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A non-slip saddle pad should not be used to hide a saddle that rocks, pinches, bridges, or drops onto the withers. Begin with saddle fit and girthing, then choose pad contour, thickness, material, and bottom treatment for the horse and riding job. Some products below are full western pads with contoured wool, foam, or airflow structures; the Professional’s Choice EP702 is a separate perforated-neoprene under-pad placed beneath a main pad. Do not treat those as interchangeable. Measure the saddle skirt and ensure the pad clears the withers and does not bunch under the rigging. Check the horse after riding for hair disturbance, dry pressure areas, soreness, or shifted equipment.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional’s Choice Non-Slip Pad EP702-BLA | $45.95 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Weaver Synergy Flex Contour Performance Saddle Pad | $239.99 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Weaver Synergy Contoured Steam Pressed 100% Merino Wool Felt Pad | $259.99 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Weaver Synergy Natural Fit Performance Saddle Pad | $293.99 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Professional’s Choice Comfort-Fit SMx HD Air Ride Pad | $211.99 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Professional’s Choice Contoured Work Pad PCCWP | $116.99 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Reinsman APEX Extreme Performance Pad | $230.99 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | 5 Star All Around Pad | $260.95-$286.95 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Professional’s Choice Non-Slip Pad EP702-BLA
EP702-BLA is a thin, perforated-neoprene under-pad rather than a western saddle pad by itself. Professional’s Choice specifies an 11 by 16 inch contoured piece placed between the horse and the main pad. Choose it when a properly fitted saddle and existing pad need added grip without adding another thick felt layer.
- 11 x 16 inch perforated neoprene under-pad
- Contoured shape
- Use beneath a western pad, not as a full saddle pad
- Professional’s Choice says it stays concealed
- Current listed price: $45.95
- 11 x 16 inch perforated neoprene under-pad distinguishes this model
- Use it only below a correctly fitted primary saddle pad
Weaver Synergy Flex Contour Performance Saddle Pad
Synergy Flex Contour combines a shaped western profile with EVA foam and an airflow spine. Weaver lists wool-liner options, so the exact variant affects the contact surface. This is the full-pad choice for a rider who needs a contoured construction rather than a separate grip sheet.
- EVA foam
- Airflow spine
- Wool liner options
- Flexible contour design
- Current listed price: $239.99
- EVA foam distinguishes this model
- Flex contour still needs a saddle that matches the horse
Weaver Synergy Contoured Steam Pressed 100% Merino Wool Felt Pad
This Synergy model uses steam-pressed 100 percent merino wool felt in a contoured western cut. Weaver lists 33 by 32 and 33 by 38 options, which should be chosen around the saddle skirt rather than by blanket size alone. It is for riders wanting a wool-felt full pad with a shaped spine.
- Steam-pressed merino wool felt
- Contoured construction
- 33 x 32 or 33 x 38 options
- Weaver current listing
- Current listed price: $259.99
- Steam-pressed merino wool felt distinguishes this model
- Felt thickness cannot remove a bridging saddle pressure point
Weaver Synergy Natural Fit Performance Saddle Pad
Synergy Natural Fit is built to lift into the saddle for an airflow space rather than lie as a flat rectangle. That geometry is its defining difference from Weaver’s standard Contoured line. Select it only when the saddle and horse profile suit the Natural Fit shape.
- Natural Fit construction
- Lifts into saddle for airflow
- Performance-pad format
- Weaver current price
- Current listed price: $293.99
- Natural Fit construction distinguishes this model
- Natural Fit structure is not a substitute for a fitting assessment
Professional’s Choice Comfort-Fit SMx HD Air Ride Pad
Comfort-Fit SMx HD Air Ride is Professional’s Choice’s full western pad, unlike the small EP702 non-slip under-pad. The current retailer lists it at $211.99. It is an option where the rider wants the brand’s Air Ride construction in a single primary saddle pad.
- Comfort-Fit SMx HD Air Ride
- Current 211.99 retailer price
- Western saddle-pad shape
- Different from separate EP702 under-pad
- Current listed price: $211.99
- Comfort-Fit SMx HD Air Ride distinguishes this model
- Air Ride cushioning cannot cure a rolling saddle
Professional’s Choice Contoured Work Pad PCCWP
PCCWP is the 31 by 32 inch Contoured Work Pad, making its shorter stated dimensions central to the choice. It is a work-pad format rather than a show blanket. Match that footprint to a compact western saddle before relying on its contour for stability.
- 31 x 32 inch dimensions
- Contoured Work Pad model
- Retailer current price
- Rubber-bottom work-pad design
- Current listed price: $116.99
- 31 x 32 inch dimensions distinguishes this model
- Work-pad contour must still clear the withers
Reinsman APEX Extreme Performance Pad
Reinsman’s APEX Extreme Performance Pad is a complete APEX-line western pad at the maker’s current $230.99 listing. It should be selected by its specific size and contour option, not assumed to be the same as Reinsman’s Close Contact or Tacky Too variants. The product family offers several distinct pad shapes.
- APEX line
- Extreme Performance model
- Reinsman current price
- Western performance-pad format
- Current listed price: $230.99
- APEX line distinguishes this model
- APEX construction requires correct saddle dimensions
5 Star All Around Pad
5 Star’s All Around Pad is a full western pad sold by SmartPak in a $260.95-$286.95 range. It is the broad-use option in this list, but the selected width and drop still need to cover the saddle skirt without extending into the rigging area. Its role differs from a neoprene anti-slip insert.
- All Around Pad model
- Current SmartPak price range
- Western pad format
- Size/width must match saddle skirt
- Current listed price: $260.95-$286.95
- All Around Pad model distinguishes this model
- All-Around pad needs regular placement checks during a ride
Buying tips
- Start with saddle fit; no non-slip material fixes a saddle that bridges or pinches.
- Measure skirt length and drop so the pad extends appropriately without folding under the rigging.
- Use a contoured spine and wither clearance where the horse’s shape calls for it.
- Distinguish a full saddle pad from a thin non-slip under-pad before comparing price.
- Check pad position after mounting and after the first minutes of riding.
- Inspect the horse’s back and hair pattern after rides; persistent pressure signs need a qualified saddle-fit assessment.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.