Smooth Stride™ Jeans For Women Smooth Stride are the jeans of choice

Smooth Stride — the jeans of choice for women who really ride.

Tired of jeans that bunch and chafe in the saddle on long trail or endurance rides?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026

Woman wearing Smooth Stride Full Seat horseback riding jeans

Smooth Stride™ Jeans For Women
Smooth Stride are the jeans of choice for women who really ride! The comfort in the saddle makes them the best choice for endurance or trail riding, and hacking for conditioning

Why Switch To Smooth Stride?

Smooth Stride Jeans For Womenare the jeans of choice for women who really ride! The comfort in the saddle makes them the best choice for endurance or trail riding, hacking for conditioning, and everyday work in the ring. The performance in the saddle is great for barrel racing and roping. And the performance combined with the practicality of denim jeans makes them perfect for training for all types of competitors. The flattering cut and extra length make Smooth Stride the jeans of choice for Western Dressage and arena competitions.

What Sets Smooth Stride Apart From Competitors?
Smooth Stride Jeans are the original no-inseam jeans. Combined with the Contour-Fit™ waist design, they offer unmatched comfort in the saddle. Seven large belt loops, not five. Front pockets are useful: full-width and deep. Back pockets are free of rivets or ‘bling’ that can damage a saddle. And a smart-phone pocket on the right thigh (see video below) keeps your phone with YOU, mounted or anytime.

What Styles and Colors Does Smooth Stride Offer?
Smooth Stride Jeans are currently offered in three styles. The denim in all three styles is medium light weight (10-10.5 oz), high quality and durable, grown and milled in the U.S. The denim is 1-2% Spandex, for just the right amount of stretch and the denim color is indigo, so these look and fade just like regular blue jeans.

Real Riding Jeans are all-denim except for the microsuede waistband lining. This microsuede is amazing stuff, extremely tough and durable, yet extremely soft and pliable just like real suede leather - and it’s made from recycled plastic bottles!

Full Seat Jeans feature black microsuede seat and inner legs all the way to the hem. The full seat is essentially the same as found in high-end riding breeches…but the rest of the pant is pure Smooth Stride blue jean!

Extended Knee Patch style is the Real Riding Jean, but with a patch of the microsuede covering the inner leg from mid-thigh, over the knee, all the way to the hem.

Who Invented Smooth Stride Jeans?
Désirée Johnson started riding when she was 6 and within 1 year she was in the show arena. An accomplished world-class event competitor, Désirée has applied all she has learned about horses— and comfort while riding them, into her Smooth Stride Jeans. Smooth Stride not only offer superior comfort and fit, but they allow women to look great—even after a day in the saddle. Désirée Johnson has been featured in “Tri Cities Journal of Business” and you can read more about her and the incredible journey that lead to Smooth Stride Jeans in their latest Article about her!

Can Be A Tax Deduction For My Horse Business?
Designer Désirée Smith-Johnson, an accomplished 3-Day Eventer and life-long riding teacher and horse trainer, insists that Smooth Stride Jeans are primarily equipment (despite the fact that they look so good)! Does this mean that a professional could deduct their cost? Yes! Just like any other specialty equipment! Smooth Stride Jeans are made for riding and that sets them apart from other jeans you just wear around the barn.

Enjoy the Comfort Smooth Ride Jeans Offers To Women Riders-- Like Never Before!

How Do I Ensure I Get The Right Size?

Women’s sizing, especially pants sizing, is a hot mess. First, many manufacturers offer only Misses sizes; to look through some catalogs, you’d think that everyone who rides a horse is a 19 year-old girl! Second, between different manufacturers, foreign manufacturers, and “vanity” sizing, if you order a size 10 of anything on line, there’s no telling if what shows up will fit, and the problem gets worse the larger the size.

So How Does Smooth Stride Ensure I Get The Right Size For My Order?

Smooth Stride has done several things to address these sizing issues:
1) We’ve carefully designed separate patterns for plus sizes and offer our jeans up to 44” waist sizes.

2) Since the numbers don’t mean anything anyway, we’ve named ALL our sizes after horse breeds — it makes ordering fun and easy to remember!

