Nidecker Supermatic,
Does it Work? We Test It!
There's a new contender for Burton Step On, and it's called Nidecker Supermatic. It's going to revolutionize snowboarding for those who are tired of bending down or sitting to strap into their bindings. But it has an extra trick up its sleeve—you can use your regular snowboard boots. Nidecker Supermatic is a Step-in binding that's compatible with standard snowboard boots.
Nidecker Supermatic
Nidecker Supermatic resembles an upgraded Flow binding and behaves similarly on the foot. You get the same quick and solid forward and backward response as with a Flow binding, but with a bit more lateral flex. Strapping into Nidecker Supermatic, however, is incredibly easy and fast. You simply insert your foot into the binding and press down, then off you go.
In contrast to Burton Step On, Nidecker Supermatic has a fully covered strap and comes with all the adjustable features of traditional bindings. This allows you to customize the binding to your foot, but it also makes it heavier and bulkier than a Step On binding.
On paper, this sounds fantastic, but how does it work in reality? We've put it to the test!
Testing Nidecker Supermatic
We decided to conduct a test using the following equipment:
• Binding: Nidecker Supermatic
• Boots: Nitro Select TLS, Team TLS & Capital TLS
• Snowboard: Nitro Santoku, SMP, Pantera, and Fintwin
The first thing we noticed is how incredibly easy it is to click in. You insert your foot into the binding and press down. We found that it's actually easier to insert your foot into Nidecker Supermatic compared to Flow bindings. However, Supermatic appears quite large and bulky on the board, and the whole setup might weigh a bit more.
Strapping in immediately felt natural; there was no learning curve. But the first ride felt a bit unusual. All of us who tested it are accustomed to traditional snowboard bindings with two straps. Similar to Flow bindings, Nidecker Supermatic has more lateral flex, which doesn't necessarily have to be negative as the binding feels responsive and forgiving, but it's a bit unfamiliar at first.
We started riding on the slopes and didn't notice any downsides to the binding during carving or sidehits. The response is powerful and immediate, which is really enjoyable when making turns. It took 3-4 runs to adjust the bindings to our feet and find the perfect settings.
In off-piste conditions, the binding responds quickly for maneuvering around trees. Unfortunately, we didn't have a powder day, but we still got a taste of some loose snow. We can imagine that strapping into the binding might be a bit challenging if you're on a steep slope with a lot of powder. Since you step in behind the binding and need to press down, the terrain becomes your opponent. Fortunately, you can put on the binding like a traditional binding if you find yourself in a tricky situation.
We never tested Nidecker Supermatic in the park, but it's not really where the binding belongs. It's a binding designed for carving, off-piste, and, of course, sidehits.
Is Nidecker Supermatic Suitable for Everyone?
We would recommend Nidecker Supermatic to anyone looking for a snowboard binding that's incredibly fast and easy to put on. It was user-friendly right from the first time, and you don't need to bend down or sit to strap in. With its numerous adjustment options and excellent responsiveness, it's suitable even for advanced riders who enjoy carving.
So, Nidecker Supermatic is suitable for both beginners and advanced snowboarders on the slopes and in off-piste terrain.
Are There Any Downsides to Nidecker Supermatic?
It appears slightly bulkier than other bindings on the market.
Advantages
• Quick and easy to strap in
• No need to bend down or sit
• Compatible with all snowboards and regular snowboard boots
• Good response
• Many adjustment options
Disadvantages
• Only available in one version
• Slightly more challenging to strap in on loose snow
• Larger/bulkier than other bindings
Conclusion
Similar to Burton Step On, Nidecker Supermatic is a revolutionary snowboard binding that will become increasingly popular. It's not for everyone, but it will be loved by many. At Stand Tall, we're pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to strap in, whether we were stationary or already moving. It's remarkably satisfying to avoid bending down after every lift ride. Some of us were initially hesitant about the Supermatic system, but after testing the binding, we quickly realized that it's indeed an excellent binding that works just as well as Nidecker claims.
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