Burton Step Ons Versus Nidecker Supermatic Snowboard Bindings

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In this video I compare the Burton Step Ons versus the Nidecker Supermatics snowboard bindings.

[ammakko]

The title of this video should be:
"1 day on Step On vs 1 day on Supermatic vs 20 years on traditional bindings"

[Eqgr]

For the traditional bindings he said in the summary “it’s not the most convenient to get your foot in”, ..but then rated it the same as the other step-ins at 4/5. C’mon, I own traditional bindings but everyone knows the main purpose of step ins is the east of getting in, especially for beg-intermediates which is who they are made for😂

[reeb]

I ride step ons and would never go back to traditional bindings. But at the end of the day, it's truly a matter of personal preference. All binding systems have pros & cons. Choose whatever you shred the best in. Great vid as always!

[georgeleonardo]

This review is so weird. The score makes no sense for me. Strapping normal bindings is 4/5?! I’m an advanced snowboarder and after a lot of hesitation I got step ons for this season. As someone that rides with skiers most of the time, it was life changing. It’s just soooo much faster to be ready to go. It’s also so much easier to step out and get back on flat sections. I also have zero complains about the riding feel. I wish I had got those sooner.

[POMRNC]

The biggest benefit of step ons for me is something that most people don't even mention. It's not the ease of getting in or getting out, it's actually the way your boot is secured. With normal bindings I have to always readjust how tight it is during riding and often it's either too loose or too tight and my feet hurt. And every time I get off the lift, I have to repeat the process. With step ons, I just get in and it's always the same, because it depends on the boot, no the binding.
And I've never felt like I'm at 85% of my potential or that I'm not secure enough. I feel more secure, because I know it's not going to get loose while riding because there was snow on it when I strapped in. The added responsiveness (I ride the X version) actually improved my (on piste) riding and I've been snowboarding for more than 15 years.
The only negative thing I can say about them is getting out of them, which can be annoying in certain conditions. Like an uneven surface.

[tandotd]

Once you get used to the muscle memory of stepping into a nidecker supermatic, it is def easier than any other binding on the market. You are actually able to give the straps an extra clink if needed and the step functionality will not be affected. It may be a little bit harder for people who have just started using the bindings but after getting used to the movement it is very simple. Also there is a little trick with the lever, U dont have to press on it that hard if you press the lever and lift drive your heel back at the same time as the back of the boot actually helps to enable the mechanism. I agree that it can be tricky in deeper powder conditions but that's when the "dual entry" comes into play, you can use them as normal bindings. No hate, but I feel that maybe you should have taken more time on the review of both these bindings. As new technology roles out that tries to change the market, more time should be taken to really understand it.

[kaylariggs]

I completely disagree with a lot of what you said about the step-ons. 1. You can easily get into them sitting down so they are fine for beginners. 2. The latch to get out is super easy and it takes me the same or less time than people with regular straps. I also don't see why you put them on the inside cause if you are used to bending down to release regular straps on the outside it's the same motion for step-ons with the level on the outside. 3. The step-ons are way more responsive than regular bindings. You may not be used to the feel of not having straps and were not getting both clicks in the heel every run so that may make you feel hesitant in your riding (maybe try the photon boots and less forward lean to help with this) but the step-on system essentially makes your boot and binding one piece so every motion is instantly transferred to your board without having to feel like you have to crank anything down. Sounds like a mental thing you need to feel more secure personally.

[Senji_cat]

I've got the Supermatics and have been having a blast. Thoroughly recommend and have used regular and flows. Absolute game changer and can use any boots with them

[MatheusGoncalvesBR]

I will second what was said here by other riders: I feel like there's a bias towards regular straps because you're already very used to and comfortable with it. Step ons actually made my life way easier compared to when I was riding with strap on (and almost gave up on snowboarding because of it). The boot feels connected to the board at all times, and I don't have to readjust straps to feel comfortable and safe. I appreciate your perspective as a more seasoned snowboarder, but my experience has been very different.