3)For NEW customers, we have a special offer: We’ll send you TWO sizes. Keep the one that fits, return the other, and we won’t charge your card until you’re happy…AND we pay the shipping! (Special offer code: Colt).

What Do Women SAY About Smooth Stride Jeans?

I just wanted to let you know that I love my Smooth Stride jeans. They fit well, are comfortable, and the cell phone pocket is great/ I also really like the deep, deep front pockets. These are so much better than previous versions so thanks for doing the research and taking the time to get this right!

Tracy in Tucson

Just got a wonderful surprise in the mail - yup my Smooth Stride jeans! They fit great - you all did a good job with your sizing. I'm looking forward to more comfortable riding this spring. I'll try to keep in touch during my riding season & let you know how they're holding up, etc.

JoAnne in Missouri

I wore my new Smooth Stride riding jeans today for the first time. Love them!! Worth the wait and will be getting another pair!!!

J.S. in Texas

These pants are so dang comfortable! I could concentrate 100% on my horse and not have to adjust my pants for comfort. (Riders know what I mean). ha ha.

S.F. in Washington

I have tried many riding jeans and breeches, looking for ones in which I couldn't feel the seams, but to no avail, until now. These are amazing. The first thing I noticed was the soft waistband, then the adorable pink fabric that makes up the pockets. The back of the waist is slightly higher than the front and is great for keeping my shirt tucked in, and the cellphone pocket is positioned just right. I don't even think about it being there when I am riding. The jean fabric itself has the look of the thick denim material of normal jeans, but these are much softer than that-and best of all NO rubbing of seams anywhere. I love, love these jeans!

Mae in Santa Rosa

You guys Rock! I love these pants. Incredibly comfortable with just enough stretch to make this rider a happy camper. My large LG phone fits in the thigh pocket (hoping it stays in during hard riding..Velcro tab?) and the waist line is perfect for riders. Wish I could get all styles and sizes to share with my fellow riders. Congratulations, you nailed it.

Stephanie in Spokane

Desiree was the most kind and patient woman trying to fit my 62 yr old grandma body. She hit it right on. I have tried several different brands and wasn't happy with the way they fit, but these jeans are just what I've been longing for. Comfortable and fits perfect around the waist and makes by booty look good. Thanks guys for figuring out the fit for a women sitting on a horse.

Kathy in Michigan

I just received my Smooth Stride riding jeans and I'm delighted! I love the denim weight and the fit. They are a little long, but far prefer long to short. I can fix the length my self, no problem, Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put in to this.

S. Byrne

Wore these jeans to an all day clinic and was so amazed how comfortable they felt. I'm definitely hooked and can't imagine ever going back to a regular inseam jean. Cudos to the Johnsons on their efforts on what they've accomplished in such a short time with the Smooth Stride company. The quality is in the puttin'.... will definitely be placing another order sometime soon!

Cathy in Michigan

Call Smooth Stride For Your Smooth Ride Today!

Smooth Stride Jeans make you look fabulous and feel great! If horses are your business, they are even a ‘tax deduction” which make it even better. You’ll love the way they look and feel. Call us today and let Smooth Stride really make a difference to Your ride!

What makes Smooth Stride the original no-inseam riding jean?

No-inseam construction has always been the heart of Smooth Stride pants, and the company calls itself the original No Inseam Riding Jean. Removing the inside leg seam eliminates the chafed, raw skin that develops when that seam gets trapped between you and your saddle, plus the painful lump where it crosses the center crotch seam. Because Smooth Stride jeans have never had an inseam, they feel as comfortable as riding breeches or jodhpurs while still looking, washing, and wearing like regular jeans.

The three Smooth Stride styles: Real Riding, Extended Knee Patch, and Full Seat jeans

Who designs and makes Smooth Stride?

Smooth Stride's roots are in Boise, Idaho, where founder Marianne asked a simple question: could blue jeans be built without an inseam? The answer was yes, and the early pairs earned enthusiastic feedback. The brand is now owned by Désirée (Smith) Johnson, an accomplished 3-day event competitor, instructor, and trainer who set out to give both Western and English riders practical, comfortable, flattering everyday riding jeans. It is a very small U.S. company, and Désirée personally answers the phone and email.

