For disclosure I've been riding since 91 and been 95% on step-ins since 97. Currently on my first season on Supermatic and absolutely love them. Sure they are not as "pure step/click-in" as say the Switch system was back in the day but the key for Supermatic is I can pick any boot I want. And I 100% disagree with the notion that step-ins are somehow for old men. Nope. As I said, been riding them for more than 25 years and even in my 50s I keep myself in shape.
Nice! Ya, I haven’t quite gotten to the point where I think they are better than some of my favorite traditional bindings but you can’t argue away the convenience!
00:46 If you're talking about the K2 Clickers as the joke step-on bindings of the 90's, they are still in production, and have a fairly large following. For the most part, they are the same binding all these years.
I sure hated them as an instructor at Snowbird back in the 90’s. Seemed like they were always getting clogged up with snow and ice. There were a couple guys that worked with me that rode them and said they were great but I wasn’t so sure. 😁
Did you find any limitations? My main concern is with two points: - I typically like to have my bindings pretty tight, and I’ve heard you have to ride these looser - The stiffness. While I’m not a park rider, I’d say I’m pretty all-mountain freestyle, where I like to rip butters on groomers, play around on side hits, and pop spins off of everything. I’ve always rode either Burton Mission or a Ride C6. I’ve never rode a stiffer binding and Nidecker ranks these an 8/10, so I’m a little worried that won’t translate well to my riding style. Reasons I want them are: - I ride with 90% skiers (which sucks, I know. My friends suck lol) - I’m on the east coast and my local hill is tiny, so stepping in equates to a few extra runs at the end of the day Think it’s worth it?
@@j.p.6228 I’ve noticed I do have to run these a bit looser but it doesn’t feel like they are loose. Kind of a weird sensation and hard to explain but it really does feel locked in. As far as stiffness, I would say these feel a bit less stiff than 8/10. They feel a bit softer than my Union Atlas bindings. While the step in is convenient I feel they can be a bit awkward when trying to get out of them. After riding these more after this review, I’m not fully converted to these yet and I still prefer my Union Atlas bindings. Two main things I’ve noticed long term is they can be awkward getting out of and they are a bit heavy. I’m trying to get a pair of the new carbon version to test and see if they are better. They are supposed to be about a pound lighter per binding.
Good to see more everyday people putting up these reviews for the supermatics. I'm in the market for one of these easy step on systems, but reaally not sold yet on any particular product (Clew, Nidecker Supermatic, Burton Step ons). Burton's are so expensive cause you need to buy the boot again, Clew because it doesn't seem all there yet with the R&D, and supermatics look heavy.
The Supermatics are definitely heavier than any of my traditional strap bindings but I don’t notice it at all when riding. Only when I’m carrying my board while walking.
I would agree about them not feeling heavy on foot. Compared to my older Rome bindings I don't notice a difference. For reference I'm 5'11" 220 with a football player build, so that may affect my lack of concern
Sweet video man, thanks for the info! I've been looking at these bindings and it's interesting to hear from people who have actually used them. I'm guessing the boots have a lot to do with how these are gonna work for different people. Also, if you just don't care about the step-in feature, that matters too. Some people really just want a good step-in system and this looks like the best one ever made.
Is it true that you can't really get the straps as tight as you might like in order for the step in function to work? Also curious as to the technique of stepping out. I tried some in store and it was hard to push down on the lever and pull up my leg at the same time.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get the straps tight enough from what I had heard because I do tend to crank my straps down fairly tight. I had also heard about not being able to run much forward lean which is also something I do. I have my straps cranked down as much as I normally would, however I found I don’t need to crank these down as much as other bindings to get the same feeling of security and response. I’m also running a lot of forward lean like I normally would on a regular binding and I can still get in and out just as easily. Getting out took a few times to get use to but now the only time I’ve noticed having a hard time getting out is when I’m on a slope and have to keep on my heel edge to keep from moving downhill. When I do have to get out on a slope I’ve just been unstrapping using the straps like I would on traditional bindings. So far I feel like even with a few inconveniences like that, these are still worth it for resort riding.
I ended up selling mine because I hated them so much, the straps are horrible especially with the locks. It is one that once you set it, you will never want to touch again. Which will make it useless in deep powder. On top of that, actually stepping into the binding takes super long and is a pita. You have to wiggle your foot around to get it to lock in. You also need to leave the straps super loose in order to fit in. When you are riding in them, your heel never really feels secure. Compared to the following bindings, they are lousy imho. 1)Jones Mercury 2)Burton Step ons 3)Rome Katanas 4)Union Force 5)Supermatics. Both Burton Step ons and Jones mercury blew them away in terms of getting in/out speed and I’m 45 and have only snowboarded 5 years.
