I've had a great season out of some 2009 Cab Sync's but after a few issues with them i've decided it's probably best if i move on to something else. Don't get me wrong, they're really comfy but i've missed more sessions recently than i've had because of them.

Despite how much some people pay out the sandal style straps (yeah, backless bindings ) i actually really like them. I do a little bit of wakeboarding as well so am not foreign to bindings but would rather stick to straps with a kite as whilst i'm still constantly learning new tricks and pushing myself.

I also have had a few knee issues this last season so comfy pads is a must as well. It'll be going on my only twin tip which is an '09 Nobile 666 (134x42).
Can anyone make some recommendations of sandal style or even just good foot coverage straps with comfy pads?
- LF Luxury?
- LF Comp Laces?
- Underground 2010 straps? (anyone seen and/or used them yet?)
- 2010 Nobile pads? (i really disliked the '09 ones...)

You mean to say that no one has ever had issues with their factory pads/straps before?!
No one's ever had knee issues to contend with?
I find that hard to believe.

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koma said...

You mean to say that no one has ever had issues with their factory pads/straps before?!
No one's ever had knee issues to contend with?
I find that hard to believe.

I've only ever used the LF's and since then, I haven't wanted to switch to anything else.

My original pair of Comp Straps had a problem and broke, but LF replaced them under warranty and I haven't had an issue since.

Before then I had the LF Luxury and loved them as well. Only issue i had with them was the air pocket broke after about 3 years but the pads are soft so its worth replacing every couple of years for your knees sake.

Sounds like a pretty positive vote for LF.
How do the pads compare between the Comp Lace's and Luxuries?
Are the Luxuries... softer? One more ask if they're more luxurious... or are they the same as the Comp Laces?

The comp lace is LF top straps, we have many customers use them on their own boards. The luxury seem to have a thicker pad over, but once moulded to your shape they are comfy as too. Both Lux & comp straps use the same pads, soft and comfy as.

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koma said...

Sounds like a pretty positive vote for LF.
How do the pads compare between the Comp Lace's and Luxuries?
Are the Luxuries... softer? One more ask if they're more luxurious... or are they the same as the Comp Laces?

Same pads for both straps. Super soft pads pretty comfy. Even hadlow was riding them for a long time on his flexi boards. They're a little slippery but you can tighten them up quite tightly so its not much of an issue.

Quite a few brands have copied the pads (air pockets) and straps (they were the original lace ups) and they wouldn't have done that if they weren't any good.

I prefer the comps over the luxuries, I think they're more comfy. Had the luxuries and then shifted to the comps when they came out. The comps come with a pre-bent shape where as the luxuries have to be worn/bent in to shape them but they were still the most comfy ones when they came out, not sure whether they got better, haven't tried them in two years since I got my comps so they may be better now.

Walk into a kite store that stocks them and put your feet in a pair and you'll fall in love. They're a little pricey, but I still won't use anything else for now.

Well i finally manage to get a chance to take some LF Comp Laces for a run and they're comfy enough to persuade me. Also took a Flexifoil Hooligan (which had the LF Comp Laces on it) for a run which was an interesting ride... but without fins i can't comment on it too much as it was bloody skatey compared to what i'm used to.

I've placed my order for a set of LF Comp Laces so here's hoping they last me a few years as they're not cheap.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I'd kinda already sold myself on the idea of them i just needed to hear from other people who'd used them that they were alright.

Started riding Liquid Force 'Soven' closed toe bindings last week and...... omg never going back to straps, learning new tricks can be a little painful but the extra control and lift that you get is so worth it. If you have a set of bindings on a wake board stick them on your kiteboard for a day and see how they go. Promise you will never go back :D

Also make sure that you are a very competent rider before you try this. If anything goes wrong your stuck in the bindings for the ride and to much of a hassle getting em on and off to walk back upwind. But i ride a 133 Liquid Force Kaos and 12 m Envy and still get tight pants every time im out, and tend to stay upwind more in light wind then guys on other 12m kites and bigger boards.

just bought a pair of LF comps as my syncs kept breaking. Shop was great and kept replacing
under warranty but how long would this last. Syncs are so comfortable pity i keep breaking them.
lets see how the comps perform...

Boots realy are good but they have to be pared up with the right board, and there are a lot of isues that can arise from using them and wouldnt recomend them for people that arent confident enougth as they will punish you badly if it all goes wrong I have learnt some lesons in mine. I love boots but allways switch between the boots and straps depending on conditions and riding style.

The LF comp straps seem to be the best and have been around for a fair while now.

The nobile pro pads are not the best, comfortable enougth and the strap does stop stretching but the way it tries to cut your toes of in a bad crash doesnt feel that good, as your heel lifts the straps clamp down that hard on your toes that it feels like it is going to rip them off.

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NickT said...

just bought a pair of LF comps as my syncs kept breaking. Shop was great and kept replacing
under warranty but how long would this last. Syncs are so comfortable pity i keep breaking them.
lets see how the comps perform...

Good to see it wasn't just me! They're just a great comfy strap (yes, strap! :P), it's just a shame they're not tough enough to stand the wear and tear of most riders.

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waxman said...

Boots realy are good but they have to be pared up with the right board, and there are a lot of isues that can arise from using them and wouldnt recomend them for people that arent confident enougth as they will punish you badly if it all goes wrong I have learnt some lesons in mine. I love boots but allways switch between the boots and straps depending on conditions and riding style.

The LF comp straps seem to be the best and have been around for a fair while now.

The nobile pro pads are not the best, comfortable enougth and the strap does stop stretching but the way it tries to cut your toes of in a bad crash doesnt feel that good, as your heel lifts the straps clamp down that hard on your toes that it feels like it is going to rip them off.

Words of wisdom Waxman.
Yep, whilst i do ride boots whilst wakeboarding i'm not so keen to with a kite given the frequency and severity of my stacks. The LF Comp Lace's didn't seem quite as comfy for me as the Sync's, but given i've been riding a messed up hybrid setup using the Sync pads and some 2006 Naish straps, almost anything is more comfortable than that.

Two other sets of straps that i've seen that i should've put on the shortlist before going for the LF Comp Laces are the Mystic straps (apparently MUCH cheaper than the LF's), and the Flexifoil lace-tops.
Ah well, i've got another week and weekend with my Cab/Naish weird setup before the LF Comp Lace's arrive... but at least im back on the water and having fun.