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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Leathers or Webbers?

11/18/2014

18 Comments

 
There's not much that I don't own horse-wise, but every time I start to think that there is nothing in the catalog that I need or want, I manage to find something else.

Leathers have never been one of my favorite pieces of equipment. I've even tended toward the synthetics because they don't stretch like real leathers do. On the flip side, they also tend to be thicker and harder to punch holes in. My most recent leathers are from SmartPak. They have holes spaced at ¾" inch increments, which I love, but they are thick. They are leather on the outside with a nylon lining.

I've been interested in the Webbers (Bates/Wintec), but I figured they had to be weird and clunky. (If they're so great why isn't everyone use them?) I had the chance recently to ride in a pair and while they are a bit awkward to get to length, I completely forgot about them once I was in the saddle.

Getting a chance to try them out sealed the deal. I decided to order a pair. The Bates version is similar to my SmartPak leathers - leather outside with a webbing core. They run around $75.

Riding Warehouse, my favorite online store and somewhat local tack shop, carries the Wintec Webbers for under $33.00. I was hoping that the Wintec Webbers would be thinner than the leather/webbing combo of the Bates, so that's what I went with.
Picture
LOVE Riding Warehouse!
Since Webbers are only one thickness they don't hang over your stirrup bars like regular leathers do. There is a loop at the top that slides over your stirrup bars. It was easy to do and seems just as secure as with typical leathers.
Picture
Image from Riding Warehouse
One complaint I've heard about using Webbers is the inability to run up your leathers. While it's not as convenient as with standard leathers, the Wintec Webbers do come with a hole near the top of the leathers that allow you to hang your stirrups in a very short position and then they can be run up.
Picture
Webbers attached and "run up."
Picture
"Convenient" hole for running your stirrups up.
Quite a ways below the "run up" hole are the holes for inserting the "T" that holds the stirrup to the right length. You just slide the "T" into the slot, turn, and the leathers are set.
Picture
The "T"
Picture
Drop the "T" in and turn ...
Picture
I am on hole number 4 ...
There is a leather "cap" that slides down and covers the "T" and probably serves to hold things more securely in place. 
Picture
The little "guard" in place.
With no buckle under your thigh and only one layer of leather, the Webbers really are more comfortable. It wasn't that I was bugged before, but the instant I sat in my saddle, I noticed how much smoother my thigh rested against the saddle. These really are an improvement over standard leathers. 
Picture
You can't even tell!
18 Comments
emma link
11/18/2014 12:11:51 am

a lot of the saddles i rode in at my first barn had these stirrups (the kind with the hole at the top for the run-up look), and i loved them. and adjusting them from the saddle isn't actually much harder, just different. you get the hang of it pretty quickly. if you like 'em, i'd say go for it!

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/18/2014 09:46:35 am

So far they're working out great!

Reply
Lauren link
11/18/2014 12:43:09 am

Considering I didn't really knwo hat webbers existed until this post... I've always done leathers :)

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/18/2014 09:47:44 am

I am finally getting around to trying them myself, but I think they've been around for a while.

Reply
Amanda link
11/18/2014 01:18:24 am

I have the Tekna version of these since I was put off the Wintec ones due to bad reviews on durability. In some ways I like them and in some ways I don't, I'm pretty 50/50. Eventually I'll probably end up going back to regular leathers when these wear out.

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/18/2014 11:11:30 am

I have purchased several Tekna products (leathers, bridle, halters), but I didn't realize they sold their own version of Webbers. I googled them, but my complaint about the Tekna products is how thick and stiff they can be. Not the halters though; I LOVE those. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
jenj
11/18/2014 02:53:43 am

I really hope those work for you. I had several pair and despite using the little guard, I had them pop out of the hole several times over the years. It was always terrifying to have the equipment fail mid-ride, although I never came off as a result. I eventually switched to standard lined leathers because of it.

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/18/2014 11:13:05 am

In four years, I've gone through at least three sets of leathers … I just can't find anything that I like. At this price, I am willing to give these a try. :0)

Reply
Austen link
11/19/2014 04:28:55 am

Wow! That's a LOT of leathers! I ordered my last set from a guy named Gary Mundy who is from Indiana. He makes custom leathers, and does a FANTASTIC job. He ships nationally. Plus his prices are ridiculously competitive. He also makes webbers, though I ordered the traditional leathers. Google his name and email him for more info. (He also makes AMAZING rolled leather dog collars on the cheap. My dogs looove them.)

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/19/2014 10:04:52 am

Good to know! I am just picky. :0)

Sarah link
11/18/2014 03:45:01 am

Thanks so much for sharing about these! I've been interested but now realize I totally did not understand them. I hope you'll share how you like them over time. Also, have you done a review on your stirrup irons?

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/18/2014 09:23:56 am

So far I like them, but we'll see how they wear. And yes, I blogged about the MDC irons quite some time ago. Here is the link: http://www.bakersfielddressage.com/home---karens-blog/gizmos-that-i-like-part-5

Reply
Paola link
11/18/2014 09:41:48 am

I believed I have used similar ones before when riding one horse a who training with my trainer in a lesson. They are nice.

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/18/2014 11:14:10 am

So far I like them. We'll see how they hold up. :0)

Reply
Val
11/22/2014 08:50:04 am

I have the Bates leather Webbers. I love them. Regular leathers pinch my leg if I ride in paddock boots, so Webbers eliminate that problem. I am so used to their comfy fit, that I can't ignore the all buckle under my thigh when I ride in other people's tack.

I have had mine for 3+ years now with no issues. I usually cross the stirrups over the saddle or leave them down instead of running them up. I am not crazy about synthetic, so I cannot say how the Wintecs will hold up.

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/22/2014 01:39:01 pm

I have crossed my stirrups a few times, but I ride with the MDC super gripper stirrups, and I worry about them rubbing against the buffalo leather of my saddle. The leather is VERY soft, and I don't to nick or scratch it. So far the Wintecs seem to be wearing well. And at such a low price, I won't mind replacing them now and again. Glad to hear the style is more popular than I thought!

Reply
Allison Simon
6/16/2019 01:38:24 pm

I was wondering if webbers are allowed for showing and stuff like that. I've always used leathers but herd great thing about these.

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
6/18/2019 05:53:27 am

Yes, these are legal for showing. In fact I just did a 2-day USDF/USEF show this past weekend. I wrote this post 5 years ago and have since replaced my original Webbers with a new pair. I LOVE them!

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    About the Writer and Rider

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  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
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