Well-fitting and thoughtfully designed breeches are essential to an equestrian’s wardrobe. Technical features in riding attire have come a long way over the past few years, and one brand at the forefront of evolving equestrian wear is Horse Pilot. The brand is dedicated to creating clothing for athletes – there is no question that performance is the main driver behind their designs. Their focus is on function and consideration for the rigors of the sport. Horse Pilot’s X-Design breeches are the most technically oriented performance breeches that we have encountered on the market, and they come in over 18 colors to boot!
Horse Pilot X-Design Breeches
Overall Rating: A+
Price Range: $270 MSRP
Sizing: XXS-XL
It takes quite a lot for us to proclaim something an absolute favorite item, but the X-Design Breech has utterly won us over. Let’s delve into why we are giving this breech our coveted A+ rating.
Technical Design: A+
The moment you first put your leg into the X-Design breech, you will immediately notice it is different than any other breech you have worn before. The pre-shaped compression leg is tailored for the position of a rider in the saddle. Seamless internal leg panels eliminate all bunching and the calf compression feature keeps the breeches in place like a customized glove.
A long knee patch grip zone extends along the inside of the knee and partially up the thigh, adding security and stability when you need it in the saddle. The unique design of the grip adds just the right amount of contact, with thin ridges of grip arranged in an ergonomic pattern.
Two large hand pockets easily fit your phone, as well as a small zipper pocket on one side for those essential treats. The breeches have a self-locking zip fly that won’t fall down and a secure loop and snap closure.
Sizing and Fit: A+
The X-Design is styled with a high waist in the back, and a slightly lower waist in the front. This creates a minimal pressure zone across the abdomen, while keeping your shirt tucked in and the breeches firmly in place. One of our favorite and unique features of the X-Design that we have not seen in other breeches is the stretch panel in the back of the waist band. It creates a flexible, comfortable feeling that extends throughout your ride. Belt loops are provided, but we found belts to be totally optional and not necessary, as the waistband does a great job of keeping the breeches solidly in place.
Styling: A+
With over 18 colors to choose from, the X-Design provides infinite styling options. The side panels on the legs are attractive and are becoming more common in new breech designs. We also appreciate that the breeches are fully opaque, so that undergarments remain invisible.
Durability: A+
The fabric used in the X-Design breech is called Sensitive Fit®, which is breathable, odor-controlling, anti-UV, and abrasion resistant. After several washes, the breeches are identical to purchase. We have noticed no color fading or distortion after several months, which can be common in colored breeches.
Where to buy:
The X-Design breech can be ordered directly from Horse Pilot’s website here. We first encountered these breeches at WEF in 2022 on sale at RideEquiSafe’s booth, and they also sell the breeches online. We noticed a few other retailers but there tends to be a $20 markup on these breeches everywhere else, so keep an eye on these two spots for purchase in order to get the best deal.
We love that the cost on these breeches, despite the wealth of extensive technical features, is about $100 less than some of the other top brands of breeches on the market. Moreover, select colors can be found on sale from time to time, so we advise keeping up with Horse Pilot’s email list to be in the loop.
For more fun, watch our unboxing video below!
Comments