As someone who has been using the original step ons with a volia kit for the last 3 years i can say the step on system works great in the back country and im so excited for a dedicated pair of split step ons
Older guy here... been riding for 30+ years and I always sat down to buckle in. When I sit, "falling" that last few inches piles up and wears on an aging back. (It WILL happen to you!) I switched to stepons several years ago and they have helped with that a ton. However, these do not feel like "old guy" bindings in any way. I have plenty of drive for freeriding and plenty of play for side hits, etc. Thank you Mark for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate the stoke. All that said, I put my kids on straps so they could borrow/demo boards a lot easier.
Same here...switched to Step Ons when I turned 50 after 36 years of straps. I've been riding them for 3 years and can't imagine going back! The hate they receive always fascinates me. In my opinion, the performance is amazing and the convenience is just awesome. Ride what works for you!
I got to hang and chat with Mark a bit at an event in the spring (stellar guy, just super nice) and I'm pretty sure he was using straps then, but I think I asked him about the Step Ons and all he said was to really keep an open mind when looking into them. I did and I ended up with that same Genesis-Photon setup. Can't wait for the Split bindings!
Fyi , just did my first shakedown on the split stepons, wow light, wow fast on the track , oh no flats ? Pop out, step step, back in this is actually a game changer. Well done Burton.
Just set mine up, they plug and play with all Spark R&D hardware which I left on including crampons and heel locks. The step on base plate is 1/4" higher than Spark.
I had the plastic hammock on the Genesis come off. When you are stepping in, the rear cleat can catch the hammock and it can pop out. Once I did that, I was more aware that it could happen and it it’s not really an issue. I also have the standard SO and the X SO.
dig the strap trick. i have old Dakine straps that I always used for that just for regular riding, cause i liked having really strong contact at the top of of my boots.
I have size 14 wides and didn't plan for boot life. So I could only find Rulers at the last minute. Way too soft and I could push thru the boas. I ended up using straps to get the boots firmer. Those things have all sorts of uses.
I bought the step ons, changed riding. I try to talk people into them but it's always whining about the price! This is the best MONEY I have spent by far! I will have these new versions
I just ordered Step On split binding currently on Karakoram Free Range split binding on a Weston Backwoods split. Would you recommend canted pucks or flat with the Step On split binding?
You would need to purchase a quiver connector from spark - they add a larger " dead zone" to the board as its one piece so really depends on the feel you like under foot. We however would not recommend going that route. Standard step on have great feel.
Love my step ons and photons. Only minor negative point is I find it can be difficult to get to the sweet spot of eliminating any slop in the boot without over tightening and getting sore feet. The dual boa system is great, but one or two clicks too many and feet are sore after one run. Maybe I’m still breaking them in? I have only about 10/12 days on them so far as I bought them mid season last year. Thoughts? Love this channel! Keep up the great work!
Imo, they kind of blew it with the Photons because of the single-zone (upper/lower) boa. I had a similar issue as you on my first set-up. I have a high instep and it tended to over-tighten my instep when I was trying to firm up the shin. I also found it took several runs for any slack to works its way through both zones, so it took many adjustments. I switched to Ions, which are not that stiff to me. Still, for price and performance I wish the Photons had separate upper/lower zones like their traditional versions do.
Another factor to consider is that your boots may be too big for you, and thus you end up cranking down the boas to get ride of the slack in the system. My understanding is that your snowboard boots could actually be one half to one full size smaller than your street shoe. This video talks more about that. th-cam.com/video/q1pNBJ5pXBU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gzmpaVVxS1836G4y
Buying new boots and bindings at a premium just so you dont need to strap in does seem silly unless they are someone with some form of physical issue with strapping it. I know Mark likes the way they ride, but that is not the majority of people. I really don’t understand step on splitboard bindings at all.
question - do either of you know why burton only offered the EST version of the step-on in limited quantities (mine 77) and focused heavily on re-flex after that? Is there functionality loss, decision to have the binding available for a wider 4X4 market base, etc.? IMO if burton wants to get more people to dip their toe into step-on, it might mean stepping away from some features like the simulated strap on the boot. This prevents the ability to use the boot in a standard binding, unlike the dc step-on which can allow for it (although to mark's point, with decreased performance) - th-cam.com/video/qKA_N0gGbCI/w-d-xo.html The current ask for step-on is a big one - all your current bindings you like? They won't work for you unless you have one pair of boots for them, and a complete different boot setup for your step-on boards. For the average rider, you have to be 100% team step-on, or ignore step-on and use any other binding and any other boot you want. DC's boot at least offers a middle ground, but outside of the above youtube video it isn't a selling feature that either Burton or DC seem to be talking up.
