watson/shane binding owners in------>

i have a pair of 2006 shane CT bindings. im looking at getting a new pair of '07 or '08 bindings. i loved my shanes, but the 07 watson CT has caught my eye (esp for $200). whats yalls experience w/ the watson boots?

I have the 07 OT Watsons. They are extremly comfy. The 08s I looked at but didn't want to pay for the upgrade when my board is an 07 too. The 08's have a better baseplate and the look is a little more streamlined. I am perfectly happy with my 07s.

My other advise would be take them to a pro ship to have the plates mounted and the liners heat molded (if they offer that service). The plates can be hard to get mounted. Find your angles and tell the shop. Or use a high-torque plug-in drill w/ the correct size bit.

I sent an email to an old wakeboarding friend last night praising the 07 CT Watsons as the greatest invention since multi-directional boards...planning on riding them until they need replacing and replace with the same.

I love my 07 Watson's but go figure I've been putting a lot of stress on them lately, and they've started coming apart a little bit, which is odd, cause they should have lasted a little longer. Anyways, just gives me an excuse to upgrade after this season is over. Gunna pick up the 08 LTDs when the 09 gear comes in and prices drop on 08 stuff...

Definitely some of the comfiest things ever. Like, comfier than any pair of shoes I've ever owned.

I've got an 07 pair of Shanes in the mail that shoudl be droppin on my doorstep today... i'll post in ASAP! i may wear them aroudn to a few grad parties

I got the 08 CT watsons and they are amazing.They are soooo comfy you can ride around in them all day. They also have great ankle support. GET THEM

I've got the Watson open toes and they are the most comfortable binding I've ever worn. I didn't think you could get more comfy than the Transits, but they did it. I'd actually like to give the Vantage boots a try. I'm really liking that easy velcro entry. If they're anywhere near the comfort of the Transits or Watsons, I'll be sold.

David, they are more comfortable in my opinion. Tons of heel to tow support but nice and soft side to side. Try them on dude, you'll be impressed and they are a great price.

Mitch, I've heard mixed reviews on the strap entry on the Vantages. I've heard that their rock solid, then some that say they lose their stick. Whats your opinion? I think its a great idea, and they definitely look sick. I thought it was 3M Hook n' Loop, not velcro, but maybe i'm just readin into it too much

For my previous post: heel to toe*

Ben, its 3M's highest grade stuff. I believe each strap is rated for 3000 pulls or something like that. I havent had any personal long term experience with the bindings because i primarily wakeskate, but i have yet to have a customer come back with the boots for any type of warranty issue or bad velcro and it is definitely a top seller.

(Message edited by wakemitch on June 07, 2008)

Thanks man! i really appreciate it!

I love the open toe, but I have a pair of 07 closed toe and they hurt my feet
I have tried to heat them but it didn't help

I get about 15 to 20 minutes of riding and have to pull them off

I have wide feet....and I have heard this from others with wide feet

...just thought you should know..........

Cliff, from what ive seen with customers is that LFs are a little bit more narrow. I dont have wide feet so i like it that im not slipping forward.

my feet are a little on the wide side too. I have the 07 OT shanes. At first my foot started to cramp a little bit after riding for about 15 min. Eventually, it got longer and longer before they started to cramp, and now they never do. Almost all LF bindings are ridiculously comfy if you ask me. Though, they may need a little breaking in.

...by the way, I wear a size 12 shoes and use the 10-11 bindings. I like to leave room for them to stretch out just a bit...so I guess you could expect them to be a little tight for the first few rides

heat molded at a dealer? Isnt a hot-ass tub of water the same thing?

I just got the 08 CT Shanes, and they are more comfortable than most sneakers!

(Message edited by ghostrider 2 on June 07, 2008)

I've got 08 watsons and there super comfey, not to mention there super light. They also have that fancy new plate that goes all the way across the base of the footbed (toes to heels), which actually has better response. IMO, I'd wait untill the 08s go on sale

i'm still rockin' the '06 watsons. i've tried several newer bindings, but i keep going back to the watsons.

i still wanna try the shanes, though.

my experience is that shanes fit narrower feet better....they squeeze me down too much....and I like a tight binder.

anyway, I had the 07 OT watsons until they came apart where the upper met the footbed.....now I have the 08 CT and the baseplate is already cracking near the bolts. I guess a stiff binding and rigid baseplate makes for some major stress. definitely comfy though.

How long after you first noticed separation did it take the bindings to completely come apart Eric?

Watsons ltd, on my 2nd pair of OT Watsons, most comfortable bindings there are, if you like stiff. Unless you try on a molded to your foot Ronix One. (my next pair)

The 07 Shane's were not as stiff in the ankle leg area.

i've gone thru 5 pairs of watsons since last spring. comfy as all hell tho. but i think i'm gonna move to the shanes.

nick: I rode with the separation for about two months at the end of last season so I can't say that they completely "came apart". I'm sure it was only a matter of time, but once I saw both sides of both bindings starting to separate at the toe (where the overlay meets the bed), I knew LF would take care of it so I just watched it closely and finished the season. It took FOREVER to get my 08 CT Ltds but I really like them. (p.s. thanks to Boat & RV World in Edmond, OK for the hook up!) Anyway, it just seems like the watson's don't have to be as "tight" to be locked in.....meaning it doesn't squeeze your foot, as much as it holds your foot....it that makes sense. Plus, I like a stiff binding too....and these def fit the bill.

I love my 07 watsons, but I just spotted the separation on the inside edge of one of the bindings last week or so, and it's gotten somewhat worse already. I'm concerned, since I don't have the money right now to replace them.

nick just keep wearin them and when they blow out just take them back to shop you got them from or give LF a call and they'll give you the address to send them to get them warrantied.

jr is right....but be prepared to wait...unless you have "friends"....

my 07 shanes just showed up in the mail this mornin. Got em on the Premier right now... hittin up the water in an hour and a half. I'll let all ya know how it goes!!

Got the 07 Watsons and they are sick!! Picked up a pair of Vantages earlier this month, but have only taken two sets in them. They are great too! I don't think you can go wrong with Liquid Force bindings.

Isn't the warranty only a year though? I thought it would be cool to buy them in march of last year, so wouldn't the warranty be up?

i just picked up a pair of 2007 CT watsons new on ebay for $104 delivered!! im currently using 2006 shane CTs. cant wait to compare them!

The 07 shanes are insane... soo cushy... landings from 7+ feet were like buttah! and i felt so much more locked into the board. It also was very nice to have a binding that was "made" to allow lateral movement. I like poking out the majority of my grabs and my old 3DS boots were kinda "temperamental" when it came to that. So sick..... best boots yet!

Do you wear them tight or some what loose with the top draw strap?

i wore em with the top tight. They seemed to flex really nice. Feels more supportive i think.

if you were the shanes loose they will hold water and feel like your wearing lead boots.

I have the 07 Shane CT and I keep smashing my right big toe. Im gonna try and jam a piece of foam in there to make it stop cause my toe nail isnt gonna last much longer if I dont do something!

Just got the 08 Shanes CT, ive only taken 2 sets in them but man are they comfy. Felt like I could have ridden for hours with no discomfort

I tried a pair of 08 transits and liked them, but they were a little tight...would the watsons have a slightly wider fit to them.

(Message edited by johnsvt on June 10, 2008)