Bindings

Tiffanator · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 12:18 pm Post subject: Bindings

Hi everyone, I come to all of you in need of a bit of help. I'm looking for a good pair of bindings. I'm almost 2 months post ankle surgery and my doc has told me that I can start wakeboarding again soon. Razz

Having had ankle surgery, along with continual ankle problems for about 3 years, I have specific needs in my bindings. Personal opinions of "get this boot, its the best" won't help me any unless you have been through the same problems I have. I need to demo boots on the water, but pretty much don't have a local shop to try them, and I can't fly to Virginia to try them out from G&P.
Here's a list of what I think I need in a binding.
-Little or no forward lean- my whole problem is that if I lean too far forward over my toes, it kills both ankles.
-No heel lift- pretty much self explanatory there.
-Side to side mobility, front to back rigidity- I want to be able to tweak out grabs by moving side to side, but the front to back movement is what I need stopped.
-Thick footbed- not really a problem with all the cushy footbeds out now.
-Tight toes, but not squished toes- I can't stand for bindings to smush my toes together and crush my little toe, I need the pressure to be straight down over the top of my foot.

Ok, with that said, here are a list of the bindings that I'm considering. (no particular order) If anyone can help me out with a demo please let me know.
-CD Bindings AS01, PS01- look like really supportive boots.
-Nice Vice, Scarecrow- not sure if Nice still makes these.
-HL Byerly, Parks- have heard that the Parks allows lots of ankle movement, but I like the way the toe tightens. I like the look of the new Byerlys as well.
-LF Exo- simple bindings
-CWB Vibe, Zeus- Both look like they would offer lots of support.
-OB System, Ion- I know Darin had some ankle problems in the past and the systems are his.
-Universal Fits- Have a pair of 02s that are really nice, would like to
try the 03s.
*These are just the bindings that I have seen/tried on, but I am open to any binding, by any manufacturer.
Sorry for the really long post, but I've finally gotten my ankle fixed
(hopefully) and don't want to mess it up again.
Later

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

I have been in the OB Systems and LF Exos and LF Ultras, all 03 by the way. The systems are a super tight binding, with tons of support and hold, they offer a lot of pressure directly over the toes. My feet are a little wide, and the XL's squished my toes together from the sides, which wouldnt be good for you, but your foot may be narrower than mine. Those would definitly be something to look into.

The Exos have great ankle support and hold, however I didnt find them to be very supportive or tight in the toes, I could move mine around quite a bit. There wasnt much pressure on top of my toes, just on the ankle. These bindings also dont allow for tweaking out grabs. The binding overlays are higher up on these bindings, more ankle support, but less movement for grab tweaking.

The ultras were super comfy, had good support, and allow for tweaking of grabs and that. They were tight all the way around my foot, pressure was directly over my toes, didnt push them together, and were super comfortable. The only downside to this is it might not be a ton of support for your hurting ankle, but it satisfies everything else and then some.

But like everyone else says, try to demo some or at least go to a shop and try some on, see how you like the feel. Hope that helped.

billm · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 476 City: TX

Tiffany i think your asking too much out of one binding.I have yet to find that binding you are describing and like you ive been riding a long time..I am thinking of doing what a lot of pros used too and sometimes still do,customize a binding out of two or three different ones to make the perfect one..IM not sure why you didnt like the Belmonts but they are close to what you are looking for..The only thing i did to my 01s was add the second shoelace for the toes like i think you did as well..maybe find pieces of a few different bindings and put them together for the perfect binding for you..

Good luck

Oh yea when you find that perfect binding or your own custom mix and it works let us know Smile

later

BTW im going to try some of those CDwake bindings in march so ill let you know how they work..They seem very customizable...we shall see.. Wink

ghettolake415 · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 4:39 pm Post subject:

the parks sound like they fit ur needs pretty good. they're the only bindings that allow the kind of movement that ur lookin for. the feel broken in is what parks discribes them as. also due to the unique lacing style, they will support ur toes good.

chubby · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 487 City: NC

the parks have foward lean

slaydit · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 9:14 pm Post subject:

Belmonts are better.

-jey

laser145 · Posted: Feb 16, 2003 12:29 am Post subject:

Tiffany,
I like the design of the new CD bindings, I haven't seen them in person yet, but they look very customizable to ones needs.

By the way, I have a lot of friends in school at Southern Miss, I go to Ole Miss myself, but my roots are in Jackson, riding up river on the Pearl.
-Taylor

Tiffanator · Posted: Feb 16, 2003 5:58 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the opinions guys. Mario, I agree that the Ultras are great bindings, I used them back in '99, the lime green ones. However I don't think they have enough ankle support for me now. I have to have something that will fit tight on my toes, I have a big problem with them sliding out the front.
Bill, I don't think I'm asking too much from one pair of bindings. Other than the front to back rigidity, my requirements are pretty general in that they are something that many people need, and many bindings have. The belmonts, no matter how tight I got the laces and the strap, my heel was free to move up and down and side to side. I guess the heel cup was just too big. I stopped using them after a nasty heel bruise on a roll to revert attempt. I tried customizing them, but just couldn't get the support where I needed it.
Taylor, we should hook up and ride this summer! I'm down here with no one to wakeboard with but my parents...and they aren't good motivators "don't do that, you'll hurt yourself" Neutral

I'm going to be doing some stuff with the INT this year along with some clinics around the area. Email me if you want to hook up and ride.
Later

billm · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 476 City: TX

The Parks bindings have too much foward lean ,they break easily,and my friend had to be cut out of them twice since his foot came so far out the front.He traded them in for belmonts and hasnt looked back since..

Tiff if all these companies have a binding you are looking for why the problem finding the perfect binding for you??I have never gotton a heel bruise from my Belmonts nor has my friends who all use them but everybodies foot is different...

Id say the trheee im looking this year will be the same 3 you will choose from as well and thats the CWB Zeus,Obrien Ions and the CDwakes..IM not going to buy the Obriens yet because they may be out of business for good soon..I also saw them up close at the Boat show and the IONs looked good but felt cheap like a lot of LF bindings they looked like Exos with front laces instead of back..They were light but flimsy although i havent tried them i know of LF binding problems of the past and Obrien has seemed to copy that now with the same materials..

I think the Systems will be harder to get in and out of but may offer what your looking for in support and comfort if darins using them..

Thomas P. · Addict Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 717

The new 03 Ultra's are basically the exact bindings you described. They have new molded wraps for this year, increasing the overall support, but with added lateral flex. There have been some major changes in the ultras through out the years, and if the last pair you rode with was the green ones ('99) then you've got to see what you're missing.

Also try on the LF Flex suctions. These are the bindings I ride and I couldn't be happier with them. I've tried the Byerlys, Parks, and even the Ultra's ('02) and still would take the Flexs over any of those. They're everything I like in a binding and I think after trying them out, you'll agree.

JD · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 320 City: Bellingham

Tiffany,
I have a repaired achilles so I know what you are saying. I have my 03 LF ultra's on order. I rode a few different bindings last year and the 02 ultras where the most supportive on my ankle. they also allow some movement in the upper to tweak a grab.