Radar Vapor Binding Trouble

[Texas6]

I saw a thread n this subject a few weeks back but wanted to reignite it because I can’t find the thread with the recommended fix. I’ve had every version of these bindings, going back to the original RS-1 (and every ski). I am clearly a fan and an advocate of both their products, their support, and the people behind the brand. Having said that, I’ve broken every pair of these I’ve owned, all in the same spot. In fact, my 15 year old son broke his yesterday, and mine blew out today. That gets expensive. I’ve tri d letting them dry, but must be doing something wrong. Advice?

 

[UWSkier]

Both my '16s did that too, though not as catastrophically as in your pic! Warranty took care of me on the front one but back one was out of warranty by the time it got bad. So far, so good on the Carbitex version they replaced my front with.

 

Should we be treating these things with some sort of rubber conditioner or something? I've been pulling my liners out to dry lately in the hopes that prolongs the life, though stuffing the liners back in even with the laces loosened up seems like it's adding unnecessary stress cycles to the rubber also...

 

Love the boots otherwise though. I have shoes that aren't that comfortable.

[Texas6]

@UWSkier - I agree 100%. I have tried drying without liners but I’m convinced putting them in and taking them out is harder on them than not drying them, because I broke those faster.

[wtrskier197]

Same problems on the vectors. Have blown out three front boots and two rear boots from from various years. Ripped out right at the seam like yours. Got one pair replaced under warranty. I like their products and have been wanting to go to the profile or vapor but I keep holding off hoping that one of these years the new boots will no longer have the rubber on the back of boot.

 

I have yet to ski these bindings, but i modified a pair that was out of warranty.

 

 

 

[ski6jones]

I hope someone has an answer because my experience is the same. I usually get a bit more then 2 years out of a pair. I love the bindings but am trying other things because at $320 a pop that gets expensive.

[Lars]

Same here, I've ripped 2 rear boots in the same spot. Fortunately, I found a 2016 B stock rear boot at waterskis.com for half off, just a vibrant color. I'm hanging onto the broken boot in hopes I can somehow stitch a fix and keep a backup.

 

 

 

[ScottScott]

I just picked up a new carbitex vapor, hoping they have learned from the previous year issues and improved on that so these will hold up better. I have known a couple people with vectors that had that issue.

[Jody_Seal]

Dont throw em away! I can fix em!!

[Texas6]

Now that’s impressive

[ISP6ball]

@Jody_Seal Hobby Bindings can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise..... :)

[Sivota]

Only speaking from personal experience, I have enjoyed the orange Vapor and the 2017 Vapor [with the green name on it]. I have had no problems at all with either. I also use the HRT. I was lucky enough to only have a couple of OTF crashes on the orange and none on the 2018. When I crashed the liner came out. I do not tighten the upper lace much and always loosen the upper lace [removing it from the top clips] and the BOA in the water before I remove the ski. When I do so my foot comes out of the binding without pulling the liner out.

[thager]

Is there a way to get the replacement rubber so that it could be sewed back in by a shoe repair shop?

[mmosley899]

@Lars I hope you trimmed the plate off where it hangs over the edge of the ski! That will cause a problem...

[UWSkier]

@mmosley899 while he's at it he should probably pull his fin protector out from under his third binding too. :)

[Bill22]

All you need is a neoprene arm rests cover from an old truck.

 

 

[OldboyII]

@Jody_Seal Bravo! Example of global thinking ))

Keep us updated when more elegant solution for ends of latex tube will be found.

I will certainly use it, because it looks like smart release stystem :)

[TEL]

My 2014 Vectors have held up fine so far, I bring in my ski, vest, gloves and rope in side after they have quite dripping. They take days to dry if at all in FL humidity. If I put my ski in my ski case I never Zip it closed, over the boots. Several people in the past say they leave them in boat or in the garage. I know that my garage is very hot and humid all the time in the summer not a good place. Bringing in my mountain bike from the garage has stopped the dry rotting of the tires.

[Justin_C]

I had a pair of vectors a that did the same. Sold them on my old ski and the purchaser took them to a local show repair person and they put new rubber on the back. He sent me a picture and it looked great but I can't speak for performance.

[Lars]

@mmosley899 @UWSkier hehe the old boot is still attached to the ski ;)

[mmosley899]

@Lars @UWSkier ha ha didn't realize there was three bindings on that ski! No wonder the plate was hanging over the edge!

[DaveD]

@texas6 You are a lot more patient with binding failures than I am. My 1 year old vMax Crop Top rear binding just started separating from the base around the heal. Loved that binding and how easy it was to lift my back heal going into the ball.

