The Era of Step On
A guide to quick step bindings
It’s been seven years since Burton released the latest innovation in quick binding technology with the Step On line. A huge engineering challenge, Burton successfully corrected the issues of their first attempt of the Step In bindings from the early 2000’s.
Immediately following the resurgence of Step On, other brands raced to the market to compete. Since then we’ve seen old technology return, new attempts, and some questionable products hit the shelves. In this issue of The Shred Letter we’ll be breaking down the current options of quick access bindings while sharing our thoughts and concerns.
Burton Step On
While it might seem like Step On are still a new craze, we’re coming up on the better part of a decade since their release. If it wasn’t for the help of rapid prototyping through 3D printing, these bindings may have never been good enough to see the light of day. It was through a five year process which allowed the engineers to design this new binding to have the same ride and feel as standard strap bindings, with the same binding footbed and same boot sole. And this is what separates Step On from the rest; a boot that moves with the binding in the same way as a standard setup.
Additionally, Burton is the only brand that has licensed this type of tech to other eager companies. This includes both boot and binding manufacturers who have merged their products with Step On such as Nitro, DC, and Flux.
What’s exciting about Step On is that Burton is constantly working to improve them. This past week Burton released the first, full line, of EST Step On Bindings. You can check them out in our latest video, or purchase them from Radio Boardshop. If you haven’t ridden Step On yet, do yourself a favor and demo some this season.
K2 Clicker X HB
To get their foot back in the door under the Step On hype, it seemed all K2 did was bring back their Clicker tech from the past. On this design, the sole of the K2 Clicker boot has metal components which allow for locking into the base of the Clicker binding. In this mechanism you would have a feeling that your boot is locked to your board. And although this might sound good, that is not the feel you want when snowboarding. The mechanism that makes up these bindings is exactly what Burton was trying to move away from with Step On. In my opinion the Clickers are antiquated technology trying to keep up with the times, but what else would you expect from a ski company.
Clew Bindings
Continuing on the quick foot train, brings us to Clew, a German company trying to fit their way into the snowboard world. One of the biggest selling points of these bindings is that they work with any snowboard boot; no need to buy a specific boot as with Step On and Clicker. But what’s worrisome is that the company had never made bindings, or any snowboard gear, before attempting the challenge of devising a new snowboard binding. From first glance they seem a little bulky and not as streamlined of a binding that you might see from a brand that has been doing it for decades such as Union, Salomon, Burton, etc.
The ease of use factor also seems a little challenging. To release from the binding requires pulling up on the highback lever, and holding it, while pulling your heel up at the same time. To me this doesn’t seem any easier than quickly swiping your straps to get out of standard bindings. At least this was the experience a friend had who decided to return the Clews he bought. He also happens to be 85 years old and looking for the easiest gear to use on the mountain.
Nidecker Supermatic
The Supermatic from Nidecker is another quick binding which allows the rider to wear any snowboard boot they prefer. This rear entry boot is intuitive and gives you the option to strap in like a standard binding. In fact everything seems to be the same as a standard binding in addition to being able to quickly step in from the rear. As you step in, the highback rises and clicks into place.
What seperates these bindings is the strap adjustment which is lacking from Burton Step On. This solves the issue of different rider preferences in terms of how tight you like to have your foot strapped in.
Which to Buy?
In the end, I think the only bindings in this category buyers should be looking at are the Burton Step On and Nidecker Supermatic. In both bindings you will have a comparable ride and feel to standard strapped bindings with no worry of disengaging from the bindings.
Stoke of the Week
I was never interested in trying Step Ons. My mate twisted my arm and I can say the first few laps I was thinkin wtf have I done. I stuck with them for a day and that was it I was hooked. Once I got use to how responsive they were I was 100% in. Will never go back. I ride hard and fast and feel super locked in. Give em a crack if you haven’t all ready. - Comment from viewer KaneTaylor-z2x on YouTube.