I don't think that using a Step-On boot in a conventional binding is a good idea for several reasons. Even the video you've referenced suggests as much. Not to mention that an older worn-out conventional boot will almost always ride better than a modded Step-On boot in a conventional binding. There is no way I'd want to ride a Step-On in a conventional binding. It would feel terrible. Snowboarders who have multiple boards with multiple bindings and also want to try Step-On but can only have one pair of boots represent such a tiny minority of the market that it would be silly to propose this as a design problem. This would also mean that Burton would have to endorse the idea that removing and reattaching your heel cleats is a good idea, and with that would be taking on the liability for people who did this modification and ended up injured by some kind of malfunction. Having worked at a shop selling Step-Ons for the first few years of the release, I don't think that cross-compatibility is hindering sales in any significant way. The rider who would want that is pretty rare, and perhaps a bit misguided. Just get two pairs of boots. You'll only use each half of the time, so they'll last twice as long. I don't think that's a particularly big ask. If you already have multiple boards and multiple bindings, then certainly a second pair of boots amortized over a couple of years isn't a big leap.
@@noptimized fair criticism, I suspect the cost factor for someone with multiple bindings is less than breaking in multiple pairs of boots. I’d be curious to see specs around return customers on step-on, and how that compares with the supermatic, but I am guessing both co,pansies would keep that info very close to chest.
@@finboyYYC For the first few years, the Step-On market that I experienced was very much the weekend warrior who has one board and favours convenience. I'd even venture to say that Step-On expanded the market as it made snowboarding a little bit more accessible. We had a few customers who wanted to buy a second pair of bindings, but this was rare. I agree, though. I'll be curious to see how the original adoption rate translates to return customers. My general idea was that the early-adopters weren't necessarily the people who were going to buy a new board every year or two. Perhaps this is why the enthusiasm and messaging is shifting to the performance benefits in order to overlap with the trend toward carving and banked slalom riders who want that immediate response.
The idea of a step on split board binding is hilarious to me. You already have to get out and transition, what is the extra 10 seconds of strapping in? I feel like it would be harder to get into them in most backcountry situations.
Also if you want Step ons and have both solid and split boards you could consider just getting the step on splitboard bindings and the solid board pucks. That way one set of bindings could work for both. I have Spark R&D Arc splitboard bindings and I also have some solid board pucks so I can mount the sparks to a normal board. It’s a great option when traveling(especially by plane) because you can bring multiple boards and one set of bindings that can quickly be swapped between them.
Well if people already have step on boots and bindings for resort and they get into split boarding they don’t have to go out and buy new boots just the step on split board bindings
@@McStunna dont waste your time explaining a car to a guy still using a horse&buggy, he'll be mad no matter what. People have been on phantoms and gignoux boots and all that for decades already. If they dont know that , they have zero idea whats actually on the market.
As someone who has been using the original step ons with a volia kit for the last 3 years i can say the step on system works great in the back country and im so excited for a dedicated pair of split step ons
Older guy here... been riding for 30+ years and I always sat down to buckle in. When I sit, "falling" that last few inches piles up and wears on an aging back. (It WILL happen to you!) I switched to stepons several years ago and they have helped with that a ton. However, these do not feel like "old guy" bindings in any way. I have plenty of drive for freeriding and plenty of play for side hits, etc. Thank you Mark for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate the stoke. All that said, I put my kids on straps so they could borrow/demo boards a lot easier.
Agreed! Performance first with added convenience!
Same here...switched to Step Ons when I turned 50 after 36 years of straps. I've been riding them for 3 years and can't imagine going back! The hate they receive always fascinates me. In my opinion, the performance is amazing and the convenience is just awesome. Ride what works for you!
Marks positve energy and energetic stoke is the best!!!!!
I got to hang and chat with Mark a bit at an event in the spring (stellar guy, just super nice) and I'm pretty sure he was using straps then, but I think I asked him about the Step Ons and all he said was to really keep an open mind when looking into them. I did and I ended up with that same Genesis-Photon setup. Can't wait for the Split bindings!
