Burton Step On Re:Flex Bindings Reviewed in 2025

Responsive Binding Performance

Performance highlights from the Burton Step On snowboard bindings are responsiveness, impact-absorbing cushioning, and fast boot/binding connection. You’ll be impressed with these quick-release snowboard bindings if you are a no-fuss rider looking to take as many laps as possible while going all over the mountain.

First, I rode the Burton Feelgood with the Burton Lexa strap-in bindings and then rode with the women’s Burton Step On Re:Flex bindings. After testing, a few Step On system pros and cons revealed themselves to me, a certified snowboard instructor.

Testing was done at Mammoth during pre-season conditions.

Thanks to the Step On system, it creates a boot-to-binding amalgamation. Instead of having that millisecond delay at turn initiation with regular strap-in bindings, the Step On snowboard bindings deliver an immediate response. It reminded me of how ski boots and bindings feel due to their secure connection and instant board response.

The immediate response of the board to the bindings brings powerful movements; this response and power are helpful in bad snow conditions. If you use the responsive Step Ons with strong intentions, you can go through anything you want, while the chunky icy sections will inconvenience other riders.

Confidence will be wrought by the Step Ons when slashing through chunder.

However, the boot and binding integration and impact absorption cushioning may draw out a con, which is limited connection to the board.

When riding the Burton Step On system, feeling what the board is doing in the snow was muted by the seamless connection of the bindings and boots. The FullBED cushioning also absorbs a lot of the board feel.

The upside to this cushioning is that it keeps your legs fresh all day.

The performance of the Burton Step On varies from the strap in bindings in several aspects. In particular, there was a lack of sliding movement in the binding felt on strap-in setups.

While doing ollies or presses with strap-in bindings, they emulate skateboarding due to your feet moving slightly in your bindings to perform these movements. Freestyle riders may not be stoked about how it feels to do tricks with the stiff Step On bindings.

A complaint about the performance of the Burton Step On system is the small clicking noise it produces, which is accompanied by a millimeter