Despite my last post being about getting a surfboard with the view of riding strapless...i was just wondering on my TT whats the best set up for the footstraps...i have them fairly tight, i have to wiggle my feet just a little to get them in but they seem to come out ok but not too easily. I had them really loose for my first few sessions but got annoyed with the board comming off too easily then spending some time body dragging or in some cases not to get my board back, so i tightend them up, now its only the front of my toes that poke out the other side of the strap but then my heel is over the back of the pad coz probably because i have big feet.... but just wondering on how others have their foot straps set up and for what reasons. what are the advantages, disadvantages and importantly dangers.
cheers

It has more to do with how the specific model fits your foot that how tight they are. They should not be hard to get into and you shouldnt have your heel hanging off the back.

How big are your feet? I have narrow arched size 12 (45 in euro) feet and these footstraps work well:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/kitesurfing-kiteboarding-kiteboard-f...

It is also important that the pad is somwhat shock absorbent. My cabrinha rival pads weren't and I would end up with knee pain after some hard landings when jumping. The pads in the above link are nice and soft EVA foam with an arch.

li like a slightly wider stance heel distance around 19-20" with more neutral angle

i prefer hard pad and flexi soft board. a toe bar in the pad is a must for me or just grip pass the edge of pad . light and loose across the top of the foot. too tight you gonna get wrenched

high arch feet will like softer pads, and with flat feet a firmer pad will give better comfort and feel

Its weird that when i did the IKO course they barely mention the foot straps, yet they appear to be a contributer to a fair number of injuries, and there is more to them than just sticking your feet in. by the way im EU size 47 wide feet with fallen arches... The pads are comfy enough, though im not doing jumps at the momment, Most places i ride have a fair amount of chop and waves so if i dont have them in tightish then my back foot can slip out. by the way im EU size 47 wide flat feet. I think the pads that came with my board which is second hand are only really designed to go up to size 46 by the feel of them but im going to spend some time checking them out properly. But is it meant to be that you just stick your feet in or do you (like i do with my mountain board) have the straps a bit looser so its easier to kick the board put the feet in and twist slightly to lock them in?

iko is minimal skill level certification NOT a preference directive...risk is inherent to the sport, injury prone folks will quickly realize this.

i have size 48 eu and flat feet , a firm pad and loose straps works great for me ...my toes actually go beyond the pad on some set ups , but it acts as a grip point.

as the board and pads get time and use on them they will relax to the shape of you foot and have a "rigid fixed" feel where you don't notice them but they stay on this is what you want. easy in/easy out without BINDING... if you are trying to set them up at first ...start slightly snug and after an hour or so of riding should be perfect and not on your mind. then leave then alone. using booties makes this much more challenging and harder to get perfect esp. for folks with big feet because the straps are at there limits.

the surf board will really help with balance and foot stability in action as well