It’s time to elevate your spirit and try wakeboarding sports. This activity is a combination of physical and mental capabilities. To ensure a safe and fun-filled experience, you should start this sport by wearing proper gear.
In doing this sport, you should have a wakeboard and boots ready on hand. Those are the primary gears that you need to set up. Next, you should wear a rash guard, boardshorts, a life vest, and a helmet. Since this sport involves mid-air and water activities, wearing these gears will help you move freely and protect you from any possible injuries.
Now, let’s go back to the main highlight of this article – Wakeboard bindings and boots. If you’re looking for the best pair of footgear to use, here are the things that you should check:
Different Types of Wakeboard Bindings
1) Closed-Toe Type
A closed-toe boot resembles a snicker shoe type. It helps you gain control and secure your feet in the bindings. You will feel comfortable because these footwear’s are perfectly fit on your feet.
Generally, a closed toe footgear has a usual standard size. If your feet are around 10 to 12 AU size, then you might need to consider other binding types.
2) Open Toe Type
As the name suggests, the open toe footgear consisted of open space in front. This boot type is perfect for people who have an unusual feet size.
We recommend this boot type for kids to young adults. Usually, kids grow up fast, and it will be convenient to buy these bindings.
3) System Wakeboard Bindings
If you prefer a detachable binding and boots, this is a type that explains it. Usually, you can able to buy both items separately.
You can position the bindings under the footgear and screw it directly onto the wakeboard. Generally, they have a high back with a ratchet to tighten and adjust the toe and ankle strap.
Lacing Systems Your Wakeboard Footgear
1) Laces
A straight-forward lacing up is all you need to keep your feet steady and attached to the binding. You can able to control the lace and provides you a better grasp.
Even if these footwears are tightly laced up, make sure not to constrict your feet too much.
2) Velcro Straps
To wear and remove your boots, Velcro straps are made for an efficient setup. You don’t need to consume time tying up your laces.
However, the tightness is not a promising part because the Velcro can easily be unstrapping. Also, it sometimes does not get the right fit that you wanted.
3) BOA Laces
If you have seen a snowboarding boot before, the BOA lacing system resembles this footwear. It quickly tightens the footgear using a dial. It is neat and easy to adjust based on your comfort.
However, some said that the laces snapped easily due to the tightening. Moreover, this part is difficult to replace as well.
Buying Guide for Wakeboard Bindings and Boots
1) The Foot Size Matters
When ordering online, most people have a hard time to get the right size and fit. It would be better to come to nearby stores that sell boots and bindings.
In this way, you can have an actual fitting, and ensure your comfort in wearing it. If you don’t have enough time to look outside your home, we suggest that you should at least convert the shoe size perfectly. Let’s say your AU size is 9 to 10, then you should look for a US size of 10.5 to 11 for males. For female sizes, if you’re Au size is around 9, then look for US sizes between 9 to 10.
2) Boots and Bindings Fitting
These two must go hand in hand together. Most of this footgear are combined into one to screw it easily in the wakeboard.
You may also buy a pair of boots and bindings separately and look for a system wakeboard footgear style. However, tightness and comfort may not be a perfect fit.
You may also consider the material used for making the boots. If you prefer soft material, it will be helpful especially for beginners. It allows a flexible movement and a great footgear for mobility purposes. If you prefer a stiff one, it will help you to maintain a steady and stable balance while doing the water sport.
Make sure to buy the boots and bindings to the same manufacturer. In this way, your footgear is compatible with your wakeboard. Check also the screws because these tools are important in combining your footgear, bindings, and wakeboard. They should be M6 metric screws or having a standard size of 1/4.
3) Wakeboard Binding Lubricants as Optional Choice
Some sports enthusiasts are using lubricants to easily wear wakeboard boots. Well, it’s an optional item to consider. Make sure that your feet are not dry when you wear the boots. If you keep them dry, it would be a bit difficult to wear the footgear.
As your feet become exposed to a dry and airtight footgear, it may eventually become wet as you do the wakeboarding sport. In this case, it may cause you a sweaty foot or also known as plantar hyperhidrosis especially when exposed for a long time. Moreover, it may also cause a distinct awful smell that may lead to foot odor as well.
Have you decided what to buy?
When buying boots and bindings for the first time, it would be appropriate to undergo a few types of research and talk to the community of wakeboarder enthusiasts. In this way, you are properly guided on which perfect footgear that suits your needs.
Feel free to read the tips above as your reference in buying a footgear. Tell us your story about it and let’s spread awareness to the wakeboarder’s community.