Interesting feedback. I only have like a half day on them so far so I’ll have to see how it goes. My go to binders the last 5 years has been the Union Atlas. I’ve found I can get the straps tight enough to be nice and snug once I’m in and my foot is able to slide right in with no problems. I’m sure it’s going to vary a bit on what boots you are wearing? Also last year they didn’t have a size to fit size 11 and above. I’m wondering if you tried them last year and what size boot you wear and what size the supermatic binding was you tried?
@@havenoutdoors584First time i tried end of last year with some shitty ass burton rentals (I only had the burton step on boots prior to these bindings), then last week I tried with my new k2 boots. Size 10, large supermatics. Do a head to head speed test between how fast you get into a jones mercury binding vs a supermatics binding and you will be like “wtf?” Both the burton step on and the supermatics suck with deep powder, however the burtons are leaps and bounds faster and easier to get into in groomer days. As long as I get the burton Photons in wide, the boots are pretty comfy. However, last season the burton step ons fell off while I was on the lift and now I don’t trust them. I hoped that these would replace them, but they didn’t cut it.
I haven't road mine yet but installed and tested at home as first trip is this weekend. At first my boot wouldn't go in as easy but then I found a link to their site talking about the strap position and how the middle strap needs to have a gap and not make contact. It said you will struggle if strap position isn't correct. I corrected to how they suggested and I'm in and out no problem even with a dry boot on.
I'm 20 days into my Supermatics and have to say I disagree with everything you say - but obviously just from my own experience. I have the straps as tight as I need and I can get in and out of them whilst on the move - which tells me it's easy to get in and out. I would say that a common mistake with Supermatic is having the 3rd strap too tight and Nidecker are clear it should be as loose as possible. Also from my own experience people often compensate for poor boot fit by cranking down on straps more than they would need to if their boot fitted properly. I'm not saying this reflects your situation, just commenting generally on some known situations.
Holyyyy that camber!
For disclosure I've been riding since 91 and been 95% on step-ins since 97. Currently on my first season on Supermatic and absolutely love them. Sure they are not as "pure step/click-in" as say the Switch system was back in the day but the key for Supermatic is I can pick any boot I want.
And I 100% disagree with the notion that step-ins are somehow for old men. Nope. As I said, been riding them for more than 25 years and even in my 50s I keep myself in shape.
Nice. Ya, I’ve been loving mine this season.
I love mine. Have a pair for each of my boards. Super easy. Yes a day or two of learning but after that it’s simple. Step in and out while skating.
Nice! Ya, I haven’t quite gotten to the point where I think they are better than some of my favorite traditional bindings but you can’t argue away the convenience!
00:46 If you're talking about the K2 Clickers as the joke step-on bindings of the 90's, they are still in production, and have a fairly large following. For the most part, they are the same binding all these years.
I sure hated them as an instructor at Snowbird back in the 90’s. Seemed like they were always getting clogged up with snow and ice. There were a couple guys that worked with me that rode them and said they were great but I wasn’t so sure. 😁
There were several systems from different brands, K2 Clicker, Burton, Switch, Rossignol and a few others
Did you find any limitations? My main concern is with two points:
- I typically like to have my bindings pretty tight, and I’ve heard you have to ride these looser
- The stiffness. While I’m not a park rider, I’d say I’m pretty all-mountain freestyle, where I like to rip butters on groomers, play around on side hits, and pop spins off of everything. I’ve always rode either Burton Mission or a Ride C6. I’ve never rode a stiffer binding and Nidecker ranks these an 8/10, so I’m a little worried that won’t translate well to my riding style.
Reasons I want them are:
- I ride with 90% skiers (which sucks, I know. My friends suck lol)
- I’m on the east coast and my local hill is tiny, so stepping in equates to a few extra runs at the end of the day
Think it’s worth it?
@@j.p.6228 I’ve noticed I do have to run these a bit looser but it doesn’t feel like they are loose. Kind of a weird sensation and hard to explain but it really does feel locked in. As far as stiffness, I would say these feel a bit less stiff than 8/10. They feel a bit softer than my Union Atlas bindings. While the step in is convenient I feel they can be a bit awkward when trying to get out of them. After riding these more after this review, I’m not fully converted to these yet and I still prefer my Union Atlas bindings. Two main things I’ve noticed long term is they can be awkward getting out of and they are a bit heavy. I’m trying to get a pair of the new carbon version to test and see if they are better. They are supposed to be about a pound lighter per binding.
@@havenoutdoors584awesome thanks for the response man! I’ve heard the carbons are lighter for sure, but notably stiffer
Good to see more everyday people putting up these reviews for the supermatics. I'm in the market for one of these easy step on systems, but reaally not sold yet on any particular product (Clew, Nidecker Supermatic, Burton Step ons). Burton's are so expensive cause you need to buy the boot again, Clew because it doesn't seem all there yet with the R&D, and supermatics look heavy.
