The best riding tights and leggings have proved to be very popular in recent years. An alternative to jodhpurs and breeches, riding tights are more to a pair of leggings you might wear at the gym or a yoga class. They should be lightweight, very comfortable and offer great freedom of movement. Being pull-on in design and usually made of a four-way stretch material means they’re easy to get on, too.
Most will feature some sort of grip to help you remain secure in the saddle and this could be in a full-seat or knee-patch style. Other features to look out for include flat seams (unless seamless), reflective detailing and mesh panelling. Many come with pockets on the thigh to fit your phone in while riding, but some styles also offer zipped pockets on the leg or at the back of the waistband for added security.
Best riding tights: H&H’s quick guide
Best riding tights overall: Ariat Ascent Half Grip
Most comfortable riding leggings: Mochara Technical
Best water resistant riding leggings: Holland Cooper Chiltern
Best technical riding leggings: Horzehoods V-Seam Air2
Best riding leggings for petite riders: Flexars Original
Best value riding tights: Dublin Everyday
Best riding tights and leggings for the summer
Ariat Ascent Half Grip Riding Tights
Colours: Navy or black
Sizes: XS–XL
H&H Rating: 10/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Smart sporty look
- Technical fabric that’s supportive
- Secure phone pockets
Reasons to avoid
- Regular length came up a bit short
These tights are designed with flattering compression panels to offer additional support to your muscles and joints. They have a deep rise design to promote core strength and provide ultimate comfort, a half-seat grip and an envelope closure pocket on each thigh.
H&H’s features editor Martha Terry tested these leggings and found them to be really comfortable and supportive both in and out of the saddle. She liked the look and feel of them and found the envelope flap on the phone pocket reassuring.
Read H&H’s review of the Ariat Ascent riding tights.
Mochara Technical Riding Leggings
Seat: No grip
Colours: Mauve, berry, burgundy or khaki
Sizes: XXS–XXL
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Side phone pockets
- SPF 40+ sun protection
- Ideal for use at the gym
Reasons to avoid
- You want extra grip in the saddle
These riding leggings are designed to be suitable for other sporting activities, too. The fabric is breathable, moisture-wicking and treated to prevent UV penetration for sun protection and to reduce heat absorption. They also have two phone-sized pockets. Same style available with recycled fabric.
H&H’s deputy art editor Sophie Cheeseman tested these leggings and found them to be comfortable and flattering. Sophie tested them for all sorts of activities and received so many compliments.
Read H&H’s review of the Mochara riding leggings.
Holland Cooper Chiltern Leggings
Seat: Full seat
Colours: Black, ink navy, dove grey, spring green or washed red
Sizes: XS–L
Reasons to buy
- Water repellent
- Wide range of colours
- Elastic tape on inner waist
Reasons to avoid
- Logo on the leg might not suit your style
Crafted from high-performance stretch fabric, while the water-repellent finish ensures protection in all weathers. Signature Holland Cooper branding along the leg. Featuring a secure phone pocket, silicone knee grips. Ideal for use in and out of the saddle.
Horzehoods V-Seam Air2 Riding Leggings
Seat: No grip or full seat
Colours: Black, grey/black, navy, mulberry/black or blue/black
Sizes: XXS–XXXL
Reasons to buy
- Flattering v-seam design
- Stretchy and breathable fabric
- Wide range of sizes
Reasons to avoid
- Due to the lightweight fabric they can be perceived as slightly generous so double check size chart before ordering
Breathable, super stretchy, quick-dry fabric to keep you cool and comfortable. The V-seam design at the crotch provides a flattering fit and breathability when astride. Available with or without grip.
Flexars Original Riding Leggings
Seat: No grip
Colours: Black, navy, red, green, plum, grey, navy, chocolate or olive
Sizes: XXS–XXL, in regular or shorter leg
Reasons to buy
- Supportive, flattering fit
- Stain resistant, durable material
- Available in regular or short
Reasons to avoid
- This particular style is only available without grip
Comfortable and flattering, these leggings are super-soft and high waisted, which means they’ll stay up. Plus there’s extra knee padding and flat-lock stitching for comfort, too. The material is stain-resistant, breathable, fast-drying and durable, and there is a large buttoned phone pocket on the leg.
They are available in a shorter length so if you’re are a petite rider there is no need to roll up the ends. I’m 5ft4in and have a pair of the shorter leggings, which are the perfect length on me. I also love how supportive they feel and I don’t feel conscious at all.
Dublin Everyday Riding Tights
Seat: Full seat
Colours: Black, beige or naval academy
Sizes: UK 6–16
Reasons to buy
- Technical fabric to keep you cool
- Useful side pockets
Reasons to avoid
- Mid-rise waistband might not suit your style
These mid-rise riding tights are made of a wicking fabric that helps to keep you cool, comfortable and dry. They also feature thigh pockets and a full gel-grip seat. Also available in children’s sizes.
Pikeur Linnet Riding Tights
Colours: Sandstorm, nightblue or black
Sizes: 18–32in, in regular or long leg
Reasons to buy
- Practical pockets
- Available in regular and long
- Body sculpting
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price point
These super-stretchy riding tights have a wide elastic waistband, screen printed full seat and no knee seam. There is a large mobile phone pocket on the outer thigh.
