Hello and welcome to my Nidecker Supermatic review.
In this review I will take a look at the Supermatic as all-mountain-freeride snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Supermatic a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain-freeride bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Nidecker Supermatic 2025
Price: $399 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain-Freeride
Flex Rating: Mid-Stiff
Flex Feel: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.6/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Of the 21 current model all-mountain freeride bindings that we tested:
❄️ The Supermatic ranked 8th out of 21
Overview of the Supermatic’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Supermatic’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
STYLE:
All-Mountain Freeride
PRICE:
$399 - BUYING OPTIONS
Ability Level:
flex:
weight:
Felt A LITTLE HEAVIER normal
Mounts to:
2x4 | 4x4 | Channel
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
M | 5.5-8 | 37.5-41 | 4.5-7 |
L | 8.5-10.5 | 41.5-44 | 7.5-9.5 |
XL | 11-13 | 44.5-47 | 10-12 |
Who are the Supermatic Most Suited To?
Details coming soon
Test/review details for the Supermatic
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Supermatic are capable of.
Demo Info
Binding: Nidecker Supermatic 2025, L
Date: May 8, 2024
Mounting
Details coming soon
Flex
Responsiveness
Board Feel/Butterability
Pop/Ollie Power
Adjustability
Heel Cup:
Stance Width:
Highback Lean:
Ankle Strap Position:
Toe Strap Position:
Ankle and toe strap length:
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension:
Highback Rotation:
Compatible with:
Shock Absorption
Entry/Exit
Comfort
Ankle Strap:
Toe Strap:
Canted Footbed:
Padded Footbed:
Highback:
Ankle Support
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 27/30 |
| Slow Speed Response | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Ankle Support | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 5 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 84.3/100 |
The Supermatic
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Supermatic, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Supermatic compares to other men’s all-mountain-freeride bindings or want to check out some other options in that category, check out the next link.
hi Nate , I’m a huge fan of yours, and everyone here knows that I don’t buy anything before checking out SnowboardingProfiles first!
I tried the Supermatic bindings with Vans Aura Pro boots on a Yes Standard board. I didn’t have a good feeling with them, and the sensation was one of imprecision. The boots didn’t fit the Supermatic bindings perfectly, which made them feel quite incompatible. So, I switched to the Altai boots, and I noticed a significant difference. It really seems like the Supermatic bindings pair well with the Altai; the feeling was perfect, and the boots were fully enveloped in the binding. Meanwhile, the Vans boots are perfect for my Union Strata bindings. I prefer a slower ride, and I really enjoy the sensation of the Strata, as they respond better at lower speeds.
Following your advice, I decided to put the Strata on the Easy Rider from Never Summer and the Cartel on the Yes Standard (to use the setback holes). These two combinations are truly perfect—real magic! Everything works great. So now, the Supermatic bindings are sitting in my closet along with the Altai boots, haha. I think they are still very good with the Standard board, but only with the Altai. From my testing, this will make the board less playful but better at higher speeds.
To make the most of the Supermatic bindings with the Altai, I thought I might buy a third board more geared toward carving and groomed runs. What do you think?
Hi Vincent, thanks for your message (and apologies for the delay in response – still catching up trying to get reviews etc published!)
Yeah, I think a carving board would make a good addition to your quiver – and the Supermatic/Altai would be good drivers for that carving board too, so long as you didn’t go too stiff for the board. But it sounds like you prefer a slower ride, so you’re probably not looking to go ultra fast anyway, right?
Assuming I have that right, I would look at the Slash ATV (I don’t have a recent review published yet, but re-tested it over the winter and it’s so sick for carving!), Burton Custom, Nitro Team or Rome Stale Crewzer. Or if you wanted something that was also going to be good in powder, you could look at the Yes PYL, Never Summer Valhalla, GNU Banked Country or Capita Kazu.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, I use supermatics with nidecker boots – which I want to change because I somehow messed up the size. I did not experience any unusual damage/wear on the nidecker boots, no matter the biding I used (burton or nidecker). I am thinking about going for Nitro Chase BOA – for comfort mainly.
The main issue people complain about Nitro boots is their resistence to wear and tear, especially around the toe strap. Here for example.
Based on your experience, do you think the supermatic’s toe strap will damage the nitro boots? Many thanks!
Hi George, thanks for your message.
