Lateral Boot Swing - How Much?

[rcrobar]

Hi Jacques

Too much of a good thing is not good ... right?

For even the biggest, heaviest, most aggressive racer there comes a point where the boots and bindings are TOO STIFF.

(EX-Adjusting the toe bail and boots as tight as possible = Little Movement.)

At the same time a recreational carver does not want the boot binding combo to be TOO SOFT.

(EX - Adjusting the toe bail and boots as loose as possible = Too Much Movement.)

In a previous post Jacques wrote:

You should be able to bend your ankles easily.
Your bindings should be adjusted in a way you can laterally swing your boots.

If you meet these 2 conditions, you can move your body over the board, forward, backward, on the right and on the left.
So you can do all the movements you need and feel comfortable.

The goal is to mix a little bit of the freedom of soft boots with the power of hard boots.

My Question(s), finally got to it.

How much lateral boot swing is ideal for doing fully laid turns?
Is it a personal preference or a technical requirement?

How many degrees of medial and lateral movement is desired?
Can the amount of movement be quantified in degrees?

Thanks
Rob

[rilliet]

Hi Rob,

We haven't quantified this lateral boots swing.

I personnaly adjust that with my feeling.

Here is what I feel when my lateral boots swing or my boots are too stiff:

- I feel stiff and uncomfortable on the board.
- I can't do push-pull turns properly, because I can't flex my legs enough.
- Riding is exhausting for the legs.
- Short turns at low speed are much more difficult.


Jacques

[rcrobar]

Hi Jacques

Day in and day out Jacques, Patrice & Nils take the time to answer the many questions posted on the forum, regardless of how detailed and time consuming the reponse.

Only guys with a true love of what they are doing could keep up this pace.

Thanks for your time and valuable advice.

Rob