Description: Equissentials' Deerskin Riding Pants are custom-made to fit you, at no extra charge. Options include cell-phone pockets, hand-warming pockets, belt loops, and more. Flared at the bottom with a hidden gusset, the pants are made to wear over your boots for a Western look. The Julie Goodnight Original Pants, which include belt loops, front snaps, and zipper, offer even more of a Western look.
An elastic stirrup is attached high on the pants' calf and can be worn outside your boots to keep your pant legs down. The deerskin full seat offers security in the saddle. The cotton/Lycra French terry fabric provides stretch for mounting ease. The pants are machine washable (with a special leather-laundering detergent); leather can be recycled onto successive pants. Choose from black, charcoal, eggshell, green, mocha, plum, royal, spruce, tan, or white. Available for men and women.
The test: Certified riding instructor Heidi Nyland, The Trail Rider's Saddlebag Savvy editor, tested the riding pants to see whether the full-seat leather would help keep her from sliding on her beautiful, yet old and shiny (read slippery) saddle. At six feet tall, Nyland has a difficult time finding full-seat riding pants that are long enough.
"I ordered a custom pair of Equissentials, using measurements I took at home with the help of the company's online guide," says Nyland. "When the pants arrived, they fit like a glove, and most important, they were long enough.
"When I mounted, it was easy to step up, because of the pants' stretchy fabric. The fabric was thick enough to show a smooth silhouette, yet thin enough to breathe. I rode at a walk, trot, and canter without feeling my seat slide. That's a great feat! And the elastic stirrups kept the pants long and down.
"When the pants got splattered with mud, I followed the detailed washing directions. They washed well and maintained their dark color. Overall, a big thumbs up for Equissentials!"
Cost: $285 and up, depending on extras. $315 as tested.
Contact: Equissentials Fine Equestrian Apparel,
(800) 364-2856; www.equissentials.net
