Wakeboard Boots Buying Guide
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Wakeboard boots (or bindings) are one of the two key parts of any boat or cable wakeboard setup. The wakeboard boots (or bindings) are mounted with screws onto the board, enabling you to stay locked in and hit a boat’s wake or features and obstacles in your favorite cable park.
It might be really difficult to make the best choice for you. We want to help you with that!
We sell wakeboard boots from well-known brands such as Connelly, Hyperlite, Liquid Force, Slingshot, and Ronix.
What is Wakeboarding?
Wakeboarding is an evolution of waterskiing – instead of two skis, you are riding a board across the water, being towed by a boat, or behind a cable in a so-called cable park. As a beginner, you can wakeboard on any stretch of water as long as it is suitable for a boat or cable. Wakeboarding is usually done on lakes or in the sea. You have a sideways stance on a wakeboard, it looks a little like snowboarding on the water. Wakeboarding is popular because it is great fun, sociable and a relatively easy watersport to pick up – once you are up and riding you can quickly learn new tricks.
Boat Wakeboarding
You are being towed behind a boat with a wake, at around 35 Km/h. You are usually the only one riding behind the boat, but you can ride with a friend when you have practiced a little. The idea is that you use the boat’s wake for tricks, if you fall off the boat will usually loop around and pick you up. Wakeboard schools are all over the place and are usually based on a lake with a wakeboard boat. Sets can be around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can always wakeboard on a friend’s boat, if someone has a board and a rope.
Cable Wakeboarding
The wakeboarding is the same but the method of being pulled along is different. On cable wakeboarding instead of being pulled by a boat there is an overhead cable that goes around the lake, this means that there is no wake for learning tricks so it feels very different. There are a few riders on the cable at once, a number of handles with space between each. In case you fall down you swim to the edge of the lake and walk back to the launching dock where you can start again. Cable parks often have obstacles like kickers and sliders to perform tricks as an alternative wake.
The different types of Wakeboard Boots
Wakeboard boots have many features you will want to consider when choosing a new boot. For the best fit, many riders choose to have their own set of boots even if they share a wakeboard. Remember, boots may easily be swapped out on the boat between rides if this is the case. We explain the three types of wakeboard boots here.
System Wakeboard Boots & Bindings
A system wakeboard setup is a lot like a snowboard setup. There are two main parts of the system namely a boot and a binding. A system setup offers the ultimate connection to your boat or cable wakeboard delivering unmatched edge control and a feel like no other. Build by Hyperlite only!
The system boot stays on your foot when you detach from the system binding, which stays on your wakeboard. This is preferred by intermediate to advanced wakeboarders, simply because they can engage more of the upper leg in turns and edging. These system boots tend to be stiffer around the lower part of the binding, which in turn gives you a more cushioning and impact-friendly feel.
If you’re riding at a local cable park these system wakeboard boots make it much easier when walking back to the dock over stony or uneven surfaces.
- Perfect for intermediate to advanced riders
- Comfortably fitted boot
- Unmatched edge control
- Walking back to the dock over stony or uneven surfaces is easy
- For boat and cable park riding
Open Toe Wakeboard boots
An open-toe wakeboard boot is simply what the name suggests, a wakeboard boot that has an opened-toe area that gives your toes some breathing room. This type of wakeboard boot is perfect for a family wakeboard setup where not everyone has the same size foot, due to the boot being able to hold a variety of sizes. If you have kids who are still growing an open-toe wakeboard boot is also a perfect solution. An open-toe wakeboard boot is a softer boot so will lack in performance and response.
- Perfect for beginner to intermediate rider
- For those people who share their board on a boat
- A softer boot so not the best support and response possible
- Great Price!
- For boat and cable park riding
Closed Toe Wakeboard Boots
A closed toe wakeboard boot is. These high-end boots often come with a small size range or even just fit one size, and that’s to ensure you get optimal performance out of the snug fit that the wakeboard boot offers you. Some models of closed-toe wakeboard boots have a walkable liner. These closed-toe wakeboard boots with a walkable liner make it much easier when walking back to the dock over stony or uneven surfaces at your favorite cable park.
