From hardshell to rubber

Robert Hazelwood Set up: Syndicate / Edge (HO) / front Kicker (HO) / rear

From Hardshell To Rubber

It is no secret that there are two types of skiers: those choosing a hardshell like Reflex, Goode, or Edge and those staying with a rubber boot. When you start waterskiing, you get your feet into those rubber boots. Most skiers switch to a hardshell once they have reached a certain level, and they are looking for something that will give them more edge on the ski and some security of release when they crash. The funny thing is that the best skier in the world, Nate Smith, has always used a rubber boot (currently the D3 T-factor) and it is not wrong to say that it is working pretty well. His success is having a wider impact. Young skiers look up at the World Champion and figure, why not use the same set-up as Nate if it is working. Equally interesting and rare, some skiers like Dane Mechler (currently ranked #6 in the world) have gone back to a rubber boot from a hardshell. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see what kind of set-up skiers will be using.

Dane Mechler Set up: T factor (D3) / front Kicker / rear