(Modified from my Barn Rat Reviews post on Facebook…I’m too lazy to rewrite)
I’m a big fan of the original tights, so it was only a matter of time before I sucked it up to try their new Pro tights. Why was I hesitant to throw money at this small business in SoCal when I buy their tights in every color? Because I need my cargo pockets. The Pro line are for people that don’t want cargo pockets (this I can’t fathom) and originally came in white and then tan for showing. I bought them so I could see for myself, and Esprit will take returns if you aren’t happy. Not everyone will like everything.
Esprit lists these as having more compression than the regular tights. They do because they literally have the tummy-control panel throughout (see the picture), but that does leave a weird feeling with two layers of fabric. I suspect I may not want to wear these during the summer, but that remains to be seen. I didn’t notice these riding any differently than the tights. My regular tights are XL, and I will probably get my next pair in L. I got these in XL. Go up in size if you are nervous. They are stretchy, but feel more like shapewear
What I love about these: damn this color is nice. Pictures often don’t do some colors justice. This navy is beautiful, and the silver trim is cute. The regular hip pockets do fit a phone and are stretchy enough to access said phone while in the saddle. You also don’t have that “stabbed in the gut” feeling. Just like the original tights, you have freedom of movement, a super grippy seat, and a fabric that easily dusts of dirt. Washing machine safe, low-heat dry.
What I don’t love about these: the rise is lower, especially in the back. Now, you won’t get plumbers crack, but there is that muffin-top feeling for anyone that has muffin to top. This can EASILY be remedied with a shapewear top for horse shows…but I ain’t showing. Some people are going to love this lower rise, and some people are going to cry. I can’t penalize Esprit for my chubs.
Verdict: nice, but I’m not going to buy more. I will just longingly wait for them to release these colors in the original tights.