 

So, I'm back on my Wiley's rear boot again. Foot hurts after a few passes and I can't easily lift my heal but I'm not taking a chance on the fabric bindings again until someone develops one that lasts as long as a rubber binding.

[Texas6]

@DaveD - quite possible after looking at my growing inventory of broken bindings that the joke is on me. We agree completely

[UWSkier]

@Bill22 that might be the best use of Spiderwire I've seen yet.

[ChadW]

I’ve had 3 different sets of Vapor boots. The 1st 2 sets lasted a little over a year. The 3rd set has lasted 2+ years. The only thing I’m doing different, is I take out the liners after every set. When I put them back in, I do it by hand, not with my foot in the liner.

[Dacon62]

Had 3 sets of different year boots since 2012 and never any issues. Always taken liners out and kept out of the sun and heat.

 

[ghutch]

@Jody_Seal, how do you get the eyelets in the sides? I've had 2 pair of Radars blow out the same way. On my 4th set and if they blow I'm going to Reflex. Love the Radars but can't keep buying binders and only getting a couple seasons on them. I am now taking my liners out and letting them and the boots dry thoroughly, then putting the liners back in by hand as gentle as possible.

[Jody_Seal]

Check amazon you can get a metal / brass grommet set kit for as low ass $10.00.. pretty simple to punch and set the grommets..

[BraceMaker]

Anyonr having a dead right boot 11 foot who wants to donate it to research LMK

[coach3]

Took mine to a shoe shop and they glued and sewed a Wileys rubber piece to the back. cost me $12 and survived 2 more years.

[Texas6]

I just implemented the @ScottScott fix and kept it as a backup for when it happens again. Next time I’ll try the Wiley’s Fix, also a great idea

[Texas6]

 

[ski6jones]

Frankenboots!!

[Texas6]

Thanks for all the great ideas! Much appreciated. @ski6jones I’ve got a grommet machine, grommets, and rubber tubing if you want to venture down the Frankenboots path - I understand completely if I don't see you on that one:) just swing by anytime

[Dano]

You guys that are having this problem. Are you putting liners on foot and then stepping in? I'm in second season with mine and it still looks brand new. I do put liner in shell first, and then step in. liners come out to dry every time.

[Texas6]

I generally leave liners in. I’ve done both with the same result. But given how many people have said you need to pull them out, that’s what I’ll do moving forward

[ski6jones]

I'm not too snooty for Frankenboots @Texas6. I have thought about using rubber and snaps. May make that a fall project.

[ski6jones]

Good thread topic by the way.

[ghutch]

@Dano, yes my liners are in the boots and I step in them. I ease into them as easy as I can. No yanking and tugging. When done skiing the liners come out and I wipe dry the boots as much as possible to help with drying (insides). Keeping my fingers crossed

[thager]

I leave my liners in the boots. I step in on dock. Ski is indoors when not being used. Never had any problems so far with RS-1s, 2010 Stradas or 2016 Vapors.

[Texas6]

So that leads me to believe heat is actually the culprit

[WoodySkier]

Boa fell off my vapor binding today

 

 

[Zman]

@Texas6 Maybe heat adds to the problem? But, not sure. My ski with my 2013 Strada boots stays in the bed of my pickup truck (with a tonneu) when not skiing.

Never any issue with the rubber parts on these shells.

Maybe I'll be kinder to my new Vapors just the same.

And, I always insert liners, then feet.

[igkya]

@WoodySkier Similar thing happened with mine earlier this year. The inner part that holds the screw was cracked so the screw wouldn't hold. I added a small drop of non-expanding gorilla glue and put the screw back in. Once the glue dried, the BOA System was working again. The other option was to take the binding to a local shoe repair shop and have them sew a new BOA System into the binding, which I may do in the off-season.

 

FYI - You can contact BOA directly and they will send you any parts for free.

[fu_man]

@Jody_Seal I like the grommet solution. How has it held up over time? What type of tubing did you use? Looks more robust than regular surgical tubing which tends to degrade pretty rapidly.

[Jody_Seal]

@fu_man

So far so good, seems the grommet fix for me has been successful. I use general black tubing like what we use on the slalom course. I am going to experiment with long stripped innertube material.

Disclaimer: I am mounted on a mob release plate on my slalom. So I have not had the discomfort of finding out if it still works like designed originally. I have used one of the repaired vapor/carbonex boots on a trick ski. Took a good face plant and squirtted out of the boot and liner..

[Oldkier]

Handy man's secret weapon, duck tape!

Look at my vmax on my profile picture

[skierjp]

2 to 3 years is all they last here in Florida. I never take my liners out. They are air dried in front of a fan. I have had a few replaced under warranty. I probably have 3 pair of liners that are brand new because I use my old liners. No matter what you buy it won’t last forever.