I have the Nunn Finer and really like them, but with my own hand issues I prefer nylon reins with stops. I can hold the stops with my thumb (a pinching action) rather then need any finger strength.
That’s so weird. My calfskin reins are ultra grippy. I wear Roeckl gloves- I don’t know if that has any bearing on it. But there’s zero slippage and they are very confidence-inspiring when the OTTB gets a little naughty.
I am a 68 year old rider with arthritis in my hands. I have the Schleese reins. They are simply the best reins I have ever used. They are soft and flexible out of the box. They now sell them separately. Thry are calfskin, but they do have stops and I also find them grippy. I wear the Roeckl gloves, too. They are pricey st $150 but worth every penny. I tried the Thinline but they were too thick and stiff.
I have had Thinline and they are extremely soft and more narrow for smaller or arthritic hands.
The Jeffries, Nunn Finer and Schneiders reins all use the same biothane rein with leather . You can also find the same rein (without leather) at sites selling endurance tack. I also have RA , my hands are quite stiff and sore, and theses are by far the most comfortable rein I have found. I actually bought a length ( from an Amish harness supply place) and had my local saddler replace the rubber on a worn out pair of rubber reins with the pimply biothane. They have lasted splendidly- going on 5 years now.
Google biothane reins, you may find them cheaper but the Schneiders’ price is good for basically the same rein as the Nunn Finer and the Jeffries reins
I find that having rein stops does help my hands /grip a lot.
I’ve wondered if it’'s my gloves. I wear the SSG Ranchers and they aren’t the grippiest as they age. I’ll have to dig my Roeckls out.
