I'm 52 and spent a few days last week in the mountains with Step On. I'm thrilled with it, everything works great, the levers on the outside don't bother me, we're getting older and smaller and it's easier to reach them :)
Here a 66 year old snowboarder who swapped the release levers and as a result has less difficulty reaching them. And to my opinion without any negative influence on the snowboarding!
Old man hack Thanks for this advice i will change this on my binding asap. Late afternoons when your tired and stiff it can be very challenging to reach that outer levers, i been kind of irritated about this issue but never cleared my head to just change it like this. 👌🏻
Hopefully it works out for you. I've been out a couple days with it now and I'm about 5050 on it. A couple more days then I'll know my preference for sure.
I'm 51 and switched to Step Ons two years ago. I really like them. Easy in, easy out with some initial practice. I did this mod last year and I much prefer the release on the inside. The beauty of this mod is that it can easily be switched back if it's not for you.
Yeah, it's easy to go back and forth and I did exactly that to figure out if I preferred the inside release or the outside release. I eventually went back to the outside.
I did this to my buddies step ins, much nicer. I seen a guy on Instagram wrap a paradors to that lever then run it up the side of the highback , zip tied loosely to the openings in the highbacks and attached a small ball of some kind. After this modification he only needed to reach down to the top of his highback, instead of the baseplate
Anatomical your arms are on the outside of your shoulders. I’m not sure I fully understand the reasoning but if it works for you I’m glad. I’m 53 and can still strapping in standing faster than my 30 year old friends that sit, god willing I won’t need to get step-ons for another 5 years 😂.
Yeah, I found it a bit easier with levers in their original location after a bit of back and forth testing. It's about a 70/30 split favouring the outside based on the feedback I've seen. My reason for going with Step On was ease of use not speed. My back doesn't agree with all the bending and reaching anymore. They just make my day better.
Did it last season. So much easier to get to the inside of your boot than reaching to the sides. Also better when you are trying to release the boots whilst still sliding into the lift line. You don’t swing your rear shoulder back, instigating a turn. The whole things about unlocking binding with your foot on the lift is a myth and very hard to do, but if you want to be extra safe, I have the board leash attached. Only thing I did was make sure i put some thread-lock on the screws, to make sure they didn’t work loose too easily.
I did this 3 years ago after the safety bar accidentally released the lever and my board fell off my boot, hasn’t happened since and it feels more natural to reach inside the binding to release your boot, I recommend all step on users move the lever to the inside.
I’m 70 snowboarded all last week at monarch mountain, had trouble reaching them while setting down , this is gonna be so much better. Thanks. Only saw one other guy with step in s on. They should do them like that from the factory.
@ you can switch back if you don’t like it. One thing you probably know is I had a board detachment on the lift when the footrest knocked the lever. I ride with a safety leash now. I strongly recommend one with step ons. Have fun 👍🏂
Everyone wanting easier in and out should try the swap first. I wanted the lever extension. I got the best one for $20. Parts...needed.. Google..to find. DRC brake saver blue cable ( or red but the blue matches the blue screw in the binding) 8 ball key ring ..off Amazon. 2 cable ties. That's all you need. There is a mushroom knob on the end of the cable ..drill a hole just so the STORK sits in the lever.. **do test on something platic first** to find the right drill size. Take the key chain off 8 ball feed the cable threw to make a handle...it's easy take 10 minutes to fit . Just one hole to drill. And a Allen key.. You will figure it out. 😎
I just recently talked with another Burton step in riders and they also did the same move to make it easier to reach. However it may put the lever in an area that may get stepped on accidently cause an unwanted release which they may say is (NO Fault ) for your possible injury stay safe!
@@RustySnowboarder would be pretty nice to hear your experience later on. I also recently got Burton Step Ons and thought about switching the levers but im afraid i accedantily trigger the release mechanism.
@@linsetv That was my thought also but so far I haven’t heard of anyone doing that. I have tried different step ons over the years but each one has a downfall with my aging body. So straps pork the best for me!
@ Your leash actually save you and others from a potential injury or big problem for yourself! Here in North Idaho we wear a leash which some areas require!
