How to choose Your Wakeboard Boots

The first distinction when choosing wake bindings is between open-toe bindings and closed-toe boots.

Open-toe wakeb bindings can fit a broad range of shoe sizes. They come in handy if you are on a budget, or when they are used by multiple riders (like boat wakeboards).

Still, if you are serious about wakeboarding, you will soon feel the need to get a pair of closed-toe wake boots, which will give you more control and better edging.

Biding Flex

• Choose a pair stiff boots if you want extra ankle support,
• Softer boots will give you more freedom, particularly when performing presses.

Beginners should look for a pair of soft wakeboard bindings, which will feel more maneuverable compared to stiff ones.

Closure System

On the market, you will find as many different types of closure systems as of boots: laces with fasteners, velcro straps, gummy straps, and combinations of those.

The closing system will influence how quickly and tight you’ll be able to fasten your binding. A strap system is quicker, while a lace system will let you tight your boot a bit more with a better custom fit feeling.

Rubber bands are probably the most durable system if compared to others.

Walkable liners

Some boots feature internal walking liners, that you can slip in and out from the main boot structure. This kind of boots comes in handy when walking back to the starting point, if your local park is surrounded by gravel or other rough terrains, which would make walking barefoot uncomfortable.

How a wake boot should fit

Some boots will fit multiple shoe sizes, while some are suitable for single sizes.

EU, US, and the UK sizing are normally available on the packaging and internal labels, and often also centimeters. But as sizing may differ from brand to brand, the suggestion is to always check the brand's official size charts before buying.

Your wakeboard boots should be worn tight to ensure that your feet are not moving around, but not so much that your feet starts to hurt. If your bindings feature laces, don’t over-do when you pull them tight, otherwise, they could end up wearing the boot’s tongue.

How To mount Wake Boots

Most wakeboards and bindings use standard M6 mounting hardware and 6" binding plates, designed to be universally compatible, also across brands.

Still, some brands implement patented systems that might not be compatible with different brands' gear. If you want to buy a board and a pair of binding from different brands, the suggestion is to check in advance if they are compatible or not.

Finding the right wakeboarding stance

For finding your ideal wakeboarding stance, try your boots on and step on your board. Now try different foot widths and angles. Once you think you’ve found the best stance, mark it with a pencil. Now you can take off your bindings and start mounting the screws. 

• A large stance will be more stable
• A narrow stance will have better pop, spin faster,and will be easier to press.

 If you are at the beginning of your wakeboarding career, we suggest you try different stances before committing to a single one. Also, it can be a good idea to change your stance from time to time, according to your riding style, your experience, and the tricks you want to try.

WAKE-STYLE.COM WAKE SHOP

For further tips and suggestions you just need to ask us and we'll be happy to help you! 

If you prefer to try your wakeboard boots on to see how they fit, you can visit our wake shop in Bussum, Netherlands. We're just 20 minutes from Amsterdam, Almere, Utrecht, Hilversum and Amersfoort.