Power Kite Forum

Falling Out Of Footstraps?

NPWfever - 3-11-2008 at 10:11 PM

Anyone else have this problem? I have the totally soft style velcro ones, and unless im edgeing against the kite, heelside. If I ride toe, I get pulled out, or if I go for a jump, the board falls off my feet.

Any tips? Should I put like a bungee around my heel?

dylanj423 - 3-11-2008 at 10:52 PM

When I need a good grip, I twist my feet into a tighter position (making my feet more parallel). Tension keeps the board on rather than the fit of the bindings. My MBS Blade has two posts, and a velcro strap over them. The natural stance is a bit loose, and easy to get out of, but when I twist my feet into the posts, it puts a lot of tension on the shoe, keeping the feet in the straps tighter.

I have seen heelstraps for ATB, somewhere, but I havent gone after it.

NPWfever - 4-11-2008 at 12:56 AM

I'll try twisting my feet in the bindings next time, if that doesn't work, I'll make a heelstrap out of some bike innertubes.

PHREERIDER - 4-11-2008 at 07:25 AM

i have dropped it a zillion times on toeside. i just lift right out of the front. can't seem to HOOK the straps when jump and twist.
the heel strap is tempting but i like the easy out and i set my post to more parallel on my MBS. redrill it . twisting your feet against the post locks it up tight for sure.

here's a novel(recycled) idea velcro shoe to board i think they make booty's for this... not sure why this is in my head

carltb - 4-11-2008 at 09:51 AM

the advice so far is spot on. to set up your binding. 1 stand on your board . 2 point your toes out at about 45 degrees. tighten your bindings (velcro or ratchet) so that your foot is comfortable. 3 to lock in your feet just turn your feet back to a normal stance (toes forward). to test just sit on a chair and just swing your legs back and forth and if the board stays put then your bindings are tight enough. if not re do and tighten abit more.

NPWfever - 4-11-2008 at 11:23 AM

Problem is, I can never get my feet all the way back into them, they go in part way, so theyre not as tight =/

nwsurfwakeskate - 4-11-2008 at 12:21 PM

maybe it has something to do with your shoes? how big are your feet?

just thinking outside of the box...

PHREERIDER - 4-11-2008 at 01:39 PM

i have the big feet problem...that why i spreadand move the post on my MBS, allows big foot removal easier.

dylanj423 - 4-11-2008 at 02:30 PM

I wear a size 13 shoe... since I learned the "twist lock" method, I havent been pulled off my board, or lost it in a jump. Standard old-school MBS setup. I'm not pushing it really hard, but I have given the board many chances to just fall off.

PHREERIDER - 4-11-2008 at 02:45 PM

i much prefer the board fall off than lock on my foot and wrench the ankle, it can be a challenge when trying to smooth out a twist or toeside switches, or tweakout a jump. time makes it less for sure...i just try to keep it flowing

pwn_daddy - 12-11-2008 at 07:54 AM

yea i would say try the twisting method, but if that doesn't work you can either buy a heelstrap form mbs.com under the accessories/bindings section, or just a small bungee cord works REALLY well.

but of course with a bungee cord you really cant get your foot out when you need to.

also alternatively, you could upgrade your toestraps to something just a little tighter, i dont know what you have but i use the F2s and they work okay.

ive heard some of ground industries bindings work great though.


hope this helps.

KiteProject - 12-11-2008 at 08:05 AM

Look for narrower shoes, like Converse' Chuck Taylors. I started by wearing my wiiiiiide hiking boots (didn't want to get sneakers dirty :D ) and they just didn't work. I found a pair of Chuck Taylors in asale and they are narrow. My bindings are snug but not too tight that I can't jump off the board in case of a problem. You want to able to move your feet out of the binding in case you want to jump off the board.

speleopower - 16-11-2008 at 07:58 PM

Keep adjusting the bindings till you can pop your feet in and out. The wedge your foot works well to.

I ride barefoot on the beach so I don't have the shoe fit problem of most people.

Scott