Dressage reins vs. regular reins?

I've been needing new reins, so this weekend I caved and bought some rubber/web reins that looked grippy and also somewhat comfortable (I'm not a huge fan of laced reins or woven reins). They also have hand stops.

Well, I just realized the tag says dressage reins. I don't do dressage. I guess it just never occurred to me to check the tag. So my question: What's the difference between these and regular old reins?

Those are not dressage reins.

The rubber or web with the stops are used mostly by hunter/jumper.

Not sure about the US but in Canada those are illegal for dressage as all reins for dressage are leather only.

What do you mean by stops? If they are what I know as stops they are they are not used in hunters.

Are you talking about reins like This?

The stops are there for a running martingale and hunter people do not use running martingales (in general) so reins with stops are not considered appropriate in the hunter ring.

Here is what I purchased: Reins

There are no stops for a martingale.

Edit to add: I don't show, so I don't need to worry about anything not being in compliance with various rules. :)

I wasn't sure what you meant by hand stops but some reins are made that way. I personally don't like them.

Those look like web and as such are not dressage reins per say. That doesn't mean that a person training their horse in dressage can't use them, just that to describe them as dressage reins is misleading.

I actually got exactly same reins and use them for over year already (the jumping instructor suggested me to get a pair because mine were too slippery). I don't think you want to use them at the show, but they are very comfortable to school IMHO.

Spyder, don't you find leather only reins to be very slippery? Or one can use laced as well?

Yes laced ones are acceptable and they are all leather so legal.

However laced ones are not used on a double bridle. As far as slippery, I wear gloves.

I don't like those sticky reins for dressage. First of all, if your horse is pulling so hard that the rein is sliding out of your hand, then you guys need work. Dressage reins need to be really pliablle so they can mold around your hand well and be thin enough to be easy to close your hands around them. The stops , well I like them because the help me to see if my rein lengths are way too uneven. I am NOT a big show rider, so it's just personal preference, not based on a lot of show experience. But since it's a forum, I guess that counts well enough.