Burton Step On vs. K2 Clicker | PARTS COMPARISON 

I recently broke a toe hook as well. This happened after 13 days on them (Hmmm ... 13). Must have glanced off something as you did. Same as you in that I didn't notice it until later. I could have been riding for several days in its cracked state. Curious of your experience with Burton. For me, it took some explaining (via Live Chat) for the rep to seemingly understand that the toe hook piece is removable from the baseplate. As it stands, they don't seem to spare these parts at this time. Maybe they are out for the season. I can't seem to get a definitive answer. Supposedly they're going to send me an entire new baseplate. Which could stand to reason if the toe hooks are considered part of the baseplate, as baseplates have a lifetime warranty. The toe hooks look to me to be 100% composite material. I would think this should be a metal core construction. Maybe later, as the rep did tell me this wasn't super common. I'm with you in my fondness for Step Ons ... they perform amazingly. I'm using my Cartels until Step Ons are restored. Stopping to strap-in is a real pain after using Step Ons for a season!

@@stevem5070 I simply took photos of the damage and submitted an online warranty claim and it was fixed without any question whatsoever - I also provided a full explanation of what I thought happened and that I believed it was my own doing. Again this was on a 17/18 bindings submitted during the 20/21 season. I did also speak with a representative and you are correct; the binding is modular and the left and right toe hooks are indeed a one piece section, separate from the baseplate and can be replaced independently. Burton does not currently offer this piece to customers for self-service replacement as it does require a fair amount of force to remove from the baseplate, thus they require you to submit the whole binding (suggested it was a liability concern). In my case, when my binding was returned to me, Burton replaced the entire baseplate including footpad rather than simply the toe hooks. The only piece that remained from my original binding was the highback/rear cleat. With regard to toe hook construction, my understanding is that they likely need to be 100% composite construction rather than metal core to allow them to flex wide enough for the toe cleats of the boot to step through and engage, then flex back into position, locking your boot in place. The 21/22 Malavita Step On binding will have an updated toe hook design but I believe this has been done to address the clicking noise some people complain about.

@@jhrycun Thanks much for your reply! I guess I can see this as a liability concern even though it was fairly simple to pop out the toe hook piece. I think you're right about the needed flexibility. I never considered that. Did you send in your broken binding? Seems they'd want these back for structural analysis. Upcoming Malavita Step On? Do tell! I've not heard of this. Can you point me to the info on this? Thanks again.

@@stevem5070 I did indeed send in my broken binding which allows Burton to see problems first hand, address any potential recurring issues they see arise, as well as perfect and advance the Step On system overall. With regard to Step On Malavita, RU-vid doesn’t allow links to be posted so please Google search “21/22 Burton Snow” and view the first result by boardsportsource for some information about next season’s models.

@@jhrycun Thanks for the search suggestion. It does look like the upcoming Genesis and Escapade have an updated toe hook design. Be nice if it'll be compatible with the existing baseplate, although applying a little wax has always resolved any clicking for me. Thanks again!

No actually. He didn’t even ride them. K2 in snow will get snow and ice buildup on the locking mechanism on the binding.

Exactly the same here! Rulers and step-ons! 46yrs. I use them everywhere

They had these in the 90s and they have not changed much. That was a huge problem.

Ive had zero problems with snow

Had the K2 binding nr 1 around 1998-2010 and had no issues at all. Perfect bindings and I had tried different models to

But what if you get ice freeze in the pieces on the boots

@@jaydensmith6110 I’ve never had a problem with snow or ice clogging the boots or binding. Ive had them for three seasons now. The only time I’ve ever had a problem clicking in is when the release lever accidentally gets rotated to lock. Which is 100% my fault not the equipments.. I’m telling you these things are awesome. I click in before I get off the lift and start down the mountain. No stopping to strap in at all. Its been a complete game changer.

You’re welcome and I’m glad I could help! :)

you should try the clew step on

I felt the exact same way when I demo'd them. Do find that you save a lot of energy not having to strap in?

@@davidwestwood2457 I haven't noticed anything energy-wise, but I'll tell you I absolutely notice having to wait for everyone else to strap-in. I'm basically ready to go in 5 seconds or less. I've never really thought about how long it actually takes even experienced riders to get strapped in, and in the "sweet spot" we all have pressure wise. The only downside I have found is on steep spots since you need a decent amount of pressure to lock your boot in.

oh! you can move the lever?? how?

