Something new · Rider to rider
Shopping for Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter alternatives?
The classic tan knee patch look, in a breech cut for your waist and your thighs.
Riders who look past the Trophy Hunter usually want a waist and thigh that fit in one size, a softer stretch fabric or a sock bottom in place of the Velcro cuff. RJ Classics Gulf is the closest front-zip match, Ovation Dynamic Hunter and Tredstep Hunter Pro cover the hunter ring, and Hassinger Derby keeps the side zip.
The short version
If you wore Trophy Hunters: the knee patch breeches to try
RJ Classics Gulf is the closest carried match to a Trophy Hunter front zip, and Hassinger, Ovation, Romfh and Kerrits cover the side zip, the hunter ring, a smaller waist and hot days.
If they wore
Mid-rise front zip (1963)
Riders switch to
Gulf Natural Rise Front Zip BreechesA natural rise, front zip and Clarino knee patches, in a quick-dry stretch fabric with mesh lower leg panels.
Shop nowIf they wore
Low-rise front zip (1967)
Riders switch to
Gracie Knee Patch BreechesA classic RJ knee patch with a mid rise, a silicone-grip waistband and tummy-control pockets.
Shop nowIf they wore
Side zip (1964 or 1968)
Riders switch to
Derby Side Zip BreechesA tan side-zip hunter breech with synthetic suede knee patches and sock bottoms.
Shop nowIf they wore
Tan for the hunter ring
Riders switch to
Dynamic Hunter BreechesDesigned for the hunter rider: mid rise, front zip, darker faux suede patches and stretchy sock bottoms.
Shop nowIf they wore
A size that fits the thigh, not the waist
Riders switch to
Sarafina Knee Patch Euro GripA mid rise with a contoured waistband, a back yoke and a wide, non-binding cut through the hip.
Shop nowIf they wore
Trophy Hunters in summer
Riders switch to
Affinity Pro Knee Patch BreechesA show look in ProStretch twill that Kerrits says wicks, breathes and stretches, with silicone patches.
Shop nowRider voices
What riders say about Trophy Hunter fit, fabric and rise
Riders tell us the Trophy Hunter fit can fall between sizes, the cotton blend feels stiff and the Velcro cuff has had its day.
Between sizes: a waist that fits or a thigh that fits
The breeches they point to
Romfh SarafinaRJ Classics Gracie
Romfh Sarafina has a contoured waistband and a wide, non-binding cut, and RJ Classics Gracie adds a silicone grip inside the waist.
See the curvier cutsStiff cotton blend and a Velcro cuff
The breeches they point to
RJ Classics GulfOvation Dynamic Hunter
RJ Classics Gulf has a quick-dry stretch fabric with mesh lower leg panels, and Ovation Dynamic Hunter finishes with stretchy sock bottoms.
See the stretch picksBetween sizes: a waist that fits or a thigh that fits
Riders buy Trophy Hunters to fit the thigh and live with a gap at the waist, and one says no two pairs fit the same.
Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter
I thought TS Trophy Hunters would work on me, but I fall in between sizes (waist too tight to fit thighs or thighs too gappy when waist fits).
Tailored Sportsman breeches
The waist is a bit gappy on me, I have to wear a belt or they constantly slide down my hips. Especially since the more I wear them, the more they stretch and the worse they sag. Really a size 28 fits me best in the waist, but then the thighs are obscenely tight, so I buy to fit my thighs and deal with the gappy waist.
Tailored Sportsman breeches
It was interesting to me to see confirmation that the biggest variation with the same brand went to Tailored Sportsman. I’ve always thought no two pairs fit the same.
Romfh breeches
Romfh breeches. They have the same sizing as TS but go up to 40 and stretch really well.
Stiff cotton blend and a Velcro cuff
Retailer listings show the classic Trophy Hunter in 73% cotton, 20% polyamide and 7% Lycra, with a Velcro ankle closure.
Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter
I am not a TS fan. The fit is ok for me but I despise the cotton blend material of the Trophy Hunters.