I haven’t had much experience with Nitro boots. The little experience I’ve had didn’t indicate any wear in that area, but that’s not to say it couldn’t be an issue with them. I have had plenty of experience with the Supermatics now and I’ve never seen any issues with wear around the toe strap with other boots.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I am curious about your opinion: I teach snowboarding 3 to 5 weeks in the mountains, mostly from 9 till 12, so 3h per day. Sometimes I teach beginners, sometimes advanced riders. In the afternoon I am mostly free and I go riding with friends, mostly people who ski.
I am going to buy new gear this year and I am already quite sure what to buy: Yes Standard, Adidas 3MC Response ADV boots but I am still in doubt about the bindings.
I am not sure whether to go for the Union Strata bindings or the Nidecker Supermatics. The price difference will be quite okay as I get the Strata for 200 euros and the Nidecker Supermatics for 270 euros (instructor prices).
Which ones would you recommend if you were me? I ride all kind of terrains but I mostly find myself riding slopes off course.
Cheers,
Björn
Hi Björn, thanks for your message.
I would say each have their pros and cons for your situation. The Strata, IMO, is going to be easier and better to ride with for when you’re teaching beginners/intermediate riders, as they’re better at slower speeds vs the Supermatic, IMO.
The Supermatics on the other hand will give you a bit more stability and carving performance when riding faster – as well as the advantage of quicker entry/exit, which will be good if the skiers you ride with tend to get going straight off the lift (I see a lot of skiers who get off the lift and chat etc before going anyway, but if your skiers like to get going straight away, that faster entry would be nice to have). And if you’re in and out of your bindings a lot when teaching, having the Supermatics might be nice.
Another consideration is that the Strata wouldn’t be able to be set up on the Standard’s slam back inserts, because the mini-disc won’t span the gap between the holes on the back of the main insert pack and the slam back insert holes. So, if you think you would make use of the slam back inserts (e.g. on powder days), then that’s something else to consider, as the Strata won’t work for that.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Hi Nate,
Okay thank you for your answer. Is this because of the Yes Snowboard or the Strata bindings that this doesn’t work? I guess it won’t work with the Cartels either? If you had to choose between the Strata, Cartels, Genesis or Force bindings… Which ones would you pick?
And would it be possible to set the bindings back on the Jones Mountain Twin for powderdays?
I will probably be buying either the Jones mtn twin or the Yes Standard, 2025 edition. It will depend on your review! 😉
Cheers,
Björn
Hi Björn
Not all boards have those setback inserts – in fact only a few do. You would still be able to setback with the Strata for powder days, you just wouldn’t be able to set back as far as those extra 2 holes go. But you could still setback to the back end of the main insert pack. The Cartels, Genesis and Force would all be able to go back into those extra insert holes.
The Mountain Twin doesn’t have the extra inserts, so you would be able to setback as far with the Strata as you could with other bindings. The reason the Strata won’t go to the extra holes on the Standard, is that the 2 extra holes are 4cm behind the main insert pack and the holes in the strata disc aren’t wide enough to span that gap. The holes in the main insert pack (and pretty much on every board) are 2cm apart.
Between those 4 options, I would go Strata or Genesis if I was going to be doing a fair bit of freestyle stuff on it. And between them the Genesis if I was going to want to be able to set back further for powder days. The Cartel would also work fine (and considerably cheaper than the Genesis). If not that much freestyle, then the Force would also be a really good option.
Thanks for all the reviews! I’ve been looking to update my setup. Would you recommend these bindings with a Jones Flagship board? Or should I stick with something like the Jones Mercury bindings?
Thank you,
Hey Zak
I think these would work well with the Flagship. The Mercury would also. I would personally probably go Mercury, only because I still really like standard strap bindings and strap in fairly quickly with them anyway. But I see the appeal. And the Supermatic, once you get them set how you want them (which can take some tinkering to begin with) are really easy to get on and off and do have good performance.
Hi Nate, thank you for the review! I’m unsure about the sizing. Some people seem to use their US11 boots in size L Supermatics. However, Nidecker recommends the XL bindings for my non-Nidecker US11 Boots. Is there a downside to using the XL bindings over the L version even if the L would fit? Like weight, lenght of the base etc. I need to order them online, so no testing for me…
Greetings, Michael
Hi Michael
Thanks for your message. I find personally that if I’m in between sizes that I prefer the smaller size, but given you’re technically in the XL size range, that would be the safer bet. That said, if you knew for sure you’d fit in the L, that’s the way I would be leaning. As you suggested, you get the weight savings of the smaller size – and a potentially snugger fit – though your fit should be good in the XL, if they have sized it for that.
