Best review of step ons so far. You managed to make every point about the feel and responivness unbiased even though you seemed to like them very much. Great work
Finishing wax works with the clicking noice......used for 2 days. WOW - LOVE THESE Step On bindings. Everyone I met at Diamond Peak and Heavenly LOVED them. I had the Burton Step In bindings (yes, I'm old school) but they did not work well when there was lots of snow/ice under the boot. However, I had no problem with snow/ice building up at the base of my boot for the Step On bindings.
you can add a little "fuild" wax to the kleets on the boots and the parts where you click in on the binding, just a very thing coat, like putting lotion on your hands. it's not a fix for every but it will work for a few days and quickly applied.
Great review! Been a Srep On rider for 3 seasons now. Adding wax to both the bindings and toe cleats takes the clicking away for quite pow laps. Clicking is made as the binding flexes with the board, and bumps into the boot.
The responsiveness is amazing, when I mount My stepons on my Mind Expander, what can I say... If I think about turning, the board has already finished the turn and started the next one! Can't imagine how the stepon X would feel XD
Nice review. I demo'd the photons last winter for 2 days. Response is awesome, and I won't go back to regular bindings. You save a lot of energy not having to bend over or sit down to strap up at the start of a run. Also, the clicking didn't bother me at all. For those who are interested, I wouldn't let the clicking issue get in the way of trying them.
@@SnowboardRobot there's a couple videos that mention putting wax on the clips eliminates the clicking noise Edit: saw in another comment you already did that! So would you consider them perfect now? 🙃
I've honestly never heard the clicking while I'm riding. I only slightly hear it if I move my foot around while riding the lift. I adjusted the footpad to my size which I heard was a cause as well. Bindings are sick I recommend getting some or trying some out for a day.
I’m riding the same setup but with a bit of forward lean in the bindings. I notice the noise a lot less then I hear in this video. Love them: except for stepping out of them in the pow 😜
@@SnowboardRobot thanks for the review man, I just bought the normal step on bindings with the DC boots a lot of people complaining about the clicking noise I was thinking to glue thin layers of rubber on the front of the footbed to lock the boot in better if the glue holds it should work I’m gonna try it when the season starts in Oz,Thanks again
@@jjss2395 try putting don't sex wax on the metal parts of the boots it helps allot. I usually ride in 10f degrees when it's nice out and the colder it is the more you hear it but it goes away after awhile, for me anyways.
I bought the Mercury earlier this year. It seems this is the nearest I'm going to get to riding it this season! :( Good to see some new content. It would be interesting to see how the response compares to the step-ins from the 2000s era.
For the clicky noise they recommend to use wax. I personally haven't tried it yet but it would be interesting to know if it actually makes a difference. Edit: Reading the comments, it looks like it's been done and might work. Thanks.
Wax works and it also helps with getting in and out. The wax lasted the whole day.. I used lemon pledge. Spray a little on a cotton rag and apply to cleats and bindings.
The frequency response of the camera's microphone will definitely make the sound a lot sharper and clickier than they are in real life. I find if I'm dailed into the ride, I don't even notice the noise. This video way overstates the clicking issue versus the rest of the experience.
A Rep from Burton mentioned (on a different YT channel) that you can apply snowboard was on the front toe cleats (on the base of the bindings or on the boots themselves) and this will help reduce the clicking sound. According to that Rep, this doesn't hinder the connection and doesn't have any safety concerns. This is not a permanent solution (unless you keep applying the wax) and the cause of the clicking is due to the flexing of the binding and hitting the front cleats.
@@SnowboardRobot Perhaps update your review as this seems to be your main negative with the SO set up. Also have you tried the regular SO binding for comparison?
@@wheaty64 Yeah I will make another video at one point, I have ridden the regular SO bindings, but it was a few years ago when they first came out, so I can't remember the little details. The main thing I remember from the first ride on the regular ones was that the toe side turns felt more direct than I was expecting.
@@SnowboardRobot Another Step On X review I watched said on non Burton Channel boards with 4 screw attachment, the X-SO and Regular SO felt quite similar. On Burton Channel, the Regular SO flexed under foot more with the Reflex disc - which is exactly what reflex is designed to do. EST has the hinge built in to the binding to imitate this flex. Im still trying to decide which boot I need - Swath, Photon or Ion? I usually ride Ion Leather, but its difficult to gauge the response and flex as I havent ridden SO yet. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.... and awesome content here and with all your other videos.
I find it hilarious how that sound drives certain people crazy. Also I've seen people putting wax on the toe clips and it stops the noise but I've never tried it cuz I could care less about the sound.
Great Review! I gotta say the resort that you're riding at (I think it's Big White) looks like my dream resort. Just looks like paradise. Unfortunately I'm based in Europe, so I don't think I'll get to ride there anytime soon.
i was wondering to buy step ons because i needed new boots but the high cost plus the fact that i ride only 15day indoor plus another 5-7days in the mountains (i live 8 hours away from any nice mountain area in europe) made me just buy regular boots.
