The best footstraps - please help to choose (Dakine Core Contour System?)

[mzaw...@gmail.com]

Hi all,

I want Santa to bring me new footstraps for my Starboard F-type (free
formula) 145.
The original Starboard straps keep twisting (yes, I tunned them), wear
off plus fellow windsurfers told me Dakines give superb feeling
comparing to SB straps. I ride my FT in the back/out most position and
need the perfect control.

I've heard Dakine Core Contour System (http://www.dakine.com/windsurf/
footstraps/core-contour-system/) are the best straps available (bit
pricey though).

I can't test them so I will really appreciate your opinions - thanks!

-marek

[Craig Goudie]

Hi Marek,

I use Dakine Contours almost exclusively (5 of 8 boards). They don't
twist, but
there are several things you should know about them. They are
contoured with
a stiff plastic, this is why they don't twist, but that also makes
them pretty firm
in contact with your foot. Those that I have are only adjustable by
removing the screws.

I use mine exclusively on wave and bump boards, where my feet are
moving in and out of the straps
often. The only boards I don't have them on are my " slalom" boards,
and indeed those straps do twist,
but they're also very cushy for comfort in long straight line rides.

I love my Contours. They are the best straps for rider/board input in
my opinion. Much like a
high performance ski boot.

If twist is your biggest beef, then you want Contours. They aren't
painful, but they are firm.
If you have an issue with strap induced foot pain, you might want to
take a closer look at
something with more cushion.

-Craig

[Bob D]

Dakine Supremo.

Great anti-twist, can be set up "wide", but still
comfortable. I have about a dozen pairs. I don't like the locked-in
feeling of the Contours, and found them uncomfortable.

Bob

[sm...@seattletimes.com]

You might also consider DaKine X-Lace. The selling point on them is
that they're much easier to adjust than other straps, since you don't
have layers of velcro-covered neoprene to undo and redo. There's a
strap-controlled system for tightening them and a ring-release to
loosen them. If sail some venues where you need booties and others
where you don't, this is pretty convenient.
But I've found them to be much more comfortable than other straps.
They're a lot wider and so they spread the pressure out on more of
your foot. I used to have problems because regular straps, even when
set for good control and a quick exit, would pinch my foot real bad.
At the end of a session, my foot would almost feel crushed, especially
if I'd been doing mostly speed runs with my feet jamming through the
strap. The X-Lace spreads that pressure around, so there's no pain.
I've also sailed the Contours and they're excellent, but as mentioned
above, they're a problem to adjust. If other people are going to be
riding this board or if you sail some bootie vs. bootie-less venues,
they would be a hassle to adjust.

[gwa...@gmail.com]

Footstraps are one of those "personal feeling" things. I don't mind
the Contours on my boards in cold weather when I have booties. They
are a bit of a pain to adjust via screws. Since I share most boards
with my SO, we don't use them in general, and I'm not sure they are
more twist resistant than other good quality straps.

The only guaranteed non-twist straps use two screws per strap end to
keep them in place. Alternately there are a few after market strap
plates to keep the straps ends very secure to prevent twisting. On my
old bump board I simply added a bit of glue under the strap ends to
add non-twist once screwed down. Make sure you are happy with the
strap placement if you do this, as when I changed straps there was
some surface paint loss.

If you have a stiff strap and good screws and plates, you can crank it
down so twisting is minimal. Sometimes it's a trade off between
rigidity and comfort.