What do guys ride in if they have big legs?

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Scuderia

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OK, so I've decided to take the plunge and do something I've always wanted to do and start riding (I know it's a little late to tart in your 20's but you have to start sometime). I've been given a nice pair of long black leather boots for Christmas and I think I need a pair of breeches to go with them and this is where the problem lies.

After a lifetime of playing football and playing American football at uni I've got bigger than your average legs. I was able to get wider boots to fit my calves but they don't do different leg widths in breeches. When I buy trousers (especially slimmer trousers) I buy a 34inch waist even though my waist is more 31/32inch but the 34inch waist allows my bigger thighs and... erm...derrière :eek: to fit without it being unusually tight. I can get away with the wider waist because I just let the trousers sit lower but I don't know if I can do this with breeches because they should be held up for everyone's sake!

Would I be better getting a pair of 34s and hoping the belt holds it up or risk wearing a pair of 32s knowing that they may look like they've been painted on?! Should breeches slightly baggy at the top and will that give me some leeway? I've found a pair of black Tally Ho Mens Berkshire Hunting Breeches on sale for £30 and they look ideal for the winter. I can't try them on because they're online but it seems too good a deal to miss.

Thanks in advance for all your help!
 
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NeilM

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Different manufacturers of breeches all fit slightly differently, especially men's.

The best bet is to visit a local tack shop and try some different brands. At this time of year, if you're lucky, you may find some bargains.

If push comes to shove, you could start out in (tight) jeans. Not ideal, but lots of people happily ride in them.

As for starting in your 20's. I didn't start riding properly until I was in my late 40's, so you've got a 20 year head start :D
 
Kat

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My Oh came to riding in his 20s and had previously been a keen cyclist. Based upon his experiences I'd suggest a paid of Jodhs that are more like stretchy leggings rather than breeches then you can get them to fit your waist and they will stretch over your thighs. You are probably quite trim so you shouldn't look bad in them but do make sure that you have got a good long shirt/polo/t-shirt on to cover up any budgie smuggling effect!
 
sharky

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Hi Suderia (nice ferrari ref btw)
you're definately not a late starting as i'm 41 and only started riding this year.
Like you i have large legs from years of cycling, sailing and obviously my own genetics so sympathise where you're coming from

Spray on looking Jods on men look bad (and i say this as someone who used to live in lycra from all the cycling etc)
The tally ho breeches are a snug fit anyway on the waist and butt so you may need to go a size larger anyway.
My kingsland breeches (expensive i know) are the best fit with enough room where it matters
Cheapy Derby House are really tight in the calfs and i struggle with them as i have 18in calfs

I have been recommended Rugged and have a pair on order so hope for the best there.

good luck with the riding, I love it and wish i'd started years ago.

PS... looking at the evidence on here as a man into riding horses you'll never be single;);)
 
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perfect11s

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Scuderia said:
OK, so I've decided to take the plunge and do something I've always wanted to do and start riding (I know it's a little late to tart in your 20's but you have to start sometime). I've been given a nice pair of long black leather boots for Christmas and I think I need a pair of breeches to go with them and this is where the problem lies.

After a lifetime of playing football and playing American football at uni I've got bigger than your average legs. I was able to get wider boots to fit my calves but they don't do different leg widths in breeches. When I buy trousers (especially slimmer trousers) I buy a 34inch waist even though my waist is more 31/32inch but the 34inch waist allows my bigger thighs and... erm...derrière :eek: to fit without it being unusually tight. I can get away with the wider waist because I just let the trousers sit lower but I don't know if I can do this with breeches because they should be held up for everyone's sake!

Would I be better getting a pair of 34s and hoping the belt holds it up or risk wearing a pair of 32s knowing that they may look like they've been painted on?! Should breeches slightly baggy at the top and will that give me some leeway? I've found a pair of black Tally Ho Mens Berkshire Hunting Breeches on sale for £30 and they look ideal for the winter. I can't try them on because they're online but it seems too good a deal to miss.