100%!! Stoked that Burton put these out!! I paired a set with binding adapters and it felt like walking up Crabbe in slippers
Mark’s the man! 🏂
Fyi , just did my first shakedown on the split stepons, wow light, wow fast on the track , oh no flats ? Pop out, step step, back in this is actually a game changer.
Well done Burton.
stoked to hear this!
@@tributeboardshop stoked to use them. Lol.
Just set mine up, they plug and play with all Spark R&D hardware which I left on including crampons and heel locks. The step on base plate is 1/4" higher than Spark.
I had the plastic hammock on the Genesis come off. When you are stepping in, the rear cleat can catch the hammock and it can pop out. Once I did that, I was more aware that it could happen and it it’s not really an issue. I also have the standard SO and the X SO.
So stoked to get both of these bindings this year!
dig the strap trick. i have old Dakine straps that I always used for that just for regular riding, cause i liked having really strong contact at the top of of my boots.
I have size 14 wides and didn't plan for boot life. So I could only find Rulers at the last minute. Way too soft and I could push thru the boas. I ended up using straps to get the boots firmer. Those things have all sorts of uses.
What is the weight comparison of this system vs the spark arc setup?
No Posted numbers yet but in store its pretty damn close!
Loving my Step Ons. Best feel and connection I’ve had in my 30+ years of riding….despite whatever that angry guy says about them! 😂
Killer review guys! 🤘🏼
Question, what did you think of the Straight Chuter Split? And did you have to modify your skins for it?
i got one last year, awesome versitile freeride pow shape. running jones universal nomad skins... just trim and go!
I bought the step ons, changed riding. I try to talk people into them but it's always whining about the price! This is the best MONEY I have spent by far! I will have these new versions
Hi, so you would recommend the photon boot for touring with?
What do you think of that straight chuter split?
Where is the video of the outdoor test clipped in here?
I just ordered Step On split binding currently on Karakoram Free Range split binding on a Weston Backwoods split. Would you recommend canted pucks or flat with the Step On split binding?
3 Degrees of canting !
What’s the term you didn’t want to use for the straps? Voile straps? Or is it some slang term?
"ski" straps ...LOL
Ohhhh. Understandable!
Would these step on splitboard bindings offer better performance on a solid board than regular step on?
You would need to purchase a quiver connector from spark - they add a larger " dead zone" to the board as its one piece so really depends on the feel you like under foot. We however would not recommend going that route. Standard step on have great feel.
thank you, love my stepons @@tributeboardshop
Love my step ons and photons. Only minor negative point is I find it can be difficult to get to the sweet spot of eliminating any slop in the boot without over tightening and getting sore feet. The dual boa system is great, but one or two clicks too many and feet are sore after one run. Maybe I’m still breaking them in? I have only about 10/12 days on them so far as I bought them mid season last year.
Thoughts?
Love this channel! Keep up the great work!
Imo, they kind of blew it with the Photons because of the single-zone (upper/lower) boa. I had a similar issue as you on my first set-up. I have a high instep and it tended to over-tighten my instep when I was trying to firm up the shin. I also found it took several runs for any slack to works its way through both zones, so it took many adjustments. I switched to Ions, which are not that stiff to me. Still, for price and performance I wish the Photons had separate upper/lower zones like their traditional versions do.
Look into the nitro version of the step ons
Another factor to consider is that your boots may be too big for you, and thus you end up cranking down the boas to get ride of the slack in the system.
My understanding is that your snowboard boots could actually be one half to one full size smaller than your street shoe.
This video talks more about that. th-cam.com/video/q1pNBJ5pXBU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gzmpaVVxS1836G4y
Can you use the split board step ons on other split boards like jones to?
100% , it will work with the "Puck system" on any split board!
Finally some good press around step ons! I always see people shit on it for not reason other than “YoUrE tOo LaZy tO sTrAp iN”
I don’t think it’s as much about being lazy; it’s more so that step ons have been viewed as ‘gimmicky’ since their inception.
Buying new boots and bindings at a premium just so you dont need to strap in does seem silly unless they are someone with some form of physical issue with strapping it. I know Mark likes the way they ride, but that is not the majority of people. I really don’t understand step on splitboard bindings at all.
Have you ever seen any pro anthlete using step ons for freestyle or freeride competitions?
