Technical stirrups: the best for all disciplines

Flex-on Green Composite stirrups foot in stirrup — (Image credit: Becky Murray)

The best technical stirrups are a must-have tack accessory and can make a real difference to your time in the saddle. Whether you’re hoping to improve your performance or increase your comfort in the saddle, there’s a pair of technical stirrups out there for you – and while you’re at it, it’s worth checking out the best stirrup leathers, too.

Long gone are the days where everyone used traditional stirrup irons – now the range of technical and safety stirrups on the market is vast and when searching for a new pair there are myriad styles, colours and materials to choose from. Technological advances over recent years have influenced the shape and safety features of many stirrups, while comfort levels also vary.

The Flexcite Grip stirrups have a bowed shape (when viewed from above or the side) to help set your leg in the correct position whatever your discipline. The flexible arms are designed to be shock absorbing and gentle to ligaments and joints. The extra-wide foot pad is what sets them apart from the Bow Balance stirrups – the Flexcites have a stainless steel grip inlay for a non-slip, secure hold to give you confidence even when the weather gets bad, while the Bow Balance have a rubber tread.

These stirrups use elastomer shock absorbers to cushion and reduce shockwaves you receive from the horse’s movement. They have an off-set leather slot that helps achieve the optimum leg position, while the large footbed gives a wide area of support and the inclined angle encourages your heel to stay down. The ‘Green’ in the name refers to the environmentally sourced polyamide that covers the sprung steel frame. They are also available in a junior size (for riders under 40kg).

Topping the list in our guide to the best safety stirrups, the Safe-Ons are based on the design for Flex-On’s Green Composite Stirrup. They have shock-absorbing and ergonomic features and can be customised in the same way. The outer branch is designed to open in the event of a fall when at least 40kg weight is exerted on it – and can quickly and easily be re-attached using a tool supplied. They are also available in a junior size (for riders under 40kg).

Just like the Green Composite stirrups, the elastomers provide shock absorption to protect joints, while the off-set leather slot ensures the stirrup sits at the optimum angle. The inclined tread also helps you to maintain the correct leg position. The junior stirrups are available with flat or inclined treads, and an optional stirrup cage for the junior stirrup and endurance riders is also available.

The Bow Balance stirrups feature the innovative four-link-system technology, which makes them flexible in all directions, softening the impact without creating an unstable feeling. The bow shape of the steel section reduces the risk of the foot becoming trapped within, ensures enhanced security, encourages a good leg position and makes them easier to regain when lost. The stirrups have an extra-wide tread pad to aid balance and come with two types of rubber hardness for a better grip.

The Freejump Soft’Up Pro Plus stirrups are designed with both safety and comfort in mind. The inner branch is fixed, while the outer open branch can bend open to easily release your foot in the event of a fall. They also offer a high degree of shock absorption – the stirrups flex at the lower inside bend of the stirrups, which absorbs shock travelling into riders ankles, knees and hips in addition to the shock travelling across the horses back.

When you compare the best technical stirrups that are currently available with the simple, traditional steel irons, it’s easy to see how far we’ve come. Technical stirrups are more shock-absorbing, which is great news for our joints as they’re some of the best stirrups for knee pain or ankle pain. They also have better grip, which helps us retain our stirrups, and are ergonomically designed. The angles used in technical stirrups not only help you regain a lost stirrup more easily, but some designs help you keep your heels down, too.

With the different leg positions and demands on the body in each discipline, some stirrup designs will be more beneficial to you than others. Using the right stirrups for your discipline not only aid your leg position, but can help alleviate pain, too. The best dressage stirrups will aid a longer leg position, while the best jumping stirrups will give you the security you need when tackling a course and offer additional shock absorption, too.

Not all stirrups come in a range of sizes, but where they do you should choose a pair that are one inch wider than the width of your boot at the ball of your foot. This gives you half an inch of space each side once your foot is in place. Some stirrup sizes are determined by weight – particularly when it comes to safety stirrups. While you might have feet small enough to fit junior stirrups, for example, you need to check the rider weight limits for activating the safety mechanism.

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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.

Technical stirrups — what’s on the market?

Best technical stirrups: H&H’s quick guide

Best technical stirrups: what are the options?

Sprenger Flexcite Grip Stirrups

Flex-On Green Composite Stirrups

Flex-On Safe-On Stirrups

Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrups

Jin Air Stirrups

FreeJump Soft’Up Pro+ Stirrups

LeMieux Vector Balance Stirrup

Shires Compositi Eole Soft Stirrups

Acavallo Opera Stirrups

What are the benefits of technical stirrups?

Technical stirrups for dressage vs jumping

What size stirrups do I need?

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