hey dude,
the board is made for boots! it would almost be silly to ride it with out boots.. look for some unions they ride sick.. it will take most wake boots as well i think but unions are easy to get in and out of so prob your best bet and are really light which is a bonus. but unless you are unhooking and going for powered/wake style tricks, straps are better just for the fact of weight and ease of use. i wish i could ride boots legit but realistically i'm not at a level where i really need them. if you get desperate and want a pair i suppose i could part with mine but have a look around first but i have unions.


boots will make landings much easier for pop tricks but going upwind and edging over long periods harder, riding into tricks fast easer but getting the board above your head harder, styling dialed tricks easier but learning new ones harder...

pro don't ride boots for a reason unless you really want them go straps dude element isn't to bad with straps but made for boots ( i used to have one)

any boots will fit the element once you get used to the boots you won't go back to straps too comfy supportive and just as easy as straps to get into.........

just remember you can't move your feet in boots. it sounds like you are riding in the surf a bit; if you are actually riding waves with your element then stick to straps, otherwise go the bindings.
i recently switched to boots and will never go back, but they are crap for the surf.

gee i duno koz iv only ridden boots once.. but im PRETTY SURE boots plus surf and boots plus light wind = death... boots make boards heavier so im GUESSING that u will need more power to be lit on the board.. plus sometimes in surf u want a quick exit from the board and boots will not deliver. nor wil they make the board reach shore faster.

just ride boots.

stops you lookin like a distressed pelican in the air when ur doin tricks.

learn how to fall.... hahahaha. I always fall on my face if i dont land a jump. I always try to keep the board on my feet so i dont have to chase it. often end up with it flailing behind me still just hanging on one of my feet. thanks again for the help. is there a huge diff between something like unions and something cheaper. i can get new boots for just under $200. unions cost a lot more.

hmm i wonder if some of the people posting have ever ridden boots...

eg: goon dog talking up boots and his avatar is a board off . go figure.

unions or something easy to get in and out of your best bet especially since you have never ridden boots before you want to extra flexibility, your not riding boat your riding a kite. its not that they are that heavy its just where the weight is... on the end of your legs so it feels allot heavier and makes the weight harder to move around. if those cheap ones your are talking about are the catapults they are pretty horrible. save up an extra hundred and get some second hand unions.

and yes big difference in bottom end you will need a few more knots its not just the weight of the boot its also how you have to edge because you don't have as much flexibility and when its light they are a pain in the ass especially if you have lace ups

like the new slingy boots are board are sick but only if its perfect conditions: flatish water and clean solid wind and you have to ride at least one kite size bigger than if you where on a twiny

try some on someone else's boots before you buy some

and to the guy that wanted my unions call me 0433321645 if you really are interested and we can sort something out...

t o b y said...

hmm i wonder if some of the people posting have ever ridden boots...

eg: goon dog talking up boots and his avatar is a board off . go figure.

unions or something easy to get in and out of your best bet especially since you have never ridden boots before you want to extra flexibility, your not riding boat your riding a kite. its not that they are that heavy its just where the weight is... on the end of your legs so it feels allot heavier and makes the weight harder to move around. if those cheap ones your are talking about are the catapults they are pretty horrible. save up an extra hundred and get some second hand unions.

and yes big difference in bottom end you will need a few more knots its not just the weight of the boot its also how you have to edge because you don't have as much flexibility and when its light they are a pain in the ass especially if you have lace ups

like the new slingy boots are board are sick but only if its perfect conditions: flatish water and clean solid wind and you have to ride at least one kite size bigger than if you where on a twiny

try some on someone else's boots before you buy some

and to the guy that wanted my unions call me 0433321645 if you really are interested and we can sort something out...

new catapult boots are sick , heaps better then flimsy unions.

and i have a dude doin a board off in my avatar as a joke. just like poor relo has a gay dude in his. same shizz

what are best kiteboard bindings like??They are double lace up i think..???????

I'm riding the 140 42cm element. (big one). probably '06 or later, got it new early this year. Goon dog, you claim new catapult boots are better than unions... does any one agree. i know little about them 'cept the massive price difference. catapults $179 new!! unions over $400 new. others have already suggested unions as being good. Thanks again for everyones help.

Hahahaha. i want to believe you, i really do but i've done my homework on you and..... man its hard to put my trust in someone who's 16yrs and called goon doggg. . man i just gotta find some friends and try some. but no wind all week hence regular forum posts.

ps i do appreciate your help. also you know more about boots than me just by having worn some. cheers

lol just cuz im 16 and have a awesome name doesnt mean i dont no my stuff.

ive ridden open toe, closed toe, wraps, lace ups, even wraps with velcro and lace ups are by far the easiest to put on and the best support.