Wakeboard Bindings Size Chart And Buyer's Guide
There are a lot of elements that go into wakeboarding – the board, the rope, the bindings, the boat, what you should wear, technique… all of this can be a little overwhelming to the beginning wakeboarder. One thing we’d like to focus on is one that is often overlooked amidst all of the other elements, and that is the bindings.
The bindings are a crucial element to your wakeboarding experience and success, since they are the only thing that connects you to your board. It’s very important to find bindings that fit you well and our wakeboard bindings size chart will guide you in this.
As a beginner, it may be daunting to figure out the right bindings for you and your board, but rest assured that we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our wakeboard bindings size chart and buying guide, and you’ll quickly be able to find what you need with very little trouble.
What are wakeboard bindings?
There are several types of wakeboard bindings, but the basic purpose they serve is to attach the rider to the wakeboard. Bindings are composed of a baseplate, a boot, and laces or fasteners. Let’s look at these features in more detail.
Baseplate
The baseplate is, as the name suggests, the base of the binding. It’s kind of like the sole of a shoe that is screwed or strapped onto the board. They can be made of metal or other strong materials. The rider’s foot is attached in some way to the baseplate.
There are several types of baseplates: traditional, hybrid, and plateless. Traditional baseplates are the simplest. They’re a metal plate that has a foam cushion on top, and they are screwed into the board. The boot is then attached to the baseplate.
Hybrid baseplates have become more popular as they are more comfortable and offer more success. They’re good for intermediate-level riders. Hybrid baseplates are basically an all-in-one: the boot and the baseplate are together and they are both screwed into the board in one piece.
Plateless baseplates are the most advanced form, and are similar to those used in snowboarding. They are frames that mount onto the wakeboard with basically no baseplate at all. Riders put their feet into boots that have cushioning, support, and a sturdy base all together, and that boot is strapped onto a frame that is mounted on the wakeboard.
Boots
Boots are pretty self-explanatory. They’re the part of the binding that your foot goes into to hold it to the baseplate and give you support. This is the part that you’ll need to consult the wakeboard bindings size chart for. There’s a lot of variety in boots. Some completely cover the foot and ankle, some leave your toes open, and some are just a series of straps, like a sandal.
Closed-toe boots are the most standard. They look very much like snowboarding boots, and they cover the whole foot and ankle. They give the rider good control since the foot is kept in place securely, and they are very comfortable. They can be more expensive than other types of boots, and you may not be able to share them with other people, with very different sized feet, as they are generally not adjustable and are made to fit your foot. They can be especially good for keeping your feet warm if you are wakeboarding in cooler waters.
Open-toe bindings are a lot like the closed-toe wakeboard bindings, offering the same ankle support, but the toe part is missing. The rider’s toes will stick out of the end of the boot. They’re the classic form of boots, are are still available, updated with technological improvements. They often cost less than closed-toe boots and are also a little more adjustable so can more easily be shared. Some riders may find them more comfortable. On the other hand, you may have less control, and your toes may get cold!
The most cost-effective and most adjustable option is sandal bindings. They’re not often used anymore, but you may find them on older boards. They can be good for casual and beginning riders and kids, as they’re easy to put on and remove and can easily be shared. There are more disadvantages to sandal bindings, though. They offer poor foot and ankle support, and are often low quality. They don’t offer a lot of support or control. They can also be more dangerous, especially when doing tricks. One of your feet could come out and cause unwanted twisting or turning, leading to leg or knee damage.
Wakeboard bindings size chart
Men’s wakeboard bindings size chart
| XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USA | 5 - 6.5 | 6.5 - 7.5 | 8 - 9 | 9.5 - 10.5 | 11 - 12 | 13+ |
UK | 4.0 - 5.5 | 5.5 - 6.5 | 7 - 8 | 8.5 - 9.5 | 10 - 11 | 12+ |
EURO | 37 - 38.5 | 38.5 - 40 | 40.5 - 42 | 42.4 - 44 | 44.5 - 45.5 | 47+ |
Women’s wakeboard bindings size chart
| XS | S | M | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
USA | 5 - 5.5 | 6 - 6.5 | 7 - 8.5 | 9 - 10 |
UK | 2.5 - 3 | 3.5 - 4 | 4.5 - 6 | 6.5 - 7.5 |
EURO | 35 - 35.5 | 36 - 37 | 37.5 - 39 | 40 - 41 |
Buy A Wakeboard Package
Wakeboard packages are a great way to purchase. They include the bindings with the wakeboard for a coordinated look and are more cost effective.
Tips For Buying, Mounting And Wearing Wakeboard Bindings
Below are some simple tips before buying, mounting and wearing wakeboard bindings.
- M6 inserts are now the new standard for wakeboard manufacturing. If you have an older wakeboard, it may have a 1/4-20 inserts, basically a different type of screw to attach the bindings to the board. The M6 inserts, provide a more secure fit of the bolts to the inserts and therefore help to keep the binding hardware locked in place. Having said that, you should check your bindings are firmly attached before every ride and carry a screwdriver with you to tighten when needed.
- Boots and wakeboards are interchangeable as long as they have the same hardware, eg. M6 inserts. Wakeboard boots can generally fit any wakeboard but you would want to check the spacing between the inserts, particularly if you have an older board.
- If having trouble getting a boot on, wetting the inside of the boot and/or your foot will simply resolve this. If still having trouble, consider a biodegradable lubricant.
How to find the right bindings
When you’re looking at bindings, make sure you try them on before buying. The boots should fit snugly but comfortably and not cause you any pain. You don’t want your feet to be hurting during your time on the water! Take a look at our wakeboard bindings size chart to figure out what range you fall into and select that size.
Look at different options and decide which is best for you. Setting up wakeboard bindings should be fairly easy; you shouldn’t have to struggle to get them on your feet. Make sure you try putting them on and taking them off in the store before buying.
With the right size boots from our wakeboard bindings size chart, you’ll be sure to have a comfortable, safe, and fun ride whenever you hit the water!