Sporty materials
Technical shirts for riding
A technical shirt wicks moisture away from the body and dries faster than cotton. This keeps you dry when riding, in summer and in winter. Here you will find technical shirts for women, men and children: thin base layers to wear under a jumper, long-sleeve shirts with zip and stand-up collar, airy short-sleeve models and training polos. Below we explain how to layer properly in winter and what to look for in terms of material and cut.
In winter: the layering principle
In the stable you get cold, when riding you start to sweat. Several thin layers help. The technical shirt is the first layer directly on the skin and wicks sweat outwards. On top comes a warming layer from our jumpers and sweatshirts, a riding gilet or a jacket from our winter jackets. If you get warm, you take off a layer.
For cold days there are shirts with a warming inside. The Livora base layer from QHP has a brushed inside and a concealed half zip. The Heritage Half-Zip Shirt from Eskadron, made of tech jersey, has a stand-up collar and also a warming inside. The X FISE men’s base layer from Equestro is made of windproof fabric. A technical shirt with a roll neck is the Madison from ELT. You will find more tips for the cold season in our guide Riding in winter.
Long sleeve, short sleeve or sleeveless
Long-sleeve shirts are the first choice in autumn and winter; with a zip they are easy to regulate. Examples are the Classique Base Layer from LeMieux with 1/4 zip and ventilated underarms, the Ridertechnology Baselayer from Equestro with welded seams and the Caporto from Carubina with YKK zip. Short-sleeve models such as the LeMieux Mia Mesh, the Airy from Euro-Star with laser-cut ventilation or the Carubina Cadtown Zip are designed for the indoor school and warm days. Sleeveless tops are available from eaSt and QHP, for example. You will find classic shirts without technical material under T-shirts and tops.
Material and features
Most technical shirts are made of polyester or polyamide with elastane. The Caporto, for example, is made of 91 % polyamide and 9 % elastane. Look out for these details:
- Flat seams: the flatlock seams of the LeMieux base layers hardly add bulk under a fleece, jacket or gilet.
- Mesh inserts: on the Helsinki from ELT and on the Mia Mesh, they let more air through at the back, sides or underarms.
- UV protection: according to the manufacturers, many summer models have UV protection, the LeMieux base layers for example UV50+ or UV30+.
- Against odours: Pikeur uses Livinguard AO technology for its technical shirts, eaSt an anti-odour finish.
The Seamless Long Sleeve Shirt from eaSt is seamlessly knitted and designed as a first layer. According to eaSt, it goes with the R1 riding leggings and the R2 breeches. You will find matching bottoms under Riding leggings.
For women, men and children
Most models are fitted and cut for women. Pikeur, for example, offers a technical shirt in a relaxed cut and one in a fitted cut. For men there is the Ridertechnology base layer and many training polos from Equestro, as well as the Shirt Competition Men from eaSt. For children there is the Young Rider Classique and the Mini Classique from LeMieux, the Madrid and Barcelona training shirts from Kentucky Horsewear and several junior sports shirts from QHP.
Training and competition
Training polos with a collar look smarter and are still made of technical material. Equestro has a large selection of them, including from the X-FISE collection. For competitions, you will find blouses and shirts under Competition shirts.
Size and care
A base layer should fit snugly so that it can absorb moisture. If you are between two sizes and want to wear the shirt under a jumper, choose the smaller one. Our international size chart helps with converting sizes. Care instructions are given on the item; it is best to leave out fabric softener with technical material.
A shirt made of synthetic fibres such as polyester or polyamide, often with elastane. It wicks moisture away from the body and dries faster than cotton. This keeps you drier when riding.
As a first layer, a long-sleeve technical shirt or a base layer, with a jumper, a fleece or a gilet on top. Shirts with a warming inside include, for example, Livora from QHP and Half-Zip Heritage from Eskadron.
This is the name for the first layer directly on the skin. Base layers fit snugly and often have flat seams so that they do not add bulk under a jumper and jacket. LeMieux, for example, offers the Classique Base Layer.
Yes. For men there are, for example, Ridertechnology and X FISE from Equestro and the Shirt Competition Men from eaSt. For children there are Young Rider Classique and Mini Classique from LeMieux, Kentucky Horsewear Madrid and Barcelona and several junior shirts from QHP.
Long sleeve in autumn and winter, ideally with a zip for regulating. Short sleeve and sleeveless are suitable for summer and the indoor school.
Follow the care label and the instructions on the item. It is best to leave out fabric softener with technical material.