Closed Toe Bindings?

[JGP54321]

I just got the LF Watson 138 and have my old pair of Alpha bindings on it right now but I'm thinking about buying a pair of closed toe's for it. Anyone use them and have any advice on their pro's and con's. The one thing I worry about is that I heard they fill with water pretty easily and considering I usually fall a few times a run and start in the water I don't want to have my bindings water logged while riding, I would think most of them have a good draining system but closed toe is new to me so just wanted to ask.

Thanks,

Joey

[jetpilot]

Close toed all the way! I love mine and would never go back......2008 Hyperlite Byerly Bindings on 2008 Premier.....absolutely love it. 2nd pr of closed toed i've had. No water logging and way better board control. Good for edging as well. Great for the winter!

[csmsk]

2nd that!!! Absolutely closed toe all the way!!!

After 8 years of boarding with open toe Parks, Shanes, Zuesses, and Byerlys, this is my first year with the Ronix One boots on a Ronix Ibex 144. I can't praise each item enough! The comfort and response of a closed boot is insane. I'll never go back AND my wife and all three of my kids will get upgraded this Christmas! I've never felt waterlogged, probably due to the excellent fit... no air space = no room for water.

You won't be sorry.

[04OUTBACK]

Yep..
Better heel/toe control. and no water loggin!
I have 07 Hyperlite Murrays..

[2000OUTBACK]

I was also wondering about them! Great feedback! Thanks

[tprkolbas]

i have 2 pairs of closed toe bindings - 2006 hyperlite 3ds & 2007 lf shanes. the shanes are by far the best bindings i have ever ridden. the lace cinches stay secure, they are super comfy and easy on the knees when landing jumps out in the flats. i would never buy anything else for my regular use. the 3ds' aren't bad, but if you fall and get your feet pulled out, it hurts like a son of a gun.

[madriding1]

I have the 07 shane bindings and I absolutely love them. Great feel and performance. Wont ever go back to open toe.

[outback 4]

I've got the 07 Watson CT. I started with the Gator Fleetwood, then went to LF Sphynx, and now am using the Watson's and i cannot believe how much better they are and how much they've improved my riding. The control and feel are amazing.

[steve wolf]

I have Ronix cells and they are really nice. and ride an Obrien Valahalla Board. Only downside is your buds can't use your ride unless they have similar foot size.

My riding has improved big time with the closed toe boots and they are warm in May and October.

[501]

08 Ronix Cells. Awesome boots. They are kinda stiff so it feels like snowboarding, but they sure give great control of the board. Very light as well. I will never go back to open toe.

[EAGER_BEAVER]

I was wondering about those new boots as well. I had Hyperlite bindings back in '03 that I loved. I sold the board and havent replaced it yet thinking I'd just get one at the Toronto boat show in January.

I also thought the closed toes would be heavy, squishy and weird. I guess I may have to give em a go.

Can anyone recommend to good board for a 200lb intermediate rider looking for lots of pop off the wakes ?? I'd prefer not to break the bank with this purchase and I don't care if it's the latest and greatest. (ie) it doesnt have to be the '09 colours and I wouldnt mind if it was used.

[csmsk]

Can't say enough great things about my '08 Ronix Ibex 144. I'm 205 (on a good day) and ride decent enough to pull w2w 3's front and back, but no inverts yet. Demo this board if you can. You'll buy it that day!!!

[04OUTBACK]

Eager,
I am 180+. Got an 07 Hyp. Murray this spring and love it.. great pop.. and have 07 Murray Closed Toe bindings.. Got a great deal on them!
We got to ride the '08 Murray board that Shaun sent around on Wakeworld and it is the BOMB. even more POP!
If you have the opportunity to demo some, I would encourage.. My opinion could be totally diff for you.. I rode LF Litmus before my Murray and am very pleased..

[EAGER_BEAVER]

Can't say enough great things about my '08 Ronix Ibex 144. I'm 205 (on a good day) and ride decent enough to pull w2w 3's front and back, but no inverts yet. Demo this board if you can. You'll buy it that day!!!




Is that board insanely expensive? What bindings did you go with?

[csmsk]

I've got the Ronix One bindings (a christmas gift). The board retails for $399. Igot it new for $299. Gotta shop around.

[EAGER_BEAVER]

I've got the Ronix One bindings (a christmas gift). The board retails for $399. Igot it new for $299. Gotta shop around.

Even $399 aint that bad. I saw one at a dealership at $600 so ....... :shock: Im pretty glad I didnt pick THAT one up.

[Ian Brantford]

Hello, all. I have been reading this thread with great interest. After little progress in a couple of years, seeing The Book and Detention, and then starting to learn wake jumping all over again from scratch, I have to conclude that an upgrade is essential. My O'Brien Exit 13's that I got three years ago simply do not provide enough support to stay on edge when going up the wake. This was confirmed by trying a friend's stiffer bindings for just a few minutes.

I tried on some Ronix One bindings in the store today. Although they were better than my old bindings, they did not feel stiff enough. I since read up on them and found that first impressions were correct -- they are in the middle of the range of stiffness for current bindings.

I need bindings that satisfy the following priorities:
- soft landing
- support so I can stay on heelside edge
- some adjustability for comfort and size; two less-experienced riders with similar-sized feet may also want to use them

Here is a summary of the positive recommendations from earlier in this thread, the number of votes, and the impressions that I could glean from on-line descriptions and reviews:

Hyperlite Murray (3 votes) -- lightweight, removable stiffeners, soft landings
LF Shanes (2 votes) -- nice boot, but mid-range for stiffness
Ronix Cell (2 votes) -- light, very stiff, not especially adjustable
Ronix One (2 votes) -- similar to Shanes
Hyperlite Byerly (1 vote) -- similar to Murray
LF Watson (1 vote) -- good overall reviews, but difficult to assess w.r.t. my priorities

There are no price differences between any of these that would affect my choice. Overall, it looks like the Murray model is my best choice, followed closely the by the Cell and maybe Byerly. Are there any last-minute comments on these that any of you would care to make before I order tomorrow?

Also, I might get a new board. I am looking for a more conventional board than my LF Fish. Its slightly wide shape puts me at a further mechanical disadvantage when edging hard. I should say that this board basically saved wakeboarding for me, as its sculpted lower surface makes landings and chop pillow-soft compared to most boards that pre-date it. I believe that several others are now on the market that can compare for handling and comfort, but aren't as unusually short and wide as the Fish. I think that the LF Shane fits this description, though it might be too fast to the wake for me. Comments?

Thanks in advance,
Ian