In terms of baseplate length, it depends on the board you’re putting them on. If it’s a wider board, then going with the longer baseplate length (in this case the XL) would be an advantage, because it would give you a little more leverage on the edges of the board. But if it’s a narrower board, then potentially a longer baseplate could even overhang the edges, which is not ideal (we want our boots to overhang, to a certain extent, but not the bindings). The L’s baseplate measures around 24.5cm, which should fit any board that you have just fine. Not sure what the XL baseplate measures, so I’m not sure if that would be a problem with the width of your board, but for most boards you would probably have gone wide with 11s, but there are some that you may not have, so you should be fine with the XL, width-wise, I would say.
Hope this gives you more to go off
I wanted to get an idea of what you think about these versus the Cartel X. Going on a Lib Tech Cold brew board.
Also, their website says size XL for size 11-13. I am size 11 boot and i use the Burton Photon Boa boots.
Thanks!
Hi Leo
Thanks for your message.
We haven’t tested the Cold Brew, but based on its flex rating, I would say both the Cartel X and Supermatic would be a good match with it. They both have a similar overall flex, in my experience. The main differences, I would say, apart from these being speed entry, are:
– Cartel X, for me, had a bit better slow speed response, but Supermatic a little better for carving – but not much in it
– Cartel X had better board feel, IMO, but the Supermatic not too bad in that department either and they’re not too far different
– I found the Cartel X a little more comfortable, but again, the Supermatic is still not bad in that department
Size-wise, the Photon BOA 11s might fit in the L with the Supermatics, as they are lower profile boots. But no guarantees they will. The XL would be the safe bet, buy my guess is that you would get Photon BOA 11s in an L. But again, I haven’t actually had Photon BOA 11s in an L Supermatic, so couldn’t say for sure.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nate!
How would rate and compare the Supermatics relative Burton’s Genesis Step-On’s for someone that likes the flex on the Genesis EST’s paired with Photon boots?
I realize the Genesis offers more lateral flex and is lighter, but the Supermatic’s dual entry, possible better dealing with snow buildup, boot compatibility and overall feel might be a good fit.
Thanks!
Dano
Hi Dano
Thanks for your message.
I really liked the Supermatics. I enjoyed the system and I like having straps. For a speed entry, but having straps, it’s the easiest to get into (once you’ve got the setup dialed in) of any speed entry that I’ve tried. Step Ons still a little easier to get into, IMO. If entry/exit is an important factor for you. Getting out though, I preferred the Supermatics, still find the Step Ons a little cumbersome to exit – but I probably haven’t spent enough time on them, to get the coordination down properly yet. In regular strap bindings I often unstrap on the move, and I haven’t figured that out with the Step Ons yet, but I’m sure people who own them figure it out after a while.
In terms of flex, I found the Supermatics and Genesis Step Ons very similar. Though I did recently (a few days ago) retest the Genesis Step Ons and they felt they were softer than I first tested them – so they’re closer to a 6/10 in my re-test and Supermatic more like a 7/10. So the Genesis Step On now more like the Genesis EST in terms of flex, IMO.
One big bonus of the Supermatics, depending on where you are in the buying cycle, is that you don’t have to get new boots for them, which you would for the Step Ons.
I haven’t had Step Ons in any deep snow, but I feel like they could be a pain to get into if you’re in deeper snow and have to strap in (sorry, step in!) but I haven’t been in that scenario with them, so couldn’t say for sure.
But yeah, in terms of feel, I think you’re going to be closer in feel to the Gensesis EST with Step On Genesis and Photon Step On boots than you would be with the Supermatic. More so after my recent re-test. But there are definite pros and cons between both.
Hope this gives you more to go off
Couple of comments on the Supermatics after having been on them 8 days:
#1 — The sizing is off. I ride very low profile boots in 11.5 and the toe strap ends up on top of the toe rather than capping the toe of the boat. This creates a friction point that makes it more difficult to enter the biding. I would suggest anyone over 10.5 do a test fit before pulling the trigger.
#2 — You do not have to be stationary nor do you have pull the high back to the rear to exit. Simply press the lever and lift your heel, which will automatically drop the highback. I had zero issues with functionality…they far exceed Gnu, Flow and the old old school K2 clickers I have had in the functionality department.
