Installing Booster Straps in place of your factory power straps helps to add increased stiffness and dynamic flex to your boot. On the list of DIY ski modifications, this is super easy. Those who are handy with tools will probably find this rudimentary. But someone less handy might find this useful.
TOOLS NEEDED:
- Power Drill
- 1/8" Drill bit
- 3/16" Drill bit
- Flat head screwdriver
- 1/4" by 3/16" aluminum "binding post" or "screw rivet" (See below)
- Hammer
- Framing nail
- Bic lighter
STEP 1: Buy some booster straps. They come in four models. I'm not going to comment on what you should get. I purchased the "Expert/Racer" model, which is the third stiffest, below only the "World Cup" model.
STEP 2: Remove your old power strap.
My Krypton2 pros have a power strap that is attached by two rivets and one plastic plate. Your boot may be different, but rivets are very common.
Remove the liner from the boot. From the inside, use your 1/8" drill bit to drill out the rivet. Take your time. The rivet will heat up and spin. That's when you stop so that the hot washer and rivet don't melt your boot. It'll take some brute force and a few tries, but the rivet should pop out.
STEP 3: USE 3/16" drill bit to enlarge the holes in your plastic cuff to match the width of your binding post.
STEP 4: Measure and mark your booster strap for new holes.
Place the booster strap around the cuff of boot and attach. Align the word "booster" so it's steezy and so that that the buckle is on the outside of the boot. Align it so that the nylon (non stretchy) part ends where your boot tongue begins. Attach the strap buckle and secure just tight enough for it to not fall off.
Center the strap under the rivet holes and mark with a permanent marker.
Make it fucking obvious so you don't have to do this part twice.
Repeat for the other strap.
Put a hole in your strap and seal the nylon against fray. A soldering iron is handy for this, but I did it by hammering a nail through, and then heating the nail.
STEP 5: Install Rivets.
I used 1/4" by 3/16" aluminum binding posts purchased from Home Depot.
Push the female end through from the inside. This should press fit pretty snugly.
Push the tip of the female end through the holes in your booster strap (you did remember to measure twice?) and alight the plastic plate.
Use your flathead screwdriver to install the male end of the binding post. Be careful, the aluminum is soft.
The method allows you to place the booster strap outside or inside of the boot tongue.
Total cost:
4X Binding posts = 4$ at home depot
Booster Strap = $42+shipping
Good luck, everyone. This is about a one-hour project, including cleanup.
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