Why We Chose The Nidecker LT Supermatic
The success of Supermatic is evident in its recent licensing to Bent Metal and Salomon, as well as the continual expansion of Nidecker’s own line. The new LT is a sleek evolution of their original game-changer and a welcome addition to the party.
“Once you’ve experienced that familiar two-strap feel without the fumbling, there’s no going back”
Who Is The Nidecker LT Supermatic For?
Experienced riders who want a combination of convenience, response and classic two-strap riding feel. While there’s more competition than ever in the speed-entry market, Supermatic remains the fastest and most hassle-free system out there – it works with any boot and it’s truly hands-free, so you can get riding right off the lift.
Baseplate
The LT uses the same Auto baseplate as the original Supermatic – Nidecker’s proven Axis platform with Drop IN tech for lightning-fast entry. Made from glass-filled nylon (30% glass fiber, 70% nylon), it delivers versatile mid-stiff flex with rockered corners that aid natural board flex. The speed entry mechanism remains beautifully simple to use: just push your foot in through the back, stomp down on the pedal, and you’re locked in. A release lever on the inside lets you get out (this does take a little getting used to – the key is to hold it down until after you’ve lifted your ankle).
The baseplate features 2.5-degree canted footbeds for optimal ankle and knee alignment, with ‘Slip-N-Grip’ plates that reduce friction with your boot’s outsole, letting you slide in and out smoothly. There’s no denying that the Supermatic baseplate is a little wider than a traditional binding chassis, but in our opinion the fears about extra weight are overplayed – the LT feels almost identical to a classic two-strap model when riding, and if anything the wider footprint generates better edge-to-edge power.
“We’re big fans of the new highback’s smooth, minimalist design, which lends itself to some smart graphic options”
Straps and Highback
The new highback is where the LT really steps up. The glass-infused nylon Ultraback (30% glass fiber, 70% nylon) provides increased lateral support for driving through turns, controlling take-offs and stomping landings. ‘Speed Entry Spines’ on the inside make engagement even smoother as your boot slides in. There’s not a lot to say about the forward-lean adjuster other than it’s intuitive, low-profile and tools-free. We’re big fans of the new highback’s smooth, minimalist design, which lends itself to some smart graphic options like the Bio Black colourway – a perfect match for the trippy artwork on Nidecker’s Bio board series.
The guys in Switzerland have clearly been working hard on the boot-to-binding connection, too. The LT’s lightweight ankle strap uses single-piece TPU construction – durable and supportive, with a smooth undersurface that helps your boot glide in effortlessly. LSR 2.0 buckles automatically lock your strap settings in both directions as soon as you stop cranking, letting you quickly set your preferred tension or make rapid adjustments on the fly. And of course, the whole system hinges (literally) on Nidecker’s Active Strap Technology, which automatically lifts the straps when you recline the highback – creating space for rapid entry – then instantly returns them to your pre-selected tension once closed.
The upgraded Hexo Toecap 2.0 wraps nicely around your boot’s corners, and the asymmetric design means you can swap them left-to-right if needed for a better fit with your specific boots.
“While there’s more competition than ever, Supermatic remains the fastest and most hassle-free system out there”
Roundup
With competition rapidly heating up, the LT proves that Nidecker aren’t resting on their laurels. This mid-tier addition brings some genuine improvements – better lateral support, smoother engagement, and refined straps – without messing with what made the original so good. It looks less bulky, feels more precise, and maintains that hands-free convenience that’s still unmatched outside the Burton Step On (a system that requires new boots as the price of entry). As our tester puts it below, once you’ve experienced that familiar two-strap feel without the fumbling, there’s no going back.
Pros
- Truly hands-free entry – fastest system available
- New highback offers better lateral support and smoother engagement
- Compatible with any boot
- Great color options
Cons
- Strap set-up is crucial – you can’t skip the manual
- Release lever on the inside feels unnatural until you get used to it
- They ain’t cheap
Tester Verdict
Dave Crozier
“Like the iPod, the OG Supermatics paved the way for what came next – allowing a generation of people to really benefit from speed entry. And like Apple, Nidecker don’t overhaul its product year in year out. Instead, they focus on incremental improvements based on R&D to ensure that each new iteration – like the new LT – is a genuine step up. They look and feel less bulky than the OG version and literally feel better in your hands right out of the box. The new straps also improve the experience massively for precise riding. When I want to do a front blunt, 270 out, I KNOW I can be totally confident that the bindings will help put me exactly where I want to be on the rail. I will not go back to regular bindings now, I’ve fully accepted myself as a quick entry convert.”
Buy the Nidecker Supermatic LT Snowboard Bindings 2025-2026: from $479.95 at evo.com
Buy the Nidecker Supermatic LT Snowboard Bindings 2025-2026: from €449.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