Tailored Sportsman breeches
These are fine. I don’t love side zip, and I prefer how these fit after they’ve stretched a bit (which they do). For some reason they tend to catch on my belly button ring a lot when I’m sitting. They’ve been my back-up pair for shows, but since I bought more these will get culled because I HATE VELCRO.
Swap guide
Which knee patch breech matches which Trophy Hunter style
Find the Trophy Hunter style you wore in the left column, then match by zip and rise first and by ankle and fabric second.
Price tiers among these picks: $ (lowest) to $$$$ (highest)
| If you wore | Riders switch to | Why riders choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-rise front zip (1963) | Front zip, Clarino knee patches, stretch fabric and mesh lower leg panels. | |
| Low-rise front zip (1967) | A classic knee patch cut in a mid rise, with a plus-size version. | |
| Mid or low-rise side zip (1964, 1968) | A tan side zip with black piping, euro seat seaming and sock bottoms. | |
| Tan for the hunter or equitation ring | Mid rise, front zip, tan with darker knee patches. | |
| A waist smaller than the thigh | Contoured or wide 2-inch waistbands with a mid rise. | |
| Trophy Hunters on hot days | Lighter technical fabrics with silicone knee patches and a show look. |
Fit tip
A Trophy Hunter size does not carry across brands. Measure your waist and the widest part of your thigh, then compare both numbers with the size chart on each product page before you choose.Closest match
RJ Classics Gulf and Gracie: the closest front-zip swap
RJ Classics Gulf Natural Rise Front Zip Breeches are the closest carried match to a Trophy Hunter front zip: the same classic tan look and Clarino knee patches, in a quick-dry stretch fabric with a fabric-covered waistband and mesh lower leg panels.
The Gracie Knee Patch Breeches add a mid rise RJ Classics calls just right, a comfort-stretch waistband with silicone grip and tummy-control pockets, with a little more length and re-designed mesh bottoms. The Gracie Plus Knee Patch Breeches carry the same rise and Clarino patches in a plus-size cut.
In fairness
Riders who made this switch still say a Tailored Sportsman pair looks right for a show class, so compare both on the product page before you retire the old pair.RJ Classics knee patch breeches
Shop all ›Show tan
Hunter ring tan: Ovation Dynamic Hunter, Tredstep and Hassinger
Ovation Dynamic Hunter Breeches are the carried knee patch breech built for the hunter rider: a mid rise, a wide contour waistband with double snaps, angled slash front pockets and euro seat seams with no back pockets. The tan has darker faux suede patches, the white has matching white patches, and the stretchy sock bottoms slide into a tall boot.
Tredstep made the Hunter Pro Knee Patch Breeches for the conservative tailoring of the hunter and equitation rings, in Coolon fabric with Clarino knee patches, a mid-rise cut, 2-inch belt loops and UPF 50+ as Tredstep lists it. For a side zip, the Hassinger Derby Side Zip Breeches are a tan hunter breech with black piping, synthetic suede knee patches and black sock bottoms.
In fairness
Show rules vary by organizer, so check your rule book for breech color and patch requirements before a rated show.Ovation knee patch breeches
Shop all ›Waist and hip
Smaller waist, fuller hip: Romfh Sarafina and Ovation Slim Secret
Romfh Sarafina is the carried knee patch breech for riders who buy Trophy Hunters to fit the thigh and belt the waist: a mid rise with a contoured waistband, a back yoke and a wide, non-binding cut through the hip, in Softtouch micro-PU fabric that is machine washable. The Euro Grip version adds a silicone knee grip, and the Euroseat version keeps a classic patch.
Ovation Celebrity Slim Secret is the classic-fit option: a mid rise, a wide 2-inch waistband, Slim Secret panels that Ovation says flatten the tummy, stretch suede knee patches and Dry-Tex tube bottoms.
In fairness
Neither cut fixes every shape, so compare your waist and thigh with each size chart before you order.Romfh knee patch breeches
Shop all ›Warm weather
Every season, hot days included: Kerrits Affinity Pro and Horze
Kerrits Affinity Pro Knee Patch Breeches are the carried pick for riders who find a cotton blend too warm: ProStretch twill that Kerrits says is engineered to wick, breathe and stretch, with a front zip, a wide waistband, belt loops, integrated slash pockets and silicone knee patches for a clean show-day look.
