To Leash, or Not To Leash

[welshscarry]

Okay, I have 2 Burton shorty leashes, the 6 inch kind that strap binding to boot.
And I bought a long 2-3 footer, attaches to upper calf and then to binding.

Not one liftie or mountain worker has yet to ask or inspect a leash on my board.

I can see how it may help at the bottom of the hill, while you "strapping up", if there is bit of slope.

ON the Other Hand, I think I like the long leash best--for this use.

At multiple resorts (while walking to the gondola or the base of hill), I have used the long leash like a dog leash. Put your board flat on the snow, pull it behind you like a wagon No carrying needed.
My skiier friends look at me in disbelief, as the lug their heavy skis and poles over the shoulders.

Let's hear some opinions.

[John]

Like you, I've never had anyone ASK to look at my leash, though it's mandatory at most (though not all!) the places I have been to.

I have no problem using a leash. Well, I should say that I have no chip on my shoulder over any requirement to use one. It sometimes is a pain to use, though, especially when I was using the kind with the plastic combo that is something like a seat-belt: insert one end into the other. The chief problem with that is that the leash is almost too short to wrap around my leg.

Last season I bought a leash with an eye hook. it's the shorter kind. I don't miss being able to "walk the dog" that much. What I miss in that I more than gain in simplicity of unsnapping the eyehook around a lace.

But I wonder how that works with a boa lacing boot ... Thoughts?

[bernwern]

I agree with leashes, althogh statistically they are never "used" 99.9% of the time. Has anyone ever seen a binding release, aside from step-ins? I have seen binding screws shear off the entire board several times, but never seen a binding release or both straps break.

As for your question on BOA, I got the Vans Fargo Focus BOA boots last year. Great boot! Originally, because I did not want to remove the laces, I simply latched onto one of the steel laces. This was great for half the season, then the wear on the steel occured and I blew the lace out. When relacing them, I slipped the metal ring onto the lace, which makes attachment quicker and prolongs the life of the laces greatly. In hindsight, I should have doen this from the start

-B

[Kecht06]

Wearing leashes don't bother me in the least, and in fact I like to use them especially when I am teaching or around people where I am in and out of my board a lot. I use the seat belt kind that John spoke about for two reasons 1) I ride the DC Judges Boot which is a full Boa system, and 2) I can get out of my bindings quickly without having to worry about my board which allows me to focus on whoever I am needing to help.

If your not instructing are leashes necessary, I don't know I pity the poor soul that losses his board when both feet come out of his bindings if you can picture that. Yikes.

[canoer]

I like a leash long enough to clip onto my rear binding so I can sling my board over my shoulder when I walk to and from the parking lot. I find that easier than "walking the dog."

[welshscarry]

Using the shorty 6 in. leash that clips to the laces of boot..........

I got smart and slipped a 1 or 1/5 inch round stainless key ring loop through the laces down near the toes. Then just clip the leash onto the ring. This seems much easier to clip and unclip , especially in gloves, with heavy snow, wind, cold etc.