Finally an extensive review of the burton step ons! What i've noticed to be added on: 1) Step ons work perfectly fine in powder after you dust off the snow. One click is more than enough for you boots not to come out. 2) You can strap (step on) whilst sitting down just like regular bindings by pulling the board to you. 3) To lessen the clicking noise, you just simply shift the ramp half a size forward. For e.g. if you wear a size 9, you would shift the ramp to size 9.5. 4) Some people are experiencing a toe cleat 'hot spot' where it creates pain edged from the toe cleat. This is avoided if you buy the wide version or a wider liner. 5) Although convenient, no one has mentioned that you no longer have to worry about the screws coming undone from the bindings as this neglects that? 6) The photon strap that mimics a binding strap is a gimmick and is redundant, it creates no additional benefits. 7) You can also remove the pants clip at the back with a screwdriver and use them on a regular pair of bindings. Now i'm just waiting for someone to review the difference between regular bindings and if there are any drawbacks in terms of performance, as some do feel you have a faster edge to edge on the step ons
1. Definitely, it isn't much effort to get the one click in, and strapping in while in powder is a pain for any binding. 2. You can, but I think if you have to sit down, you are cancelling out the point of them. 3. I'll give it a shot moving the footbed forward a half size, see if that reduced the clicks. 4. I like Burton boots anyway, they suit me well so I luckily didn't get any of the hot spots I hear people talk about. 5. My other two main sets of bindings are Cartels, and I have never had to tighten any of the screws, might just be luck. 6. I definitely notice a different feel depending on how much I do up the Photon strap, though I am used to having that certain locked in feeling around my ankle with my regular Salomon Launch boots (with the straightjacket). Try it loose, ride a few laps and then tighten it right up and see if you notice the difference, I really do. 7. Yeah I did think of that, though with the Photons the strap is going to get in the way of the regular ankle strap. I thought that I could make a video on comparing them to regular bindings, but it would be hard - everything is "feel" and can't really be shown well. I do agree that the feel very responsive, especially for toeside turns, as you are pulling the binding up from the highback cleat, with the weight going quite quickly onto the toe edge. Compared to on a regular setup, flexing through the boot, then having your weight go through the ankle strap first.
FYI - the 2022 setup has changed quite a bit on the toe hooks where the clicking was coming from. They redesigned them and its supposedly gone....The House has a review with the Burton rep, posted last week I think.
I literally have the same dancehaul board and stepon set up and i carve alot.. currently using a Ruler but feel too soft and heel lift..thinking of either Photon or Ion. What do you suggest?
I think you would be fine on either, although I know that the Ion is a really good boot, I got the Photon because it had enough stiffness for me, and the price was better. If you have the regular Step On bindings (not the X), then you might be able to get more from the Ions to make up for the softer bindings.
I have the standard bindings with the ion boots. Great combination and alot stiffer than any other binding/boot set up I have. The clicking is there...but headphones turned up you never hear them.
I’ve heard that if you adjust the toe ramps to length, it’ll eliminate it or lessen the clicking- Adjust the toe ramps (gas pedal) To get the toe cleats more centered or to fit better in the binding “holes” To remove the “slop”. Makes sense
I have the toe ramps set to the boot size (9.5), though today I rubbed wax on the cleats on the boots, as well as the spots that they connect to and it seemed to get rid of the clicking completely.
Do you ever have issues with the Boa loosening? Most do because of flexing from heel to toe and the heat in the boot and I would imagine this could be bad with step ons without a ratchet strap.
I have heard of people complaining about the Boa loosening, though I have never had it happen to me - and I have had two pairs of regular Boa boots before these Photons. If I crank my bindings down tightly (on my normal setup) you can see that the boa cable is looser at the bottom of the boots, but I don't notice anything much when I ride.
I have a Hovercraft and like to mostly charge down the mountain bombing and carving hard. I just bought some step on Photon boots but I’m debating between step on or step on x. X are pretty expensive. Will I be ok with the regular step on or do I need the x?
It has been such a while since I have ridden the regular step ons, but with those boots, and the riding you like to do I think you might get some better performance from the X, if you can stretch the budget a bit. I like the Hovercraft too, but I would prefer to have stiffer bindings on a board like that.
@@SnowboardRobot i thought so.. just pulled the trigger on the step on x. It’s pricey but it’s worth it especially for a board like the hovercraft. Thanks man
When the Step On X stiffer bindings were introduced I thought they had the updated toe clips which supposedly reduced the clicking. Why do your bindings have the old style toes clips?
I bought those Step On X almost two years ago I think, so they were the original version with the old style clips. I haven't seen the new version of the Step On X yet, but I have seen the new regular versions with the plastic bit in the gap of the toes.
No I sold mine, not because I didn't like how they performed, but because I swap boards so often it is a pain having to change bindings and boots every time compared to a regular setup. If I didn't chance boards and bindings they would be fine.
Good call on the photon boot. I have the ions and they are super stiff. Much stiffer than the regular ion. They're great boots and very responsive, but I was a little surprised by the stiffness...and I normally ride Imperials.
Hey man, how are you getting on with the ions? I watched a review from the good ride and he said that he felt that they were too responsive which made the boardrealky twitchy to ride.
@@Dan-wq8by now that they are broken in, I love them. The life liner is a definite step up from the imprint 3. Full disclosure though, it took a solid 15-20 days to get them where I like them. To be honest, I would basically ignore most step on reviews with the exception of jimmy with midwest shred vlogs and Sean ozz. You've got to ride step ons for at least 10 days before you really get used to them. The ions are stiff for sure, but the way the whole set up is designed I'm not sure they would ever be twitchy. Somehow it feels like the boot stiffness isn't as important since you're not using it to push against the strap and pull the heel cup up, your heel is attached so it's almost instantaneous regardless of boot flex( to some degree any way).
@@Dan-wq8by no worries, happy to help. I've ridden them on: Burton FA( hated it!) Arbor iguchi camber Lib tech swiss knife Ride warpig Rossignol sushi Burton skeleton key Niche story I'm happy to answer questions about any of them.
I kind of like the clicking now! I barely notice it but when I hear it I don't mind. Your video sounds loud though, maybe it depends on the binding-boot size combo? Nice video!
Great review, feeling very jealous at the moment as we can’t get away in the UK. I'm thinking of getting a new set up for next year when the sales come round. I'm thinking the Photon and the regular sep-on with a Hovercraft or a Stratos. Have you used the hovercraft, I'm on a mountain twin at the moment, which i love but I never ride switch 😂
Thanks! As longs as Burton boots suit your foot shape, you should be fine in the Photons. I have ridden both the Hovercraft ua-cam.com/video/ipFln4qN_hM/v-deo.html and the Stratos, but it would depend on what terrain you like to ride most to help narrow the choice down. If you planned on riding a lot of powder, you might want to lean towards the Hovercraft, even though it does ride well on groomed runs. Though if you wanted one board to do everything, the Stratos is probably the better choice. It floats in powder, is solid on groomers and is nice and fast edge to edge.
