Foot pads are easy but I noticed a lot of people are looking for a good cheap set of foot straps, for their homemade boards, $100 new for pads and straps is a little ridiculous I thought I could pick up a good used set of pads and straps but after losing most ebay auctions at over $60 (w/o shipping) I gave up on that.
Now I know Real kiteboarding sells a set of JL straps for 40 bucks but by the time I factor in shipping duty and exchange it's at least 60 to the door step.
So here's how to make a damn good set. All in cost me $24 bucks Canadian. and was able to pick up all the supplies easily.
Here's what you need
2 x 10"x2" piece of Velcro the grippy side (hook side) (available at Canadian tire or walmart) âINDUSTRIAL STRENGTH 2" STICKY BACK VELCR€ 4 FT = $12
2 x 5"x2" piece of grippy Velcro
4 x 9"x2" piece of fluffy(loop side) Velcro
2 x 21" piece of seat belt (Available at Auto scrap yard.....dirt cheap)
2 x 13" piece of seat belt
2 x 3.5" piece of seat belt
1 x set of "kuny™" foam knee pads (Available at rona/homedepot) $10
5/16" grommets (walmart $2)
2 x 2" Rectangle ring don't know where to get these, Use stainless steel "king chain" harness rings 1-1/4" and crush them in a bench vice. 1$ each
TOTAL COST $24
1. Clean the seat belt really thoroughly and allow it to dry. You will be applying sticky back velcro to many portions of it. If you can clean all the grease and crap off you will get a good bond and not need to sew throught this stuff too much
2. Cut seat-belt to length 2 x 21" , 2 x 13", 2x 3.5"
3. Burn ends of seat belt to prevent fraying
4. Put the 21 inch and 13inch length of seat belt together line the ends up and using a soldering iron burn a hole through both pieces of belt roughly 1/2 inch from the end at the mid point in the width
5. Install a grommet into the hole you just burned to attach the pieces of belt together.
6. Sew a reinforcing square around the grommet using sail repair thread V90 (you should already have this stuff) If you don't buy it you will use it to fix EVERYTHING, From kites to harnesses to bindings
7. Take a 3.5 inch piece of seat belt fold it over 2 inch Rectangle ring. Burn a hole in it using a soldering iron, install grommet and sew a reinforcing square around it.
8. Remove strap from knee pad, and pull off crappy felt liner.
9. Clean the top of the knee pad between the strap holes with isopropyl alcohol, allow it to dry, then stick 5 inch piece of grippy Velcro between the holes for the straps
10. Orient the the 2 pieces of seatbelt you attached in step 3 so that the 13inch piece is on top.
11. Route the 21inch piece through the knee pad as shown
12. Adhere a 9 inch fluffy Velcro strip to the end of the 21inch piece of seatbelt on both sides.
13. Adhere the 10inch grippy Velcro to the bottom side of the 13inch piece of seatbelt
14. Sew the Velcro on as you determine is needed. This is good adhesive if applied in 1 shot on a clean belt, it should hold well, However, even with a perfect bond, At minimum you will have to add reinforcement to the end of the fluffy Velcro as shown or the
Velcro will tend to peel itself off in these areas
15. Install on to board as shown. (be careful to do it as shown doing it the other way will cause your pads to fall down, making board off's impossible and getting in the bindings difficult
16. Shape for comfort as desired,
Ready for board offs.
Repeat for other side
Notes
These bindings are made too big intentionally so there is a large error margin and it will fit all feet and boot types with all foot pads. If you have small feet and or thin foot pads you will need to cut the end off the 21" piece of velcro to get it to fit right. Once you tighten it you'll know what I mean.
If you find the bindings are sagging too much for you liking, ensure they are installed as per my directions. If they are, add some velcro to the 21" piece of velcro close to where it grommets to the board, (right side in the above photo) this will stiffen it and hold the top of the binding up better.
Feel free to cut out toes if you think they are too corny looking, I actually find the toe caps comfy
If you really wanna get fancy, sew some neoprene to to the underside of the knee pad where the strap crosses your feet. and sew a patch of your choice to the top of the 13" foot strap making it look like factory bindings with your own custom logo. (I'll post pictures when they are done)
for the seat belts I went to a pick you own scrap yard cut them out with a pair of scissors and then went to cash asked em how much they want for these and they said 5 bucks I pulled out my credit card and they just told me it's on the house. seat belt at full length will be enough
Obviously a sewing maching makes life much easier and your stiches a bit more professional looking.