Tottie Maven knee-grip breeches: review

Our reviewer found these breeches flattering, practical and dual-purpose

I tested these low-rise breeches in white, size 30 regular. The first thing to note is that I went up a size in them, as they do come up quite small. I am a size 10-12 and the 30 fit me well, whereas I am usually a size 28 in breeches.

The breeches are quite thick, and almost resemble jeggings. They are therefore not that stretchy (which can make getting on a bit trickier if they are tight fitting!). However, the fabric is durable and has a smart appearance. I found these breeches great during the winter, as they are that bit thicker, yet still practical enough to ride in during the summer.

The breeches feature silicone knee-grips, which are great as you really feel secure in the saddle. They also have elasticated ankles, meaning that they fit well under your riding boots and are not at all bulky. Additionally the breeches also have branded waist elastic and a zip fly with hook and bar fastening, which eliminates the hassle of buttons.

They are a flattering and stylish pair of breeches for around the yard, but I have also found that they are smart enough to wear to competitions. I have worn these to regular showjumping competitions and have found that they perform well and I can notice the benefits of the knee-grips. However, one thing to be aware of is that if you have just cleaned your tack the silicone grip on the inside of the knee can pick up saddle soap or oil. It is therefore advisable that you clean your tack well in advance to prevent this from happening. The silicone grips were also rather squeaky against my tack the first time I wore them, so you may get a couple of looks in the warm-up arena!

To my surprise (due to the nature of the material), the knee-grips washed well and have not come away from the fabric, withered or melted in the washing machine, as I’ve found in the past with different silicone products.