I have a hovercraft you won’t be disappointed. It’s carves like no other and I’ve used the board in all conditions. Very stable at high speeds and very nimble in tree lines with the short tail.
Thanks for the video, i am debating between the normal step on + photon vs the step on x + ion. How much difference would you say is there between the two set up? I am between intermediate and advance, and i rarely ride park. I just dont know if the x + ion is worth the extra $200 and if i need the extra stiffness.
I rode the regular step ons with Photons a few years ago, but don't really remember how stiff/soft they felt. I was following the same thinking as you were when I first started looking at them, and going for the stiffer bindings with the medium flex Photons worked out really well for me. The jump up to the Ion price was too much for me, but I wouldn't say the Photons have ever felt too soft. I would go for X bindings and Photons, unless you really like stiffer boots.
Hi. Love the reviews. Have you take a look at the new k2 clicker xhb boots and binds. What you think about them?. I'm think of getting them my self but haven't seen to many reviews online
I'm looking for a strapless binding to try out and they seem pretty cool kind of like the burton step on. I wanted to get them because the mounting parts are on the bottom of the boots. Not like the burton step on are on the side and back. So you can also use the boots with regular strap bindings once a while. So a bit more versatile.
@@hiennguyen-kp5cj it really isn't that bad, just a bit louder than the normal squeaking between a strap boot and binding. My experience anyway (about 60 days). Klickers are getting reports of the soles delaminating, I've held off myself until they get that fixed
@@th3oryO are you sure this is not the older version of clicker that some report the metal piece at the bottom of the boot comes off. I haven't seen much reviews online about the new version at all. Good or bad
I have rode these for 2.5 seasons now and never hear the clicking noise. I wonder if you weren’t clicked into the second click? I love this setup, I can’s see riding anything else.
I was getting both clicks in on the heel, though it seemed to be worse in certain cold temperatures, and especially when the snow was dry. Since I have been rubbing wax on the toe cleats, the clicking is now gone and they slide smoothly without a sound.
I was getting both clicks in on the heel, though it seemed to be worse in certain cold temperatures, and especially when the snow was dry. Since I have been rubbing wax on the toe cleats, the clicking is now gone and they slide smoothly without a sound.
Hello Man! I have a quick question, do you think, that with boots of 11.5 size Burton photons i can ride capita Mercury 159? I was at the shop and my boots had like 2 cm overhang each side. Great vids btw!
Thanks! I'd say you could, the waist width on the 159 is 259mm which is decent, and Burton boots have a fairly small footprint for their size. By the time you add angles to your bindings, then the height of the footbeds it will still give you plenty of room to carve, even if it looks like lots lots of overhang.
@@SnowboardRobot Thank you for a quick answer! By the way, please never stop this channel, you got really good, calm voice that keeps the audience interested. Plus you cover all the topics considering the product itself. Trust me, i watched like dozens of different snb channels and you are killing it man. Happy new year!
I don't understand why the "clicking" bothers people so much. Do the step-ons work? Does they do what it supposed to do? If yes to both, and its not failing at the basics of what a bindings/boots does, then it sounds almost like a 10/10 to me. Functionality is all that should matter. I honestly don't get it. Seriously, I'm so zoned into my riding, I don't think I would hear or care about clicks. I'm convinced to get Step-ons now, since the clicking is the worst complaint the step-ons get from anyone
I'm super glad I fell on your review! Your setup is super similar to mine! Cartel Bindings with Salomon boots and your description of your riding style/taste in stiffness is equally similar to mine... With that in mind, would you mind answering a few questions? My Salomon boots are dying and I'm considering replacing my setup with Step On... - Knowing what you know now, would you recommend it? - If you were to do it again, would you get the ION boots instead of the Photon? - Did you size your Burton Boots exactly like the Salomon? My concern is that I have wide feet and I've read comments about hot/pressure spots in the Step On boots because of the toe cleats/anchor points... Thanks for posting that review! I'll appreciate any extra feedback you can provide!
Thanks! Now that I have tried waxing the cleats and it seems to have stopped the clicking, I would recommend it (unless that changes - I'll ride it again today and see if the conditions/temp changes or brings it back). The more I ride in the Photon boots, the more I like them compared to my main Salomon Launch boots. I don't think I would get too much extra from the Ions, and I prefer the Boa to the Speed zone laces anyway. I have one foot that is exactly 275mm, so I have 27.5/9.5 Salomon boots that are comfortable and have a tiny bit of room. They tend to fit long, most people I fit with Salomon seem to go down a half size, and I could probably squeeze myself into a 27 if I had to. I got the 27.5/9.5 Photons, and they were definitely a little tighter lengthwise when brand new, but once broken in they were great. At least they make wide versions of the Photon, though if you can't try them on before buying it might be a bit of a risk. I haven't noticed any problems/hot spots at all with how they fit me, they feel great. When I have been fitting people who suit boots like the Salomon Dialogue Wide, they seem to also suit boots like the Ruler/Photon Wide, so if you have wide Salomon boots I think the fit will be similar.
@@SnowboardRobot Thanks so much for that answer! Waiting on my new setup thanks to your feedback! looking forward to try it out! Did the wax do the trick on your last outing as well?
@nick moore-davis That sounds very uncomfortable! Thanks for the feedback, hopefully it was just an issue with the set of boots you had and I won't have that issue!
Thanks! It's mostly the Osmo Pocket ua-cam.com/video/tIm-wTJ8XZ8/v-deo.html and the POV/360 stuff is the Insta 360 ua-cam.com/video/vAMSp02mVs8/v-deo.html
bootout was not addressed in this video. I heard that the boots, due enforcemtents are longer than regular ones of same size... plus this huge heelcup apparatus
Zero problems with bootout, especially not with 9.5s. The heelcup is slightly thicker than my Cartels, but the boots actually have a smaller/shorter footprint than my Salomons. The connection on the back of the boot doesn't add any length, neither to the toe cleats. It looks like it is overall a more compact setup than what I regularly ride.
