Best Horse Stirrups Australia — Freejump & Beyond

Stirrups are more than a foothold. They're the connection between rider and saddle, affecting your balance, security, and comfort during every ride. The stirrup you choose influences your leg position, heel stability, and ability to respond to your horse's movement.

Australian riders face specific challenges: long rides across varied terrain, hot conditions that affect grip, and the need for reliable equipment in remote areas where a tack failure means a long walk home. Here's what actually matters when choosing stirrups in Australia.

Understanding Stirrup Types

Not all stirrups work the same way. The design affects how your foot sits, how the stirrup hangs, and — most importantly — how easily your foot releases in a fall.

Single-Branch Stirrups (Freejump)

Freejump pioneered the single-branch design, which uses one metal arm connecting the footplate to the saddle. The result is a lighter stirrup that hangs more naturally and releases your foot faster in a fall. For jumping and cross-country, where the risk of being caught is highest, this is the design I'd recommend.

The Freejump Soft'Up Pro Plus is their flagship model — the footplate is wider than traditional stirrups, giving you a more stable platform. The single branch is engineered to flex under lateral pressure, which means if your foot slides sideways in a fall, the stirrup releases rather than trapping your foot.

Freejump also makes the AirS, Air Pure, and Soft Up Lite — each at different price points but all with the same single-branch safety philosophy. The AirS Custom lets you choose colours, if that matters to you.

Traditional Double-Branch Stirrups

These are the stirrups most riders grew up with — two metal arms connecting the footplate to the saddle. They're familiar, stable, and widely available. The downside is that the closed design can trap a foot more easily than a single-branch stirrup.

There's nothing wrong with double-branch stirrups for low-risk riding — hacking, basic flatwork, trail riding. But if you're jumping, eventing, or working with young or unpredictable horses, the safety argument for single-branch is strong.

Stirrup Leathers and Accessories

Don't overlook the leathers. Cheap leathers stretch unevenly, which means your stirrups end up at different lengths — and that affects your balance without you realising it. Check your leathers regularly for wear, especially at the buckle hole where the stress concentrates.

Jump'In makes quality leather stirrup straps, including plunged calfskin options that sit flatter against the saddle flap. Freejump also makes stirrup leathers — their PROGRIP leathers have a non-slip surface that keeps the stirrup in position. Both are available through our stirrups and leathers collection.

Safety Standards — What Actually Matters

Unlike helmets and body protectors, stirrups don't have a mandatory safety standard in Australia. That means it's on you to choose wisely.

Here's what I'd look for:

• Foot release: The stirrup should release your foot easily under lateral or upward pressure. Single-branch designs (Freejump) do this naturally. Some double-branch stirrups have rubber-band release mechanisms, but these can degrade over time.
• Footplate width: A wider footplate gives you more stability. The Freejump Soft'Up Pro Plus has a noticeably wider platform than traditional stirrups. If you have wide feet or ride in chunky-soled boots, this matters.
• Material quality: Cheaper stirrups can bend or break under stress. Look for aircraft-grade aluminium or stainless steel. Freejump uses aircraft-grade aluminium — light, strong, and corrosion-resistant.
• Grip surface: The footplate should have grip — either textured metal or a grip pad. The Freejump Grip Pad is a good add-on if your boots are slippery.

One thing I'd flag: don't assume expensive means safe. A $400 pair of designer stirrups with no release mechanism is less safe than a $150 pair of Freejump Soft Up Lite. Safety is about the design, not the price tag.

The Freejump Range — Which One Should You Buy?

Here's a breakdown of the Freejump stirrup range available at iRide EQ, from top to bottom:

Soft'Up Pro Plus — The Flagship

The most popular Freejump stirrup. Single-branch, wide footplate, and the fastest foot release in the range. If you're jumping at any level, this is the one. Available through our Freejump collection.

AirS and AirS Custom — Mid-Range with Colour Options

The AirS offers similar safety features to the Pro Plus at a slightly lower price point. The AirS Custom lets you choose the arm and footplate colours — if you want your stirrups to match your competition wear, this is the one.

Soft Up Lite — Entry Level

The Soft Up Lite is Freejump's entry-level single-branch stirrup. Same safety philosophy, lighter on features. If you're on a budget but still want the single-branch safety advantage, start here.

Air Pure — Minimalist

The Air Pure is the cleanest design in the range — no extra features, just the single-branch safety and a basic footplate. A good choice for everyday training and hacking.

Maintaining Your Stirrups

Stirrups are low-maintenance but not zero-maintenance. Here's what I do:

• Monthly check: Look for cracks in the metal, loose screws (if applicable), and worn grip surfaces. Replace the grip pad if it's smooth.
• Leather care: Clean and condition your stirrup leathers every few months. Check the buckle holes for cracking — that's where they fail.
• After wet rides: Dry your stirrups and leathers naturally. Don't put them near a heater — rapid drying cracks leather.
• Replace after a fall: If you've had a fall where the stirrup took impact, replace it. Micro-cracks in aluminium aren't always visible, and a compromised stirrup can fail when you least expect it.

For more on tack care, see our guide on cleaning and caring for leather horse tack.

Frequently Asked Questions