Hello and welcome to my Burton Step On Genesis bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the Step On Genesis as freestyle snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Step On Genesis a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle bindings.
NOTE: Since I had to test these with Step On boots, the ratings scores aren't as accurate as they would be, as I didn't have my normal control boots to test with (so any comparisons to my control bindings are tainted because of having to ride these with different boots).
So this review is a rougher indication than the other reviews, because some of what I felt could have been influenced by the differences provided by the step on boots I used to test the bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Burton Step On Genesis
Price: $399 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freestyle/All-Mtn Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium
Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)
Rating Score: 83.5/100
Compared to other Men’s freestyle Bindings
Of the 25 current model men's freestyle bindings that we tested:
❄️ The Step On Genesis ranked 17th out of 25
Overview of the Step On Genesis’ Specs
Check out the tables for the Step On Genesis’ specs and available sizes.
Specs
STYLE:
Freestyle
PRICE:
$399 - BUYING OPTIONS
Ability Level:
flex:
weight:
Felt LIGHTER THAN normal
Mounts to:
2x4 | 4x4 | Channel
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 7-8 | 40-41 | 6-7 |
M | 8.5-10.5 | 41.5-43.5 | 7.5-9.5 |
L | 11-13 | 44-46 | 10-12 |
XL | 14-15 | 47-48 | 13-14 |
Who are the Step On Genesis Most Suited To?
The Step Ons are best suited to those looking for a mid-flexing speed entry binding. Someone who doesn't want to have to wait to strap in after getting off the chairlift.
Best matched with boards in that 4/10 to 7/10 flex range, and particularly good for that 5/10 to 6/10 range.
Not for beginners, IMO. They're still not super soft or anything. But should work well for intermediate riders and up.
Test/review details for the STEP ON GENESIS
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Step On Genesis are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Burton Step On Genesis 2024, Medium
Date: March 10, 2023
Conditions:
High cloud. Sunny patches to start but then just cloudy. Not perfect vis but decent enough.
Temperature was around 0°C (32°F) and -6°C (21°F) with wind chill in morning and 1°C (34°F) (and -4°C (25°F) with wind) in the afternoon. Easterly winds morning at 15kph (9 mph) and 15kph (9 mph) in the afternoon too but shifted to NEE.
24 hour snow: 0.4" (1cm)
48 hour snow: 0.8" (2cm)
7 day snow: 13" (33cm)
On groomer: Hard packed but not icy.
Off groomer: Hard/crunchy for the most part.
Set Up
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance Width: 555mm (22”)
Board tested with: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Boots tested with: Burton Photon Step On , Size US10
Footbed length: 23.5cm (9.3”)
Footbed Length Fully Extended: 25.0cm (9.8")
Baseplate Length (underside): 23cm (9.1")
Highback Height: 20cm (7.9”)
Weight: 820grams (1lbs, 13oz)*
* for one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of around 80 bindings (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models) I have weighed is 920 grams (2lbs). So the Step On Genesis are a little lighter than the average and felt a little lighter on snow too. Not having straps is a pretty good weight saver, I would imagine.
Flex
The first thing I noticed with the Step On Genesis, compared with the last time I rode in them, was that they felt softer flexing than before. Still as medium flex, but previously they felt more medium-stiff to me.
In hand they had a bit of twist in the highback. They weren't super easy to twist or anything. There was also a little give when pulling straight back on them. They had more twist in the highback versus my control bindings (Malavitas). If you look back on my previous review of the Genesis Step On (scroll to the bottom and click on the toggle) you'll see that I found they had less twist than my Malavitas, so the highback certainly seems to have softened up.
Responsiveness
As is typical with Step On bindings, they had really good response and helped to hold carves really nicely. They also felt good in terms of response at slower speeds, which was also an area where I felt they performed better versus the last time I rode in them.
Board Feel/Butterability
I found the Genesis Step Ons had noticeably better board feel versus the last time I rode in them. Ollies were easier and buttering/pressing was easier and more enjoyable. Still not up there with the board feel of their non-step on counterparts, but pretty decent.
