I’m in the market for top quality and maximum comfort for the sensitive mare. Please share what you really like and what to avoid
Hard to say. I have a very sensitive gelding who is hard to fit in any bridle, snaffle or double. When I tried him in Germany, he had an unusual looking bridle that seemed to fit him well and he was happy. Unfortunately, the seller would not include the bridle to the sales deal. The bits, yes, but not that particular bridle. However, he ordered one for us from the same maker and sent it to us.
It didn’t work. Same configuration, but the noseband was too big and it was impossible to adjust/alter to fit. Beautifully made bridle, though and I would guess very expensive. We ended up using my old horse’s Rheingold bridle; a cheapo, but a good one that’s lasted me for years.
We tried Tota bridles and some other “frankenbridles” from my vast collection. The cheapo Rheingold is the one His Majesty likes.
Every horse is different. I suggest you borrow bridles from friends to try on your mare. If you know of specific issues she has, and you know where exactly she is sensitive, you can seek out bridles that address that problem.
Best of luck.
My absolute faves: https://www.stampede-equestrian.co.uk/bridles
They show mostly snaffles, but any of them can be made into a Weymouth on order. Great prices for the quality!
My set up will not work for showing.
I use a Micklem bridle, with the chin strap cut off so there is room for the curb chain in its proper place in the curb groove, with a bridoon strap threaded through the brow band loops going over the top of the crown piece and cheek pieces.
It looks odd but none of the several of the lesson horses I ride have any problems with my set up.
I’m following along because I’m actively in the market.
I have a Schockemohle, a Vespucci, and a PS of Sweden for other horses, and they’re all fine but none have blown me away.
I lucked into an Otto Schumacher Venedig for my new horse, which I adore. The leather is clearly the best of the group. However, the fit is just not right. The cheeks are too long and the noseband is too big under the chin (not in front). The way the padding between the noseband and the crank strap sits, I just can’t make it work without having to stick external pads in there every day. I’d order the Venedig a size down, in cob, but I don’t think the crown and brow will work. It’s way too expensive of a bridle to buy two. Which brings me back to PS of Sweden which you can buy in different sizes - but the size chart confuses me and I never loved it.
I bought a Solo Equine snaffle because everyone raved about them, but it still feels stiff after a ton of use. It just never broke in.
Excited to see everyone’s suggestions.
They look lovely and a good price
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Have have a ps of Sweden snaffle and full bridle, again for that custom size issue (I agree, that website took some work, but nevertheless, I persisted 
). When I did the full bridle I just ordered the crown and single set of cheek pieces. I planned on harvesting the snaffle ps bridle to build the rest and using an old schooling bridle for the snaffle.
But I decided I wanted a patent noseband for the full bridle and happened to see a nicely priced D’yon nose band on Fundis. It really is super nice, had that nice cut out for the bit to fit comfortably, has the cleverest thing, you know that stupid keeper that always falls off of your noseband? The D’yon has a leather strop attached to it and stitched in SO YOU DON’T LOSE THE KEEPER. It’s the little things that make your day. Anyway, that noseband is nice/affordable enough that I’d look at d’yon for a bridle if I was in the market. And if they don’t do custom sizes, it’s a nice mix and match with ps of Sweden. There only caveat is that I had to get a rolled leather instead of flat, but honestly, you can’t really even see the noseband cheeks under the bit cheekpieces
The Otto Schumacher can be ordered custom and I do find the cheek pieces are too long. They are very pricey but the fit is perfect when custom… we’ve been very happy. They are stunning bridles and the brow band crystal selection is like a Jewlery girls happy place. Give yourself at least an hour just on selecting stones and layout.
That said MacRider bridles are just lovely and have a lot of customizable options. The leather is just beautiful and I would say slightly better the the Otto Schumacher.
Fairfax is also very very nice however the browband is fixed and screwed in place which I do not enjoy. We actually test rode in one and the horse really loved it and we actually have two horses in these.
Hennig cannot be beat for quality of leather but finding one… 
actually just had a client in Germany and I asked her to look… three tack stores no hennig bridles but perhaps they are not sold that way in Germany.
Tota is nice enough leather… a lot of horses love the noseband. The look is not my favorite and the leather can be bulky. That said if the horses loves it you can overlook anything. I sort of have a love/hate with these.
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Anyone have a Lumiere?
Do you have a photo of this bridle? I’m so intrigued now.
As far as OP’s question, I would go with Fairfax. By the time your horse is in a double, they have earned a comfortable piece of hardware that is scientifically tested and proven to be more comfortable for the horse.
I found a used Fairfax for $465 and found a used Dy’on for $300 and I found a used Finesse for $425 all in my mare’s size, I’m thinking for the money I should go Fairfax? They all look lovely but I really do like the thick padded Finesse.
I’ve held a few Finesse bridles in my hands. The leather is okay quality for the price but I wasn’t blown away. The headstall padding is reminiscent of the front of a bumpercar. It’s very thick - I don’t think any online photos bring it to justice.
Being familiar with all the brands, my vote would still be Fairfax. I’d prefer to put my money towards a product that has had proven testing, versus a product that has a lot of claims but hasn’t really done their own research.
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