A footpad is designed for grip, shock absorption and comfort while kitesurfing. During a kite session, your board and legs endure a lot of forces. A good footpad prevents injuries and makes kitesurfing more pleasant. Footpads come in many types and sizes. Every manufacturer has his own vision on pads and each has his own advantages. Some brands even make footpads with adjustable shock absorption. A stiffer pad for more control, or a softer pad for more comfort. Generally speaking, thicker pads provide more comfort. However, the feeling you have with your board can decrease as the distance between your board and feet increases. A thin pad creates a direct board feeling. However, a thin path is not very comfortable for your joints.

Footstraps

Footstraps are made to keep your feet nice and snug on top of your footpads. The straps cling to your feet, so your kiteboard doesn't go anywhere without you, or at least we hope it doesn't Foot straps are usually adjustable with velcro. This allows you to match the shape of your feet. Some brands even use multiple velcro straps at the top which distributes the pressure evenly around your feet.

Surfstraps

Surf straps are designed to keep your feet on the kite surfboard while ripping waves. These straps differ from standard footstraps because they are symmetrical. You can enter them from both sides, handy when you make a transition. To save some extra weight kiters remove the velcro straps.