@@brianp9268 so you can use the same boots in the backcountry and resort? Not the difficult to see
@@SavageChihuahua did you see any snowboard pros before Jake Burton? Just cause there’s none at first doesn’t mean there won’t be
question - do either of you know why burton only offered the EST version of the step-on in limited quantities (mine 77) and focused heavily on re-flex after that? Is there functionality loss, decision to have the binding available for a wider 4X4 market base, etc.?
IMO if burton wants to get more people to dip their toe into step-on, it might mean stepping away from some features like the simulated strap on the boot. This prevents the ability to use the boot in a standard binding, unlike the dc step-on which can allow for it (although to mark's point, with decreased performance) - th-cam.com/video/qKA_N0gGbCI/w-d-xo.html
The current ask for step-on is a big one - all your current bindings you like? They won't work for you unless you have one pair of boots for them, and a complete different boot setup for your step-on boards. For the average rider, you have to be 100% team step-on, or ignore step-on and use any other binding and any other boot you want. DC's boot at least offers a middle ground, but outside of the above youtube video it isn't a selling feature that either Burton or DC seem to be talking up.
I don't think that using a Step-On boot in a conventional binding is a good idea for several reasons. Even the video you've referenced suggests as much. Not to mention that an older worn-out conventional boot will almost always ride better than a modded Step-On boot in a conventional binding. There is no way I'd want to ride a Step-On in a conventional binding. It would feel terrible.
Snowboarders who have multiple boards with multiple bindings and also want to try Step-On but can only have one pair of boots represent such a tiny minority of the market that it would be silly to propose this as a design problem. This would also mean that Burton would have to endorse the idea that removing and reattaching your heel cleats is a good idea, and with that would be taking on the liability for people who did this modification and ended up injured by some kind of malfunction.
Having worked at a shop selling Step-Ons for the first few years of the release, I don't think that cross-compatibility is hindering sales in any significant way. The rider who would want that is pretty rare, and perhaps a bit misguided.
Just get two pairs of boots. You'll only use each half of the time, so they'll last twice as long. I don't think that's a particularly big ask. If you already have multiple boards and multiple bindings, then certainly a second pair of boots amortized over a couple of years isn't a big leap.
@@noptimized fair criticism, I suspect the cost factor for someone with multiple bindings is less than breaking in multiple pairs of boots. I’d be curious to see specs around return customers on step-on, and how that compares with the supermatic, but I am guessing both co,pansies would keep that info very close to chest.
@@finboyYYC For the first few years, the Step-On market that I experienced was very much the weekend warrior who has one board and favours convenience. I'd even venture to say that Step-On expanded the market as it made snowboarding a little bit more accessible. We had a few customers who wanted to buy a second pair of bindings, but this was rare.
I agree, though. I'll be curious to see how the original adoption rate translates to return customers. My general idea was that the early-adopters weren't necessarily the people who were going to buy a new board every year or two. Perhaps this is why the enthusiasm and messaging is shifting to the performance benefits in order to overlap with the trend toward carving and banked slalom riders who want that immediate response.
Re-Flex give the Rider WAY more stance angle options - this is key as EST only goes to 25' degree max.
I broke mine when my pants got caught in them
The idea of a step on split board binding is hilarious to me. You already have to get out and transition, what is the extra 10 seconds of strapping in? I feel like it would be harder to get into them in most backcountry situations.
its hilarious?
You should talk to the phantom hardbooters and see if you still think its hilarious.
@@borntobomb both can be hilarious they’re not exclusive 😂
This is more for people who already have step on boots and want to start splitboarding.
Also if you want Step ons and have both solid and split boards you could consider just getting the step on splitboard bindings and the solid board pucks. That way one set of bindings could work for both. I have Spark R&D Arc splitboard bindings and I also have some solid board pucks so I can mount the sparks to a normal board. It’s a great option when traveling(especially by plane) because you can bring multiple boards and one set of bindings that can quickly be swapped between them.
This is the most stupid product next to Clew bindings. You have to walk miles and then become lazy to strap the bindings?
Cmon bro.
Well if people already have step on boots and bindings for resort and they get into split boarding they don’t have to go out and buy new boots just the step on split board bindings
real riders can see the added performance potential. the 'convenience' is not why i'm here
@@McStunna aaaaaaaand you are?
@@McStunna dont waste your time explaining a car to a guy still using a horse&buggy, he'll be mad no matter what.
People have been on phantoms and gignoux boots and all that for decades already. If they dont know that , they have zero idea whats actually on the market.