Warm through the cold season
Winter and thermal breeches
Winter and thermal breeches keep you warm in the saddle and in the stable when normal breeches are no longer enough. Here you will find lined breeches and winter riding leggings with a fleece, teddy or brushed inside, softshell models and heated breeches. They are available for women, children and men, most with full grip. You will find all models under Breeches.
What makes breeches suitable for winter?
Winter breeches look like normal breeches or riding leggings but are made differently. Depending on the model, these features provide warmth (according to the product description):
- Warming inside: roughened, brushed or with fleece, for example in the Busse models Vanda Winter, Senja Winter and Nurmes Winter II, the Mina thermal breeches from ELT and the Juliet winter riding leggings from QHP.
- Teddy lining: particularly fluffy, for example in the Rica thermo teddy riding leggings from ELT for women and children.
- Softshell: a multi-layer material that is wind- and water-repellent according to the manufacturer, for example from Pikeur (Linn Softshell, New Candela Softshell, Braddy Softshell for children, Rossini Softshell for men), the Softshell Performance from Busse and the Emma Softshell from QHP.
- Heated: The Comfort Heat heated breeches from ELT have three heating elements with adjustable temperature. According to the item description, the power bank is not included. Follow the manufacturer's operating instructions and safety notes.
How warm a model is and whether it is water-repellent is stated with each item. Winter breeches are generally not completely waterproof. For rain there are rain and over trousers in the Breeches category.
Winter breeches or winter riding leggings?
Winter riding leggings have a wide, often high waistband and usually no zip. Many riders wear them in the stable and for training, for example the Reggings Winter Edition or the R1 Highwaist Light Winter from eaSt. Classic winter breeches have belt loops and pockets, such as the Arielle Winter from Euro-Star or the Winter Heather from Schockemöhle Sports. Almost all models have a silicone full grip.
For women, children and men
Most models are available for women. For children there are, among others, the Essential Silikon thermal breeches and the Lucky Leni thermal riding leggings from ELT, the Braddy Softshell from Pikeur and the Juliet Junior winter riding leggings from QHP. For men there is the Rossini Softshell from Pikeur. You will find all ladies' models, including those for the other seasons, under Ladies' breeches.
Stay warm from head to toe
Layering keeps you warmest. Winter breeches go well with a winter riding jacket, warm socks and riding boots with enough room. When choosing the size, make sure the breeches don't constrict even with the thicker material. You will find more tips for cold days in our guide Riding in winter.
Winter and thermal breeches are available from brands including ELT, Pikeur, Busse, QHP, eaSt, Euro-Star and Schockemöhle Sports.
The terms are not standardised and are used differently by the brands. Both refer to breeches with a warming construction, i.e. with a roughened, brushed or lined inside or made of softshell. Some manufacturers call their models "thermo", others "winter". The features of each model are stated in the item description.
Usually not. Many models are wind- and water-repellent according to the manufacturer, for example some softshell breeches. For continuous rain there are waterproof rain and over trousers that you wear over your breeches.
Usually your normal breeches size. Because of the thicker inside, some models can fit a little tighter. Compare your measurements with the size chart for the item and make sure the breeches don't constrict.
According to the description, many models have an elastic leg end. Because the material is thicker than in summer breeches, it can get tighter in the boot shaft. It's best to try the breeches on with your boots.
According to the item description, the Comfort Heat heated breeches from ELT have three heating elements on the thighs and lower back. They are switched in three levels with a button and powered by a power bank, which is not included. Always follow the manufacturer's operating instructions and safety notes.
Follow the care label. Washing at 30 °C inside out is often recommended, without fabric softener and without a tumble dryer, so that the inside, softshell and grip stay in good condition for a long time. For the heated breeches, the washing instructions in the manual apply.