What's the difference between wake and kite boots?

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

So yeah, could I snag a pair of decent wake boots and throw them on my new recoil or should I get kiteboots for the authentic experience? I'm pretty comfortable on a wakeboard/snowboard and I'm hoping I can make use of a more locked in supported feel.

Just in case anyone was wondering, these are the wake boots I have in mind:

NateDogg · Sun Aug 24, 08 9:47 pm

Yeah as far as I know as long as those plates match up with the inserts on your board you're good to go. If they don't, you'll just have to drill an extra hole through the plate...super easy. But seeing as you're putting LF boots on an LF board, you should be fine.

Rock on... Thumb's Up

forrest · Mon Aug 25, 08 7:59 am

I have a set of LF plates you could use as a template for drilling the holes out.

How big is your recoil?

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

RayRaytheKiter · Since 10 Jun 2008 6 Posts Kook

What about snow boots? Laughing

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

The main thing you should look into is how easily you can get in and out of the boots, other than that the LF Union binding is essentially the exact same binding as their wake version. I really like the look of the Vantage binding though

forrest · Mon Aug 25, 08 11:28 am

Getting in and out isn't a big deal. You regain the time spent putting your boots on the first time you crash and don't have to drag for your board.

forrest · Mon Aug 25, 08 11:29 am

Alright, so, what I'd recommend for you is to get your boots and mount them on the 133. Once you get used to them and wakestyle in general, you should upgrade to something in the 136-140x42 range.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Donny Baker · Since 13 Jul 2006 80 Posts

Just got a set of those Liquid Force vantage bindings and put them on my LF Mission. Had to drill the plate out a bit to get them to fit. Super easy to get in and out of. Also I think they may have even more padding than the kite bindings? All in all, much better than the straps.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, as long the boots are easy to get in and out of you should be able to use any boots for kiting. Most decent wakeboard boots should work as well.

Definitely upgrade to a bigger board with more rocker when you can.

Have fun!

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

I would NEVER put my boots on with my kite at 12 o'clock! I don't care how cool you think you are, that's asking for two broken ankles!!

If you have a newer SLE kite (I ride the LF Havocs), it's very easy to do it with your kite parked at the edge of the window. Bring the kite to the very edge of the window so that it's sitting on the water on one wingtip. Just let go of the bar so your kite is depowered, sit in the water and take all the time you need to put your boots on. It's so easy with the new kites.

I got the LF Melissa wake boots that have these new Velcro closure straps, making it SO easy for entry and closure. They have a men's version too, called the Vantage. I just had to drill an extra hole in each plate, but they are super easy to switch on and off to my wakeboard for glassy days!

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

OK, next question, I usually wear a size 10.5 shoe, size 10 snowboard boot. Should I go for a 9-10 size boot or size 11-12 boot?

forrest · Tue Aug 26, 08 12:07 pm

I'd go a little smaller for a snug fit. It's the opposite of snowboarding in a sense, you don't want toe lift. Also, they'll seem unreasonably tight the first time you put them on, but they'll break in after a few sessions.

Of course, you don't want your toes hanging off the end. I wear a 10.5 shoe and the Large Escalade Binding fits my foot perfect.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Forrest, didn't you get the 10-11 size Escalades? I don't think they come in Large vs. Small. I think they come in 1 size increments (e.g. 9-10, 10-11, etc.). I'm a 9.5 shoe size and the 9-10 Escalades seemed to fit well when I tried em. Sounds like the 10-11 Escalades might work well for a 10.5 shoe size (same as Forrest).