I’ve loved my Nunn Finer Soft Grip reins for years, but have been finding that when my guy gets sweaty or it’s raining, I lose all my grip and they are really slippery. I like them because they are thin and not bulky, as I have small hands and short, fat fingers-lol! I’ve ridden with the Thin Line ones but they were just a bit thick but I could deal with them if they are great, but heard they fall apart easily? Any other good options? Thank you!
My stubben rubber reins are FANTASTIC in rain!
I also LOVE my Stubben rubber reins- they’re not as bulky as most rubber reins and don’t look like they’d be as grippy because they aren’t knobby, but they’ve got exceptional grip even on very sweaty horses, with or without gloves, and don’t tear up your hands. I’ve also had them for about 4 years now and they haven’t melted or gummed up like cheaper rubber reins do- they’re still in like-new condition!
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I adore my ThinLine reins. I bought a lightly used pair almost a year ago and they are just now getting some light cracking on the very edges that in no way affects safety or strength. I will say that I took them off my bridle during the coldest parts of winter because they remained fairly stiff, but for the other 3 seasons, they are very flexible and still grippy. I have very diminished grip in my left hand plus tiny hands (hehe) and these have been the best that I’ve found. I don’t need gloves either so summer time riding feels much cooler. YMMV of course. 
I hated my thinlines when it rained. No grip whatsoever. Like you OP, I can’t do really thick reins. The reins I love are nunn finer reins that are rubber lined reins with stops. I have had a black pair just like them from Thornhill for years that I used on my dressage bridle so you can look for the Thornhill version too. Love these reins- not thick and great in the rain (fully tested when I went xc at VAHT in an absoiute downpour this spring). I don’s see them on BoB website so you may need to call them but they have them (I got them at RK3DE trade fair this year).
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For those who love the Stubben ones, which pair?
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Stubben_Ultra_Grip_Reins_5_8/descpage-SUGR.html
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Stubben_Soft_Rubber_Reins/descpage-SSRR.html
BamBam, so your Nunn Finer ones are not the soft grips I have now then? I’ll go look for those!
The second link “Stubben Soft Rubber Reins” is the pair I have.
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I love my Ps Of Sweden softy/supergrip reins! They have rubber on one side and are supple and very thin. Never had any slipping problems, although I wear gloves.
I know this isn’t an overly popular opinion on this forum, but I personally love the Rambo rubber reins that come with the Micklem and Amigo bridles. I’ve never had an issue with grip and they wear like iron.
definitely not those- they are leather reins with rubber lining and stops. if you go to BoB website, there is a pair of nunn finer rubber lined reins but without the stops. add stops to those and you have the reins I am talking about (although they would probably be fine without the stops, but I like them). LOVE these reins.
KL Select makes a stealth rubber rein; it’s a traditional-looking laced rein that is rubber lined on the inside, against the horse. They make them in fancy-stitched raised front and flat. I can’t do reins with stops, but laced reins with a little extra tack? That I can get behind.
Lund Saddlery grippy reins! I used the TL reins for 3 years and while they held up well, they were useless in the rain or when my horse would get sweaty. I’ve been using the Lund ones for about 2 months now and LOVE them!
Oh this is interesting! Laced reins are my true love, but I wouldn’t mind a little extra grip. Have you tried them? Do they perform as you hoped?
Marigold, I haven’t bought a pair for myself yet, but I did order a pair for a member of our local hunt this past weekend (I work at a shop). If I hear any feedback, I’ll pass it along. They feel good in the hand. Not overly bulky, and the leather quality is on par with the rest of their Red Barn stuff, which is to say, good enough for me. (-:
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