Clew Freedom 1.0 Snowboard Binding Review vs. Burton Step On, Nidecker Supramatic, Flow NXT-TM

[@christophermatthews555]

Thanks for finally opening up comments on your videos. I like to read the comments and see what other people have to say almost as much as watching the video itself.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Glad you like em on.

[@justus3341]

Thank you for the excellent review! I bought both, the Clew Freedom and the Nidecker Supermatic. Only tried the clew last season, intensively, and am excited to try the nidecker soon. The clew work perfectly. No issues with stiff baseplate as my board is stiff anyways. No difference in weight felt compared to my Nitro phantom carvers. One advantage of the clew over all the other bindings is that you can leave the ankle strap always on, so no readjustment necessary after exiting and re-entering the binding. No issue with the highbacks staying on the boots. If you don‘t like the look you can drop the pants over it and still can use the handle. Further advantage on low chairlifts and when skating, too. Not meant for walking over stairs, into huts and over parking anyways. In this case you would unstrap as with traditional bindings. Toe straps work very well with the clews, too, as the foot is pushed forward into the toe straps when entering the binding. So good fit, too. Let‘s see how the Supermatics perform. Anyways, both products are ingenious. I love such innvations!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for sharing your take. Cheers!

[@hle619]

How are you liking Nidecker compared to Clew? Assuming you've tested it by now

[@thedude5510]

Such an in depth review and comparison. Very solid man! Thank you👍

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks and thanks for all your engagement man!

[@mackakiwinz4353]

Thank you for a well researched professional review. You covered a tremendous amount of information and found it easy to follow with a awesome presentation. 🤙

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks for taking the time to write this. Much appreciated.

[@christobey4198]

I can adjust the heel cup on all 3 of my Flow NX2 models from 2019/2020. It takes a screwdriver but you can move it back and then there is an additional hole for the cable to be moved back one position when to move with the heel cup. Mine are all size XL and can accommodate a size 11 through size 14 I believe.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the heads up and good to know.

[@BatmanASB]

From their website, this year's model is 40% lighter and adds more shock absorption, so I'm glad CLEW is listening to reviewer feedback and acting on it. I'm hyped to finally get mine at the end of the year!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Nice! I hope they send me one to test.

[@MBRSL]

I believe that's the comparison between CLEW 2.0(20/21) and Freedom 1.0(21/22/23). You can obvious feel the difference of their weights. I just visited a local shop in Japan today and ask the staff. They said there's no difference between 21/22/23. At least no obvious difference. So the CLEW in this video is already the improved version with shock absorption...and still sucks on this point. I also checked of pad difference of Step On and CLEW Freedom 1.0. Step On Thick layer on top Thin layer on bottom (heel side only) CLEW Thin layer on top (half only compared with Step On) and no pad on heel side. NO pads on bottom. NOT AT ALL.

[@BatmanASB]

Whoops, I misread their site. The new 22/23 footbed is 40% lighter, not the entire binding, lol.

[@BatmanASB]

@@MBRSL I just got mine on Friday and can confirm that they are different from the ones in this video, so definitely a newer model. One obvious thing is that the strap adjustment is no longer toolless. Another thing to note that no review mentioned, is that they are very stiff, so putting them on and taking them off doesn't feel quite right, but I'm hoping they'll loosen up with some use. And lastly, they are wider bindings than my Burton Genesis pair, so you can no longer get away with using a narrower (than recommended for your shoe size) board. So I totally got screwed and have to buy a new board, lmao. But that one's on me, nothing against the Clews.

[@MBRSL]

@@BatmanASB Thanks for the replay. I asked CLEW staff recently and yes you're right. They said the model in this video is 21/22 model. The improvements are footbed materials, toeband materials, highback, and screws.

[@ilanglezer3136]

Hi there, thank you very much for your detailed review. I'm really in doubt whether choosing the Clew Freedom 1.0 or the Nidecker Supermatic. I'm a beginner/intermediate 46 years old rider, that snowboard one week a year. I have my own boots which are working fine. My main concerns are ease of stepping in and out, and responsiveness for an intermediate rider. Other aspects to consider are tradition in this industry pending to Nidecker, on the other hand Clew bindings much lighter and easy to carry. Would appreciate if you could help me to decide which would work better for me. Thanks a lot and take care

[@thegoodridesnow]

Both were very easy in and out. Both have little to no shock absorption and not much board feel. So it really comes down to which tech appeals to you more.