Make sure you use the leash..the lever is easier to hit now with your loose foot on the chair...see another video of a guy saying he did the swap and the board come off.
My riding buddy dropped his board off a lift, and again the next season off the edge of a cliff. Both times he wasn't using his leash. Rule #1 - use the leash 🤘
@@RustySnowboarderI was riding the lift with a guy who had the skier next to him accidentally bump the release with his ski, fortunately he had the leash on.
Ive had step on from the inception, and used them for many years, i was even contemplating making some sort of string to pull the lever. Just found out today that you could swap the lever sides. Anyhow I've moved on and switched to Clew, Def a lot less bending over
Yeah, the Clew release on the highback is definitely easier to reach. I've seen some DIY pull cables and I may give that a go sometime too but I haven't yet. I've never put my hands on either Clew or Nidecker to check them out but they both look interesting.
Interesting option. Do feel that ergonomically my arms are nearer to the outside of my feet than to the inside so I don’t really get the benefit but it’s good to know it’s an option.
Yeah, I'm about 5050 on it but decided to go back to the outside. Nidecker and K2 release on the inside so I figured it was worth a try. I'll be posting an update video soon.
For me it was better on the outside, doesnt make much difference for normal riding but if you are stuck in deep snow it is easyer to reach the outside. Byt hey, people have different preferences👍
Great video. I’m definitely going to try that. Btw, where does one use the small clip lanyard included with the step on bindings? I just got them this year and I can’t seem to find the answer. Thanks!
My Photon boot has a small yellow loop on it that's perfect for clipping on the leash. If your boot doesn't have that I would clip it to the shoelace. On the binding I would loop it through a gap in the baseplate so it can't fall off. A couple people have asked about it and I'll try to work it into a short video soon.
just letting you guys know, you should use your leash when swapping lever's. I did it to my genesis pair and the problem with it, is when the chairlift is a full chair, the person next to you can actually swing their feet as they get on the lift and hit that lever. My board fell off the lift twice. It was right when the chair took off so it really wasnt that bad, just super embarrassing. My normal pair of burton step on's have never had a problem with swapping them, just the genesis. maybe the normal step on bindings have a more tighten lever? I just wanted to let you know of my problems in the past. I actually swapped back to the outside, but the inside is so easy.... So i get why everyone swaps them. Just be cautious :)
I remember low backs way back in the 90s. The idea doesn't even appeal to me though. But that's the beauty of snowboarding equipment these days. We can all do pretty much whatever works best for us.
@ is that because you want the support of the high back? I might try it with my old pair just for science sake. Also how long have you been rocking the boots, are they holding up well?
Yeah, I've always like the pressure onto the heel edge. Plus, I've never been one to get all tweaked out in the air so being extra flexible is a non issue. The Photon boots are great. They're likely barely broken in to be honest. I purchased them last season and probably have about 15 days on them all in.
@ we have some long heel edge traverse’s on the home mountain, support helps! A burton rep told me you get what you pay for with the boots, I DESTROYED my ruler’s in half a season. Sewed them back together with 80lb fishing braid. Managed to get a season out of them, got a pair of NITROs for this season. 🙏🙏🙏
Hopefully the Nitros last a lot longer than a season for you. My gear tends to tends to last a long time so I may not be the best comparison. I would be choked if anything was finished after 1 season. Even 2 or 3 seasons feels like it's still a new thing for me and I expect it to keep working.
Levers on the outside are directly below your arms and shoulders, unobstructed. Putting them on the inside requires reaching around your legs and reaching farther than straight down. I tried this mod and found it worse in every way. Just because you can swap them doesn't mean you should. A better solution is to drill a hole in the end of the lever and another at the top of the highback. Run a length of shock cord between the holes with 6-9 inches extra beyond the top of the highback. Tie knots to keep the cord in place and another at the loose end to help grip. Now you only need to reach the top of the highback for the loose end. Pull and step out. I've seen a number of more complicated versions of this, but IMO simpler is better.