Smooth Stride angled welt cell-phone pocket on the right thigh in the saddle

Which three styles can you choose from?

Smooth Stride is offered in three styles. The Real Horseback Riding Jeans use soft, high-quality stretch denim. The Full Seat Jeans combine the synthetic-suede full seat and inner legs of an expensive riding breech with the durability and comfort of everyday jeans. The Extended Knee Patch Jeans are Real Riding Jeans with a synthetic-suede patch running from above the knee to the hem, and as with every style the seams are routed to avoid saddle pressure areas.

Smooth Stride Contour-Fit waistband eliminating the back gap when mounted

What materials and hardware go into a pair?

Smooth Stride does not skimp on materials. The denim comes from Cone Mills, the synthetic suede is the premium Japanese "Clarino" stretch microsuede that costs more than ten times as much as the denim, zippers are top-quality YKK, and buttons, rivets, and name-brand thread match that standard, with real satin used even for the tags. The contoured waistband is lined with microsuede for a luxurious feel that also keeps shirts tucked in, and details include big deep pockets and 7 belt loops instead of 5.

How do the Contour-Fit waistband and cell-phone pocket help in the saddle?

The Contour-Fit™ waistband is cut from curved pieces with a higher back rise and lower front rise, so it fits standing, seated, and mounted with no "plumber's" gap. A slightly flared Western boot-cut lower leg comes in three lengths for every size. An unobtrusive angled welt pocket on the outside of the right thigh, with interior shelves that keep a phone from slipping out, gives trail, endurance, and pleasure riders a secure place to carry a phone on their body rather than on the horse.

How are sizes chosen and what do they cost?

Smooth Stride rejects "vanity" sizing and instead follows ASTM D6960 standards, then names the sizes after horse breeds for fun, from Arabian (2-4) through Lipizzan (20-22), with an online size calculator that maps your waist and hip measurements to a breed. The jeans are pre-shrunk indigo blue, made in three lengths of 31", 33" and 36" (Regular, Long, and Extra Long). Full Seat Jeans are listed at $179.00, and you can order direct or reach Désirée at (509) 521-5496.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

Who created Smooth Stride™ — and why?

Per Smooth Stride: Désirée Johnson started riding when she was 6 years old and within 1 year was in the show arena. An accomplished world-class event competitor and 3-Day Eventer, lifelong riding teacher and horse trainer, Désirée has applied all she has learned about horses and comfort-while-riding into her Smooth Stride Jeans. Per the company: "Smooth Stride not only offer superior comfort and fit, but they allow women to look great — even after a day in the saddle." Désirée has been featured in Tri Cities Journal of Business.

What sets Smooth Stride apart from regular jeans for riding?

Per Smooth Stride: the original no-inseam jeans. Differentiation features:

No inseam — combined with the Contour-Fit waist design for unmatched comfort in the saddle
Seven large belt loops (not five)
Front pockets are useful: full-width and deep
Back pockets are free of rivets or bling that can damage a saddle
Smart-phone pocket on the right thigh — keeps your phone with YOU, mounted or anytime

What disciplines and activities are these designed for?

Per Smooth Stride: "the jeans of choice for women who really ride!" Designed for:

Endurance and trail riding
Hacking for conditioning
Everyday work in the ring
Barrel racing and roping (performance + denim practicality)
Western Dressage and arena competitions (flattering cut + extra length)

Per the company: training for all types of competitors who want denim-jean practicality plus saddle comfort.

What's the denim quality — and what styles are available?

Per Smooth Stride, denim specs (across all 3 styles):

Medium-light weight: 10–10.5 oz
High-quality and durable
Grown and milled in the U.S.
1–2% Spandex for just the right amount of stretch
Indigo color — looks and fades just like regular blue jeans

Three styles:

Real Riding Jeans — all-denim except for the microsuede waistband lining (extremely tough/durable, soft/pliable, made from recycled plastic bottles)
Full Seat Jeans — black microsuede seat AND inner legs all the way to the hem (essentially the same full-seat design as found in high-end riding breeches)
Extended Knee Patch — Real Riding Jean + microsuede patch covering inner leg from mid-thigh, over the knee, all the way to the hem

How does Smooth Stride solve the women's-jeans-sizing-mess problem?

