Advantages of the leather seat
Breeches with leather seats are still very popular. Although silicone seats have become increasingly popular in recent years, they cannot completely replace the classic leather seat. Both materials clearly have their advantages and disadvantages.
In the past, genuine cowhide was used for leather seats, but these days synthetic leather is used for most breeches. Apart from the animal-friendly aspect, imitation leather is easier to care for and can usually be washed in the washing machine, inside-out, at 30°C.
Real leather becomes hard and brittle after a while, but imitation leather remains supple, even after several washes, and adapts very well to your legs. One disadvantage of faux leather, however, is that it is less breathable than genuine leather or fabric materials.
Full seat or knee grip?
Leather riding breeches are available with knee patches and full seats, depending on how much extra stability you’d like to have in the saddle.
The knee patches usually extend from just above the knee to about the lower third of the calf. This way, the leather offers additional support in the saddle and supports the stability of your knee closure. Your freedom of movement in the saddle is not restricted and you are free to move and follow your horse's movements, because the breeches do not hold you back in the saddle.
Compared to knee patches, the full seat offers grip over almost the entire length of your legs and buttocks. This can give you a more stable seat in the saddle and sufficient support. Not only does the seat help you to keep your knees in line, but it also helps you to sit more comfortably. Some riders feel too restricted by the full seat and less able to follow the horse's movements, while other riders prefer full-seat leather breeches to knee patches.
It all depends on your personal preferences.
Order online
In the Epplejeck range, you will find a large selection of leather full-seat and leather knee-grip breeches. Not only well-known brands such as Montar, Pikeur and euro-star are represented, but also models from Imperial Riding, Horka, or our own brand Epplejeck. To find your new breeches, you can either order online or visit one of our shops. You may return your order within 30 days if the item doesn't fit or if it doesn’t meet your expectations.