@SuBZerobpt That's good to know. The Supermatics look pretty good, but I still haven't been able to put my hands them yet. I've video on them and didn't even notice the lever location. My gut tells me it's not prone to accidental release otherwise it wouldn't be there. Plus, if it were to release then the straps would still be hanging on the but and wouldn't just fall away. I'll be giving them a try one day.
@@RustySnowboarder Rusty I had the use a kibakon 6 inches long to release the back foot without bending the back leg to get an easy out it saved the back!
Better yet drill a hole through the lever, attach a cable, route it through the high back, secure it with a zip tie and put something small on the end of the cable to work as a handle. Been using this since the first came out without any issues.
@gpaull2 I've seen that done a couple different ways and I might give it a go sometime to see how it works out. Nice to hear that it works well. I've also seen a replacement lever designed to take a cable so the original wouldn't have to be drilled out.
Plastic zip ties are very brittle in the cold and will break. Keep it simple. Drill a hole in the end of the lever, a hole at the top of the highback, run a length of nylon shock cord through, enough for about 6-9 inches beyond the top of the highback after tying knots to keep the chord in place. Tie another knot at the loose end. Keep it simple. I've been riding with this mod for years and it works.
I've gone back and forth a couple of times and I think I'll be sticking with the original location on the outside. It's not that the inside is worse but I just prefer the outside. I'll be filming my update video running through my process very soon.
I see, so it’s not an active riding on the slopes performance related thing? Just a comfort thing? I just got step ons for my lack of flexibility. Strapped in I find it SO much easier to reach the inside of my foot rather than the outside
Definitely not a performance thing. Purely about the bend and reach when I get to bottom of the slopes. It works for a lot of people so I was hopeful. Plus both the Nidecker and K2 put the levers on the inside it’s a real thing. It just didn’t pan out for me.
I would not recommend that you do this modification - it's would be very possible to accidentally unlock the binding when you move your loose foot around e.g. when you are on the lift. You should always use the leash in this case, so your board doesn't go on an adventure.
@maness2112 The straps are good and they get the job done. Unfortunately my situation makes them rather difficult. Step ons aren't for everybody but they work for me.
Because it has the potential to make things a bit easier as you saw me talk about in the video. Nidecker and K2 bindings release between the feet so it's worth a shot.
I'm 52 and spent a few days last week in the mountains with Step On. I'm thrilled with it, everything works great, the levers on the outside don't bother me, we're getting older and smaller and it's easier to reach them :)
Yeah, I wound up going back to the outside after trying both a couple of times.
Here a 66 year old snowboarder who swapped the release levers and as a result has less difficulty reaching them. And to my opinion without any negative influence on the snowboarding!
@bartvoncken8948 Good to hear. I've been out once with them and I'm heading out again this weekend before making my final verdict.
Old man hack
Thanks for this advice i will change this on my binding asap. Late afternoons when your tired and stiff it can be very challenging to reach that outer levers, i been kind of irritated about this issue but never cleared my head to just change it like this. 👌🏻
Hopefully it works out for you. I've been out a couple days with it now and I'm about 5050 on it. A couple more days then I'll know my preference for sure.
I'm 51 and switched to Step Ons two years ago. I really like them. Easy in, easy out with some initial practice. I did this mod last year and I much prefer the release on the inside. The beauty of this mod is that it can easily be switched back if it's not for you.
Yeah, it's easy to go back and forth and I did exactly that to figure out if I preferred the inside release or the outside release. I eventually went back to the outside.
I wonder if this will be possible in UNION Step-on bindings.
Looking at pics of the Union Atlas it appears to be a one piece highback.
Great mod and video, well done
Glad you liked it.
I did this to my buddies step ins, much nicer. I seen a guy on Instagram wrap a paradors to that lever then run it up the side of the highback , zip tied loosely to the openings in the highbacks and attached a small ball of some kind. After this modification he only needed to reach down to the top of his highback, instead of the baseplate
Sweet. I've seen a few DIY lever extensions and I may give one a try sometime.
I swapped mine and it makes exiting a lot easier
@A_Class Good to hear.