Per Smooth Stride: "Women's sizing, especially pants sizing, is a hot mess." Issues acknowledged: many manufacturers offer only Misses sizes; vanity sizing across manufacturers makes online ordering unreliable.

Smooth Stride's solutions:

Carefully designed separate patterns for plus sizes
Sizes offered up to 44" waist
Sizes are named after horse breeds — makes ordering fun and easy to remember
Try-Two special offer for new customers: Smooth Stride sends two sizes; keep the one that fits, return the other, no charge until you're happy — Smooth Stride pays shipping. Special offer code: COLT

Can these jeans be a tax deduction for my horse business?

Per Smooth Stride / Désirée Smith-Johnson: yes, per Désirée's own statement — Smooth Stride Jeans are primarily equipment (despite the fact that they look so good). For professionals, this means deductible just like any other specialty equipment because Smooth Stride Jeans are made FOR riding — that sets them apart from regular jeans you just wear around the barn. Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction; consult your tax professional for your specific business situation.

What do women say about Smooth Stride Jeans?

Voices from the source:

Tracy in Tucson: "I love my Smooth Stride jeans. They fit well, are comfortable, and the cell phone pocket is great. I also really like the deep, deep front pockets. These are so much better than previous versions so thanks for doing the research and taking the time to get this right!"

S.F. in Washington: "These pants are so dang comfortable! I could concentrate 100% on my horse and not have to adjust my pants for comfort."

Mae in Santa Rosa: "I have tried many riding jeans and breeches, looking for ones in which I couldn't feel the seams, but to no avail, until now... The first thing I noticed was the soft waistband... The back of the waist is slightly higher than the front and is great for keeping my shirt tucked in, and the cellphone pocket is positioned just right."

Stephanie in Spokane: "Incredibly comfortable with just enough stretch to make this rider a happy camper. My large LG phone fits in the thigh pocket... and the waist line is perfect for riders."

Kathy in Michigan: "Désirée was the most kind and patient woman trying to fit my 62-yr old grandma body. She hit it right on. I have tried several different brands and wasn't happy with the way they fit... Comfortable and fits perfect around the waist and makes my booty look good."

Cathy in Michigan (all-day clinic): "Wore these jeans to an all-day clinic and was so amazed how comfortable they felt. I'm definitely hooked and can't imagine ever going back to a regular inseam jean."

How do I order Smooth Stride Jeans?

To order: 509-521-5496. Address: 360 East 1st Street #689, Tustin, California 92780. New-customer Try-Two offer code: COLT — get sent two sizes, keep the one that fits, return the other (no charge until happy, Smooth Stride pays shipping). Pricing varies by style; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and denim/material-market conditions — confirm current pricing with Smooth Stride directly when ordering.

What does "no inseam" actually mean on Smooth Stride jeans?

No-inseam construction means there is no seam running down the inside of the leg. On ordinary jeans that inseam gets trapped between your leg and the saddle, causing chafing, raw skin, and a painful lump where it meets the center crotch seam. Smooth Stride jeans have never had an inseam, and the company markets itself as the original No Inseam Riding Jean.

What are the three Smooth Stride styles?

There are three styles. The Real Horseback Riding Jeans are made of soft, high-quality stretch denim. The Full Seat Jeans add a synthetic-suede full seat and inner legs, like an expensive riding breech, on an everyday jean. The Extended Knee Patch Jeans are Real Riding Jeans with a synthetic-suede patch running from above the knee to the hem.

Who makes Smooth Stride jeans and where did the brand start?

The brand was founded in Boise, Idaho by Marianne, who wanted to know whether blue jeans could be built without an inseam. It is now owned by Désirée (Smith) Johnson, an accomplished 3-day event competitor, instructor, and trainer. Smooth Stride LLC is a very small U.S. company with no employees and low overhead.

Are Smooth Stride jeans made in the USA?

Smooth Stride believes in U.S. manufacturing and proudly supports its sewing contractor's move to a $15 minimum wage. The company has said it will go out of business before manufacturing overseas to cut costs on the backs of poverty-stricken workers. The denim was U.S. grown and milled until the last U.S. mill closed in 2017; the most recent run used Cone Mills denim milled in Mexico.

