The yellow buckle was added to the stocker power strap.
I’m not the first guy to put a buckle on a power strap, but I’m seeking accolades and fame as the first to publish doing so as a Hoji mod. In honor of Hoji the modder, of course. My left ankle is messed up (as regular WildSnow readers might remember), it needs a STIFF boot, especially with good blocking in the forward flex. Hoji ski touring boot is fairly stiff, but due to only one buckle on the upper cuff, and a rather meager power strap, I was challenged with getting the boot wrapped tightly enough around my lower leg. Changing the power strap to a hybrid buckle worked well. We’ll see how testing goes, only issue I can see is my attachment to the thin nylon strap using only a small T-nut. If that fails, I have other nefarous ways to attach such things. A few photos from the WildSnow modshop:
The salvage buckle cable loops fits OEM Hoji power strap anchor.
Adjustability retained. I snug up with the buckle open, then snap buckle closed for that final pressure event.
Buckle attached to OEM strap.
My buckle bin. Lots of options.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
