're good. Thanks!

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  10. What size do you need? I'm pretty sure work has some of the Kerrits winter fleece tights in the dark grey Flint Herringbone and solid black. Horze also has some nice options for winter breeches.

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    1. Contacted you on FB, THANK YOU for hooking me up with them!!!

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  11. I have Irideon fleece lined and they're very warm and comfy, but they lack pockets which annoys me to no end. I also have the Kerrits and like them a lot.

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    1. Oh man, pockets would be amazing. My Kerrits have no pockets, alas. WHY DO MENS BREECHES HAVE POCKETS BUT NOT WOMENS, HUH!?!?!

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  12. I just stick a pair of fleece lined leggings under my regular breeches when it gets cold, but up here in the land of real winter, we're using to layering all parts of the body, so not sure if that's an option for you strange Southerners. ;)

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    1. Fleece-lined leggings? What are these magical creatures of which you speak?

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  13. I can't offer any winter ideas except for what I did as a kid riding in Chicagoland. . .wear long underwear under breeches that are a size too big. Have fun shopping!

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    1. Haha, when I lived in New York I wore ski pants to ride. People maaaaayyy have laughed at me...

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  14. No suggestions from Central CA - Pipers are plenty warm enough for our mild winter. :0)

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    1. Lucky you! I definitely need fleece when it's under 50. Pathetic, I know.

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  15. Wow! Good going on the 12 year mark! I'm a jeans gal, myself, since I ride western. I can totally relate because my favorite pair of jeans to ride and work in bit the dust last week. The thighs got so thin from riding! :/

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    1. Oh man, saying goodbye to a fav pair of jeans is like saying goodbye to a BFF. Good jeans that fit are SO HARD to find!

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  16. I have a pair of Irideon winter breeches that are looking sadder, and sadder. I am actually kind of disappointed with how quickly they are falling apart. I think I have only had them three years, and only wear them in the winter.

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    1. Huh, maybe they don't make them like they used to? Everyone else was raving about them!

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