[jamesmartindale]

in my second season with StepOn's and nothing touches them for in and out. It gets easier and they are so light. I've seen other systems but Burton have made it so simple. StepOn's are awesome!

[lanksua]

As a real beginner with difficulty to bend over (not in good shape 😂 ) I must say that changing from normal bindings to step ons was like switching from night to day. I was spending a lot of time and effort (I started the ride already tired) just from the effort of putting the straps. With the step ons I do it when exiting the lift. As to remove, it's a lot easier than the normals, as with one bending push o can reach the level and push it up (btw I haven't tried the others, but if you have to push down it seams to be more difficult).

[christophermatthews]

A great thing about the Burton Step On system is that you can step into the binding while the board is moving. It's a great feeling to step in after getting off the chair lift without stopping. Or, step into the binding while skating on a flat cat track. This is so much easier than having to be stationary to put your binding on and then shimmying to get going. I haven't seen in this review or others whether you can step in on the go with the Nidecker Supermatic bindings. Or if you can, how that compares to the Burton Step Ons.

[oolong]

It's funny how people don't consider the downsides to straps when strapping up in deep powder... I think some of this comes down to comparing something you've used for many years to something you've used for a few days. I like the step ons for their simplicity and I think there is potential to evolve step ons in the same way that ski boots/bindings have evolved for ultimate responsiveness, whereas I think the Supermatics are really just catering to people who don't want to give up straps.

[dustinbrooks]

The step on levers are supposed to be on the outside of your setup, makes it so easy to lift and eject your foot, I suggest you try this and re-rate.

[digitaldavenyc]

I’m not sure how Kevin can rate stepping in with traditional bindings the same as the burton step-ins. That’s the one area they excel, all my buddies are constantly fiddling with their bindings and I’m in my bindings in a second.

[gruumpf]

My first thougt: Wrong boot man... Grab a Photon or Ion. They have that strap feeling you are missing.

[ryanwalker]

The supermatics are step-ins AND traditional strap bindings. Use the boot that fits you...not just the system. The only real drawback is the weight penalty. Step in/out when conditions permit. Strap in/out when conditions require. As a SoCal rider in the early 2000's (Big Bear, Mt High) I used K2 Clickers and Clicker Highbacks (which are similar to the Burton's now) for a handful of years. I liked them most of the time. Dig out your heel cup like you do with strap bindings and you are usually good. Clearing snow off your boot sole and binding baseplate applies to all binding systems. Step-in boots have to be made different to provide the support that straps normally do, meaning stiff above your feet. Fit matters more and the feel is different. Finding a good fit with limited options means they might not be right for you. I never found a great fit, just dealt with it. As a lazy oldish man now, the supermatics will likely be my next bindings...next year. Best/least worst of both worlds. Added weight under foot doesn't bother me.

[sashashkodich]

I strongly disagree for stepons :) in the matter of stepping in and out either on the piste or off the piste. It is dramatically faster, easier in comparison to traditional. In the deep snow is enough to make a small jump(5cm) to get the second click of the heel. The decision of swapping the levers in stepons was wrong in my opinion. In that way it is harder to reach inside the heel twisting the wrist and takes much more effort to find and to pull. I would partially agree it is harder to step out when you have fallen in the deepest snow ever for stepon in comparison to traditional. The forward lean for stepons is not so big as for the traditional bindings. But the performance and responsiveness of stepons are far ahead to its counterparts.

[joshuasills]

First of all, you're using a soft boot in the step ons. You should try an Ion and revisit this. With a stiffer setup you won't lose any performance to a standard binding, in fact you may find you are faster edge to edge because you are pulling the board over rather than pushing it over. This system really shines with a stiff setup and you are doing the review a disservice by not having a stiffer, more adjustable boot with a strap over your foot.

Also, getting out of step ons is just as quick as standard bindings after some practice, but you should leave the release lever on the outside as intended... It's much better. I'm not sure why people told you the inside was better...

The only people I wouldn't recommend step ons to are park riders who like to keep their straps loose or people who only ride sled/heli.

[ThenionKnight]

As a 41yo snowboarder, step-ons are a god send.