Padding too large bindings with neoprene socks

Hello folks,

I'm going to the US soon, and I plan to do some online wakestuff shopping. However, online shopping of course keeps me from trying out stuff personally. In fact, I'm interested in a Watson CT 2009. When I tried the same model from one of my friends here at home, it had size 10-11 and did fit barely. That irritates me, as all of my earlier bindings had size 11-12. However, it was wet and likely worn out as he has been using it all season. This posts 2 questions for me:

- If I choose to buy the 11-12 version, will it more likely fit or hang loose, or can I make it reasonably tighter using the laces?

- If it's still loose, do I have a chance to pad the bindings with neoprene socks?

Thanks for your answers!

I had a pair of 2009 CT Watsons and the fit is tricky. For me, I ended up going with a size smaller than I normally would have with open toe. Some will tell you that you do not want your toe to touch the end of a CT boot, but this is incorrect (at least with the 2009 Watson). Your toe can touch the end of the boot, but the toe must lay flat.

After you ride these boots for a while the foot bed will mold to your feet. A lump in the foot bed will develop between the ball of your foot and your toes. This lump will help to keep your foot from sliding forward and slamming your toes. I found that riding a larger size that does not allow your toe to touch the end of the boot, will leave too much space inside. Your heel will have room to lift and move around. CT boots need to fit you like a glove.

That was my experience with them. CT boots are just tough to buy on-line unless you're buying the exact style and year model that you've been riding. You really need to demo CT boots. In the long run it will save you money even if the price is higher at a local shop.

One more thing.... beware of this year model Watson. I returned mine because the lace eyelet ripped out after about a month of use. Search the message boards and you will find others who had the same issue. It was just a bad design for 2009.

(Message edited by nauty on October 21, 2009)

http://www.snowboardsecrets.com/Articles/bootfitting.htm

This should apply to close toe wakeboard boots.
Too large of a boot and you could have problems.

Reference:
I was a certified snow tech. (3yrs)

+1 for smaller... they break it

I have Slingshot boots and a size small + heat molding = exact fit.

Where in the US are you headed? Any chance there is a shop nearby where you can go buy things in person? That would likely solve your problem.

Do the OT Watsons have a loose fit around your toes like the Transits do?

I haven't tried the OT Watsons as my shop doesn't have them anymore. Until now, I have been using 10-11 OT Alpha Bindings from 2007, however, they were slightly too small and caused me pain most of the time. Then I tried the CT Bindings of the same size (used) and they fit much better, however, I had to loosen the laces till the limit. When I trie the 11-12 CT Alpha from 2009, they do fit, but the Watson seems haved different proportions from the Alpha.

I'm going to Boston, but they don't seem to have many Wakestores there.