First Look at the Nidecker Supermatic Step In Bindings

The Nidecker Supermatic bindings are a snowboard binding that allow you to step in, lock and go. They are the snowboard equivalent of moving from clip …

By mark

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First Look at the Nidecker Supermatic Step In Bindings

what about when “skating / scootering” on flat snow with front foot in binding – any chance of hitting the rear binding with rear foot while pushing along?

Wondered what this had to do with MTBs. Wondered no more.

Wondered what this had to do with MTBs. Wondered no more.

Other than a similarity to the move from toe clips to SPDs about 20 years ago, I’m struggling to see what the relevance to MTBs is. Fair enough some MTBers also snowboard so there’s an interest for some, and it might warrant a mention in say FGF, but I’m not sure why an in depth review of equipment for an entirely different sport is on here.

Do you think they will work ok when you’re knee deep in powder, I know you havent tried them in powder yet, but

-can you get your foot out of them for that inevitable time when you come to a stop in 3 foot of powder?
-Can you get your foot back into them when you have dug yourself out of the powder , but your binding is full of it, and/or loads of snow is stuck to the bottom of your boot?

and more general questions

– can you put them on/take them off when sat down? or do you have to be standing to put them on?
– Can you put them on on sloping ground, or does it need to be flat?
– can you put them on on a chairlift, so you can just strap in and go .

This review is posted here on our snow channel https://singletrackworld.com/snow/

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To answer some questions. Skate/scooting. The high-back can fold forwards just like a normal high-back so you can get it out of the way while you scoot.

 

In powder?

I wondered that myself and it’s something I hope(We all want pow, right?) I will get to test in a few weeks time 🙂

I can get in and out while sat down although it’s easier when stood up as you can lift your heel easier to move the high-back.

 

Sloping ground? I will get back to you on that one. I did manage to get in while being dragged up the lift and I’ve seen people step in while they are riding flat. I’ve even seen someone step out and then back in while riding flat.

One of the first real world tests I will be doing is getting on a chair with the requisite back foot out and then attempting to lock in the backfoot for an easier exit from the chair. I will report back as and when 🙂

One of the first real world tests I will be doing is getting on a chair with the requisite back foot out and then attempting to lock in the backfoot for an easier exit from the chair. I will report back as and when

i’ve been using burton step ons for a few years now, they’re pretty good, my typical method at chair lifts, is to scoot up to the chair with one foot free (as per usual), then whilst stood waiting for the chair to come round the carousel,just before you sit down, clip the back foot in, then sit down on the chair, and you’re ready to just take off straight away when you get to the top.

If its not possible to clip in whilst waiting to sit on the chair, then i can clip in half way up, but this is a bit more fiddly .

I thought K2 had a similar system about 10-15 years ago – like flows but with a mechanism to pull the straps down over the boot in a more secure way.

These look good though.

I thought K2 had a similar system about 10-15 years ago – like flows but with a mechanism to pull the straps

Cinch.

I used Flow bindings about 20 years ago. I seem to remember getting back in on powder was a bit frustrating. I also wiped out, usually taking an ESF kid or two with me, every time I got off a chairlift. That wasn’t any fault of the bindings though.

Nowt wrong with Burton highbacks, I’ve strapped in (loosely) on chairs and Poma’s or learn to ride one footed with your back foot wedged against the binding.

Best bindings ever were old Burton Contacts. Think they only did them for a few years around 97ish and you needed a Contact board, but basically you stood directly on the top sheet of the board.

sing1etrack
Other than a similarity to the move from toe clips to SPDs about 20 years ago, I’m struggling to see what the relevance to MTBs is. Fair enough some MTBers also snowboard so there’s an interest for some, and it might warrant a mention in say FGF, but I’m not sure why an in depth review of equipment for an entirely different sport is on here.

If you’re not interested don’t read it. Can’t imagine why you’d want to waste more time moaning about it. This has a load more interest and relevance to me than any article or review of Gravel or road bikes and I’m glad to see it here. I saw the protos for these promoted at the end of last season and am keen to have a go on some at some time. They look like the perfect binding.

I tried flows 20 years ago and they were horribly uncomfortable – a great idea, badly executed.

Annoyingly I bought a set of new bindings last year so I’ll have to wait for a set to come up 2nd hand in about 5 years time to justify it.

About 10 years ago I had some Flow bindings that were of a similar ilk. They just didn’t work for many of the reasons you’ve listed. I loved the idea of them but practically, they sucked. I ended up going back to my trusty Cartels.

TBH i always found the flows to be very boot specific, i had some nice soft basic burtons (lace up Motos IIRC) when i first tried them, they weren’t very good as a combination, so i got some cartels, and another board.
When i upgraded to some nice solid (and stiff) boots (Driver X), the slope really came alive with the flow bindings. Was still using the cartels as well.

Actually, the bindings worked much better with stiffer and more supportive boots.

I’m not using the Flows anymore as i snapped one in resort and couldn’t get the parts, so ended up with another brand for the rest of that trip, and then the kids arrived, so i’ve not used a board since.
Probably got a couple of sets in the attic still!

I have impulsively bought a pair of these after reading this article
Seem to work fine in the living room – will report back on how I get on in the Alps

They have gone the full “Flow” then…

@ndthornton @mark

How did you get on with the bindings?

I am thinking of getting a pair

I love mine, easily as comfortable as my normal bindings (cartels) but with the advantage of the step in and out.
The only issue with them is that you don’t get to relax that much as you can just step in and go straight away. Guess that is what longish chairs are for.
Slightly heavier than the cartels but not enough to notice when riding

Thanks

Read a few reviews and they all mention the weight as well.

Convenience and comfort outweigh the weight penalty for me. To be honest I’ve not noticed any weight effects anyway since I dont push things to those limits where I’d notice.

In short I’m loving them. About to take them to Whistler for 20 days in March so I’ll do a proper follow up after that.

Oh and Clew are pushing very hard right now with their step in offering so there’s competition and choice emerging. Clew and Nidecker allow any boot, Burton still requires a Burton boot.

Burton still requires a Burton boot.

Not quite correct, DC also do step on compatible boots.

Go check out the angry snowboarder review of the clews

He isn’t a fan…. Let’s just say I am avoiding, plus considering the supermatics why would you want the highback and a stupid stirrup attached to your boot permanently

That is some review,
I looked at clew’s and didn’t like the way they came apart

I have a handy 20% discount voucher for Nidecker and I’ve just grabbed a pair of the Supermatics for a bargain £320

Just picked up a 2nd hand set of these (still for more than I’ve ever paid for bindings before) and am looking forward to testing them out at Easter.  I don’t doubt they’re not ideal for riding pow but they do look perfect for chasing after the kids (on skis) and maximising slope time.

Rode some of these last winter back to back with other bindings across several different snowboards helping a mate who does reviews.

I did notice the weight compared to normal bindings, and found the base plate incredibly stiff which on softer boards felt strange, like it was flexing around my feet as opposed to the full length. On stiffer boards this was less noticeable. Also found they passed chatter up into my feet more, wouldn’t call them a comfy binding.
In deeper snow you can use them like a normal binding if you haven’t got anything to push against, just need to open the ratchet locks and strap in.
It’s never bothered me the 5-10 seconds it takes to strap in so there were no plus points over a normal setup, and I can’t remember the last lift I rode where you could drop straight in, you normally have a plateau to get across first so riding a lift with both feet in seems pointless and probably really uncomfortable!