It’s time to upgrade my old fillis irons. What are your favorite irons? Preferably ones that carry some weight. I have nerve damage on the outside of my one foot, and it helps me to really feel something.
New fillis irons
The Acavello Opera stirrups are not real heavy like fillis but they have somehow made a marked improvement in my leg position, supporting and secure and I don’t loose them.
I have the Tech stirrups with the dressage 3 degree angle. I love them on my wide mare and hate them on my more narrow gelding. But my trainer tells me that I no longer have too much weight in my feet like I did with my HS bow balance stirrups, which I really liked on him because I felt more secure. So am trying to stick with them.
@Demerara_Stables - I have always been a traditionalist, but with my increasing ailments i’m wondering if there isn’t a better option for my failing body.
@Badger - I forgot about the Opera’s! I’ve actually ridden in them before and really liked the security it gave me.
@Pico_Banana - super feedback. My gelding is a 2x4
I really like the Free Jumps, however be aware they are not show legal due to the open branch. They are very stable and comfortable for longer rides.
I also like the Flex On Safe Ons. They have a slight angle for the stirrup straps and good cushion & grip.
Prior to these I had and liked the MDC S stirrups, which are very traditional looking if you want something similar to a fillis stirrup. My main reason for switching was to move to a safety stirrup.
I also had the HS Bow Balance for a while and loved them but finally realized I couldn’t keep my leg stable with that much flex
Personally, I’ve found an angled top and a wide footbed to be very helpful in improving comfort. My major issue is knee pain and those two things make a huge difference.
Would those be the Flex On Safe On? Knee pain is an issue for me, as well.
Yes, the flex ons have an angled opening for the stirrup leather (similar to the MDC S stirrups) that takes some of the pressure off your knees. They also have a wide and slightly angled footbed.
FYI - they are way cheaper from the EU tack stores like Hypostore!
I second the FreeJumps. I have a pair of Le Meiux Vector stirrups that are safety stirrups and are legal. They have a lot of similarities but they do feel different enough that I have a distinct preference for the FreeJumps (the LM footbed is not as wide, but there’s more I can’t put my finger on).
I have thr Rid’up safety stirrups. I like the release technology, the 90 degree twist and the wide, slightly sprung foot bed is comfortable and has a “presence” that I find very agreeable.
They aren’t cheap,though. I bought them in the UK, from Redpost, if I remember correctly.
I love my simple stirrups with the 90 * turned eye. THey are always right there and easy to find, and if I get a bit light in them they don’t twist themselves off my foot like those with a “regular” eye. I havent liked the angled footbed ones I have tried… but the 3* one seem interesting. I’ll have to search out a pair to try!
If you like safety irons the BR Lavarone Stirrups from tradeinn.com are the best find. They were recommended to me by another forum member and they are the Venice Tech stirrups with a different name slapped on them for like $115. I’ve had my pair for a year and they have a bit of weight to them, a lovely grip, and have held up perfectly.
I had the Free Jumps on my jump saddle and was one of those people who got caught up in a weird way doing something totally routine so it turned me off that style. I really wish they had a closed branch option in the safety stirrup.
I rode in the Flex Ons last week in a friends saddle but was basically just hacking out so I didn’t get a good feel of them. My foot definitely felt secure though.
I know jointed stirrups are out of the question. I have too much track jewelry for those LOL
@atr are the Rid’up composite? Are they very lightweight? I considered those and the Eole Pro stirrups but I worry about them feeling too light.
@KendraLW thank you for this. Those are on my list of maybes. I wasn’t sure if that site was legitimate or not.
Have you tried a pair?
I find they are love or hate thing and some people who think they will cause them more discomfort find they are actually very comfortable to use.
My hips and knees love them.
These are a huge saver for my knees. I tried jointed MDC and ended up posting off my toes.
They are composite, but the footbeds are quite heavy so I have no problem with them.
That’s what I used for the longest time, but after an pretty intrusive injury where I tore basically everything in my foot/ankle I had to hang them up. I think I might give the MDC’s with the twisty top and the metal wide tread a try on my dressage saddle and then see if i can’t trial some of these other options over time. The Rid’ups do pique my curiosity. Thanks for the info @atr.
@Live_Wire yeah the site looks sketchy lol but I had a great experience and would 100% buy from them again!
Especially those with knee issues, I got jointed stirrups about 20 years back (were a christmas gift from my trainer) and never looked back. Even though the rubber on the joints have since broke through, I’ve duct taped them for about a decade. I feel they move with my leg and the horse’s motion. Also, I’ve become a huge fan of cheese-grater stirrup pads.