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It sounds tempting: for as little as 80 euros, the wet weight can be reduced by almost half a kilo. This is sometimes equivalent to the next most expensive board design. However, the weight saving is concentrated through the loops at the tail and should not be compared one-to-one with a lighter board weight in terms of riding characteristics such as planing or levelling in light winds. Depending on the distribution, half a kilo can already have a noticeable and measurable effect on the board. The Ride Engine Minimalist is particularly light, although it has already exceeded the weight tuning limit, at least for windsurfing, at the expense of comfort. The comfortable Starboard Drake strap weighs only 72 grams wet, while a standard wet foot strap weighs around 174 grams. This means that the set of four is still around 0.4 kilos lighter on the water. All straps were weighed without screws and washers, which are required for all straps. For the wet measurement, we submerged the straps under water for five minutes and allowed them to drain for ten seconds.
Lightweight and comfortable - but not all
In the test, we were impressed by how comfortable the straps are on the foot - in warm weather and without shoes. Apart from the Ride Engine Minimalist (uncomfortable) and the I-99 "Pro" version (less comfortable than the standard model), the straps were comfortable when freeriding and provided good support. The Ride Engine Ultra and the I-99 Superlight are made in the classic style with a neoprene sleeve inside. On the Severne and Drake, the soft foam of the strap lies directly on the foot, the straps are only reinforced on the upper side. The foam rubber was comfortable, non-slip and quite robust, and water absorption was also particularly low. This type of strap can appear bulkier in very cold weather. Most lightweight straps are less suitable for frequent size adjustments - if the screws have to be used every time, which does not increase the service life of the dowels in the board.
I-99 Superlight Straps
The classic production with neoprene cover ensures a slightly higher weight. The strap - seamless inside and wide cut - is very comfortable and offers a good grip. The holes are not reinforced, so it is important to ensure that the plate clamps securely with well-tightened screws.
- Weight: 85/119 g (dry/wet)
- Price*: 40 Euro >> available here
Comfortable, lightweight, dimensionally stable
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i-99 Pro Superlight Straps
The i-99 Pro Superlight is the narrow version of the Superlight, otherwise identical in construction. The seamless inside is comfortable, but because the strap is quite narrow, you feel it a little harder over time and it is less comfortable than the wide version. The stability is also good.
- Weight: 83/112 g (dry/wet)
- Price*: 43 Euro
Light
Seems quite hard in the long run
Ride Engine Minimalist
The Minimalist marks the limit of weight tuning: the very soft strap is not sufficiently stable for windsurfing. Initially, it is still supple, but then constricts noticeably. The reinforcement of the holes makes the strap narrow and requires wider spacing between the screw holes.
- Weight: 43/53 g (dry/wet)
- Price*: 24 Euro
Extremely light
Very soft, unstable, narrow
Ride Engine Ultra Lite
The second Ride Engine strap offers very comfortable comfort with good support. Thanks to the asymmetric cut, the foot is enclosed a little wider at the big toe, which provides a solid connection to the board. The padding on the seamless inside is soft and the strap is stable.
- Weight: 76/125 g (dry/wet)
- Price*: 29 Euro
Dimensionally stable, comfortable
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Severne Ultra Light
The Ultralight is stable, with soft foam on the inside, similar to the Drake strap. It hardly absorbs any water and is attached to the board in a very solid and twist-proof manner (plastic plate on the top and bottom, the loop is reinforced on the inside in the area of the screws).
- Weight: 73/88 g (dry/wet)
- Price*: 21 Euro
Very light (wet), comfortable
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Drake Ultralight Sl-Race
Stable standing, soft padding. Hardly absorbs any water and is fastened solidly and torsion-proof (stainless steel plate at the top, plastic plate at the bottom, loop reinforced on the inside in the area of the screw). The size of the loop can be quickly and easily adjusted using the slotted hole (photo left). apm-marketing.de
- Weight: 58/72 g (dry/wet)
- Price*: 18 Euro
Lightweight, comfortable, easily adjustable
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Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.
