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Ride's wedgie footbed - does it work, and can it help to reduce knee stress?

16K views 31 replies 17 participants last post by  Canadiankite  
#1 ·
I posted this question embedded in a different thread (k2 indy or ride ex), but thought I would get more feedback if I just started another thread. I did a quick search, and there is some stuff I could find, but wanted to see if I could drum up more. The stuff I found didn't really answer my question.

So, Ride advertises that the wedgie footbed helps to create a more 'natural stance'. It supposedly helps comfort, control, and pop. I asked the guy at one of the local shops regarding this, and he said it is kinda gimmicky. It might help; at best, it's subtle and not a big thing to consider when choosing bindings. I am assuming he meant all aspects of what it is supposed to help (comfort, control, pop). But, another guy at a different shop said his buddy got something similar (had a custom footbed made though), and it really helps his knees when riding.

I am just wondering what you guys/gals who ride Ride bindings with a wedgie footpads think. I really don't care about the pop aspect. The control aspect, well, that would be extra benefit. It's the comfort aspect I am after - especially reducing knee stress. Any riders out there who can confirm this? I get some knee stress/strain, but notice it the day after I ride, not really on the hill. But, cutting down on this would be great cause I don't want bad knees one day. I know getting a custom footbed would probably be best, but does the wedgie footbeds reduce knee strain/stress?
 
#3 ·
I think they're a godsend, as they relieved pain at my 5th metatarsal heads by preventing my feet from wanting to slide laterally. Not subtle or gimmicky at all. I have a couple pair of Ride bindings and some K2 Auto Evers that are canted, and it would be hard for me to buy a flat binding from here on out.

I don't know how they affect my control or pop (I have questionable amounts of each), but they most definitely add comfort.
 
#4 ·
so...where were these helpful links when I was originally searching?? no idea....I just stumbled across them. But, I do have some more questions.

http://www.snowboardingforum.com/bindings/23737-rides-canted-footbeds-do-they-make.html

http://www.snowboardingforum.com/bindings/32257-canting-foot-beds-seems-like-deal.html

So, seems the consensus is that it is noticeable for sure. And, a few comments saying those with knee/joint stress should definitely use them.

I guess it is up to angles for me now.

Has anybody tried different angles of wedgies?? That's a long shot, but you never know. ;) I was looking at picking up the Ride ex, but not sure the 1.5 is gonna impact the knees like the 2.5 or the 3.0 will.

Can anyone give feedback whether they have gotten reduced knee/joint stress from the 1.5 cant?

If you've only ridden a 2.5 cant or larger, I still would like to hear your experiences. Just let me know the binding you've ridden.
 
#5 ·
I'm using the 390 bosses with maximum cant and find that they are helpful overall. Years of riding with a ducked out wide stance has caused issues with my "Q" angles and has created an acute ankle angle--making me prone to ankle roll. Riding with canted footbeds creates a more natural leg position. Gimmicky to some, helpful to me. Going forward,I will probably only use canted footbeds.
 
#13 ·
k, all this has convinced me that I need to give a canted binding a go this year. Looks like the cant is no gimmick at all for the comfort factor.

so, I was going to go and pick up last year's ride ex binding, but going to the store gave me some surprises...found out today all k2 bindings were on sale this week, and i also found out that the new K2 formula's have a 3 degree cant, which I didn't know about. Nice! So, I picked those up instead.

Once I get a few days out, I'll hopefully remember and update this thread on my experiences with the bindings, especially the comfort factor on the joints.
 
#23 ·
so, this is just an update regarding the new formula bindings.

The 3 degree cant worked great, my knees feel good after a full day of riding. Like I said, my knee strain wasn't a big deal, but I wanted to get rid of it before it actually became a problem. I am glad I went for it, thanks all for the input.
 
#29 ·
"Are you sure the Formulas have a 3 degree cant? When I rode them this summer they seemed like a lot more mellow cant than Rides.."

I'll defer to jgsqueak, cause I can't find where I read it the first time. Apparently, this 3 degree cant is not well advertised. BUT...what I can say is that the cant definitely seemed larger in comparison to the Ride EX cant (1.5) when I saw it in the store. The larger cant is what ultimately sold me over the Ride Ex, along with higher toe elevation and the highback, well, no, but the highback is a great bonus - really comfortable, hardly notice it's there. :)

Just to be sure, these are the guys I bought
Formula | K2 Snowboarding
maybe the ride's you tried had the 4 degree footbed put in them?

"I don't own formulas. I just rode them at high cascade for a few days this summer. Definately good shit. I feel like the canting helps me get over my presses too."

I can't really comment definitively because I just got a new board which would help with that too, but I get better balance to butter with the combo - better control while balancing over the one leg. Also, I am surprised to say this..but I did notice the claimed 'more natural feel' to the stance that cants supposedly give. Granted, it is not super obvious - it took me about 1/2 way through the day to actually notice. But, it's there for me. It is not the selling feature because it's so subtle, but it's a nice addition.