Anatomical your arms are on the outside of your shoulders. I’m not sure I fully understand the reasoning but if it works for you I’m glad. I’m 53 and can still strapping in standing faster than my 30 year old friends that sit, god willing I won’t need to get step-ons for another 5 years 😂.
Yeah, I found it a bit easier with levers in their original location after a bit of back and forth testing. It's about a 70/30 split favouring the outside based on the feedback I've seen.
My reason for going with Step On was ease of use not speed. My back doesn't agree with all the bending and reaching anymore. They just make my day better.
Interesting... Waiting for a practical test and results from the slope!
@heliksx8275 I'll be sure to update once the local hill opens up. Won't be long now!
Did it last season. So much easier to get to the inside of your boot than reaching to the sides. Also better when you are trying to release the boots whilst still sliding into the lift line. You don’t swing your rear shoulder back, instigating a turn.
The whole things about unlocking binding with your foot on the lift is a myth and very hard to do, but if you want to be extra safe, I have the board leash attached.
Only thing I did was make sure i put some thread-lock on the screws, to make sure they didn’t work loose too easily.
@quiff2004 Thanks for the information. Nice to hear that it works for someone else.
I did this 3 years ago after the safety bar accidentally released the lever and my board fell off my boot, hasn’t happened since and it feels more natural to reach inside the binding to release your boot, I recommend all step on users move the lever to the inside.
I’m 70 snowboarded all last week at monarch mountain, had trouble reaching them while setting down , this is gonna be so much better. Thanks. Only saw one other guy with step in s on. They should do them like that from the factory.
Thanks, I'm going to do it to mine before my Japan trip.
Hopefully it works out for you.
60 years old and I swapped mine last year. I like the change. Also less chance of kicking the board off on a lift.
Glad to hear the swap works well for you. I'm about 5050 right now. Another day or so and I'll decide which works best for me.
@ you can switch back if you don’t like it. One thing you probably know is I had a board detachment on the lift when the footrest knocked the lever. I ride with a safety leash now. I strongly recommend one with step ons. Have fun 👍🏂
That doesn’t sound like much fun. I’d leash up after that too.
Just used step ons for the first time today and found it pretty difficult to reach the lever. Thanks for this video, will definitely change.
No worries, I hope the bindings work out well for you.
Everyone wanting easier in and out should try the swap first.
I wanted the lever extension.
I got the best one for $20.
Parts...needed..
Google..to find.
DRC brake saver blue cable
( or red but the blue matches the blue screw in the binding)
8 ball key ring ..off Amazon.
2 cable ties.
That's all you need.
There is a mushroom knob on the end of the cable ..drill a hole just so the STORK sits in the lever..
**do test on something platic first**
to find the right drill size.
Take the key chain off 8 ball feed the cable threw to make a handle...it's easy take 10 minutes to fit .
Just one hole to drill.
And a Allen key..
You will figure it out.
😎
@Sleddog215 I've thought about trying that out too. I don't really need it at this point but I may give it a try sometime.
I just recently talked with another Burton step in riders and they also did the same move to make it easier to reach. However it may put the lever in an area that may get stepped on accidently cause an unwanted release which they may say is (NO Fault ) for your possible injury stay safe!
@ShredAheadSnowboarding Yeah, I'll be keeping an eye out for that. If it looks to be an issue I'll change it up.
@@RustySnowboarder would be pretty nice to hear your experience later on.
I also recently got Burton Step Ons and thought about switching the levers but im afraid i accedantily trigger the release mechanism.
@@linsetv That was my thought also but so far I haven’t heard of anyone doing that. I have tried different step ons over the years but each one has a downfall with my aging body. So straps pork the best for me!
I swapped my levers to the inside after an accidental release on a chairlift. Much less likely to snag on the footpeg now, but I wear the leash too.
@ Your leash actually save you and others from a potential injury or big problem for yourself! Here in North Idaho we wear a leash which some areas require!
Make sure you use the leash..the lever is easier to hit now with your loose foot on the chair...see another video of a guy saying he did the swap and the board come off.
