Brand: Kerrits
Model: Breathe Tight II
MSRP: $99.00
What I paid: $70.00
Size: Medium
So I'm a little on the fence about these breeches. I got them in the mail and was immediately disappointed. The material seemed super flimsy and cheap and I specifically got them because I wanted a second set of summer show breeches so they had to have belt loops. While they do have belt loops, they are like little scraps of flimsy fabric tacked on as an afterthought. I can barely squeeze my 1" belt through the loops.
They have a higher rise, which I'm not such a fan of. I have a short torso, so in order to have them pulled up to where they're not sagging and my shirt is tucked in, it looks like I don't have a middle. Also, I don't really have much of a rear end to begin with, but in these breeches the butt sags unless tightly pulled up. Yeah.
The true test would be riding in them. I got ready to ride and actually kind of liked them while I was walking around. They are a segmented full seat and you can really feel the seat stretch while you walk so it doesn't feel like a traditional full seat, which I can't stand. Anyways, getting on, I thought that they felt great for riding around. By the end of my ride though, my thighs were sweaty. Ew. That never happens with any of my breeches, so I guess the full seat wasn't as breathable as advertised. Still a lot cooler than my thick cotton breeches though which is good for riding in the heat.
I'm curious as to how the original Breathe Tights felt as they were segmented into three pieces. The new version only has two segments so you're missing a little stretch in the butt region, but maybe the old ones pinched? Anyways, overall I think that these breeches will have to do, since I can't return them, but I do like them enough not to try to sell them right away though. I definitely think the best feature is that the full seat is segmented, so it does have some things going for it!
Overall Grade: B minus
Positives: Thin breathable material
Segmented seat
Less expensive than FITS breeches
Negatives: Flimsy belt loops
Full seat is not super breathable
Not exactly my favorite "fit" of breeches
Hard to tuck in shirt because it shows
It passes, but just barely. I'm glad I didn't pay full price, because I still think $70 is too much. If you had the money, I would probably say that if you want a segmented full seat, try FITS. They might look a little weird with the butt patches, but I've seen them up close and they look very well made and comfortable. Wish I could justify getting myself a pair.
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| Irideon Wind Pro 3-Season Breeches Read a review here |
Thinking about my other breeches, it seems that I have a tendency to be an Irideon kind of person. I have two pairs of Irideon breeches that I absolutely adore. One, the winter riding breeches are awesome. Definitely a staple for winter time. They have a smooth outer material that's water resistant slightly with a fleecy inside. So warm. ♥ If you want to be warm in winter, definitely look into these breeches! My other Irideon's are the Issential Tights with the swirlies on the side. They're super cute and a thin breathable material. Both pairs have knee patches and no belt loops, thus they are not show breeches, but I love them all the same.
I've always gotten breeches on sale at shows or tack stores so the Kerrits breeches were actually the only ones I had purchases online and for only a marginally good deal. I think I got my Irideon's for like $30 or $40 each.
My tan show breeches are by Harry Hall. I think they're discontinued, but they were also a tack store sale find. Overall lesson to take home? I think I should stick to buying breeches in person, not online!
I only buy breeches online if 1) it is a brand I know in a size I've tried and 2) the brand is very standard in it's sizes across the models.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, Kerrits is one of those. <3 them.
This was my first time buying Kerrits and I've always seen their products and drooled over them. So when I found these breeches that were on sale, I made sure to look at the sizing chart and measure myself accurately. I thought the size I was getting would be correct, after all I had measured it and all my other breeches are the same size, but it was just slightly not the right fit :( I think I'll stick with trying them on in person because this is the second time that I've bought breeches without trying them on and been disappointed!
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