Something I haven't really found much information on. Just how tight to have your foot straps.....
I tend to go for a snug fit, but now am rethinking my approach because of the comments on the topic on going upwind on small boards and fins... a few people mentioned to twist body to point to where you are going, makes sense and will try this, but this will also require a good bit of twist in the straps too....
So for those who bump and jump and play around on more wave boards but on bays and lakes, how tight do you like it?
And for your slalom boards? Snug works okay for me at the moment.
So many variables in windsurfing, and sometimes one little one can make all the difference... eg. Wish I focused more on the leading foot pressure going upwind 
And because I am thinking straps, many of you dudes mastered strap to strap? Does the tightness factor in here too?
Cheers advanced full strength.
I read somewhere (perhaps Peter Hart?) that one of the most common injuries in windsurfing is broken ankles due to the foot being too deep into loose straps. Apparently, even more common than bruised ego.
I personally cannot sail on loose or "in-between" straps, especially in bump & jump conditions. I'm tight 
Don't think this affects strap-to-strap much.
Don't think this affects strap-to-strap much.
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i like them a bit loose, i find more so when wearing booties but if there tight i find it hard to get out of them to jibe
Personally a bit of both - loose for wave riding to get ya back foot across / front foot near the centre and a bit tighter for strong cross onshore B&J
I think the principal of having them loose is to get your toes further across the board and so your weight more over the centreline and your better setup for new school stand-up stance sailing, and going into manouvres, and so front toe pressure will carve the board (i think also your general leverage over board is better as ankle-to-strap length is less), it lets you stay in the straps longer when theres a lull, stops you being as heavy on the backfoot
I don't think loose is the right word, they don't feel loose as your foot goes further in, and the back foot can still need wiggling out before gybe
google "guy cribb slip into something more comfortable" (a PDF)
so for me its loose for all but flatwater speed (i.e. never happens)
I'm guessing most will say loose
Loose for waves boards(3 straps) and just a little tighter for freeride boards(4 straps). In both cases my feet slide into the straps easily, I find if my straps are too tight I get sore feet quickly. With big straps I can sail all day without a problem. When I set mine I undo them all the way and put my foot in fully and do the strap up real tight around the highest point of my foot, When I pull my foot out it seems to be set in just the right spot for a comfortable fit. When you first go with looser straps you often pull your feet out accidentally, especially when jumping but you soon learn to grip with your feet and it won't be a problem anymore.
Jem Hall said in his instructional DVD that "Big is Beautiful", He's right.....And I'm sure he was talking about foot straps.
Cheers.
K Dog, As for going up wind I've found that a harness with a sliding hook helps me. I use a Dakine T4 which allows the hook to slide almost around to my side which allows me to twist and lean forward and feather the sail to maintain power. I know this works for me because I've just bought a new ION harness that has a fixed hook, I can no longer lean as far forward as it over sheets the sail and I loose power. Longer lines may help with the fixed hook but it was so bad I had to take the ION harness back and swap it for a new T4. It might be all in my head but the sliding hook works for me, especially when slogging upwind.
Me on a slalom in ocean, maybe not tight but very very snug, I hate lose control is poop
Your toes should be visible completely (as in, their whole length) when you bung your foot in on the beach and look directly down at the strap - except for maybe 1/3 of your little toe not being visible
Careful of too loose as if your whole foot goes through in a crash, it will not come back out easily and you will be having a hard time keeping your face out of the water (= bad)
