The biggest issue I have with snowkiting, is getting in bindings with all my gear on, and controlling a kite at the same time. I thought I found a good pair, but 6 sessions in, I'm looking to find something easier. Looking I found these.....


http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/next-generation-step-in-sn...

It looks like they may not have met their kickstarter though, so I don't know if they will see the market. But if they ever do, I'd surely like to give them a try.

Very cool design !
Will be tough to compete with the latest from Flow, GNU and K2 !
F2 Alpine (hard boot) are no slouch either

I really want these:
(3:05)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0htYqMOMg
anybody knows were to get them?

Noticed the funding drive on step in binding only received 5% of it's goal.


Plexiglass board(or skis) would be cool to have EXCEPT...I like a color definition against snow. Which is why I hate and avoid white top skis.... on occasion Ilike to look down and see my skis.

Imagine trying to find clear skiis in accidental release ,accident or avalanche.:o

Quote: Originally posted by Jesse K

I really want these: (3:05) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0htYqMOMg anybody knows were to get them?

I don't think anyone makes step-ins anymore. I miss my step-ins. They were the best ever for kiting. Some step-in designs did clog easy and were harder get into when the snow was wetter though. This was never an issue with mine, it was pretty good at self clearing. You were also stuck with that brands step-in boots offerings.

I do like that Strewth SLS step-in concept.

Love my GNU backdoor XL's for all riding, very easy to get into, very good fit.

only downside is you often want to open bindings from a seated position when snowkiting, and they do not like to open like that unless the board is flat, they need that space to open up

I'm a lifelong skier so I don't know much about snowboarding but one thing I do know is that I wish there was a snowboard binding like a landboard binding so you could get on the board with just regular snowboots. I think I'd like snowboarding with a kite more than skiing but I don't want to buy boots, bindings, board, etc and the only setup I've seen that is close to what I want is the snowfer and for the price of that one might as well buy a complete snowboard package.

I've got spare lanboard bindings laying around and have been tempted to buy a board on the cheap and mount my landboard bindings to it. Any of your boarders out there know why that may be a bad idea or not worth pursuing?

The interaction between boot and board(or ski) comes down to transfer of movement(edging), compression and deformation of boot in binding, and any release(safety).

Old Wintersticks were predecessors to modern snowboards and used simple straps for boots. People made turns and they worked. Just not as quick responsive turning as todays typical set up-regardless of board shape.

If you can make it turn, hold an edge and your happy.. it doesn't matter if there is 'slop' between boot, binding and ski. Use it if performance is acceptable-if just not so precise.

If you like every inch of your skeletal movements transferred to a similar inch of edging, turning movement of board or ski, you use a system that is more solid. Some snowboarders even use ski-like plastic boots and binding system.

First off, softer boots can mean more slop (more deformation/less precise transfer) than plastic. Then there is the strap (binding)that may have a slight give.... all used to transfer force to board. May take an inch and a half before inch of movement rolls board an inch on edge or twists direction if real sloppy...?

So..bottom line ...using a ATB set up on snowboard may just be a sloppier system....not a bad idea...just not precise performance idea. But may be easy to set into, huh?

Guys have tried using footstraps on snowboards on and off for years here, but I see no one using it.

here is a very fun board designed to be used with any boots

http://www.snowfer.com/Welcome.html

I'm currently riding GNU Agro Bindings. It could be just my lack of flexibility, but I am having a hell of a time with them. Getting my feet in is easy and so is pulling up the back. The side latch to lock down the top strap is my problem. With a harness on, I can't bend my stumpy body down to push that latch down. It seemed okay when I tried them in the store, but strapped to the board and geared up, I can't reach the damn thing.


I was talking to a buddy, and he says he still swears by his clicker step-ins. I found there is lots on eBay, but I've read many mixed reviews on them. The general consensus seems that they weren't that good, but I guess personal opinions mean a lot. If only it could be simple like ski bindings, but behave like regular snowboard bindings.

Also I have considered finding a cheap set of regulars, so I could give it a try with no highbacks installed. Heard that is pretty fun for a skatey feel.

I wear the ozone access seat harness so it's not a problem for me, I can see how that could be a problem when you wear a waist harness!

I rode the Device/Ride SBS step in system for a few years, and while ease of entry was amazing, they failed to release easily in an emergency situation so I had to move on.

Tell you what shaggs, what size foot are ya? I got that size 11 Device/Ride SBS setup sitting in the closet. If ya want em, I'll send you the boots and the bindings, you just pay shipping. They are as functional as you would expect a boot and binding combo purchased in 1998 would be.

That is very kind of you. Sadly I'm a size 8.5-9 otherwise I'd be all over that. I might give the ozone harness a try to see if that changes, haven't used it since I bought my waist harness a couple years ago. The clickers can be found new and used at a decent price, that I might give them a go if I find a set in my size. Too bad the snowkite market is so niche that one of the company's can't be bothered to design a binding specifically for snowkiting.

I may have helped my situation some this morning. I was waxing my board when the idea came to me, to switch the top strap latch from the outside to the inside. I also used a vice grip to bend out the foot plate, near the toe strap (my foot can slide in and out without my toe box catching now). On carpet with my harness on, it definitely feels easier to reach that strap latch. I am also going to add a short string to the high back and leaver, so I can pull that up with less bending. Hopefully I can give it a try in a real situation this week.