Product Review: SmartPak Piper Ladies Boot Cut Breech with Silicone Knee Patch

The boot cut has evolved!

Citizens of Horse Nation, the boot cut is not just for cowgirls and trail riders anymore. See what happens when we put them to the test in an equitation lesson!

In the real world, every woman is supposed to have a little black dress; that critical fashion piece that works at any occasion and which makes you feel like a million bucks. Well, we’re delighted to share with our fellow horsewomen (who may or may not find the idea of a LBD being an essential wardrobe item to be HILARIOUS) that the equine equivalent is much more awesome and practical: The Boot Cut Breech.

Photo by Lorraine Jackson

I’ve worn boot cut breeches before, and ultimately felt kind of “meh” about them, so I really put these through the wringer. Let me tell you after a sweaty, grueling equitation lesson why I still LOVE Piper’s BCB:

• They’re Spectacularly Grippy. The extra long silicone knee patch has SO much grip to it that I was able to place my leg and sort of forget about it, which in an equitation lesson is really a hat trick (I have a tendency for my leg to get in front of me). The silicone is a genius development in the Piper breech line, and it really helped me lock in.

Photo by Lorraine Jackson

• Absolutely No Calf Pinch. The material SmartPak has used for these breeches is stretchy but substantial; these aren’t just thin wimpy schoolers. I never worried about getting a calf pinch in these, and I felt very protected.

Post-Equitation Lesson: Pants are still in place! Photo by Lani Taylor

• They Stay Put. One of my biggest gripes about riding in jeans or boot cuts is that after awhile they inevitably ride up. Not these. They have plenty of stack at the bottom for that flattering look on your boot, and they stay where you leave them. I imagine the grippy knees probably helps with this a lot.

Photo by Lorraine Jackson

• They are Wicked Flattering. You guys, I wouldn’t take a picture of my caboose and put it on the internet in just ANY pair of breeches. This is by far my favorite thing about these BCBs. I’m still working on losing some lingering pregnancy weight, and the compression of the fabric and silhouette of the cut instantly make me feel like I’ve lost 10 pounds in comparison to my regular breeches. They are a mid-rise in the waist, so not so high I feel outdated, but not so low I have to think about muffin top.

Photo by Lorraine Jackson

Photo by Lorraine Jackson

• Deep Front Pockets. Totally smartphone friendly. Need I say more?

For our western readers out there, they would go great under a pair of chaps for big shows, or work as a sensible modern substitute for the black polyester pant that’s been pretty much your only option since the 1970s for non-chapped scenarios. For breed show-goers, these would make fabulous in-hand slacks because they’re stretchy, they’re dirt resistant, and they look professional and expensive (but actually AREN’T expensive).

These essential britches are available at SmartPak, and come in black or navy, sizes 22-36, with regular or long options. (I’m an average height and got the long thinking I’d want the extra stack, but I think the regulars would have been absolutely fine.)

Go Riding.