Pop/Ollie Power
Good for getting pop out of the board. They felt about the same as my Malavitas in this regard. They were easier to extract the pop with than the last time I rode in them.
Heel Cup: No
Stance Width: Limited - as per all Re:Flex discs, where you can't run them horizontally.
Highback Lean: Yes, but not tool-less. Takes a bit of figuring out, but you can adjust the highback lean, with a tool.
Ankle Strap Position: n/a
Toe Strap Position: n/a
Ankle and toe strap length: n/a
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: Yes
Highback Rotation: No
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | channel
Shock Absorption
The footbed has some good padding to it. About 2cm thick at heel and 2.5cm thick at toe. Feels nice and squishy in the important places.
On snow they absorbed shock and chatter well. Not top tier but still really good.
Comfort
Overall felt very comfortable.
Ankle Strap: n/a
Toe Strap: n/a
Canted Footbed: No
Padded Footbed: Good padding - see above shock absorption
Highback: No calf-bite whatsoever, which is the main thing.
Ankle Support
Given there isn't an ankle strap, you'd think it wouldn't feel great, but it's OK. Still feels a little less supported than other bindings, but surprisingly doesn't feel like it's lacking too much ankle support.
Having the wrap around piece on the Photon Step On boots does help feel more supported too. When I had that undone, I don't feel like my ankles were as well supported, so these might not feel as good with Step On boots that don't have that wrap around piece.
Entry/Exit
This is an important selling point of these bindings.
I found the entry was really easy, especially having done it before and having a few goes at it.
But I still found getting out of them a little awkward. It's certainly possible that if I had them for longer that I'd get better at it and could get these to a 5. But in the time I had I Still found them awkward to get out of at the end. Super easy in but not as easy to get out, but again, with practice it likely gets easier and easier.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Board Feel | 4 | 16/20 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 16/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 12/15 |
| Adjustability | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 83.5/100 |
Overall, I really enjoyed the Step On Genesis. And definitely liked them more than the last time I rode in them. They still have that great higher speed response for carving that I really liked from them last time I rode in them, but now they're also better for slow speed turns and I felt they had better board feel than last time too.
Note: As mentioned at the top of this post, note that I, of course, had to ride these with Step On boots, so I couldn't test them with my usual control boots. So the scores above won't be as accurate as they would be if I was wearing my control boots.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Step On Genesis, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Step On Genesis compares to other men’s freestyle bindings or want to check out some other options in that category, check out the next link.
Hello Nate,
I’m following since long time i would like to have your feedback concerning my future choice.
Currently I have a Capita Mega Merc 24, bindings union Falcor 23 and boots Burton Phanton and i would like to change to Step On system. i’m checking the Burton Step on Genesis or X Re:Flex with the Boots Burton Phanton.
I have some doubt concerning the Step on responsive and the system in the deep snow, in your opinion what is better binging option “comparing” with the Falcor?
Thank you in advance
Nuno
Hi Nuno
Thanks for your message.
We haven’t tested the Step On X bindings, but from everything I hear they are stiff. The Genesis, from the last time I tested them are more mid-flex (6/10 flex). Best option, IMO, to pair with the Mega Merc would be to go stiffer. If you don’t like the idea of going super stiff, then you could look at the regular Step On bindings, which are supposed to be stiffer than the Genesis Step On, but not as stiff as the Step On X.
In terms of the boots, the Photon would work with that setup, but the Ion is probably more optimal to match the Mega Merc. Particularly if you were to go Step On X, I would pair it with the Ion. If you were to go regular Step On, then you could still go Ion, but the Photon would be an option.
Step On setups are very responsive, but they limit your foot movement. Some really like this, but others like to have a bit more freedom of movement/board feel. Not going to give as good a board feel as Falcor, IMO, but I would say that the regular Step On should give as much response and the Step On X would be super responsive. For a lot of boards the Step On X would likely make them feel a bit twitchy, if they’re as stiff as people say they are – but I don’t think that would be the case on the Mega Merc.
