Snowboard step in bindings question

[Nomad79]

I have a friend who used step in bindings a few years ago when he learnt how to snowboard. After recently using regular bidings, which he found incredibly hard to get on, he thinks step ins are the best thing since sliced bread. I keep telling him that the perofmance isnt comparable to regular bindings and that they are pretty much extinct for a reason...but he's skeptical because they're "just so convenient". i havent been able to find anything online that shows why no one uses them anymore. can anyone help?

Thanks,

[The Dude]

you nailed the reason on the head, performance of the step in bindings is horrible. As an instructor whenever I see someone coming towards me w/ the old step in bindings I try to look away and avoid that student like the plague. The only exception is the Burton Mission step in set up, however they're such a pain in the ass to get out of I don't know why anyone would want to continue to use them as you have to push down on each side of the binding w/ both hands and simultaneously lift your foot out of the binding.

Another bad choice of bindings is the older flow set up, which heavily restricts your ankle from flexing when you're on your toe edge. The only day the flow binding would be beneficial would be on powder days when you don't need to flex your ankles as much.

If he likes the benefit of the step in binding, tell him to take a look at the K2 snowboard binding that has straps but is rear entry, like the flow. Once you've got the straps dialed in, you're good to go, but until then, you're constantly tweaking the binding.

just my $0.02

[SuperChief]

Steps ins will feel good for part of a season then they will get so sloppy you'll have very little edge control.

[Nomad79]

Thanks. will make my final attemp at convincing him.

[4matic]

I've been using Clickers for 12 years and have never had a failure of any kind. The early snowboard extreme championship (yes they were called the extremes back then) was dominated by Clicker riders.

Imo, Clickers are better for big mountain steeps and holding an edge. Straps are better for freestyle and park.

Step-ins are not cool so that's why I think they've fallen away from favor.

Click on the lift and ride away.

[Nomad79]

noob question...but what is the difference between clickers and step ins? and who makes clickers now, if he does insist on buying them?

[4matic]

Clickers aren't made anymore.

Clickers are stepins. The best snowboard boot-binding system ever imo. So simple..

They were basically a Shimano bike binding that did not release.

I have a set of carbon fiber clickers that are $$$$.

[mobygrape]

I rode clickers for about 10 years. Had one of the early models self destruct at Mt. Hood, but that's just bad luck. All bindings break once in a while.

Switched to strap bindings this year, and the feel a bit more responsive, but not by a huge margin. My clicker boots were packed out, and a little big. The improved response is partially a function of better fit. My clickers developed a bit of play ( I'm a heavy guy), but I got used to it and could deal with the float. It was kind of nice not being totally locked in.

[BigKuba]

I rode the highback Drake/Switch step-ins for 6 years and was pretty stoked on them. They were the ones with two metal bars by the arches of your foot, you hooked your boot to the binding on the inside one and clicked in with the outside one. Similar mechanism as the Burtons mentioned above but you only needed one hand to click in/out and the active parts were big and metal. For a couple of seasons quite a few companies made compatible boots -- I had a pair of Northwaves with a ratchet strap across the foot connected to the heel.

I never developed any play in them and they were incredibly convenient for mountains with a lot of flat spots and associated slackcountry. I got a strap setup this year because the boots were falling apart, and sure, it's a bit more responsive, but I'd attribute that to my new boots being tighter (old ones packed out and were a size bigger than my new ones). As far as I can tell the difference from the binding itself is pretty small. I get a bit more leverage toeside, presumably because the straps on my new binders are significantly wider/stiffer across their width. I don't really notice a difference on heelside turns.

The bindings are still floating around on eBay but boots in my size are impossible to find. If I could have found a pair, I probably would not have given up on them.

FWIW, I don't jib/spin so the above comments concern pow/steeps/going fast.

[sharcsplean]

The clickers were almost a hard boot - which is why 'extreme' constests were won on many a pair.

Most people who learned on step-in could continue to ride them, but people who switched to them went right back to straps. I rode the device bindings (bought by Ride before K@ bought them) for half a season, but they gave no ankle support.

You buddy will become a better rider and then sprobably switch over. My 60 year old father loves his step ins for the convience factor.

[Nomad79]

My buddy is still a beginer and isnt interested in the park...he basically wants to progress to riding the whole mountain. Where can he buy step ins if he wants them? i went to a few websites and couldnt find any.

Thanks.

[single]

ebay.
678

[The Dude]

no one is manufacturing step ins anymore, the closest he's going to get is either flow or K2. Check Ebay or craigslist for the older used stuff.

[blockp]

For us in the flat midwest, the convenience of the step-ins outweighs the performance of straps for my use. If you're pushing it, then it makes sense to have a more positive connection to the board. But the hassle of strapping the boot in just for 2 minutes of downhill turns isn't worth it to me. Besides, I only board when I'm with my wife, on the blues and blacks. Nothing life threatening for me while on the board.