I've always run with Dakine straps and im still happy with them, but I notice there's a few other options available out there. Can anyone advise on the pros/cons of other straps such as MFC, Chinook, Patrik, Mystic? I'm after a set of straps that maintains a fairly rigid form (stock stretchy Drake straps keep putting my foot in a noose mid gybe ) and doesn't cost the world.

JP and Starboard are good solid straps. The only problem with these , is there expensive and sometimes hard to get. I once bought a crappy $100 board because it came with a new set of JP straps . He wouldn't let me take the straps off , I had to take the board. It's a weird feeling hand sawing a board up to fit in a wheelie bin . I don't like Dakine , they are soft and slippery. But what ever you do , DONT get NP straps. They are stretchy and your feet always feel too tight , but not secure .

I spent a small fortune over the years on trying out various foot strap brands, but I can't find anything that gets even close to my Dakine Contours.

Reptile and Unifibre lite get close, but still not quite as good as the Dakine Contours.

but I guess it's a personal preference thing as I've heard some say the don't like Dakine Contours.

MFC really good (watch the years), starboard premium are pretty awesome. Dakine primos hard to beat. More strap tips here: windsurfing.lepicture.com/tips-and-tricks/

Theyre all the same to me unless they are 'special' and then theyre crap

What i mean is all the standard stuff that comes standard on boards and looks the same with the decades old adjustment system. It works.
As soon as its moulded or any euro design house gets hold of it then nup.
NP - dumb adjustment with thread thru a square loop at the end so it loses shape just a smidge every time u take foot out. Same as somebody did 20 or 30yrs ago and it went away.....
MFC, standard dakine from few years back, Patrik, etc
I like Dakines moulded lettering on top for rigging on gravel , asphalt etc if one must

Simmer same construction as all above but is my pick as Jesper includes screws and claw washers which is a big cost so it wins for me

I am always in booties so my perspective might be different but I cannot find a better, more durable strap than Simmer. They are also the cheapest.

In the past I always changed the stock footstraps immediately to Da Kine Primo's. Now most of my boards have MFC footstraps. I don't feel the need to replace them any more. What I like about the new iterations is the numbers on the inside, going from barefoot to booties it is easier to set all 3 steps at the same measurement.

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Mark _australia said..
Theyre all the same to me unless they are 'special' and then theyre crap

What i mean is all the standard stuff that comes standard on boards and looks the same with the decades old adjustment system. It works.
As soon as its moulded or any euro design house gets hold of it then nup.
NP - dumb adjustment with thread thru a square loop at the end so it loses shape just a smidge every time u take foot out. Same as somebody did 20 or 30yrs ago and it went away.....
MFC, standard dakine from few years back, Patrik, etc
I like Dakines moulded lettering on top for rigging on gravel , asphalt etc if one must

Simmer same construction as all above but is my pick as Jesper includes screws and claw washers which is a big cost so it wins for me

I just ordered some simmers from Jesper yesterday i like the solid look of them , and a full set of screws as Mark said ,35 each ,
replacing them on a Exocet RS3 ,one broke and they where soft and floppy ,some Dakines are like this too ,
I have Patrik boards and really like the straps on them ,Simmer accessories are good Quality ,Jesper posted them that day EXPRESS POST ,

Recent MFC and Fanatic/Duotone are good and feel similar to me. The ruler under the strap is a nice feature.

Thanks for the very useful feedback guys
ordered the Simmer's

^^^Another happy customer

On this topic, what's everyone's opinion on the footstraps that can open up the most? I've got big feet and wear some pretty thick boots in the winter to keep my feet warm; I've tried a few of the options listed above and just can't get the strap loop open big enough to not get the boot stuck on the strap on the way in.

Been on regular Dakines (Yulex) that came with my Starboard wave board, the board delaminated before the straps were even worn in :D So I fitted em on the next board. These are on the softer side, well cushioned but maybe not holding the shape as well as some others, super comfortable with no boots on. Some may find it a little sticky with boots, just got to make em big enough. I stretch the max out of it, still would like more with the 7 or 9mm boots on.

Ones that many brands seem to put on their boards have this plastic inside with edges curved up (Severne, Tabou that I have had). It's fine for small feet I guess and holds the shape well. But setting it on maximum size the sharp edges of the plastic will be exposed near the ends, neoprene is stretching up and not covering it any more. I have sliced my toe, and my boots on it. Not to mention the absurdity of these two piece plastic stoppers for one screw attachment.

Hey Ozzi, for giant feet in booties (size USA 14, try finding those), I have had the best luck with Fanatic straps. On the board I have had to use a wider screw base than stock and get straps that open a lot.

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segler said..
Hey Ozzi, for giant feet in booties (size USA 14, try finding those), I have had the best luck with Fanatic straps. On the board I have had to use a wider screw base than stock and get straps that open a lot.

Thanks man! Size 13 US here, so that's encouraging. I've tried the "use the screw holes further apart" trick, which helps with the width, but if the strap isn't long enough the loop ends up being too short and I get the top of my foot/bootie stuck on it in a way that feels unsafe once I do manage to wiggle in. I was eyeing a set of Dakine Tyrants as I've heard they're pretty big, but also pricey...

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ozzimark said..

segler said..
Hey Ozzi, for giant feet in booties (size USA 14, try finding those), I have had the best luck with Fanatic straps. On the board I have had to use a wider screw base than stock and get straps that open a lot.

Thanks man! Size 13 US here, so that's encouraging. I've tried the "use the screw holes further apart" trick, which helps with the width, but if the strap isn't long enough the loop ends up being too short and I get the top of my foot/bootie stuck on it in a way that feels unsafe once I do manage to wiggle in. I was eyeing a set of Dakine Tyrants as I've heard they're pretty big, but also pricey...

The Tyrants are Big... pretty Nice straps.... probably the ones for you Ozzimark... However, wanted to mention to the Chinooks too. They are great straps - especially the Wide ones. Comfy & easy to adjust on the beach with scale markings for symmetry. Only drawback to them is they won't be for Ozzimark - they are pretty tight if you have larger feet...

I have a set of chinook straps on one of my boards. Barefoot only with size 13

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Hydrosurf said..
I have a set of chinook straps on one of my boards. Barefoot only with size 13

Yup, tried both Chinook Wide and "normal", excellent straps for barefoot, no go with 6.5mm booties on.

If you need warm booties but find they make straps too tight I'd recommend looking at Solites. They fit like 1-2mm but are warm like 5-6mm and absolutely glide in and out of straps.