Hey guys I have never used a boot binding before but I am very interested in changing to them if it would give me more board control and help with sticking landings.
Has anyone got an opinion on using a boot binding over foot straps?
I have heard it increases the chance of breaking ankles?
What are the POSITIVES of changing to a boot binding? Cheers!
I switched a few years ago and never looked back, if you are learning wake style tricks i think you can progress much faster. I also love riding them in the surf when the wind is cranking.
As far as ankles go, i don't think there is a heightened risk wearing boots. If you go big and land hard with straps or boots i think you run the same risk.
If you do make the switch commit to at least 2 or 3 sessions before you make up your mind.
Boots are great, they will improve your kite boarding, your able to handle heavier landings, more chop and stronger wind with the security of knowing your board is on your feet. You throw those railey,s knowing you wont land with one leg in and the other with a torn acl. I think there is a place for both. You should have both board set ups and be comfortable riding both styles. There is a place for both a good kite boarder should be able to rip it up on both. Straps are great in light wind and board off tricks with great flexibility right from the anke, while boots are the way to go hitting slidders,kickers and tripple s:-):bends to blind.
Boots are great, they will improve your kite boarding, your able to handle heavier landings, more chop and stronger wind with the security of knowing your board is on your feet. You throw those railey,s knowing you wont land with one leg in and the other with a torn acl. I think there is a place for both. You should have both board set ups and be comfortable riding both styles. There is a place for both a good kite boarder should be able to rip it up on both. Straps are great in light wind and board off tricks with great flexibility right from the anke, while boots are the way to go hitting slidders,kickers and tripple s:-):bends to blind.
Got some boots this season - Ronix/North Franks. After the fourth session I was back on the same level as riding with straps. Very happy with my choice to switch. Here my pro/cons:
Pro: - Good to land hard and powered landings - More "compact/connected" feeling during rotation tricks - Can load harder/ hold more power - Suprisingly: feels realy good landing to blind
Negative: - Harder to go upwind - Harder crashes - Need more power - Not nice to ride in chop - bcause you ride more powered some tricks are actually harder than with staps - but also more fun. - Pain to put on in surf or rocky shore
If you want more control or not loose your board I would buy a different board and not boots. If you want to do big wakestyle tricks I would get a pair!
As an alternative to boots i recently added heel straps to my board and i'm loving them! Never tried boots (i'd like to) but these heel straps give you the confidence that your feet won't slip out and more control.
