How do Burton Step On® Bindings Work?

We’ve been telling riders everywhere to imagine a snowboard binding without straps, but if you’ve never seen it (or ridden it) in person you might be asking yourself: “How do Burton Step On bindings work?”

And you’re not alone. Since the Burton Step On® system was introduced, its lack of straps has caused uncertainty with even the most experienced snowboarders. That’s why we put together this overview to explain exactly how Burton Step On bindings and boots work, from mounting up to stepping out.

• How to Set Up Step Ons (The Channel & non-Channel)
• How to Lace Up Step On Boots & Use the Cuff Clip
• How do Step On bindings work?
• How do Step On boots work?
• How to Use Step On

Video: How do Burton Step On boots and bindings work?

How to Set Up Step On Bindings

Getting your Step On system set up is an important part of the process, and this guide covers the basics you’ll need to get from the box to the chairlift. It’s worth noting that mounting bindings is as much an art as it is a science and there is a lot of personal preference involved. Please take this guide as generalized advice for how to get started. Part of the fun in snowboarding is playing around with the mounting process and the different stance options to find what works best for you and your riding style.

There are two main categories of Step On binding mounting options: The Channel® and non-Channel.

Mounting Step On Bindings with The Channel®

1. Begin by adjusting the toe ramps on your bindings. The footbed of some bindings will extend to provide additional lift on your toe edge (to prevent toe drag on deep toeside carves). Adjust the toe ramp to the appropriate length using your boot as a guide and snap it down.
2. Establish your stance. Review Goofy vs. Regular: The Official Guide to Snowboard Stances to figure out your stance.
3. Place the mounting disc into the baseplate of the binding. Use the reference markings on the mounting disc and baseplate to get your stance angle dialed in.
4. Set up The Channel hardware. Remove the Channel plugs and slide in the Channel hardware. Replace the Channel plugs.
5. Place the bindings on the board. Wiggle the binding around on top of the Channel inserts to line up the screws. Make sure that you have the right/left bindings on the correct side (the heel release lever will be on the outside).
6. Start the screws. Line up the hole pattern in the mounting disc with the Channel inserts on the snowboard. Using only your fingers, get a screw started in each hole that is being used. Loosely tighten.
7. Optimize the stance. Adjust the width, angles, and toe/heel centering once more.
8. Tighten the screws. Using only a #3 screwdriver, hand tighten each screw.
9. Retighten after your first run. Drop into the tuning station at the base area after your first run to double-check that all your screws are still tight.

Mounting Step On Bindings with Other Hole Patterns

1. Begin by adjusting the toe ramps on your bindings. The footbed of some bindings will extend to provide additional lift on your toe edge (to prevent toe drag on deep toeside carves). Adjust the toe ramp to the appropriate length using your boot as a guide and snap it down.
2. Establish your stance. Review Goofy vs. Regular: The Official Guide to Snowboard Stances to figure out your stance.
3. Place the bindings on the board. Make sure that you have the right/left bindings on the correct side (the heel release lever will be on the outside).
4. Use the reference markings along the edge of the baseplate/binding and mounting disc to get your stance angle dialed in.
5. Start the screws. Line up the hole pattern in the mounting disc with the inserts on the snowboard at your desired stance width. Using only your fingers, get a screw started in each hole that is being used.
6. Optimize the stance. Adjust the binding angle as necessary. Additional optimizations like width and toe/heel centering may require shifting to a different set of inserts so simply back the screws out and return to step 3.
7. Tighten the screws. Using only a #3 screwdriver, hand tighten each screw.
8. Retighten after your first run. Drop into the tuning station at the base area after your first run to double-check that all your screws are still tight.

How to Lace Up Step On Boots & Use the Cuff Clip

Understanding how to use your Step On boots before you get to the mountain is a great idea. Spend a few minutes getting your technique dialed in at home and prevent sore feet during a day of riding.

Lacing Up BOA® Snowboard Boots

1. Put your feet in the boots. If you made it to this step, you’re most of the way there.
2. Tighten the boot's inner laces. Many snowboard boots include a separate internal boot called a liner that provides cushioning, support, and warmth; it needs to be laced up first. The liner should be comfortably snug, allowing you to flex at the ankle and to wiggle your toes.
3. Tighten the boot shell. Using the BOA® reel (or reels, there may be more than one), twist right (clockwise) to tighten the lace (“righty, tighty”). If you need to re-adjust, pop the reel outwards to release the tension and loosen the lace.

Pro tip: Review Burton’s Official Snowboard Boot Sizing & Buyer’s Guide to get the perfect pair of Step On boots.

Using the Step On Cuff Clip

1. Put on the gaiter. Once your boots are comfortably laced, pull the internal snow pant gaiter (the elastic inner cuff) down over the top of the snowboard boot (2-4 inches or 5-10 centimeters).
2. Tuck the back of the snow pant cuff down into the clip on the back of the Step On boot.
3. Throughout the day, check that your snow pants are still secure in the Cuff Clip.

How do Step On bindings work?

Burton Step On bindings feature hooks on either side of the toes that align perfectly with the toe cleats on Step On snowboard boots, and a heel clip on the binding heelcup secures the boot in place with a heel cleat on the back of the boot. A release lever on the binding heelcup can be lifted up to disengage the heel clip and allow the boot to step out.

How do Step On boots work?

Burton Step On snowboard boots feature toe cleats that match up with the toe hooks on either side of the Step On bindings, and a heel clip that clicks into the heel cleat in the bindings heelcup.

How to Use Step On

While the Step On system is fairly intuitive, it can take a few times stepping in and out to get the hang of. But basically, all you need to remember to get into them is: Heel. Toe. Go. Additionally, getting out of Step On is simple as well, with the quick release lever that resets once the boot is removed so it’s ready to go again as soon as you are.

Step-by-Step: How to Step On

1. Position your foot directly over the binding.
2. Firmly push your heel down and back and apply pressure until you hear a click.
3. Transfer weight to your toes and rock your foot side to side until you hear two clicks.
4. Drop in.

Step-by-Step: How to Step Out

1. Pull the lever up and release it (there's no need to hold it up).
2. Roll your weight onto your toes and step out.
3. Celebrate your day on the mountain with an ice cold après beverage.