@Sleddog215 I hadn't really thought of that. I'll keep an eye out.
My riding buddy dropped his board off a lift, and again the next season off the edge of a cliff. Both times he wasn't using his leash. Rule #1 - use the leash 🤘
@hypasteve Ouch, that is some horrible luck. Rationally the leash makes sense with a step on. Emotionally I'm just not there yet.
@@RustySnowboarderI was riding the lift with a guy who had the skier next to him accidentally bump the release with his ski, fortunately he had the leash on.
Ive had step on from the inception, and used them for many years, i was even contemplating making some sort of string to pull the lever. Just found out today that you could swap the lever sides. Anyhow I've moved on and switched to Clew, Def a lot less bending over
Yeah, the Clew release on the highback is definitely easier to reach. I've seen some DIY pull cables and I may give that a go sometime too but I haven't yet. I've never put my hands on either Clew or Nidecker to check them out but they both look interesting.
Interesting option. Do feel that ergonomically my arms are nearer to the outside of my feet than to the inside so I don’t really get the benefit but it’s good to know it’s an option.
Yeah, I'm about 5050 on it but decided to go back to the outside. Nidecker and K2 release on the inside so I figured it was worth a try. I'll be posting an update video soon.
For me it was better on the outside, doesnt make much difference for normal riding but if you are stuck in deep snow it is easyer to reach the outside. Byt hey, people have different preferences👍
Agreed, that's the beauty of having the option. I prefer the outside as well but happy I tested it out.
Great video. I’m definitely going to try that. Btw, where does one use the small clip lanyard included with the step on bindings? I just got them this year and I can’t seem to find the answer. Thanks!
My Photon boot has a small yellow loop on it that's perfect for clipping on the leash. If your boot doesn't have that I would clip it to the shoelace. On the binding I would loop it through a gap in the baseplate so it can't fall off. A couple people have asked about it and I'll try to work it into a short video soon.
just letting you guys know, you should use your leash when swapping lever's. I did it to my genesis pair and the problem with it, is when the chairlift is a full chair, the person next to you can actually swing their feet as they get on the lift and hit that lever. My board fell off the lift twice. It was right when the chair took off so it really wasnt that bad, just super embarrassing. My normal pair of burton step on's have never had a problem with swapping them, just the genesis. maybe the normal step on bindings have a more tighten lever? I just wanted to let you know of my problems in the past. I actually swapped back to the outside, but the inside is so easy.... So i get why everyone swaps them. Just be cautious :)
That doesn't sound like any fun. Yeah, the leash is likely the safest way to go.
@ yes sirrr! Just weird how my normal step on bindings I never had an issue. But the genesis ones I had the issues. Weird
Saw a guy last year, removed the high back from the release mechanism and left it at that. We called him “Lo back” 😂
I remember low backs way back in the 90s. The idea doesn't even appeal to me though. But that's the beauty of snowboarding equipment these days. We can all do pretty much whatever works best for us.
@ is that because you want the support of the high back? I might try it with my old pair just for science sake. Also how long have you been rocking the boots, are they holding up well?
Yeah, I've always like the pressure onto the heel edge. Plus, I've never been one to get all tweaked out in the air so being extra flexible is a non issue.
The Photon boots are great. They're likely barely broken in to be honest. I purchased them last season and probably have about 15 days on them all in.
@ we have some long heel edge traverse’s on the home mountain, support helps!
A burton rep told me you get what you pay for with the boots, I DESTROYED my ruler’s in half a season. Sewed them back together with 80lb fishing braid. Managed to get a season out of them, got a pair of NITROs for this season. 🙏🙏🙏
Hopefully the Nitros last a lot longer than a season for you. My gear tends to tends to last a long time so I may not be the best comparison. I would be choked if anything was finished after 1 season. Even 2 or 3 seasons feels like it's still a new thing for me and I expect it to keep working.
Levers on the outside are directly below your arms and shoulders, unobstructed. Putting them on the inside requires reaching around your legs and reaching farther than straight down.
I tried this mod and found it worse in every way.
