How to: Putting on your bindings properly!!

Getting your foot into a binding sounds like the least technical thing in the sport, right up until you are sitting in the water fighting a dry boot with the boat idling. Doing it properly is faster, and it is most of what determines how many seasons you get out of a set of boots. Reuben runs through all four common binding types in the video.

Reuben on getting into combo, slalom, wakeboard and rubber bindings — 5 minutes 8 seconds.

Find your binding type

Combo ski — heel slide adjust horseshoe binding

The easiest style to get into, and the one on most combo skis.

1. Slide the heel piece all the way back.
2. Peel open the front toe rubber and push the heel section off to the side.
3. Wet your foot and the binding. This makes it ten times easier — it is not optional.
4. Wiggle your toes all the way to the front of the binding, using the holes in the rubber to help work your heel into position.
5. Once your foot is all the way forward, slide the heel piece up until it sits snug and firm against your heel.

Getting out: loosen the heel piece and slide your foot out.

Slalom ski — bungee and static lace bindings

The single biggest mistake we see is a rider with the binding out in front of them, jamming their heel down with dry feet. That makes it harder to get in and shortens the life of the boot.

1. Wet your foot.
2. Stand directly over the boot — that is what puts you in the right position to get in at all.
3. Do not jam your heel down. Lever off the handle at the back and push your foot forward.
4. Put tension on the bungee lace over the ankle and slide the locker down. Do the same with the static lace across the forefoot.
5. Clip the ends of the laces back onto the laces themselves or onto the boot, so nothing is flapping while you ski.

Getting out: take the tension off, lift the little button and slide it away from you. Then step forward out of the boot — that is both the easiest way out and the kindest to the binding.

Wakeboard — closed toe boots

Same principles as a slalom boot, and the same payoff in how long the boot lasts.

1. Stand directly over the binding with a wet foot.
2. Point your toe and slide your foot in, pushing forward rather than jamming your heel down.
3. Tighten the lace from the bottom up to the ankle, then slide the locker down and push the pull tab in so it locks.
4. Stow the laces. Most brands put an insert on the outside or inside of the upper cuff for exactly this — tuck them in so they are secure and not flapping around while you ride.

Getting out: pull the tab, loosen the laces like you would a shoe, and your foot slides out.

Old-school rubber slalom bindings

These are the hard ones. Wetting your foot and the binding on its own will not work — you need lubrication.

1. Mix some dishwashing liquid with water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray your foot and the inside of the binding until it is properly soapy.
3. Point your toe and slip your foot in.
4. Get two fingers through the holes at the back of the heel rubber and use them to lever your heel down into position.
5. Push your foot forward rather than jamming your heel down.

Taking a ski binding off while standing up

Making your boots last

• Always wet your feet before putting bindings on.
• Never force your foot into a boot. Push forward, not down.
• Secure your laces and straps properly rather than letting them flap.
• Step forward out of a slalom boot instead of hauling your heel out backwards.

Common questions

Why should I wet my foot before putting on a binding?

Because it makes entry roughly ten times easier and stops you forcing the boot. Forcing is what tears bindings and shortens their life. On rubber bindings, water alone is not enough — you need soapy water.

Why is my slalom boot so hard to get into?

Usually because the ski is out in front of you and you are jamming your heel down with a dry foot. Wet the foot, stand directly over the boot, lever off the handle at the back, and push your foot forward instead of down.

How do I get into old rubber slalom bindings?

Mix dishwashing liquid into a spray bottle with water and spray both your foot and the inside of the binding. Point your toe, slip in, then hook two fingers through the holes at the back of the heel rubber and lever your heel down.

What is the safest way to take a ski binding off on the boat?

Standing on the duck board or on the bank, first make sure the fin is in a safe position. Then lift your heel and twist your ankle to one side, and it will come off easily while you are still standing.

How do I stop my boot laces flapping while I ride?

On slalom boots, clip the lace ends back onto the laces or onto the boot. On wakeboard boots, most brands have an insert on the outside or inside of the upper cuff to tuck the laces into.

What order do I tighten wakeboard boot laces?

Bottom to top. Work up to the ankle, put tension on the lace, slide the locker down and push the pull tab in to lock it.

How do I get out of a slalom boot without damaging it?

Take the tension off the laces, lift the small button and slide it away from you, then step forward out of the boot rather than pulling your heel up and back.

Does getting into bindings the right way really make them last longer?

Yes. Forcing a dry foot into a boot is the main thing that tears rubber and stretches liners. Wetting your feet and pushing forward instead of jamming down is the difference between replacing boots every season and not.

Related guides

• How to set up your wakeboard — mounting the boots in the first place.
• Wakeboard boot size guide
• Resource Centre — the rest of the how-to and care videos.

Shop the gear

• Slalom ski boots
• Wakeboard boots
• Combo water skis

Fighting a boot every single time you go out? It may simply be the wrong size. Talk to us — we fit these in the Brisbane store every week.