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I am looking to find what are the lightest weight straps on the market.

All weights are in grams and include mounting screws

Bent Metal Missionary (screws are stainless)
ankle 180
toe (heavier than the Ride RX)

Ride RX (screws are aluminum)
ankle 180
toe 90

If anyone else out there has lighter, please post. Thanks

Good thread. Lets find out.

i'd look at the ride alpha ankle strap, very slim

Enough of all this "what's lightest" crap please!
I am so freakin sick of this....

How about what is a comfortable strap that wont blow-out while I'm riding?

You want light weight then Splitboarding is not for you.

I have carried old outdated heavy gear all my life. I don't have 20 lbs to lose like many people have talked about doing. And even if I did, it would do more harm than good. I have done research about how ankle weights are not particularly great on joints and splitboards, boots and bindings are just glorified ankle weights on the up. Being of small stature at 5'10" and 145 lbs, having less weight on my feet is crucial. Weight in the pack isn't as important as stronger muscles provide the power necessary to climb. I carry heavier packs than most.

I understand if "light weight" isn't your thing, but there are quite a few people out there who understand where I am coming from and are very much interested.



I checked out those straps. Those are pretty sick! I called up Ride today for pricing on just the straps. Ouch...

You want light? Go buy the Blazes and you are done.

Burton makes the utrastrap air that is super lightweight and responsive because it is essentially an air pocket. The ultra capstrap is relatively lighter than my C02 straps, and performs better. Titanium hardware would be ultra light but may weaken in the cold. I dunno.

Alpine climbers know the value of light weight. The link below describes how every extra lb of weight you carry on your feet has the same effect as carrying nearly 7lbs extra on your back.
I've not read the original research, but have toured with some uber-heavy boot-binding combos & it can be chronic.

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html

I'm down with lightweight straps -who's got em??

Personally I don't care if people are weight weenies or not. I ride hardboots and plates but I still appreciate Rughty's initiative and creativity.

BUT I can't help but flame every time someone attempts to shoehorn the backpacking adage about 'X amount of weight on our feet = this, that and the other' to skinning. Bullshit. We are sliding our feet along the ground.
Unless you are doing kick turns every other stride its entirely different mechanics...

YMMV, but weight off my back = more enjoyable riding
I actually use a modified REI Flash 18 becuase I can't stand having any unnecessary weight on my back when I'm riding.
Suppose I ought to be following Rughty's lead with regard to backpacks...


Apologies for the threadjack

I have finally checked out a pair of those alpha's in person and they are sick! Those straps have to weigh next to nothing. I might have to pick them up for my next binding conversion.

No worries Snurfer. I never mind a weight discussion! So, I see it quite a bit different than you do on this point except for the fact that riding with less weight is far better than with more. I see people at the resorts riding with all their packs loaded with their beverages of choice and it makes me cringe. Anyways...

As for different mechanics between skinning and backpacking...I agree. You have solid ground beneath your feet instead of sinking into the snow like you do when skinning. Also, there is far less friction lifting your boot off the ground taking a step instead of dragging 2 planks up a hill and then sinking only to do it again and again and again....You take far more steps in the snow than you do on solid ground. Even though you are sliding instead of walking, you are still going up and having less weight on your feet will allow you to take more steps, use less energy and therefore climb higher and go further. When you get to the point where you start booting up a steep, now you are forced to carry that extra weight on your back. I would say that in all these cases, having a lighter anything would most certainly be beneficial. Of course I wouldn't sacrifice performance for weight, hence my reasoning for building my bindings the way that I do. Skinning magnifies the weight ratio between your feet and your back IMO.

Since breaking my leg back in December, I have noticed how much having less weight on my feet instead of my back is really key. It has changed the way I ride, climb, walk and sleep. It has changed the way I view everything. I realized how much I have battered and tortured my legs going out doing the things I love to do. I have tossed quite a few pairs of shoes and snowboard boots due to comfort and weight issues.

Lightweight gear matters. For those who do not care about gear weight, just do not bother to waste your time (and ours) commenting on these threads. Thanks to Rughty for starting this discussion-those Ride straps look pretty trick, how are their ratchets?

You're gonna resurrect a thread then bag on me?

I have Rughty's binding! He is the Man! They are sickly light no matter what straps are on them.

{Please insert smiley sticking his tongue out}

I still love you Barrows... keep getting after it and don't get mad about little old me.

No worries Pedro!

I am still looking for someone to weigh in on how good Ride's ratchets are on the Alpha?