No you can't really feel the click, though the boot has some nice roll, similar to regular bindings, and it seems that the clicking is a downside of having the roll in the boot. Wax on the cleats seems to do the trick though, so it isn't such an issue.
Thanks! Since getting a whole bunch of comments, I rub on some wax to the metal cleats and the connecting points of the bindings and the noise is gone now, so I use them happily all the time now. My boots are the 9.5s, they fit me super well, so I don't have any of the issues or hotspots that I hear other people can get - though I rarely have any trouble with my boots anyway.
The one thing that I worry about these would be stacking it in deep powder and trying to get out and back in again......anyone who's rode them got any personal experience with them in deep powder?
Since making this video I have ridden them in powder quite a bit more. Like regular bindings you do have to do a good job at cleaning the footbed off to make sure you can click in. I haven't had too much of a problem getting at least one click on the heels. The hardest thing I think is that you need some solid snow beneath the board to put pressure on to click in (quite a bit). You don't notice it on regular bindings as you can sit down, and ratchet normal bindings up and it pulls the board up to your boots as you tighten. If I was in quite deep snow I'd jump up and down with the board on to try and make a platform, though when the snow is light that doesn't work super well without covering the board in snow again. Most of the time I was able to get one click on the heels and I did a fairly good job at brushing the snow away, so a turn or two in I heard the second click and it was all fine.
I really like it, and ride it more than I would have expected to. Quick and very smooth to turn, floats in powder and is good in the park, even with the short length. It's a really easy board to recommend, it is fun to ride pretty much anywhere.
I wish they'd come with a toe strap option, just because a lot of people have heel strap pressure pain issues including me. It'd be nice to eliminate the heel strap but keep the toe strap.
Best review of step ons so far. You managed to make every point about the feel and responivness unbiased even though you seemed to like them very much. Great work
Been riding my Step Ons for 3 seasons now and I love them.
So much better than regular step ons
So what's the difference between the step ons and the normal strap ones? I'm hesitant on spending all that money on them
The difrence meaning how mutch of a flex is there
@@heisler3410 you’re completely locked in, the only flex would come from the high back of the ogs the x’s have no flex
@@efefef3927 ok thx
Finishing wax works with the clicking noice......used for 2 days. WOW - LOVE THESE Step On bindings. Everyone I met at Diamond Peak and Heavenly LOVED them. I had the Burton Step In bindings (yes, I'm old school) but they did not work well when there was lots of snow/ice under the boot. However, I had no problem with snow/ice building up at the base of my boot for the Step On bindings.
you can add a little "fuild" wax to the kleets on the boots and the parts where you click in on the binding, just a very thing coat, like putting lotion on your hands. it's not a fix for every but it will work for a few days and quickly applied.
Great review! Been a Srep On rider for 3 seasons now. Adding wax to both the bindings and toe cleats takes the clicking away for quite pow laps. Clicking is made as the binding flexes with the board, and bumps into the boot.
Thanks, I'll give that a try
The responsiveness is amazing, when I mount My stepons on my Mind Expander, what can I say... If I think about turning, the board has already finished the turn and started the next one! Can't imagine how the stepon X would feel XD
Nice review. I demo'd the photons last winter for 2 days. Response is awesome, and I won't go back to regular bindings. You save a lot of energy not having to bend over or sit down to strap up at the start of a run. Also, the clicking didn't bother me at all. For those who are interested, I wouldn't let the clicking issue get in the way of trying them.
Yeah, I have spoken to a few people who ride them and they don't seem to get any or notice the clicking at all.
@@SnowboardRobot there's a couple videos that mention putting wax on the clips eliminates the clicking noise
Edit: saw in another comment you already did that! So would you consider them perfect now? 🙃
I've honestly never heard the clicking while I'm riding. I only slightly hear it if I move my foot around while riding the lift. I adjusted the footpad to my size which I heard was a cause as well. Bindings are sick I recommend getting some or trying some out for a day.
Me neither. I can feel it engage but never hear the clicking noise.
I’m riding the same setup but with a bit of forward lean in the bindings. I notice the noise a lot less then I hear in this video. Love them: except for stepping out of them in the pow 😜
Excellent review man and I look forward to more from you. This is my first year back snowboarding and I bought the Mercury because of your advice.
Thanks! Hopefully you like the Mercury, I still ride mine quite often
I get to go out this weekend and hopefully I will enjoy it to.
Excellent review, the best I've seen I think. Looking forward to more of your videos this season!
Thanks!
@@SnowboardRobot thanks for the review man, I just bought the normal step on bindings with the DC boots a lot of people complaining about the clicking noise I was thinking to glue thin layers of rubber on the front of the footbed to lock the boot in better if the glue holds it should work I’m gonna try it when the season starts in Oz,Thanks again
@@jjss2395 try putting don't sex wax on the metal parts of the boots it helps allot. I usually ride in 10f degrees when it's nice out and the colder it is the more you hear it but it goes away after awhile, for me anyways.
@Snowboard Robot They click when it's super cold. Never bothered me and I live in Hokkaido which is a lil chilly. Glad the wax worked for you.
I'm surprised you don't have at least 10k subscribers. And you're an Aussie 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🙏👍
Thanks! I'll get there one day
I bought the Mercury earlier this year. It seems this is the nearest I'm going to get to riding it this season! :( Good to see some new content. It would be interesting to see how the response compares to the step-ins from the 2000s era.
Put a thin layer of finish wax on the clips on the boot toe and the binding.
Yeah ive heard this works
Did it work?
For the clicky noise they recommend to use wax. I personally haven't tried it yet but it would be interesting to know if it actually makes a difference.
Edit: Reading the comments, it looks like it's been done and might work. Thanks.
Wax works and it also helps with getting in and out. The wax lasted the whole day.. I used lemon pledge.
Spray a little on a cotton rag and apply to cleats and bindings.
