I was so excited to get a pair of nettles barrel racing stirrups for Christmas, with levelers,  to only realize my stirrup leathers are only 2.5" wide. The leveler only comes 3" wide, exposing a good 1/2" of the top of the stirrup. Is there any real difference in Nettles stirrups without using the leveler? I am so disappointed. The stirrups just don't look right on my saddles because they're too wide at the top. Nettles rep was very kind and said she would take out the leveler but what's the point without it? Any advice?

I have nettles without the leveler and I love them! Prior to nettles I used aluminum stirrups. I have bad knees and the regular nettles have been wonderful to help with knee and ankle pain. I would try them without the levelers.

I think that the levelors make all the difference. Mine also show a bit (about .5") like yours. They make such a big difference I didn't care. Plus no one is looking that closely and my leg/pants are covering it. 

Does it pinch your leg at all with that much sticking out?

I don't think it has ever given me any problems.

Can you post pictures of how the stirrups are hanging on your saddle? I have Nettels also on a couple of my saddles BUT I dont use the hangers, I like my stirrups to be setting normal, the hangers I never saw the use for them if the stirrups are hung/set right in the first place. Plus my saddles have the Cowboy twist so my stirrups dont set flat aganist my horse. 

So pictures would really help to see whats going on. 

I wouldn't think that small amount showing would be a problem.
I use the regular nettles.

I have a pair of nettles with levelers I used a few times but I'm selling them because I can't use them now that I have leg unsteadiness problems. 

Here's a picture showing the gap at the top

Here is a picture.

That gap is totally fine! You won't have any problems and to me I don't think it looks odd plus you'll be riding anyways :) 

LOL, That would bug me too from looking at the pictures, my luck I would get the bottom of my pants legs hung up while getting off, Me I never saw the need for the levelers. Did you try the nettles with out the levelers? 

No I haven't tried them. I may just send these back in exchange for stirrups without them. I just really don't like the looks of the gap which looks more like an inch than a half inch.??

I am personally not a fan of the leveler but that is just me. I feel like i can't balance for crap with them. I have my brown nettles with no leveler and enjoy riding in them. I do not have any knee pain what so ever especially while trail riding for 3+ hours.