Breeches, paddock boots, and helmets

[LindaJ]

So …I’ve gotten back into riding a bit after loosing my horse Jan 2022. I need to replace my helmet, get some new paddock boots, and get a pair of comfy full seat breeches.

I loved a Kask helmet I tried on, but the price just keeps going up and up. I know it’s made well, but not sure if I want to spend 6-700 on it.

Need some new wide paddock boots as I love toe room and the joints of my big toes are a little wonky. I usually wear silicone toe separators. Will probably need to do men’s instead of women’s. What brands seem to be the most durable and comfortable now. I’ve always had Ariat previously.

Also, would like some full seat breeches. 32long. Good stretch in the knees and possibly thinner material on the lower legs for less bulk under boots/half chaps.

Any suggestions?

[PaulaO]

The most I ever spent on a helmet was $300 about 8 years ago. I believe it was a OneK. I wear an International that I picked up at State Line for $70.

I’m an Ariat fan. Are there other brands of paddock boots? LOL. How about Blunstones? Roomy toes.

I wear riding tights, not breeches, so can’t help you there.

[heddylamar]

I have really narrow feet, and find Ariat's paddock boots to be fairly narrow. Mountain Horse and Ovation tall boots are far too wide.

As for helmets, get something with MIPS. And get something that is comfortable, doesn't shift, and doesn't have hot spots. That's sooo individual.

[StraightForward]

Yes to MIPS! The expensive helmets really aren't safer. I ride in a TraumaVoid Lynx. There are sparkly models available I'd that's your thing.

For breeches I really like Romfh Isabella's, and Ariat TriFactors are nice as well as the Halter Ego breeches.

Not sure on boots - you could go custom. There are some companies that do a wide toe box, but don't remember which ones off the top of my head.

[Srhorselady]

Definitely go with MIPS helmet! After that look for comfort fit and coolness. Price is just a fashion point. Breeches brands fit different body types differently. Riding tights are the most comfortable. Boots with wide toe boxes…I bought a pair in Omaha when I was there for the World Cup one year at Dernier (May have spelling wrong?). They are home based in Omaha. They do custom riding boots plus boots for law enforcement etc. I bought a pair of “orphans” ie custom made but buyer didn’t take. Very nice price point. Excellent leather and work. Style not so much. But very wide toe box for my duck shaped feet! Good luck.

[blob]

Mountain horse would be a good brand to look at for paddock boots. They are durable and affordable and while I've never tried their paddock boots, their tall boots are comfortable.

Breeches: depends a lot on your preferences--a true breech or tight? full seat? silicone? low/mid/high rise? Smarpak is always a good place to start because they have a lot of variety within their brand. My favorite breeches are my FITs, but they're expensive. I only bought them because they were on sale. but I also have a couple of smartpak fullseat piper tights and i really like them--wide/comfortable waist band, high rise, very flattering, excellent phone pocket on the leg, and have held up well to lots and lots of wears and washes.

[Imperini]

Safety rating on the helmet is most important to me so I also went with the TraumaVoid, it has good safety ratings and didn't break the bank. Maybe useful? https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/equestri ... tings.html

I always lose the toe on Ariat paddock boots because my feet are wide and end up tearing the sides out on the seam that goes across the top of the toe. Haven't found anything better unfortunately.

Also recently bought some Esprit Equestrian Classic Riding Tights and really like them. Their price is good and the material is nice and stretchy, I don't feel restricted in my movement at all. I was always hesitant about silicone full seats but they're not bad. I find the FITs full seat material to be too sticky, but I really love their fabric.

[Chisamba]

I second trauma void helmet.

Breeches are so different in shape and fit. Sine are skinny thigh fat belly, and some are designed for a slightly larger thigh and buttocks. I love my vestrum full grip breeches.

For tights I like Kerrits.

Boots, I just get them custom. It's worth it if they last ten years versus having to buy a new pair every year.

[StraightForward]

I just saw this new, very reasonably-priced MIPS model Charles Owen is releasing: https://www.thetraditionalequestrian.co ... oss-helmet

It comes in black and navy, both matte and gloss finishes. I'm not due for a new helmet just yet, so I'll sit back and see how the reviews are once it hits the market.

[Moutaineer]

I have my eye on that helmet too, SF.

As far as breeches go, someone mentioned the Halter Ego ones. They are very nice fabric, but you need to go at least one size up from your regular size. My go-to everyday breeches are Tredstep Nero 2. They wear like iron, wash up to look like new and are a flattering rise. They are also reasonably priced. If you want to go fancy, take a look at Holland Cooper. They are the breech of choice for the fashionable crowd in my barn

I also bought the Esprit tights this summer and have never dared wear them outside the house. I think I'm too old for something that revealing/unforgiving. I must put them up for sale!

Boots, I'm not much help on. I wear Ariat paddocks for my round the barn shoes, and wore their tall boots for years, but they don't have a nice stiff real dressage boot any longer, so I have Mountain Horse Serenades, but I think they might would be too narrow in the toe for you, and customs for fancy wear.

[khall]

I like the round toe (RT) Ariat paddock boot.

https://www.tackroomonline.com/ariat-la ... 8&color=25

I got a MIPS helmet this last time. It’s not quite as comfortable as my previous helmet that was not mips. Uvex is the mips I got.

I order my breeches from amazon. Great prices and so far I’ve been pleased with both the tights and breeches. Horze is usually the breeches. Tights brand varies. All are silicone and must have cell phone pocket.

[heddylamar]

Smartpak is having a 20% off sale on helmets right now.

[PaulaO]

It’s Safety Awareness Week. I have a Dover locally. Ordered a Tipperary vest and got 20% off. Helmets are also on sale.

[LindaJ]

Hello!
Man…work has been CRAZY and I didn’t get back on here to check responses till now. Thank you for all your replies!

A friend of mine sent me the link to the University that did the helmet testing for 2024, so perused that over prior to shopping.

I ended up going to BigD tack store to try some on. Getting the time to get out to be able to actually try stuff on lately has been hard, so long story short, I ended up with a Samshield Shadowmatt. It doesn’t have MIPS , but the others I tried on didn’t fit as well (I tend to be more oval than round) and as a result were not as comfortable , some harnesses were pressed up against my ears, pressure on my forehead (oval vs round thing of course ). I looked on that website of the university that did the helmet testing. It is in the middle of the ratings. Some MIPS rated better and some not as good as what I bought. I did get 20% off which was nice. I really like the fit over all , comfort, and look. I’d say it’s probably the best fitting helmet I’ve ever had. I am going to keep the MIPS in mind for possible future helmets though. Things are always evolving.
I haven’t delved into the paddock or barn boots quite yet or the breeches. My husband is a union contract worker and I’m waiting till he gets back to work to have some more equestrian shopping fun.