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As some of you may know, I tweaked my ankle pretty well a couple weeks ago at Mille Lacs. Thanks again to everybody that helped drag my sorry butt out of the water!
Nothing is broken, and I'll spare everybody the lectures on kiting in shallow water, not launching far enough out from shore, and yielding to people in the launching/landing zone, etc.
So I've decided to turn the event into a shopping experience and am interested in hearing about what's the s**t in boots. I'm not a hardcore freestyler, but would like to get a pair of boots that are:
* comfortable
* light weight
* easy to get into
* have good ankle support.
Any tips would be appreciated!
Thanks,
John Z
Midwest Mountaineering/Slingshot Regional Team Rider
John, sorry to hear about your ankle injury.
As for boots; watched two riders at the Triple S in Hatteras blow out their knees this year while riding in boots. I know many swear by them, but your knee is going to be the first thing to "release" in a twisting fall.
Yep - I blew my ACL on a simple 180 with wakeboard boots. I was simply off balance on landing so I sunk the board while my body and knees were still in rotated position and pop went the ACL. I still want to move into boots because there is nothing like that solid connection to the board. If you want to try either the LF lace binding, NSI rachet or the Sync binding let me know as I have them all with with heel straps - they seem to offer the next best thing to full boots. as you can tighten them up after your foot is in. Glad your okay - thought we were going to have to go ride FH without ya
Rob Hyland
Cabrinha Shop Rider / Lakawa Team Rider
John , There is lots of different opinion s out there on boots I have seen knees Blown in boots Did mine in last fall hole Knee ACL,MCL, Pettaler and Meniscus!
its all in what you are doing! not just cause your in boots are you going to blow your knee.
I have also seen knees blown on Wakeskates which are strapless and Kiteboards which have Straps, Its really what your doing on the Board that causes the knee to blow!
Triple S is a Wake oreintated event, so yea I would imagine they were going off and a few knees got Tossed in, Its no hidden fact that knee injurys are the #1 common injury in wakeboarding which falls into wakestyle riding for kiting.
But it sounds like you need some support on the Hurt ankle, glad its feeln better!
Theres lots of dif options for boots, I would recommend the Ultra s or Unions or if you are new to boots they give more flex and are easy to get into.
lots of different options find me at the gathering and well talk Boot Camp.
I Baught the Liquid Force Escalade Boots/Bindings Last year and I think they're Great. They offer superior Ankle support. I think they're easy to get into, but one of my buddies doesn't so make sure they're sized right for you. The escalades do add some extra weight to your board but, to me it's all worth it and I can't even tell the difference when I'm riding. only when I'm carrying my board around..... Riding with these is pretty much like being locked in to snowboard boots and bindings. No strain on the ankles. really nice thick pads. really comfy... and Heat molded. so you can heat them up and mold them custom to fit your feet perfectly........ I've never tried any other kiting boots. but many wakeboarding boots and I think the escalades are far more comfortable and supportive than most Wakeboard boots as well..... That's what I think....
I just recently started using bindings, LF Unions, and would definitly recommend them. Loving that locked on feeling. The only time I've had a problem is if I'm launching where the wind is light with the intention of getting out from shore where it's stronger. Since it takes a bit longer to get into the Unions than straps the kite has plenty of time to fall out of the sky during a lull. I think from now on I'll be putting my straps on for real light wind days.