Just ordered these in L. How do you think they will fit a Vans Hi Standard in 12? Right on the cusp it seems. Have a wide board so not too worried.
Hi Keith
Hard to say for sure, having not had a 12 in them, but yeah, the Large is said to take up to an 11.5, so it could go either way, like you say. My instinct is that you’ll get in it with a Hi-Standard 12. The Hi-Standards that I’ve tested and measured are a little shorter in length vs mondo (i.e. quite low profile) than average, so that should help. They’re a little bulkier around the ankle of the boot, but I don’t think that should be a problem. So yeah, no guarantees, but I think you’ve got a better than even chance of fitting them in there.
Hi Nate,
Wondering if you have had a chance to test the carbon versions this year as I am not sure which set to go for?
They would be to go on my amplid creamer with nitro team boots. My current bindings are at the stiffer end (Rome Targa), but I am unsure whether the carbons would be too stiff and become a bit unmanageable when easing off the speed off piste.
Thanks
Hi Alex, thanks for your message.
Yes, I got on the Carbon Supermatic last winter. Like everything right now, the review is behind schedule to be published, but should be onto it soon. I’m going to be dedicating a good chunk of time to get all the 2024-2025 reviews released over the next few weeks.
But just quickly, the Carbon Supermatics were certainly stiffer than the regular version, but I didn’t find them ultra-stiff (I’m 180lbs (81kg), for reference). I felt them at an 8/10 flex. I never got a chance to get on the Targa before it was ousted, but from what I know of them, my guess is that the Carbon Supermatic wouldn’t be stiffer than them. At a guess from what I’ve heard and seen on them, I would guess they are fairly similar or the Targa a little bit stiffer. But again, having not tested the Targa, that’s just a guess. But in my experience the Carbon Supermatic are stiff, but not oppressively stiff.
Note that some think of binding flex just with respect to the stiffness of the highback, and not the overall flex. If we’re talking highback stiffness, the Carbon Supermatic is super stiff! The highback was really hard to get it to twist at all, in hand. But the overall flex feel on snow was 8/10 for me. And, in my experience with bindings that have had the flex rating shown separately for the baseplate, highback and straps (which Union used to do – and wish they still did and other binding brands too. It’s really useful for people to know), the baseplate stiffness has a more significant effect on flex feel on snow than the highback flex does (it still of course makes a noticeable difference, but in my experience the baseplate flex is the more dominant feature in how the bindings feel in terms of flex when riding).
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
Thanks for coming back to me and I hope you had a good Christmas and new year!
I am the same weight, and I think tending towards the regulars. The one thing I don’t like about the Targa’s is the effort for slow speed turning. Thinking of the riding I want to do more of is off piste and trees rather than bombing it on the groomers where the extra flex is more beneficial? Even when carving on the groomers, I am probably only going 20mph average, 30max (and rarely).
I am also looking at potentially replacing my board at the end of this season with a mellower freeride board like the deep thinker. Thinking the flex of the regulars would better suit this type of board?
Hi Alex
Yeah, I would take the regulars for trees and slow speed turns personally, for sure and for the speeds you’re talking about, I don’t think there’d be much benefit in going carbon, and only the downsides of them being harder to turn at slower speeds. The Supermatics would be a really good match flex-wise with the Deep Thinker, IMO – and yeah, a better match than the Carbon’s too, IMO.
Hey Nate.
I got to use the supermatics for the 2022 aus season (mate owns a snowboard/skate shop) and was very impressed with them.
I’ve been using Flow NX2 for years and found these to be way more responsive.
Very easy to get into.. especially on the move compared to the flows.
My only issue with them was the release lever, after using for the season I still have a sore middle finger as it was the only real finger that I could use. The release lever seamed a bit small and hard to release with gloves on,
On a foot note, I did find that sometimes it didn’t lock in when you thought it had, but I think that was don’t to user error and being tried at the end of the day..
Cheers for the great reviews.
Hi Andrew
Thanks for your input. Much appreciated. I imagine some of these things will get ironed out as they develop them, being quite a new concept at the moment.
I had 11.5 maysis K2s and they fitted fine. Might wait for them to release larger sizes next seasons mark2 versions.. apparently they don’t want to release larger sizes until there are more out there. A bit worried about them not standing up to larger people.. that’s what I’ve been told anyway… Andrew…
I’m 6 1 and 290 lbs in a size 11 boot…..ihave a pair in large they work great