The frequency response of the camera's microphone will definitely make the sound a lot sharper and clickier than they are in real life. I find if I'm dailed into the ride, I don't even notice the noise. This video way overstates the clicking issue versus the rest of the experience.
I second this. Don't even realize they are clicking while riding.
His obsession with the “Clicking” is so much BS! I don’t notice it after the first couple seconds.
A Rep from Burton mentioned (on a different YT channel) that you can apply snowboard was on the front toe cleats (on the base of the bindings or on the boots themselves) and this will help reduce the clicking sound.
According to that Rep, this doesn't hinder the connection and doesn't have any safety concerns.
This is not a permanent solution (unless you keep applying the wax) and the cause of the clicking is due to the flexing of the binding and hitting the front cleats.
It's true and it works I have been doing it but I use sex wax (the kind people put on surf boards).
I did that today, and it fixed the clicking completely.
@@SnowboardRobot nice, what did you use?
@@bbolanda18 Some regular all-temp dakine wax that was in the house
@@SnowboardRobot rub it on or melt it on? To the boot or the binding?
new 2022 bindings apperantly has fixed the clicking issue and made it easier to click in and out
Third season in them... Never really noticed the clicking. I'll pay closer attention tomorrow. Great review! Thank you
Don't try and notice it if you haven't already! Even if you do hear it, I tried adding wax to the toe connections and it stopped the clicking on mine.
@@SnowboardRobot Perhaps update your review as this seems to be your main negative with the SO set up. Also have you tried the regular SO binding for comparison?
@@wheaty64 Yeah I will make another video at one point, I have ridden the regular SO bindings, but it was a few years ago when they first came out, so I can't remember the little details. The main thing I remember from the first ride on the regular ones was that the toe side turns felt more direct than I was expecting.
@@SnowboardRobot Another Step On X review I watched said on non Burton Channel boards with 4 screw attachment, the X-SO and Regular SO felt quite similar. On Burton Channel, the Regular SO flexed under foot more with the Reflex disc - which is exactly what reflex is designed to do. EST has the hinge built in to the binding to imitate this flex. Im still trying to decide which boot I need - Swath, Photon or Ion? I usually ride Ion Leather, but its difficult to gauge the response and flex as I havent ridden SO yet. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.... and awesome content here and with all your other videos.
I find it hilarious how that sound drives certain people crazy. Also I've seen people putting wax on the toe clips and it stops the noise but I've never tried it cuz I could care less about the sound.
Thanks bro this helps cause imma try to get some and i didn’t know if the sound was as bad 🤣
Agree , after a while I just got used to it
I got a pair last year only got to use them a couple times. Didn't notice the noise. Hopefully riding my local resort this season plus 10 days at Vail
Headphones :) Love the Step Ons!
Great Review!
I gotta say the resort that you're riding at (I think it's Big White) looks like my dream resort. Just looks like paradise. Unfortunately I'm based in Europe, so I don't think I'll get to ride there anytime soon.
Thanks! It's is a super nice place to ride
Burton are updating the binding for next season and is meant to address the clicking issue
Do you know if there is a estimated release date for the updated versions?
@@Tuggernuts they will be out ready for the next season, so sometime in September or October
On the new bindings there's no clicking noise btw
Spot On Step On review!
Do you think step on bindings would match well with Korua Dart 156? If yes which step on, Genesis, normal or X? Thanks!
I would go for the X and some decently stiff boots to match the board/bindings if it were me
great review, very helpful. thank you.
Thanks for the great review
i was wondering to buy step ons because i needed new boots but the high cost plus the fact that i ride only 15day indoor plus another 5-7days in the mountains (i live 8 hours away from any nice mountain area in europe) made me just buy regular boots.
Outdoor Tech helmet speakers takes care of that clicking noise nicely!
The noise is gone on the newer model
Finally an extensive review of the burton step ons!
What i've noticed to be added on:
1) Step ons work perfectly fine in powder after you dust off the snow. One click is more than enough for you boots not to come out.
2) You can strap (step on) whilst sitting down just like regular bindings by pulling the board to you.
3) To lessen the clicking noise, you just simply shift the ramp half a size forward. For e.g. if you wear a size 9, you would shift the ramp to size 9.5.
4) Some people are experiencing a toe cleat 'hot spot' where it creates pain edged from the toe cleat. This is avoided if you buy the wide version or a wider liner.
5) Although convenient, no one has mentioned that you no longer have to worry about the screws coming undone from the bindings as this neglects that?
6) The photon strap that mimics a binding strap is a gimmick and is redundant, it creates no additional benefits.
7) You can also remove the pants clip at the back with a screwdriver and use them on a regular pair of bindings.
Now i'm just waiting for someone to review the difference between regular bindings and if there are any drawbacks in terms of performance, as some do feel you have a faster edge to edge on the step ons
The Strap makes a world of difference for me. It may not do anything for you but then again you are just answering for Yourself!
1. Definitely, it isn't much effort to get the one click in, and strapping in while in powder is a pain for any binding.
2. You can, but I think if you have to sit down, you are cancelling out the point of them.
3. I'll give it a shot moving the footbed forward a half size, see if that reduced the clicks.
4. I like Burton boots anyway, they suit me well so I luckily didn't get any of the hot spots I hear people talk about.
5. My other two main sets of bindings are Cartels, and I have never had to tighten any of the screws, might just be luck.
6. I definitely notice a different feel depending on how much I do up the Photon strap, though I am used to having that certain locked in feeling around my ankle with my regular Salomon Launch boots (with the straightjacket). Try it loose, ride a few laps and then tighten it right up and see if you notice the difference, I really do.
7. Yeah I did think of that, though with the Photons the strap is going to get in the way of the regular ankle strap.
I thought that I could make a video on comparing them to regular bindings, but it would be hard - everything is "feel" and can't really be shown well.
I do agree that the feel very responsive, especially for toeside turns, as you are pulling the binding up from the highback cleat, with the weight going quite quickly onto the toe edge. Compared to on a regular setup, flexing through the boot, then having your weight go through the ankle strap first.
Nice review.
