Snowboarding requires bindings to connect the boots to the board. This mechanical interface has been constantly evolving, but this season, a masterpiece that will be remembered for generations to come will be released.
"THE CHANNEL""EST" and even "STEP-ON" He has been working on a system that makes skating more comfortable and enjoyable.BurtonThe newly developedSTEP ON EST" So what is it actually like to use?
What is the purpose of the "STEP ON EST" system?
▶︎Escape from "restrictions"! The baseless concept seeks a direct feel for board control
There are two styles of snowboarding: "freestyle" and "freeride." Although both styles contain the word "freedom," snowboarders have struggled with the "inconvenience" of having their feet fixed. It may have been only natural for them to wish to "move their feet more freely" and "feel the snow and the board more directly." To fulfill such wishes, various gears have been invented. One of them is the baseless binding. There was literally nothing between the boots and the board, and the feet were pressed down on the board from above. It certainly had a direct feeling. However, the disadvantages of not being able to absorb vibrations or shocks at all, such as quick pain in the soles of the feet and fatigue, became a problem, and it is now a thing of the past.
▶︎The CHANNEL + EST combine to deliver revolutionary board control
However, a new gear that evolved the concept of baseless bindings appeared in 2008. These were the "THE CHANNEL" and "EST" systems developed by Burton.The former is,The rails are embedded in the deck of the board, allowing you to freely and intuitively adjust the centering, stance width, angle, etc.THE CHANNELThis is limited to the board that comes with it, but since there is no base plate between the boots and the board, your feet are placed on soft cushioning material,EST (Extra Sensory TechnologyAs the name implies,It sharpens the sensation transmitted from the snow surface to the soles of your feet, making it easier to utilize the board's natural flex and enabling more direct board control. In addition, the base plate itself of EST-equipped bindings is wider, which improves traction on the board and makes it easier to exert torsion.
"I like the unique directness of EST" - Raimu Katayama
In recent years, Katayama Raimu has only been using gear equipped with THE CHANNEL and EST.
"The EST allows the boots and board to fit perfectly and feel one with each other. It gives a unique direct feeling, and I like how it's easier to feel the snow surface."I continue to use it because of its high performance, both when I was mainly competing in half-pipe competitions and now that I'm doing more backcountry photography.
The unique feeling of STEP ON combined with the benefits of EST
Starting this season, STEP ON will be releasing a new binding equipped with EST: the STEP ON GENESIS EST.
"STEP ON is more like surfing because it doesn't have straps" - Yuki Furuhat
First of all, STEP ON bindings do not have straps, and the boots are fixed at two points on the toes and one point on the heel, so it is said that the ankle has a high degree of freedom. After several improvements, STEP ON is now in its eighth season and has entered its mature phase as a gear. Yuki Furuhata talks about the feeling of using it as follows.
"On the days when you want to make smooth turns on the slopes, STEP ON is better. In particular, the feeling of stepping on the board and turning feels better with STEP ON. Because there are no straps, there is less unnecessary movement and it feels closer to the sensation of surfing."
However, until now, RE:FLEX was the only option for STEP ON.The vertically split base plate and hinged disc made it easy to feel the board's natural flex, but there was still a plastic part between the boot and the board. The EST binding doesn't have that. What kind of ride feel will that have?
STEP ON GENESIS EST
What do professional riders and pro shops think?
The response is quick, there is little shaking, and it reduces fatigue." - Ryusei Takahashi
"Since there are no hard parts between the boots and the board, the sensation from the board is transmitted more directly to the soles of your feet. And because the base plate is wide and solid, it feels like the response is quicker.The part where the screws are fastened and on the back of the base before and after that contain shock-absorbing material, which reduces shaking and I feel like it also reduces fatigue."
▶Next up is Kentaro Nakamoto, owner of HEAVEN STORE.B, a professional shop in western Tokyo.
Light weight is an advantage in the backcountry
"this isNot limited to STEP ON,Compared to the RE:FLEX, the EST doesn't have any hard parts on the bottom of the base, so you feel the soles of your feet more sensitively... You can feel the board and the snow more directly. Also, it's easy to tell when you hold it, but the EST is lighter. So I think it will be a lot easier when carrying your board in the backcountry."
It follows the movement of your feet very well.
"Also, compared to the strap-type GENESIS, the STEP ON GENESIS EST has a double-layered inner part of the highback that fits snugly against the boot because it is fixed at the heel. This means it follows the movement of your foot very well, and there is a great sense of unity between the boot and the binding. As a result, I felt that the response was quicker. The heel response in particular has improved considerably. What's more, the highback has a part that allows you to adjust the forward lean without tools, so you can easily increase the heel response even further. I feel that the response and comfort have improved in many ways compared to previous STEP ON bindings and even the RE:FLEX GENESIS."
Dampening effect reduces strain
"The bindings have dampening on both sides... a material that absorbs shock and prevents shaking, so you won't get tired easily even on rough runs, and I think it reduces the strain on your body when landing after jumping when playing on the terrain."
Who is this model recommended for?
"I would recommend this model to those who want to ski powder at high speeds, cruise down the slopes, and carve sharply on groomed runs.I think it will be easier to handle freestyle movements in the park than previous STEP ON bindings.
However, if you have a binding set up with a large angle, the base may interfere with the part where the screws are fastened, making installation a little difficult. Please check with the shop.
Kentaro Nakamoto, owner of HEAVEN STORE.B
http://www.heavenstore-jp.com
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Snowboard bindings offer a high degree of freedom, allowing for more intuitive board operation and a better riding feel when using snowboards where your feet are fixed.STEP ON GENESIS EST. Now, the sales have finally started!! If you are interested after reading this article, please visit a store that sells it.actuallyI'd love for you to get your hands on it and check it out.