Horze Grand Prix Knee Patch Breeches keep the classic cut with slant front pockets, a wide waistband and a smooth back, in a water- and dirt-repellent fabric with UPF 50+ as Horze lists it. They come in European sizes, so read the size chart first.
In fairness
Silicone patches grip more than Clarino; if you want the traditional suede look of a Trophy Hunter, start with the RJ Classics or Tredstep picks above.Horze Grand Prix breeches
A couple years ago I bought them in black and still to this day, they are my absolute favorite breeches ever. They are so comfortable, but still like hold everything. I've worn them in every season possible and they are just perfect. Thrilled to have them in tan now. I wish I had 100 pairs of them.
Horze breeches
OMG THE FIT ON THIS! These breeches are just gorgeous, the way they fit makes me feel like a million dollars. They hug my hips and abs perfectly, and they give you a good figure without being too tight. The fabric is thick and stretchy to fit every body type, and keep you warm around the 10s (ºC) without making you too hot when the temperature goes higher. If I could I would buy one million of these breeches.
Kerrits knee patch breeches
Shop all ›In fairness
What Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter does well
Riders who love their Trophy Hunters have good reasons, and plenty keep a pair for the show ring.
If you show hunters, riders describe the Trophy Hunter as steeped in tradition, and many keep one pair for the ring while they school in something else.
If you want a breech that lasts, riders say Trophy Hunters last for years, wash easily and come in a wide range of colors.
If you have a generous hip and thigh with a smaller waist, some riders find the right Trophy Hunter size about as flattering as a breech gets.
If made in the USA matters to you, retailer listings show the Trophy Hunter made in the USA.
Trophy Hunter questions: FAQ
Do Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter breeches run small?
Riders describe the Trophy Hunter as small in the waist for the thigh: some buy to fit the thigh and wear a belt, and others fall between sizes. Measure your waist and thigh and compare both with the size chart on each product page before you choose RJ Classics, Romfh or Ovation.
CloseWhat is the difference between Trophy Hunter and TechLight?
Retailer listings show the classic Trophy Hunter in 73% cotton, 20% polyamide and 7% Lycra with a Velcro ankle closure, and the TechLight line in 76% polyamide and 24% elastane with four-way stretch and a sock bottom. If the Velcro cuff is why you are looking, compare Ovation Dynamic Hunter and RJ Classics Gulf.
CloseWhat breeches are like Tailored Sportsman but with sock bottoms?
Ovation Dynamic Hunter is a mid-rise, front-zip tan knee patch breech with stretchy sock bottoms, and Hassinger Derby is a tan side zip with sock bottoms. RJ Classics Gulf and Gracie finish the lower leg with mesh panels instead.
CloseIs there a side zip knee patch breech like the Trophy Hunter?
Hassinger Derby Side Zip Breeches are a tan hunter knee patch breech with a side zip, synthetic suede knee patches, black piping and euro seat seaming. Compare the rise on the product page with your 1964 or 1968 Trophy Hunters.
CloseWhich knee patch breeches come in plus sizes?
RJ Classics makes a Gracie Plus Knee Patch Breech with the Gracie's mid rise and Clarino patches, and one rider says Romfh runs the same sizing as Tailored Sportsman but goes up to size 40. Read each size chart before you order.
CloseWhere can I read more comparisons like this?
These guides cover the rest of Tailored Sportsman, from the breeches overview to sun shirts, plus how Ariat breeches and tights compare with the brands we stock. Pick the one that matches the garment you are replacing.
- Shopping for alternatives: Tailored Sportsman breeches
- Tailored Sportsman sun shirts (IceFil): alternatives we carry
- Tailored Sportsman vs the knee-patch breeches we carry
- Ariat breeches and tights: Shopping for alternatives?
Brands we carry
Knee patch breech brands riders chose after Trophy Hunters
Every breech on this page comes from a brand we carry: RJ Classics, Ovation, Tredstep, Hassinger, Romfh, Kerrits and Horze.
How we built this guide: fabric, rise and finish details are as each maker lists them, checked November 2026. Trophy Hunter details are from retailer listings seen in October and November 2026.