[@djibdjibkl]

J'utilise les supermatic depuis un mois et je ne regrette pas mon achat

[@djow4725]

This was a very informative review. I really like the 'quick entry' type bindings for convenience and getting more laps in. I previously used the Burton Step-Ons but it did not work for me due to severe foot pain and pinky toe hot spot despite trying a few different boots. Switched to the Flow NX2 which I really liked. I also have a Burton Genesis Re:Flex as a normal pair of bindings. I just bought the Nidecker Supramatic and I'm excited to try it out this season. I also previously debated on trying K2 clicker (but don't want to be locked into using a specific boot), and seriously considered the Clew bindings (but missed their pre-season sale). I really enjoyed your review going through the differences of these bindings! Very helpful.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words and your take! Glad you found something that works for you with Flow and regular Genesis. Out of curiosity, what is your foot width and did you try any Burton Step On Wide Boots? Not advocating for Burton here and I don't use Quick Release bindings but I'm a size E width and regular/non-step on Burton boots fit me. I had a pretty rough time with Step On boots until I tried the Photon Wide.

[@djow4725]

@@thegoodridesnow . Thank you for the advice. My foot is also size E width!! So something for me to consider in the future as I do really like the Step On system. It''s sad but Burton boots don't seem to play nice with my feet as I also have some arch pain and ankle discomfort with the Photon and Ion models. I was originally thinking of switching to either the wide model or a softer flex model, but then DC released their Step On boots. I found the DC Control fit much so better and were much more comfortable overall, but I still had the pinky toe hotspot where the toe cleats connect. Did you also have the same issue with the pinky toe hotspot when riding Step On?

[@thegoodridesnow]

@@djow4725 No problem! So from one E to another the non-wide boots gave me arch pain as well and I had the same issue with my pinky toe. I don't have either issue with the Photon Step On Wide. If you can, go try one on. I'd love to hear your take after.

[@daniel.g94]

Awesome review! Are there any differences between Burton Step ons 2023 and 2022?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks! The changes in 2022 seem to be the same in 2023. Most changes in 2023 were to the boots.

[@brucexue]

Very detailed review! You are my No.1 KZbinr for gear reviews! This season I got two different set ups, a burton step on paird with DC judge, and a supermatic+Salomon dialogue. Super excited to try them out! I'm just a bit tired of sitting down and strap...

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks! Would love to hear how both play out for ya.

[@Angelo-dp1zt]

I kept having doubts and also because I notice that regular bindings still do better except quickly in and out. I just go for the union strata because they turn out to be great and cheap 

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for sharing your take.

[@marcc8851]

My girlfriend had these bindings After two months of riding on them, they came disengaged and she sprained her ankle. There’s not a lot of adjustments the bindings. I would not take them for free, let alone pay for them.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for your take.

[@HoudiniLL]

Thanks for the detailed review of the CLEWs! Do you see any reason why you couldn't affix some rubber sheeting to the bottom of the binding's base plate for some shock absorption and vibration reduction?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for watching. Yeah I guess you could put some at the bottom and possibly a little at the top but you wouldn't be able to add a lot though. If you figure out a cool way to do it pleas share as I always like seeing how people tweak gear.

[@HoudiniLL]

@@thegoodridesnow Will do. My CLEWS should arrive next week. I'll pick up some EVA foam squares in different millimeter thicknesses and give it a go.

[@DVerdict]

​@HoudiniLL any update?

[@JulianSAirstriker]

Any success with the additional foam padding?

[@TheEmpers]

I got the supermatics and have used the burtons for years. Burtons are definitely way better than the supermatics. The supermatics straps I find tend to get tangled up on my foot alot when getting in. I was hoping to be able to use these in deep powder since the burtons are horrible in that, but due to how horrible the straps/ratchet/lock system is on these it’s not practical. I’m gonna end up selling my supermatics.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for your take.

[@r00kiet80]

pretty sure all quick mount bindings are kinda bad in powder but atleast you got the option to use them regularly on hard pow days (for clew and supermatics)

[@Ido-Neiger]

Wating for karakoram recon bindings review...

[@thegoodridesnow]

Sorry but not sure when that will happen. Being primarily a split related company until recently they haven't sent us product to review but hope to change that this year.

[@Шмебьюлок-в1ж]

Is there enough adjustment on the clew bindings , no problems on the burton chennal set point. Is everything balanced?

[@thegoodridesnow]

I find that both are not that adjustable so if Burton works for you so should Clew.

[@Jakefeia]

If I see someone with a pair of these riding it’s gonna be hard not to pull that lever as I go bye 😂

[@thegoodridesnow]

Ha!

[@georgeclooney1293]

I used clew last season, way responsive and better than the burton step ons.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for your take.

[@cinnabon888]

What year of the version of it? Is it 21/22 or 22/23? Thank you for your review.

[@thegoodridesnow]

It was sent to me the winter of 2022 and most stuff is sent a year ahead. I think it is the 2022/2023 model.

[@gileswestwood]

How would you say it compares to the burton malavita?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Not very comparable at all. The Malavita is a much better binding in terms of flex underfoot, ride feel and massively better in terms of shock absorption. The Clew is a little more responsive but that's about it. With all easy entry bindings you sacrifice a lot for quick in and out.

[@adlapl]

Burton the most responsive? Without straps? What are you talking about?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Yes it is. Burton boots are attached to the high back and this design is much more responsive than an ankle strap. Go ride all three same day like I did and you will see.