Best Riding Leggings for Kids: What to Look For (Grip, Fit & Durability)

Hi There, Emily Here!

If your child rides ponies regularly, you’ve probably realized quickly— not all riding leggings are created equal. Especially chidren's leggings! Some fit weird in random places, some slide in the saddle, some stretch out after a few washes, and some just don’t hold up to real barn life. So what should you actually look for when choosing riding leggings for your child? 

One of the most important features in riding leggings is grip. For young riders, especially those still building confidence and balance, grip can make a big difference in how secure they feel in the saddle.

Look for:

• Silicone knee patches (or full seat for older riders)
• Grip that feels secure but not sticky or stiff
• Placement of grip that supports natural leg position

The goal isn’t to “stick” your child to the saddle—it’s to give them just enough stability so they can focus on riding, not slipping. ✨

If your child is constantly pulling up their leggings at the barn, they’re not the right fit. Good riding leggings should:

• Feel snug and supportive, but not restrictive
• Stay in place during riding, running, and barn chores
• Have enough stretch to move with your child

A well-fitting pair should feel like a second skin—comfortable enough to wear all day, but structured enough to perform in the saddle.

Let’s be honest—kids don’t just ride in their leggings. They groom horses, play and sit in the dirt, climb fences, run around the barn, muck stalls, stack hay, the list goes on and on. So durability matters a lot. 

You will want to look for leggings that:

• Hold their shape after washing
• Don’t pill easily
• Maintain color over time
• Can handle repeated wear without thinning

The best pairs are the ones your child reaches for again and again—and still look great weeks later after so many wears!

Pro Tip- Look for riding leggings with belt loops. Belts will be your child's best friend as they grow to keep their leggings secure and in place. We offer a bundle discount with our jodhpurs and leggings where you can save $12 when you add a belt!

The little details make a big difference in everyday use. Both parents and kids who spend a lot of time at the barn will both appreciate the small details that make barn life and riding a little easier!

Some features that parents and riders both love:

• Wide, reinforced belt loops (belts are all different sizes, so the larger the belt loop, the more belts that will fit)
• Large side pockets for phones, pony treats, or hair ties

These small touches turn riding leggings into something your child can truly live in - so many love to wear ours outside of the barn too!

At the end of the day, the best riding leggings are the ones your child chooses to wear. The first pair they grab from their closet when excitedly getting ready to head to the barn.

They should feel:

• Soft and buttery smooth
• Lightweight but supportive
• Comfortable enough for long barn days

When leggings are designed well, kids don’t just tolerate them—they love them!

When you find a pair of leggings that checks all the boxes—fit, grip, durability, and comfort—it makes everything easier.

We hear it all the time from parents:

• “They wash so well.”
• “These are the only leggings my daughter wants to wear!"
• “They actually hold up and she is rough on them at the barn.”

And honestly, that’s the goal— clothing that keeps up with young riders and real barn life.

At Short Stirrup Equestrian, we design every piece with real riders—and real barn life—in mind. From silicone knee grips that provide just the right amount of stability, to a flattering, stay-put fit, to durable fabrics that hold up wash after wash, our riding leggings are made to perform. We’ve added thoughtful details like wide, reinforced belt loops and large side pockets (complete with our signature SSE logo) because we know how kids actually move through their day at the barn. Most importantly, they’re designed to be pieces your child genuinely loves to wear—so much so that for many riders, they quickly become the only leggings they reach for.

When you find riding leggings that truly check every box— grip, fit, durability, and comfort—it changes the experience for both you and your rider. Fewer distractions, more confidence in the saddle, and pieces that keep up with every ride, lesson, and barn day.

And that’s exactly what we set out to create— thoughtfully designed riding essentials for young riders who live for the barn.

Check back every week and be sure to sign up for our newsletters to follow along with our journal- and share with your young rider! 💌

XOXO, Emily