best board/bindings for softest landing

pluto2 · Newbie Joined: 30 May 2011 Posts: 34 City: Destin

Hey guys new to the site, it rocks!

got a pretty complex knee surgery done and I have some fused tarsals in my ankles so I'm looking for the softest landing boards and bindings out there.

I love hyperlite boards. Want a board that has huge pop and pillow soft landings and also has a smooth middle so i don't catch edge too often when doing slides. I also like closed toed bindings.

Found a good deal on a 2009 hyperlite marek but I've read the landings are a bit rough which doesn't sound too good for me.

currently leaning towards the 2008 byerly bindings.

Not looking for brand new gear i like to buy used/blemished.

Heard the Murray Bio-lite might be a good board for me but not sure, Any1 know of a board and bindings that would be right up my alley?

Thanks a bunch guys,
Matt

GnarShredd · Posted: May 31, 2011 10:04 am Post subject:

It might be worth looking in to a flex board. A lot of people seem to swear by how soft you can land with them (never really ridden one behind a boat myself though).

WhackedRampage · Criminal Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 70

I have a 2009 Marek and the landings are very soft for me. If you have a local shop, see if you can demo some boards. That is what I did before I decided to buy the Marek.

pluto2 · Newbie Joined: 30 May 2011 Posts: 34 City: Destin

Gnar - On the flex boards I've read that they are more like snow boards which I've never done. Plus I don't know which brands which be good to check out. do you?

Whacked - Sweet to hear about the Marek, from what I've read it seems like one hell of a board. hows the middle spot on the board, easy to catch edge or buttery?

What are you guys favorite bindings?

jrzsurfer63 · Newbie Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Posts: 13 City: key west

SLINGSHOT Boards have great pop and land sooooo soft, I ride a 138 recoil and a 137 Response both are great flex boards and easy on the knees Cool

jboneill · Newbie Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 45 City: Austin

too much flex = crappy pop so slingshot is a no go for me....

try out the obrien format its aboluetly sick in every aspect

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 01, 2011 4:33 am Post subject:

I really like the liquid force shane setup. I've been riding them for years. The new shape - 2009+ is very responsive, poppy, and with the double concave hull, it breaks up the surface tension of the water on hard landings. I have a bad knee, so I ride the softest thing I can find, and I love the Shane.

GnarShredd · Posted: Jun 01, 2011 5:25 am Post subject:

The Liquid Force Witness isn't bad either. Has a nice spine down the board to help cushion landings a bit.

dizzlestoy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 305 City: dallas

Slingshot = enough said

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Jun 01, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject:

I rode both the shane AND the slingshots. While I'd almost have to give it a toss up, the slingshot wins when you case the wake, so I think i'd lean towards a slingshot. The center spine + the dual concave on the bottom of the shane help out a lot.

The poser saying slingshots result in less pop is clearly misinformed.

jbcs16 · Outlaw Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 100

I've had 4 knee surgeries and just got a slingshot board. i have a cwb and it kills my knees. waiting for the bindings to arrive so i can get it on the water. i have VERY little lateral meniscus left in my right knee and my orthopaedic surgeon recently had a brace custom made for me to absorb the impact on the lateral side. it is really comfortable and makes a noticeable difference. Not sure exactly what your problem is but maybe your dr could get a brace that works for you.

b33nine · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 311 City: Salem-ish

pluto2 · Newbie Joined: 30 May 2011 Posts: 34 City: Destin

Ya it generally becomes a toss-up between the "best" boards, Just like it is with the "best" wakeboard boat. Just lookin for some opinions, But what im really interested in is bindings because I don't have the money to buy a new set of bindings + a new board at once. So im going to just buy new bindings and retro fit an old board. My newest bindings are 03's lol so I could use an upgrade.

jbcs16 - I had a tibia rotation (my leg was crooked : / ) and a patella re-alignment, which isn't too bad. But they also had to re-align my paraneal nerve and sometimes when I over stress it I cant walk for a day or 2. I have a cti knee brace and they are sweet if you want to look into them, but my nerve is so bad that I cant where it very often. I've met parks bonifay and Jd webb etc. and they all say cti is the way to go. Just make sure insurance covers it.

b33nine - ya sometime I end up landing on the crest and its no fun.

LaynDoor · Outlaw Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 152 City: Meriden CT

I think there is more to be gained as far as softer landings by what board rather than what bindings... But, I have ronix cells... they seem prety cush.

and its not really a secret that flex boards, like slingshot, have softer landings than traditional boards... its physics.

Full disclosure: I ride a Recoil 142

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

I've been all about soft landings for the last 5 years. I was riding an LF Substance when boards with spines started coming out. The LF Watson, Shane and CWB Marius were a huge step up in landing soft. They also popped big. The Marius had a little too much grip for me so I went with the Watson and loved it all the way until I tried a Slingshot.

That adds another level to soft landings if you put your tail down on the water first. It's not even close how much softer the landings are to any other board. Newer slingshots (09 and later) have stiffer middles and flexible tip/tail. The pop is huge and the landings are buttery soft - if you put the tail down first, still softer if you land on the middle of the board too than most.

I would absolutely recommend a Slingshot based on your needs. It rides like a normal board, with some flexibility on the tip/tail. There if you want to lean back and press, but if not, it doesn't hurt anything. If you pull the fins it'll ride like a snowboard, but that's just an option.

If you don't go that route look for a board with a spine, or spines. It really does soften the landings over a board with a flat center. Personally I think the Watson is the best, even the Watson Hybrid which is partially flexible. I have 3-4 friends who are all board junkies and ALL end up back at the Watson. It's a great all-around board.

I hear the Ronix One's are the best/most comfortable binding out there. I would definitely try those on. Don't get stuck to HL, their boards tend to be heavy and they have been playing catch up in technology for a while. I'm not sure what they have for flex boards or with spines. If you see one give it a demo.

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Jun 02, 2011 4:07 pm Post subject:

You're right, JB probably has no idea what he's talking about...

[/quote]

mad riding skills for sure, i take back the "poser" comment, just sounded like a pretty silly statement to me. I still stand behind the fact that slingshot boards don't have less pop than another - then again there has been post upon post about pop being in the board versus in the rider.

pluto2 · Newbie Joined: 30 May 2011 Posts: 34 City: Destin

Are all slingshot boards flex or just certain models?

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Jun 02, 2011 7:15 pm Post subject: