Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Review: SmartPak's Piper Breeches

10/8/2014

9 Comments

 
Oh, how I wanted to love these breeches. I truly did. But alas, I don't love them. I like them, and I'm keeping them, but they're not what I was hoping for.

The Good:

They are unbelievably cute. I bought the anthracite with electric coral which is actually just a light black with hot pink accents.

The fabric is nice and sturdy with a good stretchy feel. The construction is superb, and nothing feels loose or flimsy. They are a bit heavy for our summertime heat (it's still in the high 90s!), but they'll be fine for the rest of the year.

The price is also good, especially since I got them for 25% off the regular price of $75.95.
Picture
This is just one afternoon's layer of dirt!

The Bad:

The one and only thing that I do not like is the fit. Through the leg and thigh they fit great, but around my hips and butt that want to sag. I have to wear a belt with them and even then I am constantly hitching them up. I know they are a natural rise, but so are every other pair of breeches that I own.

My husband thought they looked just fine, so it's not like they really do sag, and if I just get to work, I quit noticing the sensation that I need to pull up my britches.

I wore them twice before washing them to see how they handled my work load. After dealing with hitching them up, I decided to wash and dry them to see if that improved things. To my disappointment, it didn't help. To the good however, the breeches came out of the dryer looking like brand new.

I know that SmartPak would take them back in an instant, but I really (want to) like them and am willing to live with having to hike them up. I am even considering buying another pair in a smaller size to see if that might help the sag. I doubt it will solve the issue though as I am much pretty a size 28/30 (I go up to the 30s because I like that wee bit of extra room).
Picture
I think I need a more fitted hip rather than the straight cut of the Pipers.

Overall:

I give these breeches 3½ stars out of 5. If they fit just a little better, I'd give them five stars for sure. That slight sag is enough to irritate more than one star from their rating. 

If you're interested in trying out a pair, SmartPak has a 15% off coupon today only; use the promo code PARTY15 at checkout. USEF members get an additional 15% off.  


I am very tempted ...
9 Comments
Hillary link
10/7/2014 11:02:55 pm

This is essentially how I felt except add that the knee patch came unstitched the first time I wore them before I even sat on a horse. I returned them. :( good review!

Reply
Tracy link
10/7/2014 11:13:39 pm

I have the same fit "issue" as you do, but it doesn't bother me. My body shape pretty much makes all breeches sag so I always wear a belt anyways.

Reply
Alanna
10/8/2014 12:03:00 am

I completely agree! This was my experience exactly.

Reply
Amanda link
10/8/2014 12:39:49 am

Very similar experience here too. Didn't like the fabric or the fit.

Reply
Lauren link
10/8/2014 01:19:56 am

My problem exactly. A bit tight in the thigh, and I have to hike them up ALL THE TIME in the waist. I thought about sizing up, but that puts me in their plus category and then they're more expensive and cut differently.

Reply
Genny Macy link
10/8/2014 01:20:24 am

Bummer about the sagging fit! I really want a pair of these and your coupon code is very tempting.

Reply
SprinklerBandit link
10/8/2014 09:26:04 am

Same here. :-( They are super cute colors and a great price point, but the crotch sags like none other. I thought maybe it was just a cheap breeches thing, but I've since purchased other brands at a similar price point and have no such trouble.

Reply
Kara link
10/8/2014 11:42:28 am

Yep, me too. Mine actually feel like they're too long between the knee and thigh (as opposed to saggy in the waist), and am super tall in that department, so I know it isn't me. Mine also got pretty pilly all along the inside of my leg after not-that-many wearings. Still, I like them medium, and I find that once I'm in the saddle, the feel great, and they're regulars in the breeches rotation for me!

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
10/12/2014 08:12:45 am

I am such a sucker. I ordered a new pair in the 28L in the fervent hope that they fit better. I'll let you all know how they work! :0)

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
    Third Level: 62.105%
    Fourth Level:
    Fourth Level:

    2023 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    2023 Show Schedule
    TBD

    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

    2023 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    Qualifying Training Level
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:
    Score 1:
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    Archives
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home