Just because you can swap them doesn't mean you should.
A better solution is to drill a hole in the end of the lever and another at the top of the highback. Run a length of shock cord between the holes with 6-9 inches extra beyond the top of the highback. Tie knots to keep the cord in place and another at the loose end to help grip. Now you only need to reach the top of the highback for the loose end. Pull and step out.
I've seen a number of more complicated versions of this, but IMO simpler is better.
@steveng.clinard1766 That's an interesting approach, I've never seen it before. It certainly wouldn't be prone to breaking.
My Nideckers have the release mechanism on the inside and I can say it is easier on the back. Im surprised Burton didn't do that from the beginning.
@SuBZerobpt That's good to know. The Supermatics look pretty good, but I still haven't been able to put my hands them yet. I've video on them and didn't even notice the lever location.
My gut tells me it's not prone to accidental release otherwise it wouldn't be there. Plus, if it were to release then the straps would still be hanging on the but and wouldn't just fall away.
I'll be giving them a try one day.
@@RustySnowboarder Rusty I had the use a kibakon 6 inches long to release the back foot without bending the back leg to get an easy out it saved the back!
Better yet drill a hole through the lever, attach a cable, route it through the high back, secure it with a zip tie and put something small on the end of the cable to work as a handle. Been using this since the first came out without any issues.
@gpaull2 I've seen that done a couple different ways and I might give it a go sometime to see how it works out. Nice to hear that it works well. I've also seen a replacement lever designed to take a cable so the original wouldn't have to be drilled out.
Plastic zip ties are very brittle in the cold and will break.
Keep it simple. Drill a hole in the end of the lever, a hole at the top of the highback, run a length of nylon shock cord through, enough for about 6-9 inches beyond the top of the highback after tying knots to keep the chord in place. Tie another knot at the loose end.
Keep it simple. I've been riding with this mod for years and it works.
Which step on binding should I install on the Nito Pantera? Normal, genesis, or X
Sorry, I don't have enough knowledge for a gear recommendation. But I have the plain jane Step On and they are working well for me.
@@robertsch8787 X I believe if it has Est channel system. More flex underfoot I think.
So. What’s the verdict? Are you decided on your preference?
I've gone back and forth a couple of times and I think I'll be sticking with the original location on the outside. It's not that the inside is worse but I just prefer the outside. I'll be filming my update video running through my process very soon.
I see, so it’s not an active riding on the slopes performance related thing? Just a comfort thing?
I just got step ons for my lack of flexibility. Strapped in I find it SO much easier to reach the inside of my foot rather than the outside
Definitely not a performance thing. Purely about the bend and reach when I get to bottom of the slopes. It works for a lot of people so I was hopeful. Plus both the Nidecker and K2 put the levers on the inside it’s a real thing. It just didn’t pan out for me.
I found the opposite, lever on the inside was harder to reach. Having to reach between my leg and my old man gut didn’t work. Outside is easier.
@samesk8r I was out last weekend and I'm not sure yet. 50/50 I suppose. I'm taking them out again this to give them another try.
Just eating a salad
@poserdrift6991 Chicken Salad! It's more than just a snowboarding trick.
I would not recommend that you do this modification - it's would be very possible to accidentally unlock the binding when you move your loose foot around e.g. when you are on the lift. You should always use the leash in this case, so your board doesn't go on an adventure.
@fen4o Thanks for the warning. I'll be keeping my eye on this to see if it may become an issue.
It’ll never be an issue. The release lever is on the inside of the nidecker supermatic bindings. I’ve got 200+ days on em. No issues.
Im 57. Straps for life.
@maness2112 The straps are good and they get the job done. Unfortunately my situation makes them rather difficult. Step ons aren't for everybody but they work for me.
@@RustySnowboarder got do what’s best for you, I’ll keep working on my asian squats until I can go deep behind the heel!
Well, you're in the minority.
Guess this video wasn't for you and your comment wasn't needed then
Okay but why?
Because it has the potential to make things a bit easier as you saw me talk about in the video. Nidecker and K2 bindings release between the feet so it's worth a shot.