Power Kite Forum

Kite shoes

NightHawkIL - 7-4-2016 at 04:45 PM

Well I've got a few sessions with my 3.3m under my belt now and one today in 20mph+ winds with a harness. That was a little sketchy but quite a bit of fun. I haven't had the slightest bit of luck scudding on the grass though, my boots are way too grabby to let slide an inch. Do you all usually try to go out in the smoothest shoes you can find? I'm about to get on wheels here soon with a board, but I was thinking even with that I probably want slippery shoes in case I want to bail while in motion. It would be better to slide to a stop than for my feet to grab and make me tumble. I've half been thinking about finding some smooth plastic to velcro over my treads like skis.

shehatesmyhobbies - 7-4-2016 at 05:01 PM

I always wear some sort of skate shoes, preferably DC's because they really tend to hold up. Smooth bottom is preferred to scud without a doubt. Little hint, keep one foot slightly out in front of you to keep from having them both go out from underneath you on grass

BeamerBob - 7-4-2016 at 05:53 PM

Shoes with heavily worn tread can do the same thing. No lugs or grippy parts. I wouldn't want slick plastic attached though. On the beach I always wear keen sandals in warm weather but anything is fine in cooler weather. They all let you slide out the launch.

canuck - 7-4-2016 at 06:24 PM

I have always used Converse high tops to give a bit of ankle support. Not a grippy sole.

NightHawkIL - 7-4-2016 at 06:59 PM

Guess I'll have to take a trip to the shoe store. Skate shoes seem like the sensible choice on a board anyway. The hiking boots I've been wearing are about as opposite as you could get to a smooth tread

FlyGuyFrank - 7-4-2016 at 07:08 PM

I remember someone suggesting boat (deck) shoes as good for scudding on grass.

F.

volock - 7-4-2016 at 09:15 PM

You can always cheat worst comes to worst and dump some soapy water onto the grass.... >.> .... <.< .... >.> not that I've done anything of the sort or anything.... Or wetted down a section of grass to make it easier to slide on

Windstruck - 8-4-2016 at 04:18 AM

A little vere on this thread but I've been wearing running shoes for a while while buggying but am considering switching over to a boot that has a more rigid sole and ideally a steel shank underfoot. Thinking here is to spread the pressure out from being concentrated right where my foot presses on the pedal bars. I started to notice this a fair amount at IBX last month during long straight runs. Short runs with lots of turns on my local grass pitches had me switching pressure much more frequently but for the playa I think I'm going to boot up!

BeamerBob - 8-4-2016 at 09:12 AM

Just don't get boots with heels that can catch on the foot pegs in an ejection or just standing up at the end of a session. With my heal straps, my feet can be locked into the buggy if wearing boots with a drop heel. Not a problem without heel straps.

Windstruck - 8-4-2016 at 09:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob  
Just don't get boots with heels that can catch on the foot pegs in an ejection or just standing up at the end of a session. With my heal straps, my feet can be locked into the buggy if wearing boots with a drop heel. Not a problem without heel straps.


Good points Bob. Thanks!

NightHawkIL - 8-4-2016 at 05:28 PM

The board I picked up used had a pair of bad straps on it so I made my own with sheet rubber. No heel straps, though I may add some. I did find an old pair of skateboarding shoes in my garage that I'll try scudding in tomorrow. If those work a little easier I'll go grab some new ones.

NightHawkIL - 9-4-2016 at 12:09 PM

Well I successfully scudded a little bit today. The winds were gusty though so I was a bit apprehensive. I'd like to keep my teeth. I spent the better part of a couple hours playing around with my new mountain board. That was FUN. I can pretty much only travel in like a 10 degree pie slice of the wind's direction, but from what I've read that seems pretty typical as a beginner and with a smaller kite. I bought TDFurr's 6m Peak 1 which I'm really looking forward to trying out. Gonna take the foot straps off the board for a while until I get more comfortable riding it without having to bail all the time.

James76 - 2-4-2017 at 07:15 PM

Get a pair of skate shoes like shehatesmyhobby said. The traction is non existent on grass, they arent super expensive, they hold up well and they look cool :cool:

A pair of vans will cost you $45

adambweird - 3-4-2017 at 01:44 AM

I go with my old worn down Vans, they work great for sliding on grass.

ssayre - 28-5-2017 at 08:03 AM

All great advice. I would only add that I like Etnies as opposed to vans. They have slightly more padding under foot that make them more comfortable. Also, I haven't tried them but i like the suggestion of the high top converse for ankle support. Most skate shoes come in high top too. Coincidentally, skate shoes work well on most shingled roofs for estimating. It's win win for me. :D