Reviews
Nidecker Supermatic 2024 Review
December 4, 2023
by Garrett
A hands on experience with the game-changing new hybrid binding from Nidecker.
Nidecker recently gave me the chance to review the new 2024 Supermatic bindings. I rode them for a full day and tried to note as many things as possible. Below I'll describe my experience, grouped in a few different important categories. I won't be giving it any scores, as I feel they're mostly ambiguous and subjective. I just want to list everything I noticed as best I can. Hopefully that can help you decide whether these are right for you.
Some athletes currently riding these bindings include:
Ease of Use
I'm putting this category first because with a new hybrid entry system, I'm imagining that's what people will be the most interested in reading. Firstly, I'll say I'm a size 12 and wear Vans Infuse boots, which are known to have a larger than average footprint. I demoed a set of Large bindings, and then later tried the Extra Larges as well.
When initially trying the Larges, I had a really tough time getting in and out. I felt like I was getting stuck a lot, and needed to undo the straps a click or two to get through, which definitely defeats the purpose of the system. Once I tried the XLs, I felt much better. They came on and off without a hitch, and they had plenty of room left over on the straps and highbacks for further adjustments. Definitely make sure you're getting the right size.
My one recommendation would be to read the instructions carefully or pull up a video from Nidecker on fitting, because they're different enough from traditional bindings that it can be tricky at first.
A common critique of rear-entry bindings is snow getting packed in, but I didn't have a problem with it. I wasn't riding powder, so I can't speak to how'd they'd handle deep snow, but in normal resort conditions they handled as well as any other binding I've tried. I just brushed it out before putting my foot in if it was a noticeable amount.
Aside from the normal use, there are a couple quirks I'd like to point out; less of a critique and more of a heads up to ease the learning curve of any new owners. The trigger that releases you from the binding needs to be held until the highback is all the way open. A few times I let go early and the latch re-locked before I was out. The other thing I noticed is that when you start skating with the highback all the way open, it's easy to trip on/kick/step on. So just remember to flip it back up when you step your foot out.
Quality
In general, they're high quality. It's obvious Nidecker put a lot of effort into these bindings. With a complex entry mechanism, everything moves very smoothly. The heel roller, base lift, and latching mechanisms are all very cool. Unfortunately, I can't speak to the longevity of the mechanism, given my short riding period, but nothing suggested to me that I'd have issues with it any time soon. The baseplate foam was what I'd call medium density; not crazy firm, but not marshmallow squishy either. It was comfortable and forgiving on landings, and if it holds up over time, that's all you can ask for.
Look
In my opinion, these bindings look so sick. Even better in person than the images. I rode the black colorway, which has a matte finish, and shimmery gold text. Not much more to say here, this is all opinion, but I liked 'em!
Flex and Feel
Nidecker gives this a 3 out of 4, or "mid-stiff", on their scale. And I'd agree that's an appropriate rating. It was a little more responsive and less playful than what I'm used to. I ride Union Forces more than anything else, and these we're definitely a touch stiffer and more aggressive.
In terms of high back angle, I was floating back and forth between the most open setting, and one click closed. I had it all the way open for park riding and one click down for more aggressive carving. Obviously this gonna be all preference and depend on your boot a bit, but I never felt the need to close them any more than that. And if I had my pie in the sky, there would be maybe one more click for it to open a smidge wider. This also could just be because of my bigger boot.
Install
While this is unlikely to make or break anybody's purchasing decision on bindings, I figured I'd mention it for posterity. These were pretty normal to install. The disc it comes with is compatible with 3 and 4 hole mounts, as well as channels. The only downside I noticed was with the strap. The toe and ankle straps on these bindings are connected by a small middle strap, making them functionally one big strap. And while the straps are fairly stiff in general, this made it a little tougher to get out of your way when lining up screws, and slowed me down ever so slightly. Not a huge deal by any means, just something I noticed.
Maybe something to think about if you're a person who's constantly swapping board and binding combos. For many riders, you're only gonna install once, so you can probably ignore this section altogether!
Conclusion
Overall, I like the bindings. They look great, they're great quality, and they're a responsive ride. Obviously the fit matters, so make sure you're getting the right size. But if you're somebody who's been looking for a solution other than the traditional strap binding system, I would definitely take a look at the Supermatic.