These closed-toe wakeboard boots also improve the responsiveness and feel of your favorite wakeboard setup, and that’s due to the fact you are able to get locked in a lot more than an open-toe wakeboard boot. The total package is much better as closed-toe wakeboard boots will offer better response and feel. The liners used in a closed-toe wakeboard boot are the best and even some brands like Ronix, Slingshot or Hyperlite offer heat moldable liners in some of their models so the fit to your feet is 100% perfect.
- Perfect for the intermediate to advanced rider
- For those people who only use their boots themselves
- A fitted boot so maximum support and response
- Comfortably fitted boot
- For boat and cable park riding
The different types of Wakeboard Boots Fit
Whether open or closed toe wakeboard boots should always have a tight, firm fit. To control your board you need a solid connection so your boots should hold your foot snugly into the heel with you laces tightening firmly over the toes. If you’re fitting closed toe boots make sure your toe is just touching (but not curled) the end of the boot for the correct fit. Closed-toe boot sizes are the same as conventional shoe sizes while open-toe boots offer different size ranges.
Another consideration on fit is ankle flex. Open-toe boots usually have a lot of flex in the ankle so you get a forgiving ride but closed-toe boots come in different flex patterns to support different styles of riding. A flexible ankle gives you a freeride feel on the water and allows you to easily tweak out grabs in the air. A stiff ankle is more supportive to give you more response and edge control but they are rigid so make it harder to tweak out grabs and make your board less forgiving.
The different types of Wakeboard Boots Closure
Wakeboard boots often use a combination of different closure systems so you can dial in the perfect fit for your feet and riding style, from classic laces to Boa® straps, Velcro strap, Slingshot Gummy straps, or Ronix Super straps. Often, the outer shell of the boots will have straps, within laces securing the inner liner.
Wakeboard Boots Laces
Laces are the most common fastening system on wakeboard boots. They are typically stiff nylon lace that fastens with a lace lock around the ankle. Dual lace zones with a lock at the ankle and over the toes offer the firmest fit and easiest access. Velcro is also a commonly used fastening system that makes for even easier entry and exit but lacks the firm tightening of laces.
Wakeboard Boots Velcro/Gummy/Super Straps
These are another common system found on wake boots. And once again, no laces to tie! Velcro/Gummy/Super straps in particular have gotten very popular in recent years due to their ability to quickly and securely customize the tightness of your fit
The Wakeboard Boots Stance
The best stance to have on a wakeboard is a “duck feet” stance. To try this stance at home, stand with your feet just wider than your shoulders and squat. Notice how you balance better in this position with your toes pointed out slightly than if you keep your feet straight? On a wakeboard, this stance offers the firmest feel and control of your board, provides the most balance, and helps you avoid injury.
“Duck feet” stances should be symmetrical in boot angle and stance width to provide you with balance and consistency when riding the switch. A good starting point for boot angle is around 10-12 degrees and your stance width should be just wider than shoulder width. A narrow stance will make spins and flips quicker but you’ll lose balance and if you go too wide you’ll lose movement in your knees. If you’re tall you might need a wider stance than a short rider but what feels comfortable for you should ultimately guide your stance set-up.
The Wakeboard Boots Mounting Screws
All wakeboard binding screws share the same universal M6 thread (for most boards & boots since 2003) but not all wakeboard companies use the same length screws. When mounting a wakeboard boot without the factory screws, be sure that the screw is the correct length. The screws should be shorter than the thickness of the wakeboard! We do not suggest mounting your wakeboard bindings without the factory screws, but it can be done. Using a screw that is too long can result in a loose connection between your wakeboard and boots and damage your board and void a manufacturer warranty.
The Wakeboard Boot/Wakeboard Compatibility
Almost all modern wakeboards use standard M6 mounting hardware and 6″ binding plates that are universally compatible across all brands. The only exception is Liquid Force 4D bindings. These bindings are only compatible with wakeboards equipped with a Flextrack, like many modern Liquid Force wakeboards. Liquid Force wakeboards with Flextrack mounting are compatible with all wakeboard bindings.
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- Email info@waterskis.lv
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