Burton Photon Step On Snowboard Boot Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Here sits the Burton Photon Step On Snowboard Boot Review from an average rider that’s ridden a ton of boots but has an exceptionally objective perspective.

Having this model in regular and wide is the way to go, and for those of you who are a size E and above, the wide is for sure the call. Just remember to check our Step On binding reviews to know what you are getting into adjustability/response-wise before committing to this system.

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 riders’ perspective.

A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who It Is For

How This Review Happened: Precious Good Ride dollars were spent to buy this and review it.

Size: 9 Wide
Days: 5+
Conditions: Everything from a little pow to groomers and an early morning slackountry time with Drift Boards (yes, they work with them)
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers
Bindings: Burton Genesis Step On
Boards: Burton Forager

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 Guide Glove, Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Burton AK Tech Glove, CG Habitats Glove, CG Habitats Work Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt, Drop Cascade Glove, Drop Web Glove,

Similar (but not the same) Boots: Burton Ion Step-On & Burton Ruler Step-On

James’ Foot Specs
Foot Size: 9 US
Foot Width: E
Arch Length: Right 9.5 and Left 9
Instep: (left and Right) 10.5”
Calf Circumference: Top of boot 17” & Bottom of boot 12”

How These Were Tested

Before testing the Burton Photon Step On I went out with my Union Atlas and Ride Trident or Burton Kendo’s or Cartel or Cartel X’s for a run before setting up the Step On’s so I could get a real feel between strap in and step on.

Weight

2.2lbs
Total weight with Genesis Step Ons 4.0lbs
This is a very light setup, and you aren’t adding any extra weight by going with this setup. The Step On’s seems to weigh the same weight as the regular Photon. They might only be 1 or 2 ounces heavier, and the Genesis Step-Ons aren’t any different weight-wise than the Genesis. The same goes for the rest of the Step-Ons online.

Fit

Finally! My size 9 E feet fit a step-on boot without cramping, numbness, and general pain right out of the box. With other Step On boots, I would have to really heat mold these to get them to work with my E-width feet. That isn’t super wide, either. It’s just the beginning of what most consider a wide foot. I think if you are an EE or EEE width, you might need a little heat molding on the sides, but for me, no heat molding was necessary.

For many with D or narrower feet, you should be able to pull off the regular width, but I feel the regular Step On boots should be wider, and overall, they are narrower inside than their regular strap-in counterparts.

Regarding fitting my actual 9 feet, the Burton Photon Step On wide and regular was great and felt very true to size.

Flex/ Flex Retention/Construction

The Burton Photon Step-On, regular and wide, has a very medium-ish flex and decent construction. They went for a lighter feel and

The flex retention isn’t there compared to boots like the Swash or Step On Soft with the articulating cuff. Even the Ruler seems to hold its flex a little better.

One thing about the Photon Step On and all Step On boots but the Photon Step On Soft boots is they give you this very locked-in feel. Being connected directly to the high back is what does it. I just can’t move in these like I do with traditional strap-in boots/bindings, and I don’t like this feel. It’s getting better with the Genesis Step On but it’s far from feeling like a normal snowboard boot/binding system.

Response

While you do have a medium flexing boot the response is fast. It’s less responsive than the Ion, but even with the Genesis Step On bindings, the most mellow in the line, it feels so much faster edge to edge than traditional boot-binding combos. Step On is in its world when it comes to response.

Adjustability/Heel Hold

There is limited adjustability with the Burton Photon Step-On. You don’t have upper and lower. You have a single boa for the lace and then a BOA for the ankle strap, which kind of emulates a strap in the ankle strap.

The heel hold for me was good, and Burton seemed to improve this in their line of boots. I didn’t like it because it caused some pain in my Achilles heel.

Shock Absorption

Pretty good all-around shock absorption. Nothing over the top, but definitely on the upper end. You get upper-tier shock absorption with a good insole and the very shock-absorbent Burton bindings because it’s a proprietary/packaged deal.

You get a lot of shock absorption, but if you like a damp, chatter-free ride, the Burton Photon Step On and any Burton Step On binding won’t match some out there. This boot/binding combo won’t absorb microbumpy/hard chatter and some boot binding combos out there.

On & Off

Very quick off with the Burton Photon Step On but a little slow on. So is every BOA system boot, though. It takes a long time to coil them up and I find it just about the same speed as getting traditional lace boots on. It’s just a little easier because there aren’t laces.

Traction

You have a Vibram sole with the Burton Photon Step On, and that’s as good as it gets.

Reduced Footprint

What I like about the Burton Photon Step On vs. the regular Photon is they have the same footprint. You do click into a much larger high back, so it does stick out a bit more, and there is very little boot-to-binding adjustability with non-burton boards, so you can’t center it as easily, but at least the footprint is very reduced.

Conclusion

So, in conclusion, the Burton Photon Step On is a nice change from the old model, and it has a little more of a traditional boot binding feel but with a lot more response.

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