About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard bindings which I purchased with my own money in March of 2023.

My take

After much research and persuasion from my daughter, I switched to the Burton Step On Genesis. It’s nice to take a further step into the evolution of bindings. I really enjoy the ease and shortened entry time the Step Ons provide. These bindings will shine for the all-mountain rider looking to get the most out of the time at the hill.

About the gear

• Model: 2022 Burton Step On Genesis
• Size: Large
• Burton channel compatible: They will work in all mounting situations: Burton’s Channel, 3D discs, 2X4, and 4X4 patterns.
• Mini disc (reduces the footprint of the binding on the board to enable more board feel): No.

About me

• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 225lbs
• Experience: 33 Years of snowboarding experience and a National Ski Patrol member.

Test conditions

• When I bought these: March 2023
• Days tested: 16
• Board: 2023 Lib Tech T. Rice Pro 163 Wide
• Boot: 2023 DC Control Step On
• Where I’ve used it: West, Jiminy Peak, Stratton, Gore, and Killington
• Terrain: The bindings were used on terrain all over the mountain, from cruising to lapping the park in frozen and loose granular conditions.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I wanted a set of Step Ons that matched my style and riding, helping maximize time at a smaller mountain by removing the time spent “strapping in.”

Why I chose this gear

In my opinion, the Burton Genesis Step Ons binding offers a perfect blend of comfort and support, matching my all-mountain with some freestyle riding mixed in. I like Genesis Step Ons compared to Burton’s other Step On offerings because they add a more comfortable highback, eliminating pressure points to the proven chassis. Still, I feel the stiffest model (the X’s) is too stiff for freestyle riding.

What I love about them

• Entry/Exit: Getting in and out of these bindings is a breeze as there are no straps to deal with, especially after a little bit of practice.
• Stance Options: I find an abundance of stance options, meeting any need I can imagine. I ride a positive 18° on my front foot and negative 6 on my rear setback 1” from being centered.
• Dampening: The Genesis Step Ons do a great job of dampening unpleasant elements of the felt ride due to lots of cushioning provided by the footbeds.
• Responsiveness: The bindings are responsive and dynamically improve the board’s performance. Step Ons, as a whole, adds more drive to carves by directly mounting the boot to the base plate.
• Buttering: They add more power and control to “buttering.” There's no delay from soft straps stretching.
• Weight: They are lighter than standard bindings. This reduction is tangibly felt underfoot, increasing the felt agility of one’s board.
• Shock Absorption: These bindings are comparable to other bindings as most higher-quality units have a degree of shock absorption engineered into them. It's something I'd expect for the price with everything out there.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Adjustability: Aside from forward lean in the highback, there are no adjustments on Step On bindings.
• Comfort: I find some pressure exists on the outside front of the rear foot if the stance isn’t 110% dialed in.
• Other Issues: It takes practice and a degree of precision learning to “Step On.” Practicing in the living room has helped.
• Durability: The Genesis Step Ons are constructed well. However, the highback, where the pieces come together, is flimsy and prone to being broken by chairlifts.

Favorite moment with this gear

I don’t have one specific favorite moment; however, I always appreciate “Stepping On” without sitting or hunching over, losing the strap drama, and being able to get ready faster than my kids again.

Value for the money vs. other options

Many won’t argue that there’s a premium paid for Step Ons; they add speed and convenience to snowboarding by eliminating strapping in. As time continues, the availability of boot options increases, and improvements in the Genesis operation will yield a better function, increasing its relevance and value in the snowboarding community. However, with it being a licensed technology, the only other relatively similar binding would be the Nitro Step On.

Final verdict

The Genesis Step Ons eliminate strapping in. In my opinion, the Step Ons have solidified their role within snowboarding as the technology is being licensed to other companies as it continues to proliferate the sport exponentially. If one’s to be done with strapping in but willing to spend a couple of extra dollars and some time upfront learning and setting them up, these are it.