I have a 2013 North Jaime pro, I am thinking of buying some boots as I like the locked in feel (I come from a wake boarding background although its been a few years since I stopped) just wondering if my current board would be suitable? i will probably buy a dedicated wakestyle board closer to summer but just wanted to get used to the boots over winter before I invest in a new board. I am 5 11 and about 70kg and use a 136 x 41 board.
I wouldn't suggest it at all. For one the board is pretty small and flat and will feel terrible and secondly it's a North so it's pretty likely it will break in a session or two in some silly manner. My suggestion is to save yourself some heartbreak, sell it and by something else.
A mate of mine has been using his for over a year with boots. And he rides hard too.
I'm pretty sure they do, I remember someone telling me they use boots with theirs.
I think the Jaime is marketed to the freestylers anyhow.
The kite community is boot adverse, no idea why - try it, if you like it then you can always get a dedicated wake style kite board when you sell more junk in the garage.
If not put your straps back on, no biggie.
Remember though - you'll suffer upwind ability, a few knots and harder crashes.
You'll gain more edge and feel better connected.
Stick with Ronix - they rock.
I got a Jamie pro I wouldn't put boots on it, tho it depends on what size you got, but still after buying a board for boots I can see why it wouldn't be suited for boots, tho mine is a 129x39 much to small for boots (boots board is 138x42)
We will have a demo of all the gear from LF 2014 range includeing the full boot range at the end of August. I have seen them all and they seem to cover most areas. Lightweight, stiff, CT and OT etc.
So if you can wait it would give you a chance to try them on your board. At KSS Altona
Thanks for all the tips, plenty of things to consider there. Just wondering Rowdy you mention that my board would probably break is that related to North Boards in general or just that my particular model is not specifically designed for boots? If so would I get a better experience with boots by getting a cheap wakestyle board and throwing boots on that? (when I mean cheap I see there are plenty of boards going for 3-400 few hundred dollars e.g. 2012 Cab customs etc)
Axion,
He said that because when you stack, you'll probably rip an insert out - those boards aren't meant to handle the torque a boot has. You can also snap the tips of your board quite easily next to the boot plate - I just did this to a strap board last week. Pick up a custom or a tona for cheap and give it a proper go.
