Safety stirrups materials - what are safety stirrup made of?
If you have ever taken a closer look at stirrups, you may have noticed that they are not always similar. Many times, you will notice that safety stirrups have different designs, colors and they are even made of different materials. In this article, we will look at different safety stirrups materials and their pros and cons.
What are the most common safety stirrups materials?
Usually, stirrups can be made of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic or a mix of some of these three. Nowadays, many manufacturers prefer to make their stirrups from aluminum, because it is a light material. On the other hand, stainless steel stirrups won't rust. Plastic stirrups are light and easy to clean. Different materials have different features and each of them have their pros and cons.
Let's look at a few brands and the materials they are made of:
Ophena Magnetic Safety Stirrups
Ophena S and Ophena T are our magnetic safety stirrups. They are made of stainless steel, so they won't' rust, no matter the weather. Also, stainless steel stirrups stay like-new for a long time, and you can hardly tell how old the stirrups are by looking at the material. They could be 20 years old and still look brand new!
Pros:
- Stainless steel stirrups won't rust
- Easy to keep clean
- Stylish and modern material
Cons:
- Not the lightest material
HKM stirrups
These stirrups are made of aluminum. They are not, in fact, safety stirrups, but they are a great light-weight option for people who prefer to have lighter stirrups. Especially showjumpers tend to like lighter stirrups.
Pros:
- Very light-weight
- Easy to keep clean
- Great especially for showjumpers
Cons:
- May show signs of usage easier
- May get dented easier
Compositi Plastic Profile stirrups
Compositi Plastic Profile stirrups are an excellent example of stirrups that are made of plastic. Nowadays, many brands use plastic at least as a part of their design. Plastic can be a very inexpensive option.
Pros:
- Light-weight and flexible
- Great for people with knee and joint pain
- Easy to keep clean
Cons:
- Plastic may break easier
- You will need to replace plastic stirrups pretty often, as micro-fractures in the material may cause the stirrup breaking (see what happened to Freejump Stirrups breaking during a Grand Prix course)
How to choose the right stirrups?
When choosing your stirrups, you should take into account a few different things. First, consider the features that are important to you. For instance, what material do you prefer? What is your price range? Are there any special features you want to have in your stirrups?
We have put together an article that will help you to compare the best safety stirrups for adults - take a look and pick your own stirrups already today!
Also, take a look at these articles:
- The best safety stirrups for eventing riders
- The best safety stirrups for para-riders
- Quick-release stirrups for dressage riders
Conclusion
Picking your safety stirrups can be challenging - please utilize our articles about different features and materials of safety stirrups. Stay safe!
