foot straps

bamboo · Since 24 Jun 2005 165 Posts da 'chung; taiwan Stoked

curious...anyone else out there have issues with keeping their feet in the foot straps. i have a somewhat narrow foot and am finding that my feet keep slipping out of the straps at just the wrong moment, like during back rolls or at high speeds. without having to do the full on boot style i've been thinking of cutting some old bike tubes and fastening them so i can slip them on as i get in the water.

anyone have an experience with such devices? or is there a pad/strap system that might work better? i'm currently using the slingshot pads/straps and i think they are too flat and might be contributing. thoughts?

Wyo Kiter · Sun Apr 30, 06 6:52 am

I had kid of the same problem. I had some elective surgery on my feet. I got Spd cleats installed that i use for kiting as well as biking. It was expensive, but works!

What vintage (year) Slingshot pads/straps are you using?

I like the 04 Adjustables, covers more area of the foot, somtimes on the 05 i crul my toes to much and get a sore foot. The long and short is this. You can pull some tubes and use as straps. They'll last a while but it will be a ongoing replacement process. Also there are nice bungee straps that you might find on old wakeboard binders, they last longer. Cons, Straps take a second or two to put on in the water and if you blow out of one you board becomes a knee thrashing machine.

I rode with said straps for about 1/2 of a season before i got annoyed with the cons. Now I ride with the stock SS straps, pads 04+05, I just got used to it. Really work you foot in there as you are starting up. use the rail of the board and the power of the kite to really get in there and tweek you foot angle to help lock it in.

Try other straps and pads till you find your bliss. A lot of peeps like DaKine straps and pads(lots to choose from). There are a lot of options to try before you try the surgery.

Are you wearing booties??? I think the SS binders work better with out booties.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

try the da kine foot beds with toe ridge ,you can use your toes to hang on.
Having something that straps you in can be a little dangerous if one foot comes out

bamboo · Since 24 Jun 2005 165 Posts da 'chung; taiwan Stoked

i've got an 05 board so i would assume that it would be their 05 pads/straps. although, i haven't seen much of a difference in the last couple of years.

i rode a test board last summer that seemed to have some after market pads that were raised in the heel about 5cm. they were perfect but i have no idea what they were....definitely not dakine though.

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

I have a narrow foot, and also had issues with the strap/pads on my '05 SX. I think your right - too wide and flat. I opened mine up, and narrowed the strap. That seemed to help, but I still had to kick the board away mid air many times. Forget use with boots. These issues were one of the reasons I sold the board.

dcrowe · Mon May 01, 06 8:18 am

I have the same foot problem, super flat and always coming out of the board. I'm using 05 slingy footstraps and I do use the innertube heel straps. I don't use mt. bike tubes (too big) but tires from touring wheels. This way I can choose not to use them and just put my foot on them, or strap those babies in and feel the snuggness. I just tie them to my straps instead of screwing them in because I can adjust the tension by moving the knot around the strap. I've never had a problem with not being able to eject the board with this setup. Just don't make them too tight!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

You guys should check out Hein's custom footbeds. He makes them himself out of his shop. They are a little spendy, but well worth it. Super comfy, and super easy to adjust. After getting used to them, everything else feels like clogs in comparison.

http://www.impact3d.com/HeinPlate06.jpg

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 536 Posts Oregon Addicted

Yea, i have the same issues with 05 SS gear....MMMM i see a trend. I have no problem while i wear booties but as soon as i stop wearing booties i come out of the board often.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 536 Posts Oregon Addicted

Yea, i have the same issues with 05 SS gear....MMMM i see a trend. I have no problem while i wear booties but as soon as i stop wearing booties i come out of the board often.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

footstraps are gay!

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

You can say bindings are gay, but why do all the kiters with good style ride bindings? Bindings are going to legitamize kiteboarding.

Onad · Tue May 02, 06 2:03 pm

Nice try K23, Thumb's Up

Inept is and will always by attached to his board(s) through bindings &/or sex wax...

That’s it,,,, end of game, story, beer ( oh wait, Inept is too young to drink so scratch that)…

Anyway, where was I???

Oh yah, bindings. Guess that ya gota swing the other way to have good style these days??? Wink

Here we go again... Thumb's Up

~Nads for sure Cool

Inept,

What do you mean by this statement??

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Oh I see... Because you've got "good style," everyone that rides bindings has it! Surprised

Yardsale · Since 29 Mar 2005 387 Posts Portlanastan Obsessed

Repeat after me, wakeboarding is not a sport, wakeboarding is not a sport...........and therefore (follow my logic here) bindings don't exist. Shocked

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

See now, Ian, you've gone and disturbed the herd.

dcrowe · Tue May 02, 06 3:31 pm