Unlike the usual jeans, jeans for horse riding are designed keeping in mind the friction caused by riding. This is why they cost a tad bit more than average pair of jeans and need some thinking prior to purchase.
We have, in this article, provided a guideline on buying horseback riding jeans. Moreover, to make your life easier, recommended herewith are 6 of the best horse riding jeans.
Just by the way, we also wrote an article recently on the best riding pants, including breeches and tights. Check it out here.
Now, let’s get started with our top riding jeans for women:
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Best Horse Riding Jeans for Women
If you’re in a hurry we would suggest to opt for the ARIAT Women’s R.e.a.l. Mid Rise Bootcut Jean, as its comfort filled design alongside the style filled look makes for an ideal pair of riding jeans.
But if you stick around, you’ll find other options as well:
1. ARIAT Women’s R.e.a.l. Bootcut Jean
Bottom Line: this pair of jeans is a perfect pick for a woman who is a new horse rider since it ensures a firm grip and easy mounting
These boot cut jeans are a part of Ariat’s wide product shelf. The brand has used an ideal combination of materials as this riding trousers consist of 93% polyester, 6% cotton and even 1% spandex to adjust the fitting.
The boot-cut design helps provide a strong grip from the thighs down to the knees and also makes mounting upon the horse more convenient.
The size chart has been attached with the product description so you can choose according to your own requirements. Ariat also provides a stylish no-gap waistband stitched onto the pants.
Pros
- The riding tights are suitable for machine wash making the maintenance very convenient
- Available in a wide range of colors to match your fashion style
Cons
- If you are used to wearing straight jeans the boot-cut design might seem a little unconventional
Key Features:
- Cotton manufacturing
- Overlocked
- Zipper closure
- Thick material ensures more friction and grip
2. Wrangler Women’s Q-Baby Mid Rise Boot Cut Ultimate Riding Jean
Bottom Line: this is an ideal option for women who are looking for multipurpose best jeans to wear casually and while riding.
Our second choice has been selected from the well known brand Wrangler. If you’re looking for multi-purpose pants that can also go as general casual-wear, then look no further.
Made in Mexico, this comfortable jeans consist of cotton and 1% spandex to adjust the fitness. The pair will fit well onto your seat and thighs and the bottom cut will allow you to wear it over your favourite pair of tall boots.
The design also adjusts for a full-flex knee allowing you to move easily and comfortably during the ride. The classic five pockets also enhance the styling of the garment.
Pros
- The wide range of colors help you choose freely according to the top and boots you have
- Extremely comfortable and stylish
Cons
- Although the jeans can be washed using a machine, they do not consist of polyester and, hence, can be wrinkled
Key Features:
- Higher back rise for comfortable riding
- Five-pocket styling
- Zip-closure
- Prevents chafing
3. Cowgirl Tuff Women’s Don’t Fence Me in Jeans
Bottom Line: These jeans are a must-have for all female horse-riders who love to dress.
Cowgirl Tuff is another reliable brand that has been working in the sector for quite a while. The don’t fence me in jeans collection is a brand new stylish addition to their wide product range.
Made of 98% cotton and 2% elastane, the pair provides utmost comfort and a stylish, fitted look from the ankles above. The medium wash color also makes its warm accent stand out amongst all the other options.
The pair is generally mid-rise but has a higher rise at the back to make movements more convenient and comfortable. The barbed wire designed embroidery on the back pocket further enhances the outlook of one’s outfit.
Pros
- A unique color and design will add to your stylish look
- A wide bottom cut makes it convenient to wear over a pair of boots
Cons
- Elastane cannot cover for the comfort of spandex and durability of polyester
Key Features:
- Cotton manufacture
- Overlocked stitching
- Higher back rise for comfortable riding
Best Horse Riding Jeans for Men
For our male readers, here are the best riding jeans you can get from the market.
But before that, our top pick:
We suggest to go for the Wrangler Men’s Premium Performance Cowboy Cut Regular Fit Jean. It not only provides ultimate comfort alongside maximum durability, but also enhances the look of the rider.
