A while back, Noble Outfitters contacted me about reviewing a head-to-toe outfit for them and then offering that outfit in a contest for my readers. So, full disclosure, I received a free outfit in exchange for doing this review, and so will one of your guys! Read on for more details.
I had never tried on their breeches before, so I asked to review their Balance Riding Tights, and also the Lauren Quarter Zip shirt that Amanda also reviewed. First up, the Balance Riding Tights.
Sorry about the pictures, I had to recruit my husband for these:
Most of you know my go-to tights are the Irideon Issential tights. In that, I am a child's size L, which is not even the largest child's size in those tights. Those things wear like iron and last for years, but my one complaint is that they don't have belt loops. I was pretty excited to see that the Balance tights have belt loops. Classy looking outfits, here I come!
I also really liked the thick, wide waistband, although after I put them on, it ended up being kind of a problem for me.
I looked at the sizing chart when I asked for the XS, but I really should have sized up. They fit better than most pants on me - the waistband actually doesn't gap in the back on me like most pants do when you have a 35" hip and 24" waist - but they also threatened to cut off my circulation.
I'm not sure if it's because of the waistband, or the stiffness of the fabric, but if you get these - SIZE UP. I couldn't wear them with anything underneath them, even my tiny microweight Smartwool, so these will be warm weather-only tights for me. I really should have gotten a small.
But as far as everything else goes about them? I really like them. They clearly put a lot of thought into what would make these attractive every-day riding-wear.
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| Pocket - not big enough for my Droid Turbo, but definitely big enough for the knife I always have on me at the barn. And maybe a smaller cell phone. |
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| Attractive and not ostentatious logo on the back, and a nice euro-cut seat. |
One of my favorite things about them is definitely the "lightweight stretch hem" bottoms. They really do reduce bulk under the boot like Noble Outfitters says they will. They're definitely my favorite hems of all of my riding pants.
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| Toray ultrasuede knee patches |
I am a quarter zip shirt collector. I love them. My all-time favorite one is my CrossFit quarter zip. They're perfect to layer things both under and over in the winter months, and in the spring and fall you can wear them by themselves.
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| Helmet hair after a lesson, mmmmm, sexy. |
But it just doesn't come small enough for me (5'1, 108 lbs), which is funny, because I had the opposite problem with this that I did with the breeches. I had the XS, and the sleeves are a couple of inches too long for me, and the cut is not flattering on my figure. One of the reasons I love quarter zips is that they are generally cut close and I feel like they're "not just" barn clothes. I can throw one on plus a vest and feel like I'm rocking "Dover Model" status. This shirt was cut too boxy for me, although it does make it very easy to layer UnderArmour under it and a vest over it, so that's good.
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| I do like the cut at the back, which is cut slightly longer so that your shirt doesn't come up while riding. |
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| Sleeves are way, way too long. |
So, in summary, both are great pieces clearly designed for equestrians, but:
- Balance Riding Tights: Great, well-made breeches that have some nice features, but SIZE UP
- Lauren Quarter Zip: Good quality, great three-season shirt especially if you like to layer or prefer less form-fitting shirts, but SIZE DOWN (if you can)
And now, one of you lucky people will win this complete outfit! Use the RaffleCopter widget below to enter. Entries close at 12:00am Eastern time on December 30. Good luck!
I have one of their full-zip hoodies and I love it. My favorite piece of exercise clothing.
ReplyDeleteLooooove Noble Outfitters! I have 2 of their elbow-length-sleeve summer-weight shirts and they are amazing! But you're right on the shirt sizing - I wear a S (5'4 and 125lb) and those shirts just drape nicely on me - not tight at all. I'm not usually a riding tights person... but these look interesting!
ReplyDeleteYou look good! I really like all these reviews of NO and am itching to try!
ReplyDeleteYou look good! I really like all these reviews of NO and am itching to try!
