hey thinking bout getin bindings and wondering if any of you reccomend them, wat are the pros n cons and what type i should get.

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Originally posted by kitecrazzy

get kite specific ones, plenty of people selling in the buy and sell

you would probably hate them if you haven't been kiting that long

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I disagree. I don't think the $400 vs $150 premium is worth it.

Lots of guys use the wake ones for kiting. Andre Phillip for one for example.

Heya Lads.
Good question tommyb as i am in the same boat.
So to the dudes that are replying, are wakeboard boots heavier than kite ones? Are they hard to put on? What sort of things do you look for? And what size board would you generally ride them on. I come from a wakeboarding background so i think i would feel better in boots. I already ride with heel huggies so i can feel locked in. Is it as simple as taking my boots off my wakeboard and putting them on my kiteboard? Can i just ride my wakeboard out there?

Bindings Pfffff go strapless.

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Originally posted by Dragon22

Heya Lads.
Good question tommyb as i am in the same boat.
So to the dudes that are replying, are wakeboard boots heavier than kite ones? Are they hard to put on? What sort of things do you look for? And what size board would you generally ride them on. I come from a wakeboarding background so i think i would feel better in boots. I already ride with heel huggies so i can feel locked in. Is it as simple as taking my boots off my wakeboard and putting them on my kiteboard? Can i just ride my wakeboard out there?

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Are they heavier? Depends on which ones you get.

Are they harder to put on? No harder than kiteboarding and in some cases easier (CWB Torqs open up for example)

what size board? You would generally have to go slightly bigger with bindings

Is it as simple as putting my boots on a kiteboard? Yes and no. Depends on the board, if there are already holes to fit bindings, yes, if there aren't, you may have to drill the bindings (rather drill bindings than the board)

Can I use my wakeboard? Yes, but the rocker is too big, so you will more than likely have to ride much more powered up and upwind would not be as good.

I'm currently getting used to boots, been riding straps for a while and also wakeboarded. I feel much more comfortable in them as well and they felt good on a kiteboard.

Hey Tommyb,

Bindings can be fun but the weight is an issue, adds heaps to the board making some tricks more difficult. A good thing to look for in bindings would be ease of getting into and out of. The boots that lever lock open or ratchet open are great for getting on and off quickly whilst flying the kite in the shallows. When flying a kite you want to be able to put your boots on easily with one hand.

LF Deep suctions used to be the go a couple of years ago but then you always need a bottle of dishwashing detergent to get your feet in. I rode with Nice 13's which had a ratchet system and a hinged front section making it really easy to get them on and I could ratchet them down til I cut off blood supply if necessary.

Comfort is another critical factor, nice soft cushy foot beads are important and this may be different to wakeboard bindings which you might wear for 5 to 15 minutes at a time whereas kiteboarding bindings go on and can stay on for hours at a time.

Most if not all wakeboard bindings will fit on a kiteboard as long as the kiteboard was made to take bindings ie the Airush 136/146 Wake or the new Airush T3 for example. They come without pads and have inserts ready for bindings.

Saffer is right, Wakeboards can and have been used in kiteboarding for ages but with their increased rocker they suck at going upwind compared to a dedicated kite board. Still good for doing epic downwinders where you have waves to jump off and no need for going upwind.

It's all part of the sport, there are no rules! If it floats your boat, then do it. Comfort and ease of getting in and out of is key and just have fun. Probably best to buy 2nd hand where you can try em on first. New bindings are outrageously expensive!

Good winds,

I *have* thought about trying bindings a few times, just to see what it's like, but I've always wondered what you'd do in those wrecks where you're better to get rid of your board before you land. I can only imagine that bindings would have to be harder on your knees, particularly in that instance?

Every1 always talks about ****ing up your knees in boots but i smashed my ankle 2 bits using footstraps! I'll never go back 2 footstraps, bindings give a good locked in feel and because of the big padding inside em they make hard landings softer. in my opioin the liquid force boots are the go the lycra lined backs are easy to get in and out and if your worried u dont have to tighten em up either giving the loseness feel of footstaps. But then why would u bother?

bindings wrap around ur ankle giving them support. bindings have softer and bigger footbed which is better for landings which is better for knee and back. sounds good to me

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Originally posted by tommyb

cheers guy thanks for the comments, i am trying some obrian ones on the week end, keep the comments comming, i always thought binding would smash ur ankles more than your knees??? is this tru. thanks

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I seem to feel chop a little more in them because they are more rigid, but the landings for jumps feel softer.

[Not]
they are no better than straps for most kiters but some people love the locked in ride and the other associated pros to them

you need to have the right board for them; the nobile would suck with them yet is the only board i felt didnt need them to be hell good. unfortunately you need to take out another mortgage to afford one.

as for what ones to get: buy second hand as most people selling them just dont like them and there are saving to be made.

"Locked in" leads to more injuries IMO.

I see and hear about so many knee and ankle injuries related to a "bad" landing........young bones heal quick, but never really quick enough and that s..........cks. I recon kiting is so new and interchangable with other sports (wakeboarding, skiing, surfing etc.) that the body damage the sport does isn't evident enough.

"Staying power" may be the thing and thus the move towards strapless.

Nail your feet to the board.