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Why Is Wakeboard Technology Constantly Updating, And Is It Worth Upgrading Your Board In 2017?
Although new innovations in overall equipment and gear technologies occur across virtually all extreme sports, nowhere is this more prevalent than wakeboarding. Whether it is a new way to direct the water flow dynamics on the underside of the wakeboard, or an innovative and unique new binding design, you never know what kind of outstanding new wakeboarding designs are coming next. With that being said, the 2017 wakeboarding season is right around the corner, and in this way it is critical to review what your options are for new wakeboarding gear in 2017.
For many people who already own older wakeboarding equipment, it is possible that your gear still functions just fine and you don’t really need to replace anything. That may be true, but it is difficult to overstate just how game-changing it can be when you invest in the latest and most high tech designs of 2017. When you do a sufficient amount of research and preparation before making your 2017 wakeboarding equipment purchases, you can ensure that you end up with the perfect gear for your riding style and technique.
2017 is already seeing a lot of amazing new wakeboard designs, binding designs, wakeboarding boot designs, and many other equipment items. For the benefit of wakeboarders and consumers all over the world, we will be presenting some of these outstanding new wakeboard equipment options for the 2017 wakeboarding season in hopes that it will help prepare people for their upcoming rides.
What Are The Hottest New Wakeboard Models Coming Out in 2017?
1 – 2017 O’Brien Valhalla Wakeboard:
Coming up for the 2017 wakeboarding season, one of the best boards coming out is definitely the O’Brien Valhalla. This is a board that qualified for our consideration because of how versatile and broadly appealing it is for wakeboarders of varying skill levels, riding styles, and for how easy on the budget it is. Although it is not a recommended board for riders that are on the larger side, it should work for most average body types. Featuring a length of 133cm and equipped with 6mm inserts, the 2017 O’Brien Valhalla is both lightweight and extremely durable at the same time.
This is a wakeboard that is designed to minimize drag to the fullest possible extend, and is a fast and stable ride all around. The Valhalla wakeboard by O’Brien is equipped with a progressive rocker design, which helps to encourage consistent stability and fosters predictable lift up from the rails overall. When it comes to specific innovations built into the 2017 O’Brien Valhalla wakeboard, the expanded delta base design really helps to funnel water away from the tail of the board allowing for much cleaner ollies and launches off the wake. At around $270.00, the 2017 O’Brien Valhalla is a great buy for the 2017 wakeboarding season.
2 – 2017 Body Glove Antix Wakeboard:
Coming in next on our wakeboard lineup for the 2017 season, the Antix wakeboard by Body Glove is a pricier model that really has a lot to offer. This is a beginner to intermediate level board, and has been highly rated by consumers on many different platforms. Including Brandon Bindings with the 2017 Body Glove Antix wakeboard, this would likely be an awesome setup to buy if you’re a beginner or intermediate level wakeboarder looking for a new complete setup in 2017. With a triple stage rocker design, the 2017 Body Glove Antix wakeboard has got great flow at a wide range of different speeds out on the water.
Constructed with a PU Core and an infused resin fiberglass wrapping design, the 2017 Body Glove Antix wakeboard is built to have its fins molded into it, and is shaped with a crescent tail format. At 139cm this is a wakeboard with a moderate length to it, and will provide a good fit for a decent range of people and body types. Mounting brackets are included, and getting your setup just right on the 2017 Body Glove Antix wakeboard is truly a breeze. Although not everyone is prepared to spend around $400.00 on their new wakeboard setup for 2017, the fact that this board is high quality, highly rated, and sold with bindings as well makes it a great deal.
3 – 2017 Liquid Force Shane Dose Wakeboard:
Our most premium, and consequently most expensive wakeboard on the countdown for the 2017 season is without a doubt the 2017 Liquid Force Shane Dose wakeboard. This is a genuinely professional grade wakeboard, and Liquid Force has designed it in conjunction with one of their foremost pro riders, Shane Bonifay. Designed to have a 145cm length, this is a wakeboard that offers larger people an excellent ride whether being towed from a wake boat or a winch tow system. Equipped with a Wood CoreLiquid Force wooden core design, the Shane Dose 2017 wakeboard is basically built with a CNC milled wood core construction that gives the rider unparalleled flexibility and rebounding from the wakeboard.
The grind base built into the 2017 Liquid Force Shane Dose wakeboard is especially molded to the specific contours of this board, giving the board outstanding protection and functionality that lasts for a long time. This board would make a great investment for a new wakeboard in 2017, but it is definitely recommended for more experienced wakeboarding athletes. Retailing at around $530.00, this is not a cheap wakeboard by any means, but rather it represents the state of the art in elite wakeboard designs today. The saying “you get what you pay for”, could not be more true with regard to the 2017 Liquid Force Shane Dose wakeboard.
4 – 2017 CWB Woodro Wakeboard:
A highly in-demand wakeboard for the upcoming 2017 season is certainly the CWB designed Woodro wakeboard, and not only is it one of the best and most innovative designs for this season, it is also one of the most aesthetically impressive boards too. The 2017 CWB Woodro is designed with a centered hardwood pattering, with a green nose and black tail color scheme. It is a very modern and sleek looking board, while also maintaining a vibrant and colorful aspect as well. One thing to keep in mind with the CWB Woodro however, is that it is another intermediate to expert level wakeboard, and is not really intended for beginners.