1. ARIAT Men’s M4 Low Rise Jean
Bottom Line: This jeans is a perfect choice for men who are looking for a multipurpose jeans to wear casually and while riding.
Just like our first pick for the womenfolk, this product is also a part of the Ariat catalogue. Made using 100% cotton, this is a low-rise product to fully support free movements during the ride.
The waistband also comes with wide belt loops, to add to one’s look and further enhance the grip on the waist.
The jeans have been hand sanded for maximizing comfort and durability. The distressed design is also an attempt to sharpen the visual appeal.
Pros
- A wide range of colors enhance your option base
- The low-rise design makes the pair very comfortable
- You can easily clean it using a machine-washer, saving time and effort
Cons
- The style though appealing can appear as too conventional for some
Key Features:
- Cotton manufacture
- Zipper Closure
- Hand sanded
2. Wrangler Men’s Premium Performance Cowboy Cut Regular Fit Jean
Bottom Line: The relaxed mid-rise fit makes this jeans an ideal pick for men who spend long days in the saddle.
Looking for a blend of regular fit and classic cowboy pants? Well we’ve got you covered. This new pair of premium horseback riding jeans by Wrangler is made of 100% durable heavy-weight cotton.
The purpose of this design is to provide for a multi-purposed pair of best jeans that can be worn on both casual and riding occasions. Hence, the design accommodates for a fitted look on the waist and thighs and also provides an open cut at the bottom to account for boots.
A comfort waist makes it convenient to ride at any pace you want, and a classic five-pocket style adds to your stylish look.
Pros
- A wide range of colors and a premium design makes this pair your go to option for style
- The good quality cotton also makes it durable and hence longer lasting
Cons
- The lack of polyester and spandex means you’ll have to iron the wrinkles off
Key Features:
- No wear or tear
- Classic cowboy design
- Spacious pockets
3. Cinch Men’s Dooley Relaxed-Fit Jean
Bottom Line: This jeans should be on the top of the list of people who prefer to look classy while riding.
Our final choice is also made using 100% cotton. The unique design of this pair is what makes it stand out amongst all other options available.
This pair by Cinch provides for a tight fit onto the hips and a relaxed waist at the same time. This helps make the rider more firm on the saddle while also feeling free to make all necessary movements. The general mid-rise fitting also makes the movements more convenient.
A wide enough bottom cut is also provided to help you wear the pair over riding boots. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of light colors or dark ones as the wide option base accounts for multiple fades.
Pros
- The elegant design combines style and comfort in a single package
- This option is slightly reasonable compared to the others
Cons
- The size chart is not attached with the product description
Key Features:
- Cotton manufacture
- Fit-through waist
- Stylish
- Broad bottoms allow you to wear boots easily
Buying Guide for Horse Riding Jeans
Every decision has a thought process. When it comes to horse riding jeans, we have shortlisted a set of criteria that you can use to choose a pair of yourself.
Material
An ideal combination would be that of Cotton, Polyester, and Spandex. Look for a pair of pants that has enough of each to provide you with flexibility while being durable.
This means that majority of manufacturing should be Cotton while 10% should be divided among Polyester and Spandex.
You wouldn’t want to compromise on the material. Poor material will not only make the horseback riding jeans prone to wear and tear but can also give you rash during humid weather.
Thus, chose a pair that you seem would be durable given your riding routine and is comfortable for your body type.
Comfort
Riding a horse means a lot of movements. If your jeans are too tight it would create friction which would then give you rashes. Moreover, it would also make climbing a horse or coming off of it, very difficult.
However, if your riding jeans are loose it would be hard to handle as they might get caught in a tack and may cause chaffing.
So you should wear jeans that fits perfectly, and is neither too loose nor too tight.
It is very important that you are comfortable. If the rider is in discomfort it automatically channels to the horse which makes riding a hassle than fun.
Style
Horse riding pants come in a variety designs. This means you can choose a pair that well suits your style and attire. You can either opt for a boot cut jeans or straight pants.
A Boot cut jeans is more like a bell pant, tighter in thigh areas while flaring up near ankles. A straight pant, on the other hand, is fitted and skinny jeans. You can choose either one based on the top you wear or the boots you pair them with.
