GEAR: Power Straps
Written on October 30th, 2023 by Eliot Cochrane
Power Straps
Response, Flex, and Support
Oftentimes power straps are the underdog when it comes to attention in ski boots. All the attention is put towards things like the volume, closure system, or range-of-motion. Yet the power strap is one of the most critical elements to a ski boot regarding fit, performance, and comfort. It’s not just a mere fastener to be done along the way, it’s one of the main conductors connecting the skier and the ski.
The power strap is an unassuming part of the ski boot but can contribute to transmitting power greater than many may expect. This band of material embodies function and form by still meeting aesthetics while still performing a vital function of transferring power from the skier to their skis through ski boots. When we buckle our ski boots and tighten our power strap, we establish a connection with our gear, and in turn, the mountains.
Importance
Precision and control are the ingredients necessary for the days best skiing and the strap plays a role in this symphony of a sport. The strap keeps the foot in the optimal position, allowing for the proper movements of the foot within the ski boot. Whether it’s carving down iced-up slopes or navigating endless powder fields, the power strap ensures that movements are transmitted to the ski with finesse.
Photo: Well used 2021 HEAD Raptor WCR 4 ski boots.
Over the past 10 or so years, power straps have been getting the attention they deserve. After the introduction of the cam-style buckle to help leverage the tightening mechanism for a closer fit, power straps have been getting new features like improved materials, making them wider, or making different models geared towards the consumer and their needs.
Customization and Comfort
The power strap sets itself apart by being able to adapt to the skiers’ unique needs. In today’s market, there are different types of power straps, each with its own unique shape, features, and construction. Each of these models is geared towards a particular skier and the needs that they need filled. This allows for fine-tuning to be done to the boot by boot-fitters around the world, whether a preference toward a snug race-like boot setup or a relaxed fit for leisurely blue-bird days, power straps allow a fine tune fit.
The fit is important to any piece of gear, but a power strap can help reduce overall movement in the feet to feel comfortable all the way to the last run. By eliminating pressure points and unnecessary movement, the power strap keeps the foot where it needs to be throughout the turn to help provide the best feedback from the skis and the boots.
Types
Static
This is the traditional view of what people think of when they hear ‘power strap’. Static straps are as their name suggests, they do not stretch or deform under force or tension. Many years ago, these types of straps were renowned for giving sore shins, nicknamed “shin bang”, at the end of a long day but have stuck around for a multitude of reasons. The biggest being that a static strap is the best way to unlock performance because of the direct transfer of energy into the cuff.
Photo: Atomic static velcro strap.
But the technology has also shifted within static straps as well. Many power straps have been velcro and maintain to be velcro at lower-end models. Now many static straps are incorporating cam-buckles to give relief when not going downhill but easily cinched by pulling on the tail strap to be ready. Many have also increased in width to help distribute the energy over a wider space and reduce “shin bang” in certain areas.
Elastic
But just as ski sidecuts have changed over the years, so too has the technology for power straps. The power straps are now utilizing more materials and can be balanced for your preference. Elastic power straps serve to be more dynamic where the further the boot and power belt are stressed, the more rigid it will become. This characteristic is great for tailoring to a skier’s level and also their use case.
Photo: Sidas elastic power strap.
In scenarios with repeated impacts, such as moguls or when landing jumps, elastic power straps can help to alleviate harsh impacts by allowing the boot to flex more throughout the impact. These are often praised for reducing or eliminating “shin bang” from the harsh feeling when flexing forward in a static strap.
Options
Ski boots will often come with a stock power strap that is velcro based. These are static power straps but those looking for a more specialized option, there are options.
Booster Straps
These have been the go-to power strap for anyone looking for aftermarket power straps. Now that the Booster Strap patent has expired, we are seeing manufacturers making their own elastic power straps. But Booster still remains the king for a reason. Being the first to create and patent the elastic characteristics, Booster has had a long time to cement itself into the memory of those young and old. Still after years of use, sometimes the oldest straps are the best.
Photo: Expert/Racer Booster Straps showing cam-style buckle
Booster straps combine their elasticity with the simplicity of a cam-style buckle that lets skiers cinch and tighten better than most available static straps. But not overdoing it is part of the battle too. Booster Straps are not foolproof and still need to be appropriately tightened but not overly tight.
Manufacturer Options
Lately, manufacturers have also been offering solutions that can be bought separately to help customize the boot fitting process and provide better solutions to the skier at hand. Many of the bigger manufacturers of ski boots have been investing more into their power belt offerings. Right now the manufacturer leading the charge in this is Atomic. With their Pro line of boots, customization for the skier has been at the forefront. But they aren’t the only ones in the space. Companies like HEAD have also had special offerings to those who seek them out, but Atomic is making them more accessible than ever!
Atomic - Redster Professional Dual Strap
Photo: Atomic Redster Professional Dual Strap
Atomic has been taking their boots to a whole new level in recent years. Starting in their racing series of Redster, the Atomic Professional Dual Strap has seen many iterations. By seeking to incorporate the best of both worlds, elastic and static, Atomic has made something that is quite interesting. The bottom is an elastic strap that overlays the cuff of the boot while taking cues from the Booster Strap. While the top half is a traditional velcro strap that lays over the tongue of the liner giving a firm hold of the tongue to the boot. Both of these are then paired with a cam-style buckle making these a very versatile choice.
Summary
The underdog part of any boot setup, the power strap, stands as a quiet hero on ski boots. From the moment it is put on and tightened, the bond between skier and ski is tested and perfected through the many parts, including the power strap. The power strap can be synonymous with precision and control, regardless of whether it’s racing on icy slopes or making the picture-perfect zig-zags down a bed of fresh powder. All of this in the effort to create a direct channel between the skier and their skis.
At the end of the day, what equipment a skier chooses and how they maintain it is up to them. The choice of an aftermarket power strap falls into the spectrum of how much elasticity or shock absorption is desired. The Booster Strap and Atomic Professional Dual Strap may be similar in elasticity, but the Atomic can provide an option to velcro the static half for a more direct connection. Yet a static strap with a cam-style buckle like the offerings on high-end race boots are a great choice for those who like a solid and sturdy connection.
But the most important thing when skiing is to ensure that every moment skiing is a memorable one. Don’t let an indecision about equipment ruin your skiing experience. But on the flip side, be sure to choose the right type of strap for the requirements the boot will need to match.
