Binding tightness

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Ok.. I am a very enttry level wakeboarder... and I am prolly old compared to a lot of you (37). My question is... should I be coming out of the bindings when I crash? Like... make them sug but not tight? I really do not want a twisted knee if I can help it.

Chocoholic · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 363 City: Dubai

Hello! Old at 37? Nahhhhh!

Your bindings should be snug, but not tight. In all honesty I'd prefer to come out my bindings in a crash, than end up with one in and one out and a busted knee.

My bindings are extremely close, so I make sure I put a bit of soap in them, because if I don't there's no way I'm coming out and that scares me a little.

JeffreyCH · Posted: Sep 15, 2010 2:07 am Post subject:

I'm older (41) Razz

I prefer to stay locked into BOTH bindings. If you are coming out of both bindings it increases the chances of a 1in/1out crash. I crank mine down pretty tight, and use no soap/lube at all.

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Dang... opposing views. Hope more people weigh in!

JeffreyCH · Posted: Sep 15, 2010 5:42 am Post subject:

Believe me, you don't want loose bindings. Besides increasing the chances that only 1 foot will come out and wrench the hell out of your knee, if you come out of both of them your gonna get smacked in the melon. I have no idea why Chocoholic would post such non-sense. If she is really riding with bindings that release easy then it won't be long before we get some pics with stitches in her head or another story of a torn ACL/MCL Rolling Eyes

Also with a loose binding you will loose some board feel and response. I'm sure most here will agree with me Wink

pet575 · Posted: Sep 15, 2010 9:02 am Post subject:

I'm with JeffreyCH on this one, but my brother-in-law subscribes to Chocoholic's theory and keeps his super loose because he WANTS to come out of his whenever he wrecks. I guess it is preference, but I like to know that the board is going to stay on and not have a chance at hitting me in the head or tearing up a knee or ankle because of a 1-in-1-out fall.

I say lock 'em down. If you crash hard enough to come out of tight bindings, it seems to me that you're going to come out of both. I've never had a 1-in-1-out with them tight, but have had a couple with them loose.

Just don't fall, then you'll be covered. Laughing

hawkster0001 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 441 City: GR

Kip · Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 20

I also like to be locked in. It really sucks if you catch an edge but I hate doing a w2w and having my feet slide around because my binding is too loose.

OperationROL · Criminal Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 92 City: Rockford

I like my bindings locked in really tight and I have the CWB Zeus's with the ankle lock. My reasons for having them so tight has nothing to do with safety because I think the type of fall is what has the most influence on injuries. The reason I like my bindings tight is for board control. You have more control of your board, as the bindings and board become one with you. Your control of the board deminishes with loose bindings.

Chocoholic · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 363 City: Dubai

Whoa! How about actually READING what I wrote! I said SNUG, not tight. And no I don't want to come easily out my bindings and I don't ride with them loose AT ALL.

I have to use soap to get into the darn things in the first place - that should give you an indication of how tight they are, so in a crash I don't have a hope in hell of coming out of them and I have ended up one in one half out and yanked my knee, so quite frankly I'd rather I did come out to avoid that problem.

Don't you read the warnings on bindings that clearly states THEY SHOULD NOT BE TIGHT, BUT SNUG!!!!

It also depends on whether you have open toe or closed toe bindings as open toes naturally release easier, whereas closed don't.

Also Jeffrey FYI, the injuries I've seen where friends have bashed boards through their heads, whacked their shoulders, pulled their knees NOT ONE of them has come out their bindings - so KA-BOOM just about blows your theory out the water.

If you look at it from a basic physics point of view, if you take a crash and your board stops suddenly, but your body tries to carry on moving but can't and is forced to stop suddenyl also, you're more likely to get yanked, whereas if you release out your bindings, then there is less stress on the joints and none of that.

As someone else said it depends alot on the type of fall, personal choice etc etc.

So don't be so narrow minded.

Aye thank you.

Tranner · Posted: Sep 16, 2010 8:29 am Post subject:

This is a rookie question somewhat related to this topic. I have been using some 2003 2004 Hyperlite Byerly bindings with the BOA system which feel like they get really tight around my calf area but not so much on the ankle area. I recently crashed pretty hard and my ankle came partially out of the binding and it has been hurting for several weeks now. My question, are new bindings in the 2008 to 2010 era any better than my 2003/2004 models? Do bindings get tighter in the ankle areas these days or am I ok sticking with the 2003/2004's?

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Thanks everyone... heading out tomorrow morning... I will have them tight...

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Man... its a non-issue.. the LF's I got from gnarshred fit like a glove... and feel bomb proof compared to the O'Briens I had!!! I actually got outside the wake and next to the boat... wiped out coming back over though Smile

actionmama · Outlaw Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 140 City: Mountain Home

I wear LF Vantage bindings...if my feet come out of those things-it's a bad fall. It really sucks when only one comes out. Bottom line...I don't think you want your feet to come out.

lkg1196 · Newbie Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 8

Chawk,

I'm new at this too - and that is exactly me! I am fine going heelside outside the wake, but don't tell me to come back in. It's hard to go toeside when all you know is "fail" - haha good luck!

da Liks · Addict Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 594

ok, so i got the Ronix One bindings now, coming from open toe obrien Kick's.

the kicks were not bad, and really handy to put on and off fast.. but the way the ronix boots fit, what in the good lords..... them shits aint coming off!

Chocoholic · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 363 City: Dubai

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Luckily the lake water around here has enough boat oil in it, you just dunk 'em and slide right in! Smile

Chocoholic · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 363 City: Dubai

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

I know, right...

OH2FL · Newbie Joined: 08 Jun 2010 Posts: 16 City: Boynton Beach

Guys are funny.... (In my best Clint Eastwood voice) "You Punks ain't old". Cool

Being 50 - first year on the water (wakeboard that is) and finally getting my ... large frame up on the water! Puppy Eyes

I cinch them boots on till the toes turn blue!! Well, maybe not THAT tight, but - I am NOT coming out of them!

ENJOY and Remember ~ If you ain't fallling, you ain't trying!

ultra82 · Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2010 Posts: 12 City: cadiz

Yeah I tighten mine down pretty snug on the tops of my feet. Around the ankles I leave them a little less incase I do a grab.