ReplyDeleteInterested in the tights. I am also a big fan of the irideon tights however I find them very hot in the summer here in SC. Are these lighter weight?
ReplyDeleteThey are just slightly lighter weight, definitely. They don't have that heavy shiny fabric the Irideons do.
DeleteI also have a love affair with 1/4 zip shirts since layers are critical here in Alberta. I've been lusting after that particular one, in that colour so fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI have one of those 1/4 zip hoodies and loveeee it. it even stretches over my big baby bump.
ReplyDeleteI've been tempted to try their tights...good info to size up!
ReplyDeletekinda interesting that the tights have so many interesting details (like the euro seat!) that you don't usually see in tights...
ReplyDeleteI think that's interesting too. I had a hard time calling them 'tights', they almost feel like pull on breeches and have a lot of the features you don't normally see on tights.
DeleteAs a taller/bigger person, I LOVE how long noble sleeves are! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review - I don't think I've ever worn tights before! I do want to try the shirt.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the others - I love extra long sleeves!
ReplyDeleteI'm now terrified of that shirt because I have short, T-Rex sized arms! But it's such an attractive shirt!
ReplyDeleteI have always had to size up in noble so it wasn't seer-sucking
ReplyDeleteI'm with SprinklerBandit, give me all the long sleeves that actually work for me! I have their soft shell on my Christmas list this year!
ReplyDeleteI love riding tights! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteBeing in the south, I love anything in a wicking fabric!
ReplyDeleteI have been really wanting a pair of their riding tights since trying them on at Rolex.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteI really like that a lot of work out/technical fabric type shirts nowadays have that longer back on them. Even the cheapies I pick up at Walmart specifically for the barn sport them.
ReplyDeleteI really like riding tights - currently have 2 pairs of Kerrits brand. I have not tried the Noble Outfitters tights so this was great to get a better idea of their sizing. I have one of their short sleeve shirts which is a little big and boxy on me.
ReplyDeleteI typically wear jeans and a tshirt while riding. Nothing fancy.
ReplyDeleteI own those tights and LOVE them. Super comfy while riding and cute design.
ReplyDeleteReally cool brand to work with, the clothes look awesome
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your reviews. I feel like I could order the correct sizes now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to try the shirt for a while now so this review was great thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm inundated with Pipers right now, so a lighter breech for the summer would be great. Plus I love the pocket
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I love their travel bags and socks but haven't entered their clothing line... I'm very used to my thick breeches and my dryfit under armour shirts.
ReplyDeleteI looooove 1/4 zips. Those and a best make up a,large portion of my winter wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteI love a lot of NO's stuff <3
ReplyDeleteExcellent review! Thanks for including the sizing feedback :D
ReplyDeleteVery interested in tryon out the tights. Thank you for the great review!
ReplyDeleteTights with a pocket, I'm in. It would give me a place to put sugar :) Always good to know whether to size up or down.
ReplyDeleteI have a Noble Outfitter tank top that I LOVE! I'm tempted by the breeches but I'm sort of addicted to my full seats :-)
ReplyDeleteI actually just got the ringside backpack that they offer and really like it. I didn't realize they had such a wide array of items honestly
ReplyDeleteI actually just got the ringside backpack that they offer and really like it. I didn't realize they had such a wide array of items honestly
ReplyDeleteRiding tights with belt loops? I may have to give these a try!
ReplyDeleteExtra long sleeves work well for orangutang arms so I should apparently be looking into this brand. I'm also a fan of the tights-but-not-quite type breeches - these look like they have great details. Time to see if they have full seats!
ReplyDeleteI like riding tights best.
ReplyDelete1/4 zip looks great! Love the colour.
ReplyDeleteAlmost all of my breeches are TuffRider, but none have pockets! That would be a great addition. I usually end up riding in some kind of polyester shirt.
ReplyDeleteI love anything that's comfy- and I like the style of the quarter zip :)
ReplyDelete