This is another one of those items that I get to publicly admit to being totally wrong about. It’s always fun when I’m wrong.
A while back, my friend Michelle called me from a tack shop in Florida (what up, TackNRider), telling me about all the cool stuff they had. We are both fans of cool stuff. She sent me pics of a few things, and was gushing about these breeches, the Julie Grip from an Italian brand called For Horses. Well, really, they were tights. As soon as she said the T word, my hackles went up. I dunno about y’all, but when someone says “riding tights”, I picture some kind of hideous, elastic waistband, stretch cotton monstrosity that shows every dimple of my backside and only looks cute on 10 year olds.
Michelle had a pair sent to me anyway, as a birthday present. I opened the package and my eyebrow went up… “what in the hell are these?”. I held them up and they looked child sized. I really thought there was no way they’d fit, or be at all attractive. I set them aside for a couple days before trying them on – that’s how optimistic I was. But when I finally pulled them on I was pleasantly surprised to find that they actually fit perfectly. And they were pretty flattering. And really, really ridiculously comfortable. I wore them around my house for a few hours that evening, not really wanting to take them off, and needing some time to process my feelings.
These things are like no other riding tight I’ve ever met. There is no elastic in the waistband, it’s just the same fabric that the tights themselves are made of. The cut is very good – it’s slightly higher than normal breeches so that they don’t slide down or bunch up, and the waistband is stupid comfortable. They have silicone dots on the knee area for grip, and a sock bottom. The fabric itself is a sleek, stretchy tech fabric, so that the end result is kinda like a pair of breeches and a pair of leggings had a really nice Italian baby.
The first time I wore them to the barn I kept looking down to make sure I was actually wearing pants. They’re SO light and comfortable and breathable… by far the best breeches I’ve ever found for hot weather. If it’s balls-hot, these things are awesome. Not only are they way cooler, they also dry really quickly. I like them so much, I now have two pairs. I’ve been reaching for those breeches by default pretty much all summer, wearing and washing the heck out of them. So far they’re holding up really well.
The only thing I don’t really like about them is the little faux pockets on the butt. Well really I like the faux pockets because it gives them more of a breeches look, but IMO the little “flap” needs to be tacked down. I ended up tacking mine down with a couple stitches, just because the flapping kind of made me nuts. Maybe other people aren’t as crazy as I am about things flapping on their butt?
Full retail price for them is about $150, which admittedly maybe seems a little pricey at first glance for, uh… tights (that word still makes me cringe). But I’ve been so impressed by the fit, comfort, durability, and performance of these things that I have to say – if you live in a hot climate, they are an absolute godsend in the summer. Worth every penny, for sure. I’d love to have a pair in every color. Thanks Michelle for knowing that I would like them, despite my initial misgivings!
breedrideevent.com 
$150 for tights, they better be comfy AF and cute. Now I need them, obviously.
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They’re so comfy AF and cute, it’s pretty ridiculous. Those Italians, man… leave it to them to perfect how to make TIGHTS.
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I really want to try these… but we’ll see when I get around to dropping 150 on tights haha.
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Hillary if you lived here I would have already forced you to try them on!! Like I have done to every person I know that rides LOL. I was about to take them off while I was wearing them so that a friend could try them on… They are that good…thankfully she stopped me!!! Lol
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Hmm I might have to make the plunge sooner rather than later. Do you have any other styles? How do you think the sizing runs?
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I am NOT a tights person, but could be convinced to wear those. They look SO comfy!
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Hm yeah good call on tacking down your butt flap.
Had to say it. The day has not come when I will drop $150 on tights, but they do look smashing on you. 😉
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So there are jeggings, maybe if you rename them you’ll feel better. Breets. Breggings. Brights. …I dunno.
Look good though. Showing off those hamstrings
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Not sure I could survive the lack of belt loops or lack of real pockets. They do like fabulous though!
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They remind me of yoga pants a little bit! Comfyyyy!
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Adding this to wishlist. Done. Sold.
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Completely agree with this review.
When I saw Michelle’s I was unconvinced (but her butt did look cute in them), until she let me try her pair on and the comfort was unreal. I especially thought that I was going to be slipping and sliding all over the saddle. But no, they are great and definitely came in handy during those stupid hot summer days. I do really wish that the faux pockets were real pockets though, because I have no where to stuff treats in my pants.
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I just can’t with tights… Though you do make them sound lovely! They look great on you. I just… I dunno. Tights?
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I KNOW! My mind is still kind of blown.
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Wow, tights? They seem pretty awesome. I’ll have to keep my eye out for some out this way to try.
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i only ever ride in tights, but they are nowhere near as nice (or expensive…) as those. apparently I am the black sheep of the horse world… I just find regular breeches soooo uncomfortable. I LOVE the waistband on those but the buttflaps need to be tacked down for sure.
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I like the look of those! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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These look awesome and very comfy!!
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Hmmm…they look great on you but how are they about covering some lumps? I’m still searching for the magical mystical unicorn pair of breeches that cover the thigh cottage cheese – I TS but I feel like the cheese is still visible on lighter colored breeches.
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I think I’d miss a real pocket…
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I’ve actually worn tights a lot in my mid-to-late twenties riding career and I’ve pretty much always liked them, but recently I don’t like the ridiculous effort to put them on (you know what I mean? the ridiculous slithering that has to happen to get them on?). Do you have to lube up your body to get these tights on?
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Nope, these have a lot of stretch and go on/off easily. It would drive me nuts if they didn’t!
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Amanda
Thanks for the great review! We were pleased to help Michelle explore our store in Wellington.
Your point about the “butt flap” has been noted and will be passed on as feedback.
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