Woof Wear Original Riding Tights
Seat: Full seat or knee patch
Colours: Petrol blue, black, navy, slate or stone
Sizes: UK 6–18
Reasons to buy
- Wide size range
- Available with knee or full seat grip
- High supportive waistband
Reasons to avoid
- Not available with no grip
Designed with a supportive high waistband and a silicone grip, these high-waisted riding tights are made with a four-way stretch breathable fabric. They have a flattering silhouette and feature a large, discreet phone pocket with an embossed logo on each leg.
Shires Aubrion Optima Air Riding Tights
Seat: Full seat
Colours: Navy, black, beige or white
Sizes: XXS – XXXL
Reasons to buy
- Technical fabric offering excellent moisture management
- Geometric design full seat silicone print
- 360º contour support
Reasons to avoid
- If you don’t like the second-skin feel
Made with ultra-stretch, wicking fabric with high waisted, anatomical design. These tights offer a second skin feel with contoured support for added confidence. The fabric is UPF50+, highly breathable and quick drying, and the tights feature a perforated thigh logo and ankle cuffs for comfort.
LeMieux Lydia Mesh Leggings
Seat: Knee grip
Colours: Aqua, black, dusk blue, walnut or navy
Sizes: UK 6–18
Reasons to buy
- Seamless design for added comfort
- Wide size range
- Elasticated waistband
Reasons to avoid
- Mesh side panels might not suit your style
These leggings feature mesh panels on the sides to boost airflow and keep the rider cool and comfortable. They have a seamless design, are made from four-way stretch fabric and have an elasticated waistband.
Toggi Sculptor Curzon Riding Tights
Seat: Knee grip
Colours: Deep blue
Sizes: 24–34in
Reasons to buy
- Supportive waistband
- Knee grip
Reasons to avoid
- Only available in one colour
These riding tights have a high waist with drawcord and two side pockets. They are made from technical, supportive fabric that is designed for maximum freedom of movement. Finished with metallic prints.
Hy Equestrian Fordwich Riding Tights
Seat: Full seat
Colours: Beige or navy
Sizes: XS–XL
Reasons to buy
- Less bulk around ankles
- Flattering wrap around waistband
Reasons to avoid
- Perforated lower leg might not suit your style
These tights have a high waistband with a wrap over design and full silicone grip seat. They feature a non-bulk mesh sock ankle for optimum comfort, and a phone pocket. Also available in children’s sizes.
Aztec Diamond Core Riding Leggings
Seat: No grip, knee grip or full seat
Colours: Black, navy, beige, mauve, green, forest, ash blue, petrol or fawn
Sizes: UK 4–16
Reasons to buy
- Different grip options available
- Medium weight material
Reasons to avoid
- You prefer a wide waistband
These premium riding tights are made with recycled fabric riding tights and feature sculpting panels for a flattering fit. They are high-waisted and sweat-wicking, with quick-dry properties, and have silicone grip and a side pocket.
Mountain Horse Jayne Tights
Seat: Full seat
Colours: Grey
Sizes: XS–XXL
Reasons to buy
- Quick drying fabric
- Full seat silicone grip
Reasons to avoid
- Only available in one colour
Crafted from a full-stretch, quick-drying fabric, these pull-on riding tights offer a slight silicone grip at the seat, inner leg, and knee area for enhanced stability. They also have a wide waistband and pockets on both legs.
Horseware FormFit Riding Tights
Seat: Full seat or knee grip
Colours: Black or navy
Sizes: UK6–22
Reasons to buy
- Antibacterial fabric
- UPF 50+ sun protection
Reasons to avoid
- Only available in dark colours
Designed with premium stretch, moisture-wicking fabric for unrestricted movement and a supportive fit, these lightweight, breathable tights incorporate added ventilation and laser perforations on the lower legs to enhance cooling. They also have deep mesh thigh pockets and offer UPF 50+ protection.
What’s the difference between breeches and riding tights?
Riding tights or leggings are an alternative to breeches. More like leggings you might wear to the gym, riding tights do not have any front or zip closure, but still usually feature either a grip full seat or knee patches – although not all do – to help you stay secure in the saddle. Riding tights are also often available in a wider range of colours and styles.
This guide is all about summer riding tights, but if you’re looking for something warmer for the cooler weather, check out this selection of the best winter riding tights.
How to choose the best riding tights
When thinking about all the popular features mentioned earlier on, the first consideration you’ll need to make is how much grip you want. Leggings are inherently less grippy than breeches as the material is usually smoother, but you’ll be able to choose between full seat, knee patch and no additional grip – if you want more security in the saddle, go for more grip.
Secondly, it’s important to consider the style – do you prefer high-waisted or like the look of mesh inserts? There are lots of variations to choose between. Finally, the small but everyday practicality differences, such as pocket size, are what will make a good pair of leggings a great pair that you love to wear. Some pockets are large enough to hold the bigger phones, while others have zips or envelope flaps to make them more secure – these are all features you should look out for and that our testers have considered.
Some of the riding tights were tested by the H&H team so we can give you a great insight as to what they’re really like – find out more about how we test products.
You might also like:
Our pick of the best riding tights on a budget
8 pairs of riding tights and leggings that are designed especially for winter
15 of the best competition breeches to wear in the saddle this season
10 pairs of breeches that are worth adding to your summer wardrobe
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