Do you use a Boot strap, and if so, what method of attachment is best and why?

[netminder]

I've been very curious what is trending in this area of a goalie pad lately. I cannot seem to find any data that suggests any one of the four most popular ways to connect or not connect your foot to your pads is the best. Be it performance reasons, pad rotation reasons, skating reasons or plain ole comfort reasons, what is best and/or most common use of this strap?

I'd love to see some feedback on this.

Thanks!

[ThatCarGuy]

I normally go no boot strap but because of how loose Mach’s are on the lower calf and how shallow the boot channel is I opted to use the ankle (Lundy) loop to keep them from sliding too low on the skate. 

[Lucky Pucker]

No bootstrap because @seagoal

[dreadlocked1]

Did under the foot for about a year or so 14 years ago.  Under the heel leather for about 7 years, then elastic for another 7.  A year or so of elastic-Lundy and now no boot strap for the last two years.

[wvuviv30]

I was using an elastic boot strap under the heel in the previous 2 sets of pads, but when I moved to the Hyperlite pads (bought used) and they didn't come with one and I haven't 'missed' the strap.

 

My new MACHs are coming with the elastic CRS kit.

[seagoal]

No boot strap.   I want my feet  loose and mobile, my Pro Laces keep my skates centered in my pads, and my calf straps keep my pads high, off my skates. 

Boot straps would counteract all of that.

@Lucky Pucker hey buddy, nice to "see" you.

[mr_shifty1982]

I recently went no boot strap and just love it!

[southpawtendy48]

No boot strap along with @TheGoalNet spec pro laces. So much easier on my ankles, haven't looked back  

[BadAngle41]

Under heel for me. I know it's antiquated, but I just feel like I have a better connection to my pad with them. Been using Hybrid ProLaces with 1.5" slack for a number of years now and while they are a great toe attachment, I just felt like in full extension that the bootstrap helped to keep the pad anchored to my foot better, and kept the knee stack under my knee. 

Briefly tried no bootstrap and Lundy loop... even tried Bauer's elastic bootstrap... but always came back to a more solid attachment. 

[Rowdymoon]

Still using under the heal...might try no strap to see but ...I dunno, this old dog is stubborn!

[coopaloop1234]

Have been using no bootstrap with regular pro laces for the last 5 or so years. 

Since the G5's don't have a tow bridge, I went with the TGN spec pro laces and there's even more slack that I'm half tempted to toss on the Warrior elastic boot strap again to see if that helps to regain a bit of a tighter feel. 

Either way, sans boot strap is generally the way to go. 

[ThatCarGuy]

Tightened up the calf wrap and knee strap  on my Mach’s even further and was able to ditch the boot strap without landing low. As for toe ties I use good ol 72” skate lace with about 2 inches of slack (I prefer how slack plays compared to knots but maybe it’s a mental thing)

[SaveByRichter35]

I dropped the boot strap when I started using Pro Laces. 

[ilyazhito]

2 hours ago, SaveByRichter35 said:

I dropped the boot strap when I started using Pro Laces. 

In ball hockey, I run the ProLaces through the loop behind my shoes. For ice, I run the ProLaces under my foot. 

[GoalieInTheDesertYT]

I run it under my foot to pull down the pad as much as I can, knee stack is too high up.

[coopaloop1234]

On 9/26/2022 at 9:32 AM, coopaloop1234 said:

Have been using no bootstrap with regular pro laces for the last 5 or so years. 

Since the G5's don't have a tow bridge, I went with the TGN spec pro laces and there's even more slack that I'm half tempted to toss on the Warrior elastic boot strap again to see if that helps to regain a bit of a tighter feel. 

Either way, sans boot strap is generally the way to go. 

Tried out the boot strap again and I'll be going with one in this set up. 

Allowed my foot to fee very connected with my pad, while the TGN Pro Laces removed/reduced any stress on my hips and knees. Was immediately a fan. 

[OldSchoolGoalie]

For Ice hockey I just use a boot strap under the heel. I also don't use toe ties, but I've been thinking about dropping the boot strap but I'm just worried about the injuries linked to toe ties I've come across through different threads.

I've seen people using those stretchy ones so it has some give, might be a good option if I try it.

[coopaloop1234]

25 minutes ago, OldSchoolGoalie said:

For Ice hockey I just use a boot strap under the heel. I also don't use toe ties, but I've been thinking about dropping the boot strap but I'm just worried about the injuries linked to toe ties I've come across through different threads.

I've seen people using those stretchy ones so it has some give, might be a good option if I try it.

A lot of people are big fans of Pro Laces. https://prolaces.ca/en

Made a big difference for strain for myself after coming from a pretty tight lace set up and/or the Warrior built in elastics. These are quite a bit more flexible but still allow you to have a more connected feel. 

[CJ Boiss]

Just stopped using the bootstraps on my GT2s; standard lace toe-tie, in addition to the elastic bridge from my G4s (keeps the pad returning to true better than the lace ties alone). Might eventually switch to Pro Laces, but I've yet to experience any pain or strain in my hips or knees, so I've got no plans to.

When I did use a bootstrap, it went through the Lundy loop on the back of my skates; it help keep the pad snug to my leg (whether you like that is up to you) and kept my knee landing more consistently on the knee block. I find my pads rotate better without it, but you really need to have the toe/knee strapping dialed in, otherwise you might find yourself slipping off the knee block (incidentally, the reason why I used the bootstrap for a while. I couldn't get the rest of my strapping dialled in quite how I wanted).