Nidecker Supermatic Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Welcome to the Nidecker Supermatic Snowboard Review from an average rider who has ridden a ton of bindings. 

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average rider’s perspective.

A Break Down of How it rides and who it is for

How This Review Happened: I borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Days: 6+…hard to remember, but I tried them off and on for a few months during the winter.
Conditions:  Mostly spring conditions, but got a day in powder with the help of Drift Boards
Riders:  James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers
Boards: Burton Territory Manager, Nidecker Mellow, Nidecker Ultralight and a few others
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom TDF Infuse 3L Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt

Similar (but not the same) Bindings: Burton Step On, Burton Genesis Step On, Clew, Flow NX2-TM

How It Was Tested

I rode the Nidecker Supermatic on their own a few times. Then I did samplers where I rode them against my Union Atlas, Burton Step Ons, Clew Bindings, Flow Bindings I had, other Nidecker bindings, and Union Bindings I had at the time.

Weight

2.8 lbs. That is really heavy, and it’s the heaviest binding I’ve ever tried. Most bindings I’ve tried are 1.8lbs-2.2lbs, so you really feel the extra weight of the Nidecker Supermatic. I’m not normally concerned about weight, but I did feel these are heavier.

There is an argument by Supermatic fans that Burton Step On Boots are heavy, so it evens out. That is not true. After personally weighing many Burton Step-On boots, I found they are pretty similar in weight to standard Burton boots at 2-2.4 lbs, and most boots weigh 1.8-2.4 lbs. So overall, the Supermatics with most boots will still be a good bit heavier. Here are some examples from boots I’ve personally weighed.

Burton Photon Step On Wide Size 9: 2.2lbs
Burton Genesis Step On Size Med: 1.8lbs
Total 3.8lbs/Foot

Burton Photon Wide 2.1lbs
Nidecker Supermatic Size Medium: 2.8lbs
Total: 4.9lbs/foot

Most Burton Step-On boots are 2-2.4lbs and are the same weight as non-step ons.

Ride Fuse & Ride Deadbolt Size 9: 1.8lbs
Nidecker Supermatic Size Med: 2.8lbs
Total 4.6lbs/Foot

Ride Torrent Size 9: 2.4lbs 
Nidecker Supermatic Size Med: 2.8lbs
Total 5.2lbs/Foot

Burton Kendo Size 9: 2.0lbs 
Nidecker Supermatic Size Med: 2.8lbs
Total 4.8lbs/Foot

In & Out

A quick in and out is what the Nidecker Supermatic is all about. It is just as fast in and out as the Burton Step On, and I like it better than the Clew because you don’t have to reach around to the back of your calf and pull a lever up. It is close, though. In comparison to traditional Flow bindings, the Supermatic is massively faster and easier. You don’t have a lever you have to pull up. None of the quick-release bindings are easy to get on in steeper terrain or deep pow, but that is just a problem with every quick-release binding.

Highback Flex

I’m a big fan of the highback flex of the Nidecker Supermatic. It has a nice medium to medium soft twist to it and a decent amount of give at the top. It has that mullet feel that I love. All business/response in the base plate and all party/easy flex in the high back.

Flex Underfoot

So, the Nidecker Supermatic doesn’t have much flex underfoot. It isn’t as bad as the Clew binding, but in comparison to most bindings in the 2020s, it is lacking. Boards are harder to butter and feel pretty dead underfoot. That being said, it does stiffen up the board a bit, which some might really like.

Turn Initiation/Response

There is a good amount of response to the Nidecker Supermatic. I never felt like I needed more binding. Especially with the Nidecker Mellow 155, which is a bit wide for my boot size. It powered it very well edge to edge, and I had some very satisfying turns with this pairing. I think the Hybrid Straps of the Nidecker Fusion from Flow did a good job of evening out the response in comparison to the Fusion Straps that Flow has. I always felt the turning experience with Flow Hybrid Straps to be a bit lopsided having the heel be more responsive than the toe.

Shock Absorption

So, in comparison to Burton Step On bindings, the Nidecker Supermatic is lacking when it comes to heel shock absorption, but the toe side is better. In comparison to the Clew, it has a lot more because all the Clew has is a thin layer of EVA foam across the footbed. I’d like to see more in the heel, but at least there was a damp feel to the bindings.

Boot Support

I like the Hybrid strap setup from Flow that the Nidecker Supermatic has. I didn’t feel like I needed to adjust after I stepped in like I often do with flow bindings that have the Fusion Strap. On top of that, I had a lot more support with the Hybrid Straps. Now, I want to test more Flow bindings with the Hybrid Straps. P.S. Nidecker owns Flow and uses their straps, so that is why I’m referencing Flow.

Ratchets

The ratchets aren’t super smooth but they are meant to be set up once and forgotten. If you need to strap in on a hill, you can unlock them and do it with no problem.

Adjustability

There is little to no boot-to-binding adjustability. That is just a problem with most quick-release/step-in bindings. There is some stance width adjustability if you are in the middle of the suggested sizing. If not, you will have to turn the discs heel to toe on the board so you can center the bindings/boots to get an even-turning experience.

Conclusion

So overall, the Nidecker Supermatic is very heavy, doesn’t have much adjustability, and doesn’t have a modern binding feel underfoot. Despite all of that, it somehow pulls off a pretty good overall riding experience with great response. What I love is that you don’t have to deal with proprietary tech, so you don’t have to get a new boot to use them.

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