Nidecker Carbon Supermatic Snowboard Binding Review

Nidecker Carbon Supermatic Snowboard Binding Video and Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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An Un-Paid, Un-Biased Breakdown Of How the Nidecker Carbon Supermatic Rides And Who It Is For

How the Nidecker Carbon Supermatic It Was Tested:

I borrowed the Nidecker Carbon Supermatic for an extended demo and plan to send it back

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Size: Large (8.5-10.5 US boots)
Days: 3
Conditions:  and an early morning slackountry time with Drift Board Bindings & Union Rover Carbons
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs). I’ve tested and compared 800+ boards
Boots: Nitro Team TLS
Insoles: Footprint Kingfoam Orthotic Elite
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak, Skyline Fuse Jacket, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket, Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom Guide Jacket, Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket, Jones Peak Bagger Jacket. Burton AK Helitak Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Skyline Faze Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bib, Jones Mountain Surf Bib,
Helmet: Smith Method, Smith Scout, Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Boards:
Nidecker Mellow, Yes Standard Uninc

Similar (but not the same) Bindings: Union Atlas Step On, Burton Step On X, Burton Step On, Burton Genesis Step On, Union Force, Union Atlas, Union Atlas Pro.

Weight
All are in size Medium or bindings that fit my size 9’s

Carbon Supermatic: 2lbs 13oz
Supermatic: 2lbs 14oz
Compared to many other bindings
Burton Step On X: 1lb 9oz
Burton Step On: 1lb 13oz
Burton Genesis Step On Re:flex: 1lb 14oz
Burton Genesis Step On EST: 1lb 10oz
Union Atlas Step On: 1lb 15oz
Nitro Step On: 1lb 14oz
Compared to Regular and Step On Boots (All Size 9)
Nitro Team TLS: 2lbs 6oz
Nitro Venture TLS 2lbs even
Ride Fuse: 2lbs even
Ride Deadbolt: 1lb 13oz
Bataleon Acid Boa: 2lb 6oz
Burton Waverange X Pro Step On: 2lbs 7oz
Burton Ion Step On (heaviest they make) Size 9: 2lb 9oz
Burton Ion Non-Step On: 2lbs 10oz
Burton Photon Step On: 2lbs 3oz
Burton Photon Non-Step On: 2lbs 4oz

So from what I’ve seen is the weight is about the same or only an ounce or 2 more for most Step On boots that are also made in non-step on so you are definitely getting a heavier overall set up when choosing the Nidecker Carbon Supermatic or Supermatic.

Highback Flex

The Nidecker Carbon Supermatic has a very stiff flex and I could barely get even a hint of twist and no give when flexing it. I was surprised though that it didn’t bite into my calves even though it has no high back rotation.

Flex Underfoot

There is none with the Nidecker Carbon Supermatic but it’s not fully dead underfoot either. It does make the board feel much stiffer underfoot even when I went back to the Union Force which is middle ground.

Turn Initiation/Response

You get a good bit more response vs. the regular Supermatic but it’s not ultra responsive like Step On bindings with a somewhat responsive boot like the Photon. Its about on par or a touch more than my Union Force. I didn’t find the response to be as symmetrical though.

Shock Absorption

There isn’t much shock absorption with the regular Supermatic and the Carbon Supermatic has a little less with the Carbon gas pedal that runs to almost the thin EVA foam heel padding. It’s ok for a carbon binding when it comes to dampness but not ideal. I really felt a difference when I transitioned from these to the Force. It felt soo much more smooth and shock absorbent.

Boot Support

If you loosen the connector strap between the toe and ankle a good bit it’s pretty easy in and out but you can still get a tighter fit around the ankle to get more support. The ankle strap sits a little lower than a traditional strap binding but its better than the older uni-strap that Flow (Nidecker Owns them) still has on some bindings.

Ratchets

The ratchets are more for setting and forgetting and aren’t like normal ratchets. You can’t use them like normal ratchets and it has a quasi-locking mechanism that’s kind of like a child proof pill container.

Adjustability

The Nidecker Carbon Supermatic has almost no boot to binding adjustability and you are stuck with only an adjustable gas pedal. So if you aren’t right in the middle of sizing you can’t turn the discs tip to tail to adjust your stance width either. If you like adjustability, like I do, this isn’t for you.

On & Ofrf

This is why you get the Nidecker Carbon Supermatic and it is very fast. I don’t like the way the highback can stick out and hit your back leg when skating/one footing on and off the chair. You have to remember to flip it in when you skate and flip it out right before you step in.

Conclusion

So overall I’m happy with my Union Force and this or any of the other quick In/Out tech from Clew or Burton Step On doesn’t have the adjustability or ride feel that appeals to me. If you ride with skiers and don’t like that locked in feel Step On has, the Nidecker Carbon Supermatic might be worth it.