Boot Strap

[ConnorSlade]

So I use a boot strap and Brian's Smart Straps,  when I bought my pads the salesman said a lot of people don't use boot straps and I was wondering if i should remove it and just use the Smart Strap? cause its not tight either it's about the sixth hole, so should I keep it or not? Because before I had it on tight. 

[dreadlocked1]

Most remove it or run behind the ankle instead of under the foot.  I personally went to running my Warrior G2 elastic boot strap behind the ankle "Lundy" style, but have no Lundy loop on my skates.  Still works perfectly as intended, allowing the pad to sit higher on my leg.

[Lucky Pucker]

In principle, as @seagoal has emphatically argued many times, having both defeats the purpose of smart straps or any kind of bungee toe tie. I personally agree, but the bottom line is comfort, which is equal parts physical and psychological.
For me, I took off the Smart Straps, put on my Pro Laces Armour, ditched the boot strap and never looked back. Now to be fair, I’ve only been playing for almost 2 years, so I didn’t have years of  boot strap habit to undo, but it totally works for me - and also means less time with the on-and-off routine!
Out of curiosity, what pads do you have? You said you have the Smart Strap, but was this an addition you made? The modern pads will work very well without bootstraps, but maybe some older ones wouldn’t...?

[RyanR3KC]

I use the Lundy Loop and Pro Laces. 
 

I like that the Loop makes the pad sit higher on the skate. Feels like lateral mobility is better and can get wider in stance 

[SaveByRichter35]

Totally removed mine.  Pro Laces at the toe.