G'day guys. Got my custom made tempo arriving soon and looking at getting some new boots.
Currently riding with liquid force ultra unions. The slip in ones with no laces Velcro etc
They're getting a bit tired now and need replacing.
After a boot that will last more than a few months with constant salt water riding n
Would like a pretty flexible boot and not too high.
Easy in and out would be good. Do like the open toe but am open to suggestions.
What can u recommend ???!
Check you mounting spacing as this may affect your chances.
Your general options are:
1. Liquid Force (couple of models)
2. Ronix (couple of models)
3. Hyperlite (new binding system like snowboard bindings but I have yet to hear anyone try them in kiting environments). Has a nice system that allows you to wear the binding as boots off the board so if you need to walk over rocky areas to the water
4. Slingshot (also has a new removable lining system with rubber soles that allow you to walk to the water wearing the boots but its a liner rather than a separate boot)
Ronix is probably the most highly regarded and probably the lightest but the new Hyperlites and Slingshot haven't had much testing to know whether they are any good. LF used to be heavy but are getting better. Heard mixed reports on durability.
My suggestion would be to check your binding spacing first, that could limit options. If its 6 inch, then you should be good for most bindings. From there, you could check out the local wakeboarding shops to try the Ronix and Hyperlite. Not sure where to test the LF and Slingshot as it depends who distributes them in your area.
Ronix Relicks are low cut and really flexible. Heat moulded and super comfy. Worth trying on
I just got the Ronix divides. 20% lighter boot than all models. Really really light boot. Its an open toe as well. In hindsight, it can be a little hard to get into with the laces and all and I should have considered the boots with that lock down lever at the heel. Go to a wake shop and have a look at what I mean. Then jump online and grab the boots.
I love my boots but you have to be sure they will fit on your board. And remember that the size board you ride without boots will need more wind to get going with boots.
The grip tape and wookie boots look the goods!! Just may weigh me down when wet.
I've ordered the board with 6" spacing and the size is all good for my weight with boots.
Heard great reviews about the ronix but they don't seem to last with salt water abuse. (so I have heard)??
Anyone tried the ronix Kai's also.?
Think I'll stay away from the snowboard style and go for either liquid force or ronix.
Just leaning toward a low cut flexi boot.
Fair call, the snowboard style boards don't have a good history but these actually look pretty good. Would be interested to see what the weight is like though. Also means majority of concerns about lacing up is taking out of the equation.
I can totally agree with you there charl. And understand why they won't last as long as we'd like!
Can u recommend which l f boot I should go for with the preferences I'm after. Low cut n flexi. Or what you'd recommend seeing as you've gone thru a few.
In the shop these would be called 'Bare Feet' yeh??
I ride ronix reliks... most comfy binding iv ever ridden. Iv ridden LF, CWB, Obrien and Ronix bindings.
have lasted 6months of wakeboarding every weekend in salt water and now are on my kite board.
But im going to put these back on my wakeboard and buy some 2010 LF Shanes Ltd (if i can find some) for my kiteboard. One hand lace up!
Iv heard some mixed reports on the new Hyperlite system and have been told not many have sold.
The CWB hinge tech ones are mega stiff and way harder to get in and out of them my new reliks. I have had both CWB Vapor and CWB torq bindings.
If you want low cut flexi have a look at Reliks and LF Harley boots.
toby don't know if your at work still
but charl was at pinnas with boots and board if your heading down later
Cheers for the opinions fellas,
Ill definately head into one of those shops this weekend and try a few out.
i may as well ask, charl is there an advantage of closed toe over open toe or vice versa for kiting?
Was thinking open toe purely to aid in drainage as im imagining the closed toes drainage holes would fill with sand and youd be riding around with a boot of water?!
and what bolts,washers did you use with the ronix as im assuming the ones they come with dont fit onto the tempo. hoping im wrong
dont have any issues with filling up with sand/water at all kiting with my reliks. Wash them out really well after each ride though.
For mounting I used shorter screws that came with my LF straps, in place of the hand winder things that the ronix come with. If not a couple of washers between the head and the screw and plate will be thick enough to make it work.
umm i dont ride a tempo im still too poor to buy one im still on my watson.
open vs close is purely personal preference, i just found there were better ct boots (stiffer etc) available for me than OT boots. not sure what id get to replace my ones
as for screws pretty sure the tempo is M6 and i think the ones that come on the tempo's straps might be long enough to use with the boots, otherwise a coventries is the go to get stainless.
I'll make it really easy for you. Get a pair of ONE'S. That's what me and my boyfriend rock. I have tryed the new hyper lights (Murry) but found it to impracticable for kite use. If you after a deal saw some Ronix KAI's and some liquid force Velcro thing for sale in the buy and sell (kitesurfing accessories)
Kai's could be a nice boot for you. Try to get two-stage laces, many open toe boots are entry level and only have one-stage, so it's difficult to get good foot and ankle hold. I found the newer One's a little harder than Cell's to easily step into as that magnetic cover stops the boot from really opening up. Properly fitted close toe (especially those with intuition liners) will hold less water than open toe. Sand and drainage shouldnt be an issue.
