How to Buy Stirrup Leathers

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By derbyka
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Often an after thought to a new saddle purchase, stirrup leather selection is just as important. Buying the right stirrup leathers will help you shine in the show ring, prevent damage to your saddle and, most importantly, will help insure your safety while riding.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Try to 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, so expect to make returns if shopping for them this way. However, product specifics (such as environmental concerns) are often more accessible on the web.
Step 2

Next, it is necessary to decide whether you want traditional solid leather stirrup leathers or nylon core stirrup leathers. Solid leather stirrup leathers are apt to 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. It also must be kept in mind that solid leather can be cut to size by a saddler and maintain its appearance while nylon core stirrup leathers cannot.
Step 3

If your saddle is a used one, you will want to buy stirrup leathers that are a shade or so darker than your saddle 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.
Step 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". Children's leathers often start at about 36" while hunter jumper stirrup leathers usually range between 50"-54" for an average size adult. If you are short you might need 48" leathers and if you are very tall, you might need 56" 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.
Step 5

Inspect the stirrup leathers for quality. Keep in mind that these straps of leather keep you on the horse and off the ground. 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.
Step 6

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

Comments

derbyka said

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on 11/5/2008 There is no difference between widths in high quality leathers. I worked as floor manager in a nationally known tack shop in Chicago where the saddle fitter helped people select stirrup leathers. They never recommended one width over the other for strength, though sometimes, a thinner leather will look better on a more delicate saddle.