Footstraps VS Bindings - The big brands get on board.

The prize-wheel of bindings VS footstraps keeps on goin’ around and around, and this year the wheel has stopped on Bindings. With several of the major brands releasing their own sets of ‘boots’ this year, the closed toe revolution is here, but will it stay?

Kiting brands releasing bindings isn’t new, Airush did it ages ago, so did Cabrinha, Best and a long-gone company called Catapult. Liquid Force and Slingshot kind-of count because they were already doing wakeboard bindings, before releasing a ‘kite specific’ set around the mid 2000’s. The kite companies have tried ‘backless bindings’ for the last few years in an attempt to introduce the idea to the kiting population, with moderate success. Professional riders have been pushing bindings hard for the last several years with almost everyone on the world tour stopping to lace up their booties before each heat.

So now, finally, the masses are starting to look at kiteboard bindings more seriously, and the brands have again answered the call with their own sets of fancy looking booties in 2015. Airush this month released the ‘Core Boot’ and the ‘AP Boot’ (which is Alex Pastors signature line). Cabrinha released the H3 along with the rest of their 2015 line-up. Each offers unparalleled performance, maximum feel through to the board and effortless entry thanks to Velcro straps.

Initial reviews indicate that these could be just the thing for first-time boot riders, so here are a few Pros and Cons for you to think about.

Kite Bindings VS Footstraps

Bindings

Pros
-You’re locked into the board, so it doesn’t fall off.
-More ankle support on awkward landings.
-Increased control in strong winds.
-Very comfortable, and warm in winter.
-With the right technique, better ‘pop’.
-The ‘cool factor’, when combined with a hat and XXL t-shirt.

Cons
-Bindings are heavy, especially when wet.
-They take ages to get into.
-Light wind performance is decreased due to weight and drag.
-Initial cost to buy is higher, (you can re-sell them though).
-Less flexibility, and tricky to ride at first
-Range of sizes, like shoes.

Footstraps

Pros
-Simple to use, and one size fits all.
-Cheap, because they’re the industry standard.
-Increased light wind performance
-Light weight
-They actually hold your feet onto your board really well!
-In most crashes, they will fall off.
-You can do board off’s!

Cons

-Learners find the board falls off frequently
-They don’t look very ‘cool’
-Risk of one foot falling out, the other staying in.
-You can’t hit kickers and sliders

Keen to try out a set of bindings yourself? Drop into your local kite shop and try a pair on!