@@ammakko the Midwest shredder has an 18 minute how to video.

I've gotten about 60 days on my set of stepons and have had the same experience, the lever isn't going to get accidentally triggered.

@@th3oryO Agreed, im always re locking them by accident lol.

And entertaining

Thanks vvdd903! 😁

Same here, but been riding the original SST Series (Circa '95) & Magna Series on 2 of my 6 boards since their inception all over the World. I enjoy the "Old Tech" comments. Yes it is old tech that still works because it was simple. Shimano actually engineered and built the original K2 Clickers. Their Engineering R&D budget is more then what Burton is worth as a company (sorry fan boys). Yes the system has its nuances with snow packing the cleats which can be mostly remedied with a couple shots of Dupont Ice & Snow repellant. Yes powder presents its challenges as well. One thing the Clicker system won’t do is completely fail you thousands of runs later leaving you to take the chairlift down the mountain to get another board/binding. Now I’m waiting for Burton to warranty the base on a 1 year old Step On binding due to a cracked front locking tab while at A-Basin. This is the second warranty as the first time one broke due my buddy screwing around. Burton does have a solid warranty. Got left high and dry with Burtons Si, their original step-ins….now those were garbage - old tech! If K2 just adds the adjustable rubber pads to their new Clickers as they had on the originals, there would be zero flex between the boot and binding. Hell make them from Magnesium again like the Magna high back series from 2000's. I have 27 years and thousands of riding hours on Clickers from the first year Keystone allowed snowboards ('96) to the Lewis Glacier, Mt. Kenya ('13)...the Clicker system is pretty bulletproof. If I would have known how bulletproof, I would have never bought spare sets in the early 2000's that are still sitting in their original boxes.

me too!

Ditto!

Same here I've had Shamo k2 clickers since 2001 and never locked them, great system but my boots are shot now and I can't find a replacement, only the new HB versions are available.

im buying my first snowboard soon and im thinking of getting the burton step ons do you think i should get them and the boots? i have tried riding with normal bindings before and i got quickly tired of strapping in all the time so if these work just as normal bindings i am gonna buy them

I absolutely love them and I’ll never go back to strap in bindings. They are INCREDIBLY responsive, so they will be less forgiving while learning. But I can’t say that I wouldn’t recommend, because they are amazing. I average 35-40 days per season on the mountain, I ride advanced equipment, meaning very unforgiving if you don’t know what you’re doing. So I’d say to start with a softer flex snowboard if you start with the step-on setup. That should allow a little more forgiveness while learning.

The Step On and Step On X are identical in function and appearance. The only difference between the two is the Step On X is comprised of a 50/50 Nylon/carbon blend, increasing its stiffness to Burton’s rating of 8 vs the standard Step On which is stiffness rated at 6.

Hey Ye Chen! They’re the 2020/2021 Burton Step Ons in multicolor. I bought them from the Burton website last winter

wrong

Rode my K2's all last season. The only time you notice the cleat is when you're walking on concrete. Otherwise it is not noticeable at all.

Hey J.D. Chang, I had that same issue. I wear a US Size 8 Wide street shoe and initially bought the Burton Photon boots in size 9. My big toe and pinky toe felt excruciating pain after stepping in and out several times. I ended up switching my Size 9’s for Size 9 Wide Photon boots and the pain went away. Hopefully this helps you!

You can also try DC Step On boots. I wear a non-step on pair of DC’s for my CLEW bindings and they’re very comfortable. They’re made naturally wide and I had a lot of recommendations on DC boots in general, so I imagine their Step On boots would be as comfortable too.

The compass clicker was the last run with the old system. The geniuses at K2 thought they better change the set up slightly, now the old clicker don't work with the new boots, FAIL.

They should. K2 had these in the 90s. Biggest issue is snow build up on the mount pouts

😂🤔

Isn’t the right left shaped to the boot in which it would not sit flushed if swapped? Also does it really matter if the levers are on the outside? I have friends who owns stepsons and never popped off accidentally.

@@SKYxNINE I pop off accidentally. Then my wife is disappointed

Agreed I would never waste my money, especially on those garbage k2s

Toe side is more responsive since you're connected at the heel...

Just add snow build up and on the K2 system and it will be even harder.

