Review of Dakine Raptor Heal Straps

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Bought a pair of Dakine Raptor Heal Straps about three weeks ago - just wanted to post my review.

Gotta give these a big thumbs up. I was definately feeling sketchy about feeling locked into my board - but they really do help keep the board on your feet and help with stability. its one less thing to think about because the board really is pretty secure. I have been trying a lot of new moves recently - which means that I have been eating sh*t a LOT!! Its nice to have the board still on my feet so I can get up and keep riding and then try the same move again (and then eat more sh*t).

The only down side is getting out of the board. It does take a little while to get used to getting out of these - I have to lay on my back and use one of my hands to peel the heal strap off. I make sure I take the heal straps off before I head in to land my kite. It is weird to not be able to kick off the board at any given time.

Putting on the straps is pretty easy after a while. You can just step into your bindings like normal with the heal straps underneath your heals and then reach down and pull them over your ankles.

Also, if you don't want to ride with your straps on for any reason - they are very easy to "stow away". They slip very conveniently over your toe straps - completely out of the way.

I definately recommend these - they help keep your board on your feet which gives you more riding time (which will help with progression) and they help minimize the risk of losing your board.

One warning though - they do become addicting so if you have multiple boards you are probably going to want to get them on all of your boards.

tonyb · Mon Jul 28, 08 8:45 am

I give this review Thumb's Up

My feelings exactly on these straps. Been using them since last summer and I love 'em.

Tony

dangerD · Since 27 Jun 2005 223 Posts Bingen Heights Stoked

used bicycle innertubes... not quite the bling, but they're FREE, youre recycling, and they "breakaway" when needed...
been using them for 6 years.
Ive never lost a board... knock knock

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jul 28, 08 9:25 am

Nice review, I have been riding with them for about two months now and feel the same way. They are indeed very secure and can really help your riding when jumping and hoping and what not. You don't have to hella arch your toes or dig them into your foot straps in order to keep your board on your feet. If you wipe out hard, they will still come off but you will need to reach down and pull the straps off when your coming into the beach.

Lastly, you want to make sure your foot straps are snug down on your feet. the first time I went out with the raptors I landed from a pop to flat pretty hard and the tension of the heel straps kinda shot my feet way deep into the foot straps. But, i have big feet and there is quite a bit of tension on my heel straps.

If you often feel like your board is going to flop off, give them a try. They are only $20.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

Everyone knows that heelstraps are for beginners only, and are as gay as a 20% less gay GoJoe!

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

Before this gets too outta hand.

I was kidding.

I use the Dakine Raptors on all my boards.

So there.

Yardsale · Since 29 Mar 2005 387 Posts Portlanastan Obsessed

sleestack · Since 07 Dec 2006 184 Posts Land of the Lost Stoked

[quote="terremoto"]
The only down side is getting out of the board. It does take a little while to get used to getting out of these - I have to lay on my back and use one of my hands to peel the heal strap off.

.[/quote]

Dude, stop wearing the ankle weights, they only inhibit the function of the heel straps. Laughing

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

So this is pimpin' week.

OK,,, Anybody try these from NSI

Just curious how they stack up against those ones with the big LOGO Rolling Eyes

Personally, I'm over straps all together.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Nice shot! Wakeskate?

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

If you like heelstraps maybe you should try riding boots. Then your feet are really locked in. Also, let's not confuse the two, they are very different. I don't think there's any pros out there riding heelstraps.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

How the hell do you get into those boots? I remember getting into my wakeboard boots, and it was definitely something that took two hands. Actually, I usually use two hands to get into the heelstraps, for the first one anyway. Once you have the first foot in, the second one you can pull over with one hand.

Can't imagine having to let go of the kite for that long to put two boots on.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

It's not too bad. The kite specific boots are more slick and easier to get in/out of than some of the wakeboard ones. I just steer kite with one hand and slip foot in as far as it'll go while holding strap on back of boot, then keep pushing foot in while holding strap on front of boot, if it hasn't popped all the way in yet then switch to the strap on back of boot again and after this your foot should be all the way in. Pretty quick with the Liquid Force Union boots (under 1 minute without rushing). Takes a bit longer with the lace-up boots to get them just right.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

For sure, probably even quicker since the boots are nice and wet and I'm not worried about dragging the board around on rocks or anything. I've had to do it out in the Hood River swell before. It's not as bad as people think after you get a bit used to it. The Unions are also great because if you eat shit really hard your feet can still pop out. If you like heelstraps you'll like boots even more I'd imagine.

If you're curious you're welcome to try mine out sometime. Just grab me at the beach. I'll be even more willing if you offer me a cold one so I have something to do while I wait on the beach Wink