At 140cm, the CWB Woodro is built with a natural flex core, and is designed with specific geometry and contours for being perfect at jibs and technical wakeboarding styles. With a Triax layup and independent dual channeling built into the CWB Woodro, this is a smooth flowing board that maximizes the inclusion of a continuous rocker dynamic. While you can definitely ride this board for a variety of wakeboarding applications and styles, it is mostly intended for technical and park type wakeboarding. Getting close to $450.00 with this board from CWB, it is one that might put some strain on some budgets, but it is going to be difficult to beat this board in terms of park applications.
What Are Some Of The Best New Wakeboarding Boots for 2017?
1 – 2017 Ronix Parks Wakeboard Boot in Electric Orange:
For a truly elite wakeboard boot in 2017, look no further than the 2017 Ronix Parks Wakeboard Boots, which are currently out and available in an eye catching electric orange and black aesthetic. These boots are another extremely premium, high end product on our 2017 wakeboarding equipment countdown, and they are another item that are primarily designed for more experienced wakeboarders. Available in the sizes of 9, 11, and 12, the 2017 Ronix Parks wakeboard boots have a fairly narrow availability with regard to sizing, but for those who can make these boots work you are basically guaranteed to love them.
With a mid range flex of a six rating, these wakeboard boots allow your feet to really settle back nicely into the pocket of the boot so that the level of heel hold is maximized to the greatest possible extent. One of the best innovations built into these Ronix wakeboarding boots for 2017 has to be the Brainframe technology, which is a proprietary design that is currently redefining state of the art boot fit. These closed toe boots are made to dampen shocks to the fullest possible degree, and make for a smooth and forgiving ride in many conditions. At around $475.00, these 2017 wakeboard boots are no joke, and neither is their price tag.
2 – 2017 Byerly Wakeboards Haze System Wakeboard Boots:
The 2017 Byerly Wakeboards Haze System wakeboard boots are quite well designed, bringing back a kind of minimalist, traditionalist perspective on high end wakeboard boots. These boots are available in a fairly broad range of sizes, offering a 9, 10, 11, an 12 sized boot option for people to choose from. Starting with the traditional lacing system, these boots harken back to the simplistic aspects of boot design that really work well and are dependable in all conditions. With a shorter than average cuff design and memory foam insoles, the 2017 Haze System boots by Byerly Wakeboards offer just about the highest comfort rating of any boots we have seen so far in 2017.
With a one year warranty, these are definitely dependable boots that are backed by a significant guarantee from the manufacturer. Featuring a patented flow-through draining system, these wakeboarding boots have effective channeling for water flow through the boots at all times. Equipped with EVA Lite+ outsoles and EVA Heel Impact Inserts, you have yet more features designed for comfort and ease of use for the rider. At just over $300.00 these aren’t the most expensive boots out in 2017 by any means, but their fairly significant price tag reflects a great deal for the consumer considering the high quality of the craftsmanship on these wakeboard boots.
What Are The Best and Most Innovative New Wakeboarding Bindings in 2017?
1 – 2017 CWB MD Wakeboard Bindings:
For a seriously good looking and high end wakeboarding binding in 2017, the CWB MD wakeboard bindings are a recommended option to look at and consider. These incredibly sleek black and bronze bindings come in a 9-10 sizing, a 10-11 sizing, and an 11-12 sizing, providing ample options for many wakeboarders. With a proprietary Achilles Pad, the 2017 CWB MD bindings allow for an increased responsiveness, and a diminished heel lift up off the board overall. Specially designed “impact straps” provide the wakeboarder with superior foot-hold while wakeboarding, no matter how intensely the rider is performing.
Equipped with an Infinity Plate System, this is hands down one of the strongest, sturdiest baseplate constructions on the market heading into the 2017 wakeboarding season. By incorporating rigidity into the binding areas responsible for transferring the most pop and power to the wakeboarder, CWB has created an explosive binding that can offer so much snappy responsiveness to the rider. These bindings are designed for the professional wakeboarding athlete Mike Dowdy, and the binding style overall would be characterized as being closed toe. At $430.00, these are far from inexpensive, but they are outstanding in every possible sense.
2 – 2017 Slingshot RAD Wakeboard Bindings:
For a 2017 wakeboarding binding design that combines the most functional aspects of traditional binding design with new innovations, the 2017 RAD Wakeboard Bindings by Slingshot are definitely an option for consider for this upcoming season. Available in a size 9, size 12, or a size 13, these wakeboarding bindings might not work well for everyone, but for those who can fit into these you are going to consider yourself lucky after trying them out. These bindings are, among other things, built for the utmost convenience and quickness out on the water. They are built with Gummy Straps that avoid the use of Velcro, and also they are hassle free and efficient which saves time and allows for more riding.
These are true high performance wakeboard bindings, and they incorporate an innovative HHD innermost padding layer that really helps to absorb shocks out on the wake. Utilizing a proprietary K9 Mounting technology, the 2017 Slingshot RAD wakeboard bindings provide the wakeboarder with superior stance placement and adjustment, preventing a discomforting or improper fit on the board. A one year warranty can give you peace of mind should you choose these bindings for 2017, and with the fairly high price tag that warranty is a great thing to have. Retailing around $400.00 these bindings are just a bit above the average price, but the return on investment is solid with these wakeboard bindings by Slingshot.
