Get Your Boots On!?!?

i hope this topic aint too weird. or that i am looking into this too much (i am really)

It seems everyone gets their boots on differently (even for the same boot) and I see these ways can be classified under 3 major ways:

1. ONE FLUID MOTION-Foot goes straight in, no twisting, little pulling. just one fluid motion really
2. THE FOOT TWIST-The rider twists his/her foot back and forth, getting the foot deeper by degrees
3. GORILLA GRIP- half or more of the effort of getting on the boots is applied to the gorilla grips, with the hands and arms pulling the whole body it seems into the boot.

I want to think that methods 2-3 would wear the boot out faster, especially 3. working at Powell with beginners it seems all beginners are #3 or are #2 AND #3. it makes me cringe, i am sure that gorilla grip is gona pop off, and the liner is gona get worn or tear, like i have seen on some of the rental gear.


I feel like i am classified in the #1 type... be it my SS D2 boots, a zeus hinge boot, or whatever boot probably (no i have not tried all boots on the market)

Any one know how to teach people to get a typical wake boot on with little effort (lube doesn't count, though i know it is a good idea)?
I want to think that it is all in the years of EXPERIENCE getting on boots. I have yet to figure out how to teach that "experience" to people.

I've seen guys with as much experience as me (if not more) use the "twist" (#2) method to get on their boots. Maybe they are trying to break them in, make 'em "softer". or maybe it is just habitual, how they get on any shoe or boot? I just find it odd.

getting OUT of the boots is almost the same scenario. ;(

I think the way you stand is important , I used stand on the swim stand facing the water it didn't go very well now I face the front of the boat leaning forward ( with the help of the seat ) seems to help a lot

Method 4: Slingshot: booties, on, slip in - easy

I always use #2- but I wore Liquid Force Ultras up until last year. Best binding in the world! It never wore my bindings out.

1 for me unless the wet then 2

1 for me (lf watsons) w/ a bit (and i stress "a bit") of 2. getting out is as easy, if not easier.

slingshots are definitely easy to get into. too bad they're one of the most uncomfortable bindings i've ever ridden.

#1......hyp murrays ....open the tongue and step in. Plus with socks its just too easy!

gotta balance, put your left foot in, twist it all about. then grab the rear of the boot, and push the heel in.

I don't have a swim deck so I put em on in the water. I've got factions so with the hinge out my feet slide in super easy. Once I strap in and get everything tight I like to shake the whole board back and forth for my feet to get in just the right spot though.

i guess some of the foot twisters #2's i have seen are also those standing standing on a podium next to a pool with the winch handle in their hands. kinda getting them on without the use of hands ya know.

this almost could have been a ww poll
thanx for the replies to my seemingly silly question

My main riding partner is pretty funny to watch. He has to have the cleanest feet around with the amount of soap he uses to get in, then when he's getting them off he thrashes around for a good 30-40 seconds like a shark is attacking, it's like he's in panic mode. His bindings aren't tight either, they're at least a size too big.

I have never noticed how people put their boots on before this thread. I put mine on #2 style. I was watching my 12 year old put his on today and he does the foot twist too. Pretty funny.

I just slip my foot in mine so 1. The CBW bindings with the hinge work awesome.

Lube and shove #1

left then right.
I have the Vantages. #1 with a bit of 2, middle strap then ankle then toe.
no lube

I have LF Watsons and SS D2's...I use method #1, I found the comfort to be about the same.

I just put my junk on and ride, dont really stress about how it happens.