Favorite stirrups (that won't break the bank) UPDATE! LOVE the Acavallos!

[Dr_Doolittle]

So, I think it’s time for me to invest in some new, better stirrups - I’ve had my Fillis type irons with the flexible tread for many years, and the rubber on the flexi part is starting to come apart.

They are perfectly good stirrups, but I’m looking for an upgrade since I have crappy feet :(, arthritis in my knees, and am not getting any younger. The newer designs seem to offer superior comfort and grip - so what are your favorites and why?

@Xctrygirl has these and likes them:

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Acav…page-ACVO.html

TIA for suggestions and testimonials!

[Inclined]

I don’t have the ones you mentioned, but I do love these: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Compositi_Reflex_3D_Swivel_Wide-Track_Stirrup_Irons_/descpage-CORX.html. They have significantly reduced discomfort in my knees and ankles.

[Xctrygirl]

@Dr. Doolittle the change in my riding since changing my stirrups (on this advice of this forum’s members a year ago) is astounding.

I don’t begin to think that only my stirrup type can produce this, but man I am a huge proponent of the change now. Whatever kind you get make sure you give yourself time to adjust.

Em

[Dr_Doolittle]

@Xctrygirl

@Dr. Doolittle the change in my riding since changing my stirrups (on this advice of this forum’s members a year ago) is astounding.

I don’t begin to think that only my stirrup type can produce this, but man I am a huge proponent of the change now. Whatever kind you get make sure you give yourself time to adjust.

Em

Wow, thank you – that is quite a testimonial!

How long did it take you to adjust?

[MKV]

@Inclined

I don’t have the ones you mentioned, but I do love these: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Comp…page-CORX.html. They have significantly reduced discomfort in my knees and ankles.

I’ve been thinking about getting new stirrups too and was looking at the Compositi in person at Dover yesterday. They seem nice, and have a nice price point. Have you noticed any difference with how lightweight they are? And did you by chance try the regular footbed to compare to the wide footbed? I’m not sure which ones would be more comfortable so I’d have to find a place to rent or one that has a good return policy.

[Inclined]

@MKV

I’ve been thinking about getting new stirrups too and was looking at the Compositi in person at Dover yesterday. They seem nice, and have a nice price point. Have you noticed any difference with how lightweight they are? And did you by chance try the regular footbed to compare to the wide footbed? I’m not sure which ones would be more comfortable so I’d have to find a place to rent or one that has a good return policy.

I have noticed a couple of differences because they’re lightweight. One is that my saddle is much less of a chore to carry. More to the point, I never lose a stirrup anymore, nor do my feet slide around in them. They seem to move and give with my movement. I usually forget about my feet entirely when I’m riding now. I have also tried the regular width Compositis, but IMO they were not as comfortable, nor did they have the flexing footbed.

The way they look (thicker and black) took me a little while to get used to, but now I honestly don’t notice them at all.

[Xctrygirl]

@Dr. Doolittle

Wow, thank you – that is quite a testimonial!

How long did it take you to adjust?

For me maybe a week. I just noticed bit by bit that my leg wasn’t moving anymore. And then my muscles got stronger holding still and keeping weight in my heel.

But with my bendy stirrups my legs move. Without them they don’t. Simple as that.

Em

[Dr_Doolittle]

Very interesting, thanks!

[Eventer155]

https://www.amazon.com/Shires-Lightweight-Stirrup-Interchangeable-Tread/dp/B00ON4HB24/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1537794888&sr=8-3&keywords=Shires+stirrups
i love these!!

[ammyforlife]

My favourite are my Jins. They’re not super cheap though, IIRC they are ~$250 new. I really like the wide, grippy tread that doesn’t shred boot soles like the cheese grater pads. I am also a person who hates feeling stuck by anything too grippy and I don’t get that feeling with the Jins, but I do with the cheese graters, so if you have ever tried and liked the cheese grater pads, that’s something to keep in mind. If you liked the cheese grater pads you might like the Athena Techs though, I also found those too grippy, but the tread on those is narrower than the Jins. I also like that the Jins are heavy enough that you can pick them up if you lose them, but are lighter than standard fillis irons.

