Inserts vs. No Inserts - What is your take?

[Grant]

Firewire riders,

1. Lighter, more flex, strength still there withOUT inserts...

2. Or...heavier, bombproof with inserts?

Note without inserts you will always have the choice to add a strap/pad system such as NSI or surf tech.

Inserts do limit foot placement to certain areas and not all kiters can adapt.

Throw in your thoughts!

[Stayfan]

The same strength and the choice of inserts or without. So you must have a choice. I would choose a board without inserts for most sessions and a board for more difficult situations with straps!
So I would love a board without straps!!!!

[Grant]

The same strength and the choice of inserts or without. So you must have a choice. I would choose a board without inserts for most sessions and a board for more difficult situations with straps!
So I would love a board without straps!!!!

That is the perfect world Stayfan. There is a balance we must achieve. Most of the kiting world, at least here in the Western states in the US is pushing more towards strapless for the technical tricks and purest stoke similar to surfing. I think most riders out there would be frothing over a board that was lighter, just as strong, more flex, and the traditional Firewire feel we see in the surf lineup.

[BIRDZ]

Hi Grant,
most of the time I go strapless, but if the waves go double over head, I usually get the straps...
How lighter would be the difference without the inserts and less stronger lamination? more than 30%?
Are we talking about 1-2lbs? If it's just that, leave the inserts on... and let it bombproof!!!
Maybe FW would have a specific hi performance model without the inserts...
Actually, Firewire should sale the straps+pads, for sure more than 50% of the buyers would buy the board and the straps too.
Here in Brasil the market demands the assemble, and here there is a huge kite market!!!

[tonyg]

What shapes/sizes are you targeting? What will the cost be ... cheaper?
I'm still strapped in large surf/high winds and strapless in the smoother lighter conditions.

[-Brian]

We would try to have a few different models to cover various rider size and preference. The cost would most likely be lower than the current models.

-Brian

[Grant]

Hi Grant,
most of the time I go strapless, but if the waves go double over head, I usually get the straps...
How lighter would be the difference without the inserts and less stronger lamination? more than 30%?
Are we talking about 1-2lbs? If it's just that, leave the inserts on... and let it bombproof!!!
Maybe FW would have a specific hi performance model without the inserts...
Actually, Firewire should sale the straps+pads, for sure more than 50% of the buyers would buy the board and the straps too.
Here in Brasil the market demands the assemble, and here there is a huge kite market!!!

As Brian said we would cover different models as a lighter strapless model but still keep a few bombproof for those who demand the straps/weight for gnarly conditions.

[effisk]

Hi

Same question as Birdz above: how much lighter?

I would not mind a strapless Dominator - I rarely strap that board, and since I use it in lighter conditions, the lighter the better, but I'm not sure about a strapless Taj - I use straps more often in strong wind/big waves, and I would care less about the weight of the board.

[-Brian]

The Dom has a ton of volume and width so it's going to perform well in light wind even in the existing construction and falls into our performance hybrid line. We will most likely introduce new models that are based off of our high performance line with more traditional surf shapes for strap free riding and keep the majority of our current kiteboard offering for a strapped/strapless solution.

Hope this helps,
-Brian

[BIRDZ]

Ok, now I can write after riding my KHF 510 for 1 week - 2ft and 6ft swell:
First of all, the shape is amazing!!!
The board is fast and goes rail to rail like a skate!
It's a big guy board, over 180LB. I'm 200LB and felt gooood!
But in the other hand it does have some issues.
Yes, the board is a way too heavy. Firewire must take out 2LB urgently!!!
The inserts are perfectly positioned! Right in the balance point of the board!
Although, the plastic material is undesirable. Firewire must work with stainless steel inserts, and be competitive.
Again, the inserts are essential for a guy that wants a 1 board quiver!
The other issue is about the screws that came with the board.
They are the worst quality possible!!! In the very first time that I've tried to assemble the straps, one of the screws had the head damage and I had to sand the head off to remove the screw.
I went to Home Depot and bought 4 good stainless screws that cost me less than U$ 2.00 and worked well.
Please don't send that bad screws for your costumers, I had a very hard time dealing with it!
Overall, it's an excellent board, but needs some improvements fast!
I would give another chance, and recommend the board, but if in 1 year I don't see the changes/improvements, I wouldn't buy it again.
I'm happy with my KHF, but I could be very very happy, and become a loyalty costumer, if I see the changes.
Thanks!

about me: 6'1 / 200LB / IKO INSTRUCTOR - SPECIALISED IN WAVE CLASSES / STRAPLESS UNTIL 8FT WAVES COMFORTABLY