DId you try the new Step On 2.0?
FYI - the 2022 setup has changed quite a bit on the toe hooks where the clicking was coming from. They redesigned them and its supposedly gone....The House has a review with the Burton rep, posted last week I think.
Ahh yes, I have heard they updated it, I'll have a look into it
I literally have the same dancehaul board and stepon set up and i carve alot.. currently using a Ruler but feel too soft and heel lift..thinking of either Photon or Ion. What do you suggest?
I think you would be fine on either, although I know that the Ion is a really good boot, I got the Photon because it had enough stiffness for me, and the price was better.
If you have the regular Step On bindings (not the X), then you might be able to get more from the Ions to make up for the softer bindings.
you can use wax for the noise
I have the standard bindings with the ion boots. Great combination and alot stiffer than any other binding/boot set up I have. The clicking is there...but headphones turned up you never hear them.
Waxing the cleats seemed to get rid of the noise for me.
I’ve heard that if you adjust the toe ramps to length, it’ll eliminate it or lessen the clicking-
Adjust the toe ramps (gas pedal)
To get the toe cleats more centered or to fit better in the binding “holes”
To remove the “slop”.
Makes sense
I have the toe ramps set to the boot size (9.5), though today I rubbed wax on the cleats on the boots, as well as the spots that they connect to and it seemed to get rid of the clicking completely.
Snowboard Robot
Good to know! 👌
Hey just wondering if you could do a review on the Jones Stratos
I definitely will have a review of the Stratos soon
Do you ever have issues with the Boa loosening? Most do because of flexing from heel to toe and the heat in the boot and I would imagine this could be bad with step ons without a ratchet strap.
I have heard of people complaining about the Boa loosening, though I have never had it happen to me - and I have had two pairs of regular Boa boots before these Photons.
If I crank my bindings down tightly (on my normal setup) you can see that the boa cable is looser at the bottom of the boots, but I don't notice anything much when I ride.
I have a Hovercraft and like to mostly charge down the mountain bombing and carving hard. I just bought some step on Photon boots but I’m debating between step on or step on x. X are pretty expensive. Will I be ok with the regular step on or do I need the x?
It has been such a while since I have ridden the regular step ons, but with those boots, and the riding you like to do I think you might get some better performance from the X, if you can stretch the budget a bit. I like the Hovercraft too, but I would prefer to have stiffer bindings on a board like that.
@@SnowboardRobot i thought so.. just pulled the trigger on the step on x. It’s pricey but it’s worth it especially for a board like the hovercraft. Thanks man
Did you try waxing the toe cleats? I’ve heard that takes care of the clicking
I did, and that has seemed to fix it, at least in todays conditions (no fresh snow, -9c)
@@SnowboardRobot What kind of wax did you use?
@@holmespun Just a regular all temp wax
@@SnowboardRobot did you have to melt the wax or just rub that wax block on it?
@@francismcgreal1900 I just rubbed it on straight off the block
When the Step On X stiffer bindings were introduced I thought they had the updated toe clips which supposedly reduced the clicking. Why do your bindings have the old style toes clips?
I bought those Step On X almost two years ago I think, so they were the original version with the old style clips. I haven't seen the new version of the Step On X yet, but I have seen the new regular versions with the plastic bit in the gap of the toes.
Do you still use these Step Ons 1 year later? Thinking of getting these for my first setup with the new version that fixed the clicking sound.
No I sold mine, not because I didn't like how they performed, but because I swap boards so often it is a pain having to change bindings and boots every time compared to a regular setup. If I didn't chance boards and bindings they would be fine.
Best step on reviews I've seen so far. BTW what size is your longo jacket?
Thanks! It's a large - I tried it on in a store because it is a little shorter than normal.
Good call on the photon boot. I have the ions and they are super stiff. Much stiffer than the regular ion. They're great boots and very responsive, but I was a little surprised by the stiffness...and I normally ride Imperials.
I used to ride imperial myself. loved Them. I’ve gone through a lot of boots. But now I’m on the ION SO they are very stiff but they are great.
Hey man, how are you getting on with the ions? I watched a review from the good ride and he said that he felt that they were too responsive which made the boardrealky twitchy to ride.
@@Dan-wq8by now that they are broken in, I love them. The life liner is a definite step up from the imprint 3. Full disclosure though, it took a solid 15-20 days to get them where I like them. To be honest, I would basically ignore most step on reviews with the exception of jimmy with midwest shred vlogs and Sean ozz. You've got to ride step ons for at least 10 days before you really get used to them. The ions are stiff for sure, but the way the whole set up is designed I'm not sure they would ever be twitchy. Somehow it feels like the boot stiffness isn't as important since you're not using it to push against the strap and pull the heel cup up, your heel is attached so it's almost instantaneous regardless of boot flex( to some degree any way).
@@jonbrown9490 sweet, thanks for replying. What board do you ride?
@@Dan-wq8by no worries, happy to help. I've ridden them on:
Burton FA( hated it!)
Arbor iguchi camber
Lib tech swiss knife
Ride warpig
Rossignol sushi
Burton skeleton key
Niche story
I'm happy to answer questions about any of them.
like others have said, a little finishing wax helps with the clicking sound
I kind of like the clicking now! I barely notice it but when I hear it I don't mind. Your video sounds loud though, maybe it depends on the binding-boot size combo?
Nice video!
Thanks! Now that I rub wax on the toe cleats, it is completely gone so it doesn't bother me at all any more.
So now that the gen 2 toe hooks fixed the clicking noise. Will you be trying them again?
Yep I will happily ride them again, though I think I would try Ions for a slightly stiffer ride now
Great review, feeling very jealous at the moment as we can’t get away in the UK. I'm thinking of getting a new set up for next year when the sales come round. I'm thinking the Photon and the regular sep-on with a Hovercraft or a Stratos. Have you used the hovercraft, I'm on a mountain twin at the moment, which i love but I never ride switch 😂
Thanks! As longs as Burton boots suit your foot shape, you should be fine in the Photons. I have ridden both the Hovercraft ua-cam.com/video/ipFln4qN_hM/v-deo.html and the Stratos, but it would depend on what terrain you like to ride most to help narrow the choice down.
