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Bindings

Burton Men’s Step On 2019-2020 Snowboard Bindings Review

Remember when the world was first introduced to the idea of Step On bindings? If we’re being completely honest, we weren’t too convinced about the concept at first – it was new (and we all know how snowboarders feel about change) and only the thought of looking down at your feet, only to realise you’ve gone and lost your straps, made us feel slightly anxious. Well, Burton proved us wrong, and the Step On success story continues.

If you still haven’t completely managed to wrap your head around how this technology actually works, let us break it down for you. There are three contact points inside the binding, two in the front and one in the back. First, get your heel into the highback and then press down your toe edges to engage the anchor points. As ridiculous as it sounds, stepping into the Step On’s isn’t as easy as you’d think so be sure you do it right, otherwise, you’re guaranteed to have a dreadful time trying to make turns.

“As ridiculous as it sounds, stepping into the Step On’s isn’t as easy as you’d think so be sure you do it right”

Despite the different entry system, the bindings are as good as any Burton bindings. They’ve got a soft responsive baseplate and an easily adjustable strong highback, making the Step On’s ideal for the all-round riders. In addition to that, the bindings are also compatible with all the major mounting systems out there, so you don’t have to own a Burton board in order to enjoy them.

Burton’s still got monopoly on the Step On market, so if you’re considering switching from strap in to step on you might want to try out the Step On boots first, just to be sure there’s a model to fit the needs of your precious feet. We all know how fun it is to be stuck with a pair of boots that make your feet feel like they’re being tortured.

Tester’s Verdict

Ryan Van KesterenWhitelines

“I rode the Burton Step On Bindings in combination with Burton’s Swath boots for one day, primarily on piste with a few side hits along the way. I was excited to give these a go, I had heard a lot of good things about this new game-changing technology and I couldn’t wait to experience righteous feeling of sailing paste my friends while they’re scrambling to fasten their straps. Which came true straight away, getting my foot into the binding was super easy and you can do it on the move with very little practice. After exiting certain lifts I could even start my run without having to stop at all, at least until I decide to wait for your mates.

However, once I adjusted the high back to have more forward lean it was a slightly more difficult to fully lock my foot in. I was using my first heel side turn to fully engage both clicks, which was fine on piste but I wouldn’t have been as confident riding powder without fully locking my heels down before dropping in. After testing these bindings I did some research and found out you can move the footbed forward to eliminate that problem. So I would recommend allowing some time to set these up perfectly for your style of riding.

“It was impressive to feel so secure without having any visible straps”

Getting out of the binding is also really easy in the right conditions. All you have to do is release the back latch and twist your foot. But, when I wasn’t in the best conditions I actually would it a bit more difficult to release my foot than a tradition binding. If I was already sitting or kneeling and I wanted to take my board off I found it really awkward to twist my foot out of the clips. I also didn’t find it as intuitive as a traditional binding to release my foot before I had to a stop as the twist motion could send you of course.

The ride feel was good, it was impressive to feel so secure without having any visible straps. The heel fixture works particularly well and eliminates any chance of heel lift between the boot and the binding. The only downside is an occasional click from within the fixtures that sounds like your foot has come loose mid-turn although it definitely hasn’t, which can be quite un-reassuring to begin with.

I liked riding these bindings and there are definitely advantages to Burton’s Step On system, but also a few new quirks that would take me a little while get used to before I could fully enjoy strap free riding.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Tom Copseyonboardmag.com

“The inherent physics of being locked in by the heel cleat and the two forefoot clips, means there’s a tonne of drive and response powering you through turns whichever boot you choose.

“I can now report that after several days’ riding in deep, light Laax pow with them, they definitely work in fresh snow”

Getting in/out hasn’t changed since year one so everything we wrote about the pros and cons of the system still stand, however I can now report that after several days’ riding in deep, light Laax pow with them, they definitely work in fresh snow. Perhaps not quite as well as regular bindings in such conditions, but I had no harder time getting in after hiking around than my two-strapped compadres.

Though the jury might still be out for apex-level shredding, for regular-level riders whose feet fit the boots, like the idea of convenience and don’t mind dropping the cash required for the system, they are perfect.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Matt Higsonsnowboard-asylum.com

“This system is worth it for the head-turning and jealousy of your mates when you get off the lift and nab the first line of fresh before them.

“Once you have mastered putting your heel into the system first, it’s very easy to get in and out”

I’ve been riding the Step-On bindings with the Burton Process and they’ve worked flawlessly. Once you have mastered putting your heel into the system first, it’s very easy to get in and out, and feels very secure when you’re riding.

Only downside – if you don’t fit a Burton boot you’ll struggle…. Not a problem for me, i’ve always ridden them.”

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