Women's Board Accessories
Review> The 2008 Liquid Force Stiletto Luxury Interface Kit
One of the most frequently-asked questions we get is "Can you recommend a footstrap that fits a woman's foot?" After some searching and testing, the WKA girls found a kiteboard footstrap/footbed combo that not only fits a woman's foot, it's as comfortable as putting on your favorite pair of sneakers.We found the perfect combination of fit, performance, and comfort in the Liquid Force Stiletto Luxury Interface Kit. New for 2008, this is not just a footstrap set -- rather, it is a complete board deck comfort and performance system. Here is why we put the Stilettos on our must-have list for 2008:
1. Comfort
First of all, the cushy air cell-induced footbeds mold to your feet, giving a snug and comfortable fit underfoot. And it's not a hard foam like most other kiteboard footbeds. It's a soft neoprene liner over cushioned air compartments, giving an extremely comfortable ride. One will really feel the level of comfort and performance when landing jumps -- especially when landing hard and fast. The cushiony support provides enough stability to land a fast and aggressive move smooth, but gives just enough to act as a shock-absorber for the impact to the knees, feet, and lower back. Great for anyone with bad knees!
2. Fit
The strap here is what really makes the difference for a women's foot. The pre-curved ergonomic shape has a narrower profile for smaller feet. The strap adjusts with a heavy-duty wide Velcro closure that doubles over itself so that the rider gets a snug and secure fit. The adjustment range is surprisingly wide... At our Padre clinic, we had a petite woman with a size 6 foot slide in and strap down so snug that she could actually loosen it a bit. And one woman with a size 9 could comfortably open and tighten the straps as well. This is very encouraging for both men and women with smaller or narrower feet.
3. Performance
One nice thing about the LF Stiletto kit (and is also included in their Comp Interface Kit) is that it includes heel straps. These are great for anyone learning wakestyle, inverted or rotation maneuvers. The heel straps help keep the board on your feet, while also allowing for an easy exit when you want to get out. What we've really noticed after riding the Stiletto system is that our riding actually improved. The comfort of having a footbed that you can ride on for hours, combined with the design that makes landing jumps easier and with less impact -- these factors have played a big role in a women's confidence level and choosing to take her kiteboarding to the next level.
The 2008 Liquid Force Stilleto Luxury Interface Kit, $139.99, comes with:
- 3D molded footbeds
- ergonomic and widely adjustable footstraps
- adjustable and removable heel straps (not shown below)
- molded grip board handle
Some may shy away from the Stiletto's $139.99 price tag -- but our WKA testers, after having ridden with the Stilettos, say that this system is worth every penny. You be the judge.
If you have tried a board deck system that fits your foot and you are excited about, please notify us so that we can put it on our GEAR TEST list.