What fabric and hardware are used?

The jeans use stretch denim from Cone Mills and a premium Japanese stretch microsuede called Clarino, which costs more than ten times as much as the denim. Zippers are top-quality YKK, with matching buttons, rivets, and name-brand thread, and the tags are made of real satin. The pocketing is stretch material, in a different fun color for each production run.

What is the Contour-Fit waistband?

The Contour-Fit™ waistband, introduced with the 2014 line, is cut from curved pieces rather than a cheap straight band. It has a higher back rise and a lower front rise so it fits well standing, seated, and mounted. The result is a superior fit with no back gap, often called the "plumber's" gap, when you are in the saddle.

Why is the waistband lined with microsuede?

The waistband is lined with synthetic suede microsuede for a luxurious feel against the skin. Beyond comfort, the microsuede lining grips your shirt and helps keep it tucked in while you ride and work. It is one of the construction touches that makes the jeans more expensive to produce than ordinary denim.

Is there really a cell-phone pocket?

Yes. Smooth Stride designed an angled welt pocket on the outside of the right thigh specifically for a phone. It has interior shelves that prevent the phone from slipping out accidentally, and the single welt opening (borrowed from men's suit jackets) was chosen so there is no flap or closure to fuss with. The idea is that your phone stays on you, not on the horse, in case of trouble on the trail.

How does the sizing work and why the horse-breed names?

Smooth Stride does not use vanity sizing; sizes follow ASTM D6960 standards, so the numbers won't match fashion jeans. To make that friendlier, the company named the sizes after horse breeds, ranging from Arabian (size 2-4) up to Lipizzan (size 20-22). An online Size Calculator lets you enter your waist and hip measurements to find your breed size.

How do I measure myself for the right size?

Use a paper or cloth tape measure and do not pull it tight. Measure around your natural waist, the spot where you crease when you lean to the side, and then around the fullest part of your hips. Enter both numbers into the Smooth Stride size calculator, which returns your size plus the next size up and down.

What inseam lengths are available?

Smooth Stride offers three lengths for each size: 31", 33", and 36", labeled Regular, Long, and Extra Long. These run relatively long for jeans because they are horseback riding jeans, designed to fit well both in and out of the saddle. The lower leg has a slightly flared Western boot-cut.

What color are the jeans and will they shrink?

The jeans are indigo blue, currently the only color offered. They are pre-shrunk, so they won't shrink any further unless you wash them in hot water or run them through a hot dryer. The denim is described as top quality with just the right amount of stretch, and the brand says they don't bag out as they age.

How much do Smooth Stride jeans cost?

The Full Seat Jeans are listed at a Regular Price of $179.00. Smooth Stride explains the higher price by pointing to the special feed-off-the-arm 3-needle double chainstitch sewing required for the seamless inside, the individually cut curved waistbands, premium Clarino microsuede, and small U.S. production runs. As Désirée puts it, "These aren't just jeans, think of them as equipment, tack."

Why do Smooth Stride jeans cost more than regular Wranglers?

The seamless inside design needs a special sewing sequence and machine, and the pattern pieces are larger, so there is less yield per yard of denim. Curved waistbands are cut and sewn individually, the microsuede lining and welt cell-phone pocket add many steps, and the company uses premium materials throughout. Small production runs mean they often miss volume price breaks larger makers enjoy.

Who are these jeans made for?

They are practical everyday working pants for women who really ride, both Western and English. The comfort in the saddle makes them a strong choice for endurance, trail, and extreme trail riders, as well as for hacking and conditioning. They are equally at home mucking stalls or running to the grocery store without changing.

How do I order or contact Smooth Stride?

You can order direct from www.smoothstride.com, which ships to your door. To reach the owner, call Désirée at (509) 521-5496 or send a message through the site's email contact. The site also features a "Colt Special" two-fer offer and gift certificates.

What do customers say about Smooth Stride?

According to the company, its most common customer comment is "The most comfortable pants I've ever owned." Smooth Stride says the jeans are built to last and are as comfortable as riding breeches or jodhpurs while looking and wearing like regular jeans. The site publishes customer reviews for each of the three styles.