If you planned on riding a lot of powder, you might want to lean towards the Hovercraft, even though it does ride well on groomed runs. Though if you wanted one board to do everything, the Stratos is probably the better choice. It floats in powder, is solid on groomers and is nice and fast edge to edge.
I have a hovercraft you won’t be disappointed. It’s carves like no other and I’ve used the board in all conditions. Very stable at high speeds and very nimble in tree lines with the short tail.
Thanks for the video, i am debating between the normal step on + photon vs the step on x + ion. How much difference would you say is there between the two set up? I am between intermediate and advance, and i rarely ride park. I just dont know if the x + ion is worth the extra $200 and if i need the extra stiffness.
I rode the regular step ons with Photons a few years ago, but don't really remember how stiff/soft they felt.
I was following the same thinking as you were when I first started looking at them, and going for the stiffer bindings with the medium flex Photons worked out really well for me. The jump up to the Ion price was too much for me, but I wouldn't say the Photons have ever felt too soft. I would go for X bindings and Photons, unless you really like stiffer boots.
@@SnowboardRobot Thanks for the insight! Happy riding.
Hi. Love the reviews. Have you take a look at the new k2 clicker xhb boots and binds. What you think about them?. I'm think of getting them my self but haven't seen to many reviews online
I haven't been able to see them in real life yet, what makes you want to get them?
I'm looking for a strapless binding to try out and they seem pretty cool kind of like the burton step on. I wanted to get them because the mounting parts are on the bottom of the boots. Not like the burton step on are on the side and back. So you can also use the boots with regular strap bindings once a while. So a bit more versatile.
After watching your review on the step on. I dont know if i can stand the clicking noise all day.
@@hiennguyen-kp5cj it really isn't that bad, just a bit louder than the normal squeaking between a strap boot and binding. My experience anyway (about 60 days). Klickers are getting reports of the soles delaminating, I've held off myself until they get that fixed
@@th3oryO are you sure this is not the older version of clicker that some report the metal piece at the bottom of the boot comes off. I haven't seen much reviews online about the new version at all. Good or bad
I have rode these for 2.5 seasons now and never hear the clicking noise. I wonder if you weren’t clicked into the second click? I love this setup, I can’s see riding anything else.
I was getting both clicks in on the heel, though it seemed to be worse in certain cold temperatures, and especially when the snow was dry. Since I have been rubbing wax on the toe cleats, the clicking is now gone and they slide smoothly without a sound.
I was getting both clicks in on the heel, though it seemed to be worse in certain cold temperatures, and especially when the snow was dry. Since I have been rubbing wax on the toe cleats, the clicking is now gone and they slide smoothly without a sound.
does anyone know if they fixed the clicking by now?? 2024..
Yeah they have been all fixed for a couple of years now
Hello Man!
I have a quick question, do you think, that with boots of 11.5 size Burton photons i can ride capita Mercury 159? I was at the shop and my boots had like 2 cm overhang each side.
Great vids btw!
Thanks! I'd say you could, the waist width on the 159 is 259mm which is decent, and Burton boots have a fairly small footprint for their size. By the time you add angles to your bindings, then the height of the footbeds it will still give you plenty of room to carve, even if it looks like lots lots of overhang.
@@SnowboardRobot Thank you for a quick answer! By the way, please never stop this channel, you got really good, calm voice that keeps the audience interested. Plus you cover all the topics considering the product itself. Trust me, i watched like dozens of different snb channels and you are killing it man. Happy new year!
I don't understand why the "clicking" bothers people so much. Do the step-ons work? Does they do what it supposed to do? If yes to both, and its not failing at the basics of what a bindings/boots does, then it sounds almost like a 10/10 to me. Functionality is all that should matter.
I honestly don't get it. Seriously, I'm so zoned into my riding, I don't think I would hear or care about clicks. I'm convinced to get Step-ons now, since the clicking is the worst complaint the step-ons get from anyone
This might be a dumb question...but what kind of wax do you apply to the toe cleats?
I just used some all-temp wax, whatever I could find that way lying around. I have tried a couple of different ones, they both worked fine.
The noise problem has been fixed on the newer model
Ahh yep, the wax sorted mine out anyway
What jacket are you wearing? Looks dope
The red one is a Volcom one: bit.ly/3aQxbC4 and the Grey one: www.blakheadwear.com/collections/outerwear/products/anorec-jacket-grey-black
@@SnowboardRobot Thanks! would you be able to share your height and the size you're wearing too? :D Thinking of getting one, unsure on their sizing.
@@Woodsmiths I'm 6 foot tall, the red volcom is a large, and the grey Blak one is an XL
I'm super glad I fell on your review! Your setup is super similar to mine! Cartel Bindings with Salomon boots and your description of your riding style/taste in stiffness is equally similar to mine...
With that in mind, would you mind answering a few questions? My Salomon boots are dying and I'm considering replacing my setup with Step On...
- Knowing what you know now, would you recommend it?
- If you were to do it again, would you get the ION boots instead of the Photon?
- Did you size your Burton Boots exactly like the Salomon? My concern is that I have wide feet and I've read comments about hot/pressure spots in the Step On boots because of the toe cleats/anchor points...
Thanks for posting that review! I'll appreciate any extra feedback you can provide!
Thanks! Now that I have tried waxing the cleats and it seems to have stopped the clicking, I would recommend it (unless that changes - I'll ride it again today and see if the conditions/temp changes or brings it back).
The more I ride in the Photon boots, the more I like them compared to my main Salomon Launch boots. I don't think I would get too much extra from the Ions, and I prefer the Boa to the Speed zone laces anyway.
I have one foot that is exactly 275mm, so I have 27.5/9.5 Salomon boots that are comfortable and have a tiny bit of room. They tend to fit long, most people I fit with Salomon seem to go down a half size, and I could probably squeeze myself into a 27 if I had to. I got the 27.5/9.5 Photons, and they were definitely a little tighter lengthwise when brand new, but once broken in they were great.