Step Ons can be a little tricky in deep snow – I’d say harder to get into than strap bindings.
Hope this helps
Swap the release levers to the insides and clicking out is even faster (especially for those of us with a gut ) all you gotta do is swap the lower haives of the high backs.
Hey Shawn
Thanks for the tip!
Burton should have done more R&D testing before ever releasing this to the public. I spent over $800 on the binding boot setup only to be dead in the water after 8 rides. Why? The plastic toe clips are garbage. One of them simply chipped rendering everything useless. Abominable support with Burton not supplying the 50 cent replacement pieces to dealers and their own flagship stores. Yes, they are aware of the problem and trying to keep it quiet. Your only solution to fix is to send into Burton with a 3 week turnaround! You’re dead in the water. What a joke. I expected so much more from Burton. Seems like everything is going downhill since Jake passed away.
Hi Bradley
Sorry to hear about your experience. I didn’t experience this problem, but I didn’t have them for long enough for it to become an issue. I agree that if this is a common issue that having those parts sent out to their stores and dealers would make sense.
I just purchased the 2022 Genesis step on’s and Photon boots (size 10) and after a full day on them I noticed that when transitioning from toe to heel there was a little clicking sound and slight movement in the heel cup. After looking closer I noticed there is a little side to side play between the high back and the baseplate where they screw together. I noticed there is movement where the screw attaches the two pieces. I tried tightening the screws however they area as tight as they can go. Has anyone experienced this? Just wondering if this is normal or not.
Hi Craig
Thanks for your message.
I didn’t personally experience this, but if anyone else has, jump in.
Might want to try asking Burton too.
This sound is coming from the clips on the front of the boots.
The toe-clips are rather tight, as they should be, creating friction between the toe-lips and clips. This friction breaks so sudden that it sounds like it’s clicking, it’s actually squeaking. Particularly In dry freezing weather, the metal forming the lips, (which is a whole “rod that goes through the underside of the boot.) brings heat from your feet, keeping the metal part of the lips somewhat warmer than it’s surroundings. From this, dew forms on the metal part, and it kind of flash-freezes to the plastic at each contact (tried touching metal at freezing dry temps?), making the sound even harsher.
Fortunately, the solution to this is extremely simple and non-problematic. Using a tiny amount of a fatty substance, like lip-balm (Fat from the grooves of your nose will do the trick if nothing else is available.) on the metal-part of the lip, will ease the friction and stop dew from forming. I did this, and the clicking is totally gone.
It also makes unclicking from the binding a lot easier, without compromising the grip. I tried to make it slip off, i really, REALLY tried. It’s as stuck as it ever was.
Best regards
Lars
Thanks Lars! That’s awesome. Sounds like a goer to give that a try Craig.
Hey. Just bought my 2022 genesis binding and boot step on. I heard that Burton fixed the issue with the clicking after 2018 or 2020. But mine are still clicking straight from the box. Haven’t even rode them yet
Hi Nate!
As always, Thanks for your great reviews and even better responses.
Did you note any difference in ollies, popping and landings when compared to regular Burton bindings ?
Hi Rene
Thanks for your message.
Yeah, I found them slightly worse for ollies and popping. Just having less feel side to side, just didn’t feel as comfortable ollieing, for me. Landings I didn’t notice any difference.
Hope this helps
Thank you very much
You’re very welcome Rene.
How’s the step on genesis compare to regular step on and the X? It seems the genesis is the softest of the three and the X is the stiffest.
Hi Tommy
Thanks for your message.
The Genesis is the only step on I’ve ridden so far, so I couldn’t say first hand how stiff they felt in comparison. The Genesis Step On, by my feel, felt a good bit stiffer than the Genesis Re:Flex or EST models. My instinct is that the regular step on and Genesis step on are a similar flex, with the X being more noticeably stiffer. But that’s just a guess.