The Supermatics are definitely heavier than any of my traditional strap bindings but I don’t notice it at all when riding. Only when I’m carrying my board while walking.
I would agree about them not feeling heavy on foot. Compared to my older Rome bindings I don't notice a difference. For reference I'm 5'11" 220 with a football player build, so that may affect my lack of concern
@@dagreatghosface I’m a bigger dude too. 6’3” and 250-260 lbs depending on how many tacos I’m eating that week.
Sweet video man, thanks for the info! I've been looking at these bindings and it's interesting to hear from people who have actually used them. I'm guessing the boots have a lot to do with how these are gonna work for different people.
Also, if you just don't care about the step-in feature, that matters too. Some people really just want a good step-in system and this looks like the best one ever made.
Still sold out.. I´ll go for it maybe next yr.
The more I’ve been riding them, the more I’m liking these things. Nidecker did a great job with these things.
Is it true that you can't really get the straps as tight as you might like in order for the step in function to work? Also curious as to the technique of stepping out. I tried some in store and it was hard to push down on the lever and pull up my leg at the same time.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get the straps tight enough from what I had heard because I do tend to crank my straps down fairly tight. I had also heard about not being able to run much forward lean which is also something I do. I have my straps cranked down as much as I normally would, however I found I don’t need to crank these down as much as other bindings to get the same feeling of security and response. I’m also running a lot of forward lean like I normally would on a regular binding and I can still get in and out just as easily. Getting out took a few times to get use to but now the only time I’ve noticed having a hard time getting out is when I’m on a slope and have to keep on my heel edge to keep from moving downhill. When I do have to get out on a slope I’ve just been unstrapping using the straps like I would on traditional bindings. So far I feel like even with a few inconveniences like that, these are still worth it for resort riding.
I want some now.
This old man is a fan.
Hey just a heads up, the link you put for your website is misspelt
Thanks for the video though, really helped my decision making
Thanks for the heads up! 🙏🏻
is this Commencal Meta on your left?
It is. Love it!
I ended up selling mine because I hated them so much, the straps are horrible especially with the locks. It is one that once you set it, you will never want to touch again. Which will make it useless in deep powder.
On top of that, actually stepping into the binding takes super long and is a pita. You have to wiggle your foot around to get it to lock in. You also need to leave the straps super loose in order to fit in. When you are riding in them, your heel never really feels secure.
Compared to the following bindings, they are lousy imho.
1)Jones Mercury
2)Burton Step ons
3)Rome Katanas
4)Union Force
5)Supermatics.
Both Burton Step ons and Jones mercury blew them away in terms of getting in/out speed and I’m 45 and have only snowboarded 5 years.
Interesting feedback. I only have like a half day on them so far so I’ll have to see how it goes. My go to binders the last 5 years has been the Union Atlas. I’ve found I can get the straps tight enough to be nice and snug once I’m in and my foot is able to slide right in with no problems. I’m sure it’s going to vary a bit on what boots you are wearing? Also last year they didn’t have a size to fit size 11 and above. I’m wondering if you tried them last year and what size boot you wear and what size the supermatic binding was you tried?
@@havenoutdoors584First time i tried end of last year with some shitty ass burton rentals (I only had the burton step on boots prior to these bindings), then last week I tried with my new k2 boots. Size 10, large supermatics.
Do a head to head speed test between how fast you get into a jones mercury binding vs a supermatics binding and you will be like “wtf?”
Both the burton step on and the supermatics suck with deep powder, however the burtons are leaps and bounds faster and easier to get into in groomer days. As long as I get the burton Photons in wide, the boots are pretty comfy.
However, last season the burton step ons fell off while I was on the lift and now I don’t trust them. I hoped that these would replace them, but they didn’t cut it.
I haven't road mine yet but installed and tested at home as first trip is this weekend. At first my boot wouldn't go in as easy but then I found a link to their site talking about the strap position and how the middle strap needs to have a gap and not make contact. It said you will struggle if strap position isn't correct. I corrected to how they suggested and I'm in and out no problem even with a dry boot on.
I'm 20 days into my Supermatics and have to say I disagree with everything you say - but obviously just from my own experience. I have the straps as tight as I need and I can get in and out of them whilst on the move - which tells me it's easy to get in and out.
I would say that a common mistake with Supermatic is having the 3rd strap too tight and Nidecker are clear it should be as loose as possible. Also from my own experience people often compensate for poor boot fit by cranking down on straps more than they would need to if their boot fitted properly.
I'm not saying this reflects your situation, just commenting generally on some known situations.
lol joke...
Go on, tell us the joke. Is it a rude joke?