Silicon riding tights vs leather saddles
Silicon riding tights have become increasingly popular among equestrians in recent years. These tights offer a number of benefits, including improved grip and comfort while riding. However, some riders have expressed concern that the silicon material used in the tights could potentially damage their leather saddles. In this blog post, we will explore why this is not the case, especially when it comes to E-C!
First, it is important to understand the properties of silicon. Silicon is a non-toxic, non-stick material that is used in a variety of applications, including medical devices and food packaging. It is highly resistant to heat and moisture, making it ideal for use in riding tights. The silicon used in riding tights is typically applied in small dots or lines to provide improved grip and stability while riding.
Leather saddles are also designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. They are usually made from high-quality leather that is treated with oils and conditioners to keep it soft and supple. While leather can be damaged by certain materials, such as harsh chemicals or excessive moisture, silicon is not one of them. In recent years there has been an increase in lower quality leather saddles entering the market, while this is good for our pockets, it's worth keeping in mind that they might require extra care or even replacing more often.
In fact, many equestrian manufacturers specifically design their silicon riding tights to be compatible with leather saddles. We use high-quality silicon that is gentle on leather and will not cause any damage or wear. Additionally, many riders have used silicon riding tights with leather saddles for years without any issues. We personally tested our riding tights on saddles from $500-$10000. Sometime's you may even get some cute honeycomb indents in leather, but don't worry. These are just from your weight pushing into the leather and won't do any damage to you saddle. Mollie (the tight designer) actually worked with a master saddler before EC was around and has a very keen interest in all things leather.
Many equestrian manufacturers (including ourselves) specifically designed their tights to be compatible with leather saddles, and many riders have used them for years without any issues. Let's be real, your saddle is going to be tougher than some silicon tights!
As always, it is important to take proper care of your equipment and follow the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure it lasts as long as possible, while keeping you safe in the saddle.