Are safety stirrups with a release mechanism really safer and better? I’m looking for a new pair of stirrups and was considering the Equus Hunter Escape safety stirrups. I know they’re really popular, but are they really worth it?
Are they as great as people say, or is there a better option? I’d love to hear any good stirrup recommendations!
I’ll only buy safety stirrups now for jumping. They’re more expensive but it’s such an easy way to reduce injury risk so for me it’s definitely worth it. Like any other piece of safety equipment it comes down to your risk tolerance. Whether it’s “worth it” is up to you but they do have legitimate safety benefits, it’s not just a fad. I hope I never need to activate the release on mine but if I do I’ll be glad it’s there.
There have been several threads with recommendations for different brands, everyone has their own preference and it can really vary based on your anatomy and how you ride. I ride in the American Equus stirrups and really like them; I also tried the LeMieux Vectors which are pretty popular but they irritated an old ankle injury so didn’t work for me. It’s best if you can try before you buy. You can sometimes find good deals on consignment; I know Tried Equestrian had a bunch of American Equus stirrups recently but not sure what’s left in stock.
Safety is always worth it.
I have a pair of the LeMieux Vector stirrups on my jump saddle and love them. They’re very grippy and comfortable, and they’re the perfect medium weight. Not as heavy as classic old stirrups but not as light as the composite ones.
My mother has a pair of the Tech Stirrups on her saddle and loves them. I really like them too, they just didn’t have a color (at the time) that I was in love with. Also very comfortable and grippy, good medium weight.
The Tech are a little more expensive than the LeMieux but I think the Tech have come down in price semi recently (within the last year or so).
Thank you so much for the replies! That really helped 
I’m looking at both the Equus and the Tech they both seem very good, but I was also wondering which traction pin style to choose. I don’t know if that’s a personal preference or not - I don’t think I have a personal preference, just whichever is better. I think it’s either the apex which is the pointed top or the stud which is the flat top.
It’s definitely personal preference! I don’t like the super grippy ones, I found they torqued my knees and ankles and I didn’t like not being able to easily reposition my foot. I bought my AE stirrups with no traction, just rubber which is grippy enough for me. The extra traction really works for others so YMMV. I would go with what you’re more used to unless you can return whatever you buy.
The AE team has pretty good customer service so if you reach out they may be able to help you decide or offer a trial. The tech stirrups are sold by several retailers that should accept returns so those may be easier to test out.
I just got the American Equus Elite safety stirrups and I love them. The wide foot bed and the traction pins make my leg feel really stable.
I like the magnetic ophena stirrups for safety. I don’t think they’re allowed in the hunter/eq/dressage ring though.
But I think they are the safest. If you fall they pop off immediately while still easy to keep on your feet. They are not closed so you can’t get your foot trapped in them. Idk why they aren’t more popular but idc getting your foot caught in the stirrup is horrendous.
I really really love the Safe Ons. I have them on all of my saddles (jump, dressage, and pony saddles) we have converted several people to them as well. I find they have the safest release with no vertical bit/clasp coming from the foot bed.
I think these are mainly unpopular because they aren’t competition legal, but personally I don’t like stirrups that are open at any point since it’s too easy for them to get caught on things. The quick-release stirrups still prevent you from getting hung up but can’t get stuck on a rein or a bit ring or anything. I avoided the Free Jumps while shopping too for that reason even though those are pretty popular.
I don’t know about the hunters, but in jumpers they are competition legal. In dressage they are not.
I’ve seen a lot of incidents with normal stirrups getting caught on things, especially free jumps, but never the magnetics.
Here’s an example of someone doing upper level stuff with them
https://www.instagram.com/nicolettehirt?igsh=YTZjaGR2MW80NXl6
They’re definitely not legal for dressage or eventing. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the rated jumper ring but I thought there was a rule against securing your stirrups to your foot. If not it seems like there should be, having magnets to keep your stirrups doesn’t feel fair in the competition ring.
They are 100% legal in the jumper ring I promise.
The magnets are really not that strong, people lose them like normal stirrups all the time when they have oopsie moments. They really don’t offer any riding advantage, they are just safer if you fall. I can see how they could offer an advantage in dressage but not for jumpers.
And tbh if something increases safety but gives a rider an advantage, I’m really okay with that for everyone.
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