I have also heard that MDC is really good for consulting on stirrups. I have also ridden in the hunter classic MDCs and liked them almost as much as my Jins, and they have a more traditional look and are heavy like fillis irons if that’s something you’re after.

[Bogie]

After I had a riding accident this past winter, I decided to only ride in safety stirrups. I’ve got two pairs that both meet my safety needs and are comfortable. I’ve had the Jin stirrups and the Bow Balance. I like them but these two are working fine and they are safer. SafeStyle stirrups and the Acavallo Arena.

https://equineink.com/2018/05/31/aca…irrups-review/

https://equineink.com/2018/07/24/saf…irrups-review/

[Ainsley688]

I notice a big difference in ball of foot/ankle comfort in my Tech stirrups. I haven’t had time to really put some hours in, but have gone on a few easy 1+hours hacks in them and love how I can still get off afterwards! Grippe, but not too grippy, colors!, and water holes in the bottom for drainage. They also hold up very well, I’ve had to clean an employers, and she put an insane amount of hours on them.

If anybody wants to send me pairs to compare, I won’t complain…LOL

[IFG]

@Bogie

After I had a riding accident this past winter, I decided to only ride in safety stirrups. I’ve got two pairs that both meet my safety needs and are comfortable. I’ve had the Jin stirrups and the Bow Balance. I like them but these two are working fine and they are safer. SafeStyle stirrups and the Acavallo Arena.

https://equineink.com/2018/05/31/aca…irrups-review/

https://equineink.com/2018/07/24/saf…irrups-review/

This is my concern with grippy stirrups too. I want to come out of the stirrups if I fall.

[kashmere]

@Xctrygirl - Can I ask about these stirrups? The video and the description says the loop “allows the stirrup to adhere to the saddle flap” - how does that work? Surely the stirrup iron itself isn’t adhering? Is it that the stirrup leather lies flat against the flap so doesn’t move?

I feel… a wee bit dense here :lol: but I am intrigued because my physio is desperately trying to get me to investigate stirrup options that will stabilize my terrible hips.

[Xctrygirl]

Ok allow me to try @kashmere

https://www.picbon.com/media/1662441905039719548_2995397942

What they mean is that because of how the loop for the stirrup leather is situated, the leather doesn’t turn at all like a typical Fillis iron.

See pic here:

https://www.doversaddlery.com/herm-sprenger-4-f-bow-balance-stirrup-irons/p/X1-0761/

So there’s no turning your foot to have it correct in the stirrup. The iron is already situated such that you just put your foot straight into it.

Em

[kashmere]

Thank you! I had a real dim bulb moment. that makes perfect sense.

[Blugal]

Glad to read everyone’s replies and experiences! I’ve been considering new stirrups for a while but the choices are a bit overwhelming!

@Xctrygirl

https://www.picbon.com/media/1662441…548_2995397942

Em

I don’t know about the rest of you but I LOVE the boots in this pic.

[Bogie]

@IFG

This is my concern with grippy stirrups too. I want to come out of the stirrups if I fall.

When my horse fell last winter my right foot did not come out of the stirrup right away. She fell to the left (hind end slipped on ice) and when she got up, my right leather was over the saddle. I’m pretty sure the torque fractured my knee as there was no impact. All my impact injuries were on my left side. Safety stirrups have gotten a lot more interesting, although also a lot more expensive!

[Xctrygirl]

@Bogie

When my horse fell last winter my right foot did not come out of the stirrup right away. She fell to the left (hind end slipped on ice) and when she got up, my right leather was over the saddle. I’m pretty sure the torque fractured my knee as there was no impact. All my impact injuries were on my left side. Safety stirrups have gotten a lot more interesting, although also a lot more expensive!

FWIW, the stirrups I use do ‘open’ a bit due to having 2 different arms so the stirrup can move apart.

I am not describing this well but it’s pretty awesome as I have fallen with them and my foot came out pretty fast. Like no delay at all.

Em

[Bogie]

@Xctrygirl

FWIW, the stirrups I use do ‘open’ a bit due to having 2 different arms so the stirrup can move apart.

I am not describing this well but it’s pretty awesome as I have fallen with them and my foot came out pretty fast. Like no delay at all.

Em

I own a pair of the Bow Balance. I’m on the fence as to whether they qualify as safety stirrups, but I do like them. I know they are marketed as such.