However, whichever you choose, make sure they align with our other two criteria of durability and comfort as well.
Wondering what gift to give to a horse lover? Check expert recommendations here.
FAQs Related to Horse Riding Jeans
Apparel shopping for horse riding can pose various questions. Here is a quick question-answer session for questions that may pop in your head when you go shopping for your equine riding.
Apart from jeans, one of the best choices of pants when horseback riding are jodhpurs. These are designed specifically for equine riding. Often confused with breeches, jodhpurs are almost like breeches.
Both of these offer a snug-fitting and stretchable material that is both durable and flexible.
Breeches reach up to mid-calf while jodhpurs extend all the way to the ankle. Either way both of these are the top choices when it comes to horseback riding.
Also, read: 4 Best Horse Riding Jackets and Coats.
Jeans that are designed specifically for riding horses and have a flat seam built in a way that makes it comfortable for you to ride in are great. You wouldn’t want the seam to pinch you while you are seated on a horse.
The market is full of various jeans that you can choose from. However, make sure to choose jeans that offer flexibility and a good fit. You would also want to take into consideration the in-seam.
You can either opt for a boot cut jeans or a straight fit one.
If you are into informal English style horse riding then wearing jeans wouldn’t be a problem. However, make sure that you pair them with long boots. This will prevent your calves from being pinched by the leather on the stirrups.
Also make sure that whichever jeans you wear, they have a flat seam so that you are comfortably seated on the saddle.
You can also opt for denim breeches. They give the same feel as jeans and do not have an inseam, too. Nevertheless, plain jeans would do, too.
Must read: Horse Riding Styles: The Complete Guide.
There is no doubt that jeans offer the most durable material there is. Thus, the biggest advantage of wearing jeans for horseback riding is the durability it offers. High-rise riding jeans, for example, offer not only durability but also comfort and style.
There are a huge variety of jeans for both men and women. Another advantage for you can, thus, be that of style.
Finally, if the jeans have a mixture of spandex and polyester, it will provide you with additional flexibility and comfort.
Unlike normal jeans, you would want your horse riding jeans to be longer. Choose a length that when you stand the jeans touch the ground. This way when you mount the horse and sit in the saddle, the jeans would cover your ankles.
Covered ankles are important not only because they look cool but also because they provide protection against any form of grazing.
Even though there is nothing wrong with wearing leggings when horseback riding, they are not recommended.
Firstly, leggings are made of thin fabric. This puts a question mark on their durability. Secondly, often times, leggings come with patches and accessories that might get caught in the saddle and rip off.
Thirdly, and most importantly, if it is humid, you are bound to get rashes if you wear leggings. Since leggings are extremely fitted they would end up giving you a bad rash because of excessive sweat built up and constant friction.
You should never wear baggy clothes when horse riding. (More on what to wear and what not to in this article!). There is nothing riskier than wearing loose fitted clothes, scarves, or baggy pants when riding a horse. The biggest reason for crossing off this type of clothing is because they may get stuck to your saddle.
If you lose balance, you would rather want to fall off the horse completely than being stuck to the saddle halfway and dragged across by your horse.
Make sure to never wear loose-fitting pants or other draping clothes that may get stuck around the horsing gear.
One of the biggest reason of wearing long pants for horse riding is that when on a saddle, your pant tends to rise up. Thus, if you buy pants for horse riding make sure to buy pants that touch the ground when you stand.
Thus, when you sit on a saddle, the pant would rise up and cover your ankles. The golden rule of riding is to have your ankles covered as it not only looks appealing but serves the safety purpose, too.
Conclusion
Buying horse riding pants is not a difficult decision. While we have recommended a few, you can always choose any other one for yourself. However, whichever you choose, make sure that you take our criteria into consideration when making an actual purchase.
All in all your jeans should firstly serve the purpose, should be durable, offer you comfort and flexibility. They should also be stylish and chic.
Finally, make sure they have some pockets on them because you would need them to carry your phone (or other essentials) to capture those mesmerizing moments or for taking a selfie or two.
