LeMieux Stirrups & Stirrup Leathers
Which LeMieux stirrup leathers or stirrups should you buy?
For most adult riders, the LeMieux Arika Stirrup Leather at £44.95 is the sensible starting point — soft oiled leather, a stainless steel buckle, and available in 130cm, 145cm and 160cm in black or brown. If you want a flatter, closer feel under your thigh, step up to the LeMieux Vector Close Contact Stirrup Leather at £69.95. Riding children need shorter lengths, so the LeMieux Childrens Stirrup Leathers at £34.95 (70cm, 85cm and 100cm) are the right call rather than cutting down an adult pair. This collection holds 13 LeMieux stirrup, stirrup leather and stirrup accessory lines in total.
In a hurry?
- Best all-rounder leather: LeMieux Arika Stirrup Leather — £44.95, 130–160cm, black or brown.
- Closest contact: LeMieux Vector Close Contact Stirrup Leather — £69.95, 60–80cm.
- Top-of-range leather: LeMieux Vector Pro Stirrup Leather — £94.95, 130–160cm.
- For children: LeMieux Childrens Stirrup Leathers — £34.95, from 70cm.
- Junior stirrups: LeMieux Junior Vector Balance Stirrup — £129.95, one size.
- Not sure on length? Get in touch and our team will help you match your saddle and leg length.
How do the LeMieux stirrup leathers compare?
| Product | Price | Lengths | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMieux Childrens Stirrup Leathers | £34.95 | 70cm, 85cm, 100cm | Young riders on ponies and small saddles |
| LeMieux Arika Stirrup Leather | £44.95 | 130cm, 145cm, 160cm | Everyday schooling and hacking |
| LeMieux Vector Close Contact Stirrup Leather | £69.95 | 60cm, 70cm, 80cm | Riders who want the least bulk under the leg |
| LeMieux Vector Stirrup Leather | £74.95 | 130cm, 145cm, 160cm | Soft oiled leather for daily competition work |
| LeMieux Vector Pro Stirrup Leather | £94.95 | 130cm, 145cm, 160cm | Riders wanting the premium close-contact option |
All five leathers above come in black or brown, so you can match an existing bridle or saddle.
What length stirrup leathers do you actually need?
Standard adult leathers are measured by the full strap length, which is why they run 130cm, 145cm and 160cm. As a rough guide, shorter riders and those with a short leg tend to suit 130cm, average adult heights suit 145cm, and taller riders or anyone riding long in a dressage saddle usually want 160cm. Children are sized differently again: the LeMieux Childrens Stirrup Leathers start at 70cm and go up through 85cm to 100cm.
The Vector Close Contact leather is measured on a different scale. It comes in 60cm, 70cm and 80cm because it is a single-thickness strap with a T-bar design that lets you remove the buckle, rather than a strap that folds back on itself the way a standard leather does. Do not compare those numbers directly against a standard leather — a 70cm close contact leather is not shorter riding than a 145cm standard one.
Why choose close contact stirrup leathers?
A traditional leather doubles under your thigh, so the buckle and the folded strap sit between your leg and the saddle flap. Close contact designs move that bulk out of the way, which many riders find gives a cleaner leg position and less rubbing on long days. The LeMieux Vector Close Contact Stirrup Leather at £69.95 and the LeMieux Vector Pro Stirrup Leather at £94.95 are the two close contact options here, and they get there in different ways. The Vector Close Contact uses a T-bar that lets you take the buckles off altogether, which is why it runs in short 60cm, 70cm and 80cm lengths. The Vector Pro keeps the standard 130cm, 145cm and 160cm lengths and uses a slightly raised underside leather for stability.
If you ride in a deep dressage saddle or spend hours schooling, the reduced bulk is genuinely noticeable. If you mostly hack out in a general purpose saddle, a standard leather like the Arika at £44.95 does the job perfectly well.
What about stirrups for junior riders?
Two junior options sit in this collection: the LeMieux Junior Vector Balance Stirrup at £129.95 and the LeMieux Arena Junior Stirrups at £154.95. Both are sized for younger riders rather than being scaled-down adult stirrups, which matters — a stirrup tread that is too wide for a child's boot is not doing them any favours. Pair either with the LeMieux Childrens Stirrup Leathers at £34.95 for a complete setup.
How should you look after leather stirrup leathers?
Wipe the strap down after muddy rides, let it dry naturally away from direct heat, and feed it with a leather conditioner every few weeks. Check the holes and the area around the buckle regularly for wear or cracking, and swap the leathers left to right periodically so they wear evenly. Leathers are a safety-critical part of your tack, so retire anything showing damage rather than getting one more season out of it.
LeMieux stirrups & leathers: your questions answered
What length LeMieux stirrup leathers should I order?
Adult LeMieux leathers such as the Arika, Vector and Vector Pro come in 130cm, 145cm and 160cm. As a general guide, 130cm suits shorter riders, 145cm suits most average adult heights, and 160cm suits taller riders or anyone riding long. Children's sizes run 70cm, 85cm and 100cm in the LeMieux Childrens Stirrup Leathers. If you are between sizes or unsure, get in touch and our team will help.
What is the difference between standard and close contact stirrup leathers?
Standard leathers double back under your thigh, so the buckle and folded strap sit between your leg and the saddle. Close contact designs, like the LeMieux Vector Close Contact Stirrup Leather at £69.95, remove that bulk for a flatter feel and a cleaner leg position. That model is sized on its own scale at 60cm, 70cm and 80cm because it is a single-thickness strap, while the LeMieux Vector Pro Stirrup Leather at £94.95 gives a close contact feel in the standard 130cm, 145cm and 160cm lengths.
Which LeMieux stirrup leather is best value for everyday riding?
The LeMieux Arika Stirrup Leather at £44.95 is the best-value adult option in this collection. It uses soft oiled leather with a stainless steel buckle and comes in black or brown across 130cm, 145cm and 160cm, which covers most schooling and hacking needs without paying for close-contact features you may not use.
Are there LeMieux stirrups and leathers for children?
Yes. The LeMieux Childrens Stirrup Leathers at £34.95 come in 70cm, 85cm and 100cm in black or brown. For stirrups, the LeMieux Junior Vector Balance Stirrup is £129.95 and the LeMieux Arena Junior Stirrups are £154.95, both sized for younger riders rather than being cut-down adult stirrups.
Will LeMieux stirrup leathers fit my saddle?
LeMieux stirrup leathers attach to the standard stirrup bars fitted to English saddles, so they work with general purpose, jumping and dressage saddles. The variables to check are length and the width of your stirrup eye. If you are fitting to an unusual or older saddle, get in touch and our team will help before you order.
How do I care for leather stirrup leathers?
Wipe them clean after muddy rides, dry them naturally away from radiators or direct heat, and condition the leather every few weeks. Inspect the holes and the strap around the buckle for cracking or thinning, and swap them left to right now and then so both wear evenly. Replace any leather showing damage — they are a safety-critical part of your tack.
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Last reviewed 2026-07-24 by the Just Horse Riders team.