THE HORSE PILOT GUIDE OF RIDING PANTS
FROM RIDING BREECHES TO RIDING PANTS: LET’S START WITH A LITTLE HISTORY…
Professionals who use the expression "culotte de cheval" are few and far between. If it persists among our most experienced instructors, it's because it's been part of our jargon since the dawn of time. Historically, breeches referred to pants. The trousers used for riding had that flared cut you see in history books... This particular shape just allowed riders to "be" on horseback. Over the decades, riding has become a sport, and equipment must evolve with it. At Horse Pilot, we want to create the very best in riding pants. It's not just about enabling athletes to ride. We want to optimize and accompany all their sporting gestures.
BIRTH OF THE RIDING PANTS RANGE
The X-BALANCE pant incorporates all the criteria dear to Horse Pilot: elasticity, comfort and unique technical features. The challenge: play on both internal and external properties (well-being, friction-free, anti-bacterial versus abrasion-resistant, anti-slip, etc.).
The development of riding pants involves no less than 8 stages, spread over several months, the longest of which is testing the pants in real-life conditions. Before this can happen, prototypes* have to be drawn up based on precise specifications. These specifications detail
The benefits riders are looking for
The materials used
The design... from the general appearance to the placement of seams: we leave nothing to chance, and aesthetics count as much as technicality.
*One-of-a-kind pieces to adjust the garment before mass production.
Riding pants that combine maximum comfort and technical qualities
The unique material for our pants comes from Italy. It is a laminate of two layers of knitted fabric, which makes it possible to ‘play’ with many properties, both inside and out (see above). Using knitted fabrics means the amount of elasticity can be adjusted, unlike with woven materials. Just the right amount of stretch is essential for optimal sports performance. This is what maintains the muscle and, even better, supports it during exertion. All of our pants feature compression technology.
Muscle support and compression are provided by the strong elasticity of the knit fabric and lycra in the lower leg.
The two materials are joined by an elastic fabric that secures the pants on the rider.
WHY CHOOSE RIDING PANTS THAT PROMOTE COMPRESSION AND MUSCLE SUPPORT
We want the fabric to interact with and adapt to the athlete, not the other way round. When in motion, the fabric stretches or retracts, but the pants do not move. They feel like a second skin.
Stockings, shorts, jerseys… compression comes in all shapes and sizes for athletics or cycling for example. In addition to the muscle maintenance it provides, it improves blood flow. There are many benefits: improved oxygen supply to the muscle as well as a better breakdown of lactic acid, which causes cramps. And therefore, better recovery. It was an obvious choice to include textile technologies that went down this route.
Our socks and pants feature woven elastic compression zones for optimal support of the leg muscles.
WOMEN’S RIDING PANTS
MEN’S RIDING PANTS
For the men’s riding pants we have added an inner layer that provides exceptional comfort.
The outer layer is less fitted, providing a classic look, while maintaining resistance to friction and abrasion.
With the X-Balance New (above centre) we wanted to make pants that are lighter, with fewer seams, and more stretch. We wanted these pants to be very efficient. They are light and stylish.
WINTER RIDING PANTS
Available for men and women, it has a brushed fleece inner layer for better insulation and a strong water repellent treatment.
“The problem with Horse Pilot pants, is that once you’ve tried them, they’re the only ones you want to wear… ”
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