At least they make wide versions of the Photon, though if you can't try them on before buying it might be a bit of a risk. I haven't noticed any problems/hot spots at all with how they fit me, they feel great.
When I have been fitting people who suit boots like the Salomon Dialogue Wide, they seem to also suit boots like the Ruler/Photon Wide, so if you have wide Salomon boots I think the fit will be similar.
@@SnowboardRobot Thanks so much for that answer! Waiting on my new setup thanks to your feedback! looking forward to try it out! Did the wax do the trick on your last outing as well?
@nick moore-davis That sounds very uncomfortable! Thanks for the feedback, hopefully it was just an issue with the set of boots you had and I won't have that issue!
@nick moore-davis Thanks! I'll pay attention to that! Much appreciated!
@@gustavnadeausoderstrom8383 It sure did, I feel pretty confident that is going to solve the problem for me!
Awesome place to snowboard. Where was this?
Yeah! It's Big White, in BC, Canada.
what camera do you have the video is so cool
Thanks! It's mostly the Osmo Pocket ua-cam.com/video/tIm-wTJ8XZ8/v-deo.html and the POV/360 stuff is the Insta 360 ua-cam.com/video/vAMSp02mVs8/v-deo.html
bootout was not addressed in this video. I heard that the boots, due enforcemtents are longer than regular ones of same size... plus this huge heelcup apparatus
Zero problems with bootout, especially not with 9.5s. The heelcup is slightly thicker than my Cartels, but the boots actually have a smaller/shorter footprint than my Salomons. The connection on the back of the boot doesn't add any length, neither to the toe cleats. It looks like it is overall a more compact setup than what I regularly ride.
Where did you film this? glades look amazing
They are pretty nice! it was all filmed at Big White in BC, Canada.
That looks like a great beginner park! What mountain is that?
Yeah it definitely is, it's at Big White in BC Canada
Re: The clicking: In addition to hearing it... can you feel the clicking in your feet? That would be a deal breaker.
No you can't really feel the click, though the boot has some nice roll, similar to regular bindings, and it seems that the clicking is a downside of having the roll in the boot. Wax on the cleats seems to do the trick though, so it isn't such an issue.
That tree run seemed endless, as if from a video game. Great line! Any more updates? Hotspots? What size boot?
Thanks! Since getting a whole bunch of comments, I rub on some wax to the metal cleats and the connecting points of the bindings and the noise is gone now, so I use them happily all the time now. My boots are the 9.5s, they fit me super well, so I don't have any of the issues or hotspots that I hear other people can get - though I rarely have any trouble with my boots anyway.
With Wax, Do you mean some wax you would use to wax your base? Please can you advise what wax you are using.
Do I need a burton board to use these?
Nah, the re:flex discs that the come with will work on any regular 4x4 board, which is pretty much everything.
Hi what is your name? I've watched quite a few of your reviews now but still can't quite catch your name.
Its Lachy (lok-ee) short for Lachlan!
The one thing that I worry about these would be stacking it in deep powder and trying to get out and back in again......anyone who's rode them got any personal experience with them in deep powder?
Since making this video I have ridden them in powder quite a bit more. Like regular bindings you do have to do a good job at cleaning the footbed off to make sure you can click in. I haven't had too much of a problem getting at least one click on the heels.
The hardest thing I think is that you need some solid snow beneath the board to put pressure on to click in (quite a bit). You don't notice it on regular bindings as you can sit down, and ratchet normal bindings up and it pulls the board up to your boots as you tighten. If I was in quite deep snow I'd jump up and down with the board on to try and make a platform, though when the snow is light that doesn't work super well without covering the board in snow again.
Most of the time I was able to get one click on the heels and I did a fairly good job at brushing the snow away, so a turn or two in I heard the second click and it was all fine.
I heard they are making some retro fit mod to make the clicking stop.
You can rub a little wax on the toe cleats of the boots and it pretty much goes away.
If they do I'd love to try it, if the clicking stopped I probably wouldn't use my other bindings.
I'll give that a shot and see how it goes
@@jonbrown9490 wax absolutely works.
How do you like your Dancehall?
I really like it, and ride it more than I would have expected to. Quick and very smooth to turn, floats in powder and is good in the park, even with the short length. It's a really easy board to recommend, it is fun to ride pretty much anywhere.
What goggles are you using?
They are the PXV snowboardrobot.com/goggle-reviews/dragon-pxv/
Backside 180 can feel the heel clamp through the boot..
Quick fix for the clicking noise would be to coat the toes hooks with some wax or even rub them with a candle wax.
I wish they'd come with a toe strap option, just because a lot of people have heel strap pressure pain issues including me. It'd be nice to eliminate the heel strap but keep the toe strap.
I haven't noticed the click since the first 2 weeks... If you're hyperfocused on it, you're gonna notice it (that's life).
Yeah I listen out for it now, but adding wax has stopped it completely for me
Noice 👍
I wish they made these in size 14 🥲 #bigfeetproblems
Burton will extend the step on boot size up to us15 puls XL step on binding will be offered too
Little bit of finishing or snowboard wax applied to front cleats on boot and bindings and noise is completely gone. There boom. Your problem solved
Yep I have been doing that since posting the video, not it looks like they have fixed the design with the new model.
apply some wax to the toe cleats and the noise will be almost gone.
NO MORE CLICKING NOW!
Wax the points that touch.
Universally, the people that bash the Step Ons have never used them
If you don't want em, you should give em to me pls?:)
Been riding the step ons for 3 season now and not once, has the clicking noise ever bothered me.
Man the fuck up bro.
How to fix clicking noise.
Wear headphone XD
That clicking is def a reason not to buy.
Speed and Adrenaline.
Flow and Zen.
Snowboarding.
Now that I know to put a bit of wax on the toe cleats, they are silent now, which is what they should be from new.