Wakeboard Boot and Binding Breakdown: Making Sense of the Five Different Types

Join me to nerd out hard on wakeboard bindings! From the early days of wakeboarding to the present, we trace the evolution of bindings and explore the five main types: Open Toe, Closed toe, Removable Liner, Hyperlite Systems, and the old school Sandal Binding. As the sport expanded and specialized, the need for bindings tailored to different riding styles and preferences became evident.
For each binding type, I'll break down the characteristics, advantages, and considerations. Whether you're a beginner, advanced, boat rider, cable enthusiast, or a bit of all, there is a binding that probably suits your needs best.
#WakeboardBindings #Wakeboarding #WakeboardGear #BoatRiding #CableRiding #WakeboardTechnology #WakeboardHistory #OpenToeBindings #ClosedToeBindings #RemovableLinerBindings #HyperliteSystems #SandalBindings #gearheads #buyersguide #gearguide

[@ryanshimabukuro3283]

Solid, thorough review, Rich. A couple of things. 1) The debate is still out on whether or not you want to actually come out of your bindings on a crash. If both feet come out, that's the best scenario, but if 1 gets stuck and the other doesn't, that's not good. That's how I broke my femur and others have blown knees/ankles because the board swings & torques around loosely and can really injure those joints/bones. 2) If you wear a pair of Hyperlite System bindings on the boat, DO NOT put the boot portion on until you're on the swim platform. I've had people start putting them on in the cockpit and then walk over the back vinyl and I was like, "What the hell are you doing?????" That's like walking in the boat with shoes so don't do that!

[@LifetimeShred]

Good call on the bindings. I would say they should either be cinched tight or super loose. Id also add that the loose mostly just applies to lower end open toe that have less support and a shorter cuff anyway. Plus only for people just learning to get up and turn etc. Don’t go loose if you are jumping. Maybe ill add something to the description to call that out. Yeah with the Systems I agree. In general I just think of them as cable bindings. I know there was a moment when the HL team used them on the boat a lot but I think inly Maur does now. Id say systems and removable liner boots are just extra crap to deal with on a boat.

[@danielkazeil]

Hi, do you think the Hyperlite bindings are easier to break? As there are more parts, I think there is more chance of breaking, however maybe it's better to break the binding then the board. I train mainly air tricks, what do you think it's better? Bindings or a closed boot fixed to the board?

[@LifetimeShred]

I do think they have more maintenance as there are more screws to lose. On my old low backs, I lost a strap screw in the middle of a lap. It does happen. The other downside to them, I would say it specifically with the low backs. If you catch a heel edge, the back of the boot kind of folds over the heel cup. I think the systems with the high back could be good for you. I would just avoid the low back otherwise a normal pair of walkable liner closed toe are great.