Saddles can have a substantial impact on the speed, health, and stamina of a horse in Red Dead Redemption Online. The best Red Dead Online saddles for a particular horse will also depend on what the horse does well, as well as the deficiencies of that breed. There are two different types of saddles in RDR2. The first is stable saddles. These can be purchased from the stables and subsequently upgraded to further improve performance.

The other set of saddles is obtained from the Trapper and provides even better bonuses than the stable saddles. However, Trapper or complete saddles have already been upgraded. Despite this fact, complete saddles can be better than fully upgraded stable saddles. This list will cover the best saddles in RDR2, and explain why they stand out above the rest.

Updated on May 15, 2024, by Jake Fillery: It's time to saddle up again, as Red Dead Online continues to scratch the itch of many players who desire to explore the Old West. As players arm themselves with the finest weaponry, thread their lassos, and head out into the frontier, they are going to want to bring along RDO's best saddles in order to have a chance to outrun friend, foe, and mountain lions. The best saddles in Red Dead Online provide players with something cool to look at, which a mix of brilliant stats that will have them racing off into the sunset like the wind itself, and here's a notable selection of affordable, expensive, and brilliant saddles.

12 Belanger Saddle

Purchased For $217

• Stamina Regen Rate: +11%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -11%
• Health Core Drain Rate: -15%
• Stamina Drain Rate: 0%

By no means is the Belanger Saddle one of the best when it comes to mid and late-game experiences, but for players just starting out in the expansive Old West, this saddle could indeed save them from a world of torment. Their starting horse isn't going to be great, so investing early into a pretty decent stock saddle will help them along their journey.

Players aren't going to use this saddle forever, but due to its reasonably low price at such a low level, it's worth picking up to experience some early thrills of decent core drains and regen rates for stamina and health, which may actually save their horse.

11 Kneller Mother Hubbard Saddle

Purchased For $100

• Stamina Regen Rate: +12%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -14%
• Health Core Drain Rate: -12%
• Stamina Drain Rate: 0%

Players can exchange an easy stack of cash for a relatively decent early-game saddle with the Kneller Mother Hubbard Saddle. Whilst visually and stat-wise, it's nothing entirely special, it's still great for early players who are yet to get out there and level up completely, or for those who cannot currently afford one of the roles available to them.

For just a mere $100, players will be able to pick up a saddle that has consistent stats across the board, and whilst there are superior options out there, for that price and at that level, early-game players aren't going to find a better deal.

10 Martinville Saddle

Purchased For $284

• Stamina Regen Rate: +14%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -14%
• Health Core Drain Rate: -14%
• Stamina Drain Rate: 0%

Another charmingly affordable saddle for early players is the Martinville Saddle, which has improved stats over the Belanger, but only to those with the extra cash to splash. The design of the saddle is rather cute, featuring paintings on the fabric of nature and horses. Yet, the calming paintings are not exactly going to save players who are in the midst of a gunfire, or trying to outrun a cougar on the hunt for fresh meat.

Nevertheless, the Martinville Saddle can be an impressive new addition to the stock of new players who have yet to afford other great saddles, and it works well as an early game addition, but not as one players should be using late game due to the lack of improved stats in the stamina drain rate, and the fact that it's average at best with its other stats.

9 Kneller Dakota Saddle

Purchased For $145

• Stamina Regen Rate: -16%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -14%
• Health Core Drain Rate: +14%
• Stamina Drain Rate: 0%

Easily one of the biggest bangs for players' bucks is the Kneller Dakota Saddle, which has the improved version for under $200, allowing players to experience a wide range of stats across the board for a pretty affordable sum. Whilst players are still going to have to work for that money, they are at least going to be able to purchase it sooner rather than later, and at early game levels.

Once again, it's a mediocre saddle compared to the endgame saddles available to players with select roles, but it's still a good choice for those starting out fresh in the West, and are in need of something that will get them along the trail to fame and fortune.

8 Ivers Saddle

Become A Moonshiner & Purchase For $550

• Core Health Drain Rate: -24%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +24%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -34%
• Stamina Drain Rate: -0%

Not only will the Ivers Saddle provide players with a comedic place to store their illegal moonshine, but it’s also a pretty respectable saddle that will have players giddy up on their horses. The improved Core Drain Rate means that players can expect a longer life in the kick of the horse, as it speeds through the dirt tracks and manmade roads of the Wild West.

The competent stats of the Regen Rate for Stamina, and the Core Drain Rate for Health, make it one of the best saddles RDR 2 Online. The price may vary, but it’s worth the Core Drain stats and the visual upgrade, and it can be acquired through the ranks of the Moonshiner role, which means players are going to need a fair bit of cash to purchase both saddle and moonshine.

7 Panther Trail Saddle

Special Saddle Purchased For 18 Gold Bars

• Core Health Drain Rate: -20%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +24%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -26%
• Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Within RDR Online, there are Special Saddles, which may seem like the best thanks to their stats, but the fact that players cannot alter them with stirrups gives them an inherent disadvantage.

Coming in at 18 Gold Bars, the Special Saddle for the Panther Trail Saddle may be expensive, but it’s worth it for those who lack the time and currency to invest in one of the roles. Not being allowed to customize the saddle for more stat upgrades can be an issue, but it doesn’t stop the Panther Trail Saddle from coming in hot as a nice option for players to choose from. It’s definitely on the cheaper side of Saddles, and for good reason, and can be acquired from any stable.

