How to Buy Stirrup Leathers

Often an afterthought to a new saddle purchase, stirrup leather selection is just as important. Improper stirrups can damage your knees, your horse or your brand-new saddle. Buying the right stirrup leathers will help you shine in the show ring, prevent damage to your saddle and, most importantly, ensure your safety while riding. Before going shopping, you need to know what to look for in your next stirrup leather.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide whether you want traditional solid leather stirrup leathers or nylon core stirrup leathers. Solid leather stirrup leathers last longer than nylon core stirrup leathers, which are made of nylon wrapped in delicate calfskin. However, when nylon core leathers wear out, they will probably do so cosmetically (wear on the calfskin) and are no more of a safety hazard than leather ones. Furthermore, the nylon core is incorporated to prevent the leathers from stretching over time and the calfskin is gentle on the flap of your saddle. Also keep in mind that solid leather can be cut to size by a saddler and maintain its appearance while nylon core stirrup leathers cannot.

    • 2

      Buy stirrup leathers that are a shade or so darker than your saddle if your saddle is used, because they will darken slightly with oiling or conditioning and time. If your saddle is new, try to match the color of the stirrup leathers as closely as possible to the saddle. If you ride dressage, this task is easy, as black will always match black. Often saddle manufacturers will produce stirrup leathers that match their most popular saddle models. While these are easy to match in terms of color, it is not necessary to purchase matching brands. One major exception is synthetic saddles like Wintec. Do not purchase leather stirrups for a Wintec saddle or Wintec stirrups for a leather saddle. The two materials will rub on each other causing ugly abrasions and damaging your expensive purchases.

    • 3

      Buy your stirrup leathers from a reputable tack store that has well-informed sales people. If you did not just buy your saddle from the tack store, make sure to bring it with you when shopping and use it to help match the color. Shopping for stirrup leathers online or from a catalog can make it difficult to find the right color and size.

    • 4

      Estimate your stirrup length size and have the salesperson help you put them on your saddle so you can get a more accurate measurement of whether they will be the right length. Dressage stirrup leathers tend to run longer than hunter/jumper leathers, usually around 60 inches. Children's leathers often start at about 36 inches, while hunter jumper stirrup leathers usually range between 50 and 54 inches for an average size adult. If you are short you might need 48-inch leathers; if you are tall, you might need 56-inch stirrup leathers. Remember to bring a tape measure with you as many brands are European and stocked under centimeter measurements instead of inches. Furthermore, stirrup leathers that are marked as the same measure may actually differ slightly.

    • 5

      Inspect the stirrup leathers for quality. The buckles should look strong for durability and safety as well as flat and streamlined so that you will not get leg bruises from the bulges they may create.

    • 6

      Ask the salesperson where the leather is made and if the store has any promotional materials on the brand and/or model.Many times the tanning process for leather is environmentally harmful, so try to avoid stirrup leathers processed with chromium sulfate, sodium sulfate or AZO.

    • 7

      Weigh your options and purchase the best overall stirrup leathers you can afford. See the article below for proper care of your new purchase.