Boot size 10 and larger is a Size L for the K2 Clickers. Boot size 10 is a Size M for Burton Step Ons. Burton Step Ons Size M for boots 8.5-10.5 and Size L for 11-13.

That's my only issue, I've heard on a few forums that some of them are breaking in a year.

The step ons are better. I rode the k2 from 2016 to 2020. In that time I ripped the soles clean off 2 pairs of boots that k2 wouldn't warranty and it was a total pain to even get in touch with anyone there. Also snow gets packed in the boot all the time and your always having to remove it sometimes it's easy but other times you have to break out the Swiss army knife to dig it out. My wife and daughters in their straps were waiting on me quite often when we were off piste and having to skate to a spot. But it happened on the groomers too. I thought they rode ok until boot#2 started to rip off it's sole. This happens because all the force to make the board move comes from your foot lifting on the top surface of the boot. But the sole is locked to the binding with those molded in metal plates. K2 then thinks it's ok to just glue the top of the boot to the sole with 1 inch of material all the way around. So after boot number 2 decided to start breaking I had had enough. I was able to demo the step ons at our local mountain. What a difference! The boots are more comfortable and hold your heel better. You have a nice soft sole because there isn't a metal plate inside. Now because you have a regular sole you can feel the board and what is doing under your feet. This translates into you being able do things that would normally have you crashing. Snow never gets stuck in the sole of the boot. If snow does get on the binding you give a quick brush with the backside of your glove and step on. After demo'ing them that day I went home and ordered a set. After a year the boots still look almost brand new and I ride them hard in all sorts of conditions and terrain. The attachment points are much more secure in the body of the boot. There's stitching that holds it together, not just glue. In the video you see there's a lb of extra weight, that adds up after a day of riding. Go with the step ons, you won't be disappointed.

@@GLHNSLHT2 omg thanks for the reply and for the honesty. :)

@@JenLion any time.

@@GLHNSLHT2 I am in Taos Ski Valley, just rode clickers for 2 seasons (no back plate bindings). They worked great, no issue in pow and easy to get in and out of and I could lock them in on the lift. That said, my front boot sole was completely coming off after only 2 seasons. I am currently trying to re-bond them using SB-190 cement for roofs. The boots don't handle the strain that well on the foot that remains locked in. I loved the K2s, yet I am annoyed that if I want new boots, they will likely come apart again + I'll need to buy new binding because according to K2 the new boots won't work on the old binding, total fail. I am considering the Burtons or some Flows now.

@@matthewh111 check out Burtons rental store on their website. You can rent the photons boots and step on bindings. I think there's a discount if you buy them afterwards. After riding the step ons and feeling the difference I'll never even think about k2 again. I'd go to straps before going to K2.

Boot size 11 is a binding Size L for both the K2 Clickers and Burton Step Ons.

@@gooz so i am assuming you would not need to adjust then length wise

What's wrong with a fart? It's natural, and you can empty an overcrowded place in seconds if you have the talent!

Because those are medium bindings. You have to go up to large biding with foot bigger than 10.5

The burtons only have one hinged latch in the back, and two front hard points that lock in, similar to the singular front locking point on the K2. Did you even watch the video? When looking at the K2 head on there is so much lateral movement expressly due to the way the K2 clicker mounts with only two points (in line with each other) locked into the binding. Verses the stepon 3 locking points on the binding. Have the K2 clickers changed since they first hit the market in the 90's? Old tech.

@@DRP-zy6sl I did watch the video and I thought the locking system was different, either way it still doesn’t inspire the metal on metal confidence i get from years of using the clicker system. The clicker has changed some, it use to be a rail on the entire underside of the boot. The only issue I have with the new system over the 2003 model I’m still riding on is that mine is an all aluminium binding has different inserts on all 4 corners that allow for tuneable lateral flex. Personally I like some lateral flex it softens some of the Impact from taking drops. Mind I live in Colorado and worked for Vail resorts I ride on terrain most of you don’t get to ride. I also need a system that allows me to click into snowshoes and cross country skis so I can get into the back country’s I have an older pair of K2 boots that are hard plastic and allow for crampons. So maybe for people like me that want equipment that works for decades Clicker a better option especially the older stuff.

👍🏻👌🏻

@@ellefields8878 you still ride with one leg?

Goal of the video statement: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Uz_rybhhVyA.html

also of course you can, most reviews are done in a studio!