Most saddles are sold without stirrups or stirrup leathers, so finding the best stirrup leathers will help you make the most of your saddle. We’ve rounded up a few things worth considering when choosing a new pair of leathers and have selected a few of the best stirrup leathers worth taking a closer look at.
Stirrup leathers can be divided into three categories – traditional leathers, nylon-core with a leather covering or synthetic.
Traditional leathers tend to last well and maintain a smart appearance, plus it’s also quite an easy job to add holes with a leather hole punch if you need to. The only real drawback is that they can stretch and become uneven.
Leathers with a webbed nylon core were developed to combat this issue, but you can’t add holes in the same way. The core has very little stretch and is covered with a thin layer of leather – depending on the type of leather used here, it may not be as durable as a heavier stirrup leather.
Synthetic stirrup leathers are used with synthetic saddles and are easy to clean and maintain.
There are also a few different designs available in addition to the traditional, basic straps. Single-layer designs, which are adjusted lower down and often with a T bar rather than a buckle, reduce bulk under the leg and avoid pinching. Wider designs offer greater stability, making them ideal for jumping.
Ideally you want your stirrup leathers to match your saddle – this is simple if it’s black, but if it’s brown you might need to shop around for the right shade. Some brands also offer leathers with coloured highlights or stitching if you’re looking for something a bit more personal.
Stirrup leathers come in a range of lengths to accommodate different leg lengths and positions in different disciplines. They also come in a variety of widths – 1in is the most common, but you will also find some styles in ¾ or 7⁄8in. The gaps between holes can also vary – usually 1in or ½in – smaller gaps allow for a more precise choice in length. Numbered holes will make adjusting your stirrups easier both in and out of the saddle.
What size stirrup leathers do I need?
The average stirrup leather length for an adult is 54in. Taller riders and dressage riders are likely to require longer, while shorter riders and those who jump may need shorter.
For an estimate, measure the length of your arm from your armpit to the tips of your fingers for general riding and jumping, or your inside leg to the ankle for dressage. Double this measurement and add around 3in for general riding and about 6in for dressage – this is a rough guide for traditional leathers (it won’t work for single-layer leathers) and doesn’t take into account your horse’s build, but it’s a good place to start.
Best stirrup leathers
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Shires Velociti Gara Non-Stretch Stirrup Leathers
Colours: Black or Havana | Lengths: 48, 54 or 61in | RRP: £45.99 |
These traditional-finish leathers have a buffalo leather outer with a nylon core, which makes for a very durable, non-stretch stirrup leather.
Colours: Black or brown | Lengths: 130, 145 or 160cm | RRP: £74.95 |
These leathers are made from high-quality, soft oiled leather with stainless steel buckles, and have a nylon inner core to prevent stretching and uneveness. They are designed for a comfortable feel under the leg and thigh.
Colours: Black or Havana | Lengths: 48, 54 or 61in | RRP: £42.99 |
The Blenheim stirrup leathers from Shires have a nylon core that prevents the leather from stretching and greatly increases their strength and life. Finished with stainless steel buckles. The leathers are one-inch wide, but the 48in length is also available in a ¾in width.
Colours: Black or brown | Lengths: 130, 145 or 160cm | RRP: £94.95 |
Made from high quality soft oiled leather with stainless steel buckles, the underside of these wide leathers is slightly raised to improve stability. They are designed for a close contact feel under the leg and thigh, while the nylon inner core prevents stretching and uneveness.
Colours: Black, brown, red brown or Newmarket | Lengths: 135–170cm, in 5cm increments | RRP: £145 |
These soft calf-skin-covered leathers from Amerigo feature extra holes to help you find the most precise length. Amerigo say they are guaranteed not to stretch.
Colours: Classic black, classic brown, Havana brown, classic black/coloured highlights or classic brown/coloured highlights | Lengths: 43, 48, 54, 58, 63 or 69in | RRP: From £119.99 |
The riveted buckle design of these Bates leathers reduces the thickness of the leather under your leg and the webbing core ensures that the leathers will not stretch. The coloured leathers are only available in 54 and 58in.
Colours: Black or brown | Lengths: 55 or 60in | RRP: £83 |
These GFS leathers are made with internal webbing to minimise stretch and covered in a high quality calf skin. They are carefully hand finished and you can choose between contrast or tonal stitching.
Colours: Black, ebony, redwood or tobacco | Lengths: 130, 140, 152 or 160cm | RRP: £108 |
These Stübben leathers made of three-ply, soft and abrasion-proof leather with a textile core. The leathers have handy left and right markings near the buckle to ensure they’re attached correctly and blue dot detailing at the end of the leather.
Colours: Black or brown | Lengths: 48, 54, 60 or 64in | RRP: £55 |
These stirrup leathers from Kent & Masters are covered in quality hide leather with a non-stretch webbing core. They’re double stitched for strength and durability, and are finished with a stainless steel buckle. The 64in length is only available in black.
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Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.