Thanks in advance for all your help!
Click to expand...
You would be well advised to be carefull posting this sort of seemingly innocent stuff , it for some reason ratles cages and the ones that haven't taken their medication get very heated !!!!:D
 
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sharky

sharky

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here you go - kingsland mens breeches































18970689761265ml-cp-w14_back.jpg



you didn't say it had to be me in them
 
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JFTDWS

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sharky said:
you didn't say it had to be me in them
Click to expand...

very nice, but you know you want to post one of yourself for us :D

Welcome, Scuderia. Come to soapbox and play - that's where all the fun is on here :D Post some photos with (or without!) your new purchases :D
 
Auslander

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rhino said:
Sounds good to me! ;) :p

Lots of (well some) advice on this thread :D
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=497253

The Mark Todd breeches seem really popular but I think you would want to try a few pairs on to be sure. :)
Click to expand...

Are you sure that's a good thread to point the poor guy at? 1 page of advice, and 74 of utter filth. Mind you, great way to see if he's man enough to cope with HHO at its best!!

I have been lurking in the dark corners of that thread -I love it, it just keeps giving...
 
rhino

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Auslander said:
Are you sure that's a good thread to point the poor guy at? 1 page of advice, and 74 of utter filth. Mind you, great way to see if he's man enough to cope with HHO at its best!!

I have been lurking in the dark corners of that thread -I love it, it just keeps giving...
Click to expand...

Don't lurk, join in :D :D We're nearly at 3000 posts of utter rubbish :D
 
Polotash

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On a serious note... my OH started riding when he was in his late 20's (i.e. when he met me ;0) !) and he still utterly refuses to wear jods. He just wears loose fitting jeans, tucked into nice Requisite rustic looking riding boots (a bargain at £80!). He's also fairly chunky from rugby and cycling.

He seems to get on fine like that, but I have bought him a second hand pair of Mountain Horse breeches for Xmas (I know he's going to hate me!!) to try on. They are nice and thick fabric with pleat fronts, which I think is essential for preserving modesty! Tight and cream/white is NOT a good look!
 
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blood_magik

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I've heard that mark Todd breeches are pretty stretchy.

and you're still a baby it you're in your twenties - my dad started riding at 50 and he's 60 next year :eek:
 
Keimanp

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I suffer the same problem with calves and thighs being larger than average and a slimmer waist. If I go into a shop to buy a pair of jeans I can't get a pair to fit my waist as I can't get them over my thighs!

I have a pair of very stretchy jods that I can accross (in black) that I use on a more frequent basis, they are only a cheap brand (can't remember off the top of my head) and I came accross them in my local tack shop.

For competitions I ride in Mark Todd Breaches (nearly said Mark Todd's Breaches which would be very strange!) and they fit well. I bought the usual waist size I would for trousers/jeans and then wear them with a belt as they have the belt loop holes!

Hope this helps, Welcome to the sport and forum!

Robert
 
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Scuderia

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Looks like I kicked the hornets nest!! This totally made my day and I guess I know where I'll be asking all my equine related questions in future, for pure entertainment rather than expecting to get an answer!

Thanks for all the advice, I think I'm going to go for the 34s then since they're 75% off and I'll get a pair of Mark Todds (but not Mark Todd's) after I get a chance to actually try them on.
 
Kat

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Good! Mark Todd will get very chilly if you lot all nick off with his breeches! Poor chap has already been reduced to showjumping without a shirt in the past......

(cue someone posting that youtube video of the naked showjumper to illustrate what would happen if Scuderia and Keimanp stole Mark Todd's breeches)
 
9

9tails

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I can't believe there are people still schooling in the background of naked guy video.

The chap at the yard swears by Mark Todds.
 
Kat

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Well done Rhino! Knew someone would oblige!

Now Keimanp and Suderia can see that if they stole Toddy's breeches the poor chap would be left with just his hat and a terrible chill!
 
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