Any advice on where to get padded toe straps from?  P&B et al seem to do them specific to a boat e.g. for a topper/Mirror.  I doubt anyone does them specifically for a Merlin.  Magic marine do padded covers which sound possible (80cm long) but do these need to be sown to the strap to stop it rotating or scrunching up?

My crew is requesting these as the plain straps we have at the moment scrunch up into a thin line which is uncomfortable and the padded ones in the 400 were "better"

Thanks

P&B, Speed etc will make and tailor to suit your needs.

Neoprene pipe lagging cheap, durable just thread it on.

"Neoprene pipe lagging cheap, durable just thread it on." ... and crap.

It rolls and it bunches the webbing into a smaller area and as such dosn't spread the load.

Proper padded webbing is the best solution; just look at what the top Laser/Finn sailors use ... and they know what hiking is ...

Leave it for a few more races I'm sure Celia won't mind!

Got a set to custom lengths for £reasonable from these chaps. Very helpful & excellent service.

I've ordered mine bespoke lengths (3ft and 4ft) and choose your end fittings from Speeds for my Lark - hope to have them before I or the crew go over the side!

Mine are coming from P&B who do have a standard size for a Winder/Tales.  The cost however is going to delay a new kite by several years!!

You need to look at this another way, just put padding in the boots, no need for overpriced padded straps.

They're a doddle to make up yourself!

"You need to look at this another way, just put padding in the boots, no need for overpriced padded straps."

You sound like the sort of bloke who would put 2 small squares of carpet on some flip flops and have bare floorboards ....

Anyone suggesting that Celia gets more padding is running a severe risk with their health!

After a while the scar tissue on your ankles absorbs the extra load without discomfort; it's a bit like Erik Clapton's fingerends.

If it is ankles that take the strain; why are they called toe straps?

While getting the length of the new straps correct, don't bother tieing them with too many knots - I need a good action picture!

Neoprene pipe lagging is like anything else; you need the right size and quality - then it isn't crap. 50mm inside diameter proper unicellular neoprene as used for commercial hot water systems is what you want. Try a big plumbing store. I've used it for years in Finns, Flying Dutchmen and Merlins. Currently keeps my dear other half happy in the front of a Merlin on the North sea and she is a skinny, somewhat mature lady.

Mike shows his experience and maturity not being sold needlessly expensive solutions, where an as good, or better alternate is available even if not "branded" by an expensive rip off vendor that makes the sport so expensive. Well said Mike.

Thank you fan club, but don't cheer, just throw money