I have ridden all 3 models of the step on and found the Genesis to actually be more responsive than regular step on models, I think it has to do with the hammock on the hi-back. In terms of regular step on vs step on X I barely noticed a difference and consider the X to be overpriced for the minor performance improvement.
Hi Brad
Thanks for your input and insights, from someone who has tried all 3. Much appreciated.
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing.
I have a ‘strapped’ Genesis X right now.
Ordered both Step On X and Step On Genesis but unsure which one to keep. The Genesis highback feels way softer than the Genesis X.
Which of the 3 Step On bindings rides most similar to the strapped Genesis X in your experience?
whats up, im in need of new boots. my burton imperials are starting to go. im between getting the step ons, or might try an adidas boot, either the tactical adv or acerra. i like my imperials, and if i go step ons the closest thing would be the photon. so i guess my question is … how do the step ons(with photon) compare to regular bindings(now drive) with something from adidas. and are the new genesis steps ons diff from previous years ? thanks
Hey Billy
The Genesis Step On bindings and Photon step on boots are the only step ons I’ve had experience with, so couldn’t say first hand how they differ from other step on bindings.
In terms of a Step On setup versus an Adidas/NOW drive setup: Step Ons versus other Burton bindings (and some other brand’s bindings too) tend to, IMO, have less board feel – and I think that’s largely due to being locked into the highback. But comparing to NOW bindings, which, IMO, aren’t great for board feel, they actually probably still have more board feel. Step Ons are nice and responsive (being locked into the bindings probably helps in this case) but the NOW Drive’s are also that way – so I guess in terms of the difference between Step Ons and NOW Drives, compared to the difference between Step Ons and other bindings, the difference isn’t as big, if that makes sense. Still certainly a different feel, but a lot of the same strengths and weaknesses.
Photon Boa Step Ons versus Tactical ADV – Photons a bit stiffer (7/10 by my feel versus 6/10 on the Tactical ADV). Tactical ADV a little more comfortable (to my foot, but this can be quite subjective). Tactical ADV better shock absorption and lower profile (which may or may not be a factor for you). Acerra basically all those things, except stiffer than the Photons – 8/10 by my feel.
Also both Adidas options are a little wider – I have regular width feet and comfortable in both. If you have particularly wide feet, then the Adidas is more appealing, IMO, and if you have narrower than average feet, then the Photons should fit a little better, width-wise.
Hope this helps
I think I’ve said this on your site elsewhere but with a little practice you can engage your back foot on the chair. Then as you get to the top you just stand up and ride off. Getting out super quick involves riding up to where you want to stand, slam on the brakes and while doing so just unlatch the latch and as you come to a stop you stand up and lift your rear foot out. I have 3 sets of these now and love them. Not sure if I’ll try the Genesis model as I like the harder high backs of the originals and my X’s but it’s great to have another option.
Hi Jay
Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
Every long-time Step On rider I’ve talked to has said that they can get in and out easily, so it’s just a matter of practice by the sounds of it. So, I think people considering Step Ons just need to know that it’ll take a little time to get used to doing it – that it won’t be an instantaneous thing.
I’ve been riding Step-Ons since 2018 and love them…the entry and exit does become incredibly easy but it does involve mentally teaching yourself a different way to move your foot…for anyone who uses clipless pedals on a bike this will make sense, you have to twist out of the binding to release out of the toe clips (once you have released the heel). Entry is not a slam your foot in, it is heel first then toe clips, and the two do not always click in at the same time, so sometimes you need to roll your foot to get the pressure to the last clip…it’s become very second nature to me now…
Hi Simon
Thanks for your insight as a long term Step On user. Very helpful.
Any idea when these will be available to buy
Hey. Not entirely sure, but I imagine around August/September
How are the updated toe hooks compared to the original ones? I guess the clicking noise some experience has finally gone.
Hi Paul
I hadn’t tried the original toe hooks, so can’t say how they compare, but I didn’t notice any clicking noise.