6 Fletcher Saddle

Trader Role Required, Then Spend $525 & 1 Role Token

• Core Health Drain Rate: -28%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +26%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -28%
• Stamina Drain Rate: -0%

Whilst players may not view the Fletcher Saddle as the greatest of all time, it still has some varied stat bonuses that will make any horse feel like it's got a race engine strapped to it. It doesn’t specialize in one particular area, and that’s honestly the strong suit of the saddle, as players can expect consistent stats in each of the Cores available to them.

The leather on the saddle is also a nice touch, and to acquire it so easily through the Trader Role makes this saddle an easy and nice catch in the Wild West.

5 Foxmore Saddle

Requires Naturalist Role, $570 & 1 Role Token

• Core Health Drain Rate: -22%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +30%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -32%
• Stamina Drain Rate: 0%

The Foxmore Saddle is a great option for players in terms of its core stats but it's rather expensive at $570. Unfortunately, there are much cheaper options that provide similar stats but those with filled pockets may want to opt for the Foxmore Saddle to flaunt their wealth. It's aesthetically pleasing, for sure, featuring ornate designs stitched into the leather and a frilled edge.

Its core health drain rate is a bit rough, but players who are looking for a good saddle to use for shorter distances can opt for this expensive option. Unlocking it is as simple as having the capital necessary to buy it.

4 McKinney Saddle

Requires Collector Role, $525 & 1 Role Token

• Core Health Drain Rate: -34%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +20%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -34%
• Stamina Drain Rate: 0%

The McKinney Saddle provides better benefits than the Nacogdoches in Health Drain, Regen Rate, and Core Drain Rate. The issue with the saddle is that it does not provide a buff to Drain Rate, which is crucial when trying to extend the horse's range. It looks decent and beats the below saddles in a couple of categories, making it a viable option.

With Hooded Stirrups, each of these saddles (except the Upland) will receive a +2 speed boost and a 50% stamina drain boost. Getting the Hooded Stirrups is crucial to bridge the gap between the purchased and pre-purchased saddles. With that massive drain boost, McKinney becomes much more in line with the Upland and Nacogdoches.

3 Delgado Saddle

Purchased For $525

• Core Health Drain Rate: -22%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +32%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -22%
• Stamina Drain Rate: 0%

Just like the above saddle, Delgado does not buff the base Drain Rate of horses. The lack of a buff in that category limits the potential of the saddle compared to the two final options. With very good regen bonuses, the Delgado is still quite impressive compared to the other options. Because many RD2 players care about cosmetics, the best-looking saddle in the game had to be included.

Stamina drain may be capped at -50% with the Hooded Stirrups, but the +32% regen will make up for it on longer journeys. The reality is that McKinney and Delgado will just not go as far because of a base drain rate of 0%. Players can't go wrong with the following two choices.

2 Nacogdoches Saddle

Reach Level 35, Purchased For $512

• Core Health Drain Rate: -20%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +18%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -18%
• Stamina Drain Rate: -35%

For gamers who do not have the Bounty Hunter expansion, the Nacogdoches saddle is by far the best. Yes, it will be a little more expensive than the Upland in the end, but it is still quite affordable considering all of the amazing bonuses it provides.

When coupled with a Missouri Fox Trotter, the saddle will allow players to zoom around the map without having to make a pit stop. With Hooded Stirrups equipped, the saddle has the highest stamina drain rate buff at -85%. Gamers need to decide between a slightly better drain rate or the $125 it will cost for the stirrups. Either way, it's easily one of the best purchase for the Bounty Hunter Role.

1 Upland Saddle

Purchased For $625

• Core Health Drain Rate: -24%
• Stamina Regen Rate: +30%
• Stamina Core Drain Rate: -30%
• Stamina Drain Rate: -65%

There is a reason why many in the community still use the Nacogdoches Saddle, however. It has the second-best stats and has a few customization options that the Upland Saddle does not. As mentioned above, it has a better Stamina Regen with stirrups too. The Upland Saddle is also the most expensive saddle in the game, but players will pay for what they get. Gamers that buy this saddle will not have to mess with getting Hooded Stirrups for it, and they will speed around like a mystery of the Wild West.

All of the pre-purchased saddles already have the +2 speed incorporated. Similarly, the Nacogdoches saddle ends up being more expensive if the cost of a saddlebag and Hooded Stirrups are included. That being said, the two saddles are quite comparable. The main difference in performance will be Stamina Drain Rate. Horses with the Upland Saddle can run almost as far as with the Nacogdoches for a fraction of the cost.

Cheap Horses To Pair The Saddles With

To get even more bang for your buck, pick one of the cheaper versatile horses in the game to gear up with a cheap saddle. The Red Chestnut Arabian is one of the top value options for horses, as Arabians can do essentially everything they need to in RDO. They are fast enough and have solid stamina for the price. Plus, the Red Chestnut is much cheaper than the other Arabian options.

Likewise, Andalusians are well-rounded horses that will only set back players a few hundred dollars. The final value horse worth trying out is the Mustang. For getting from point A to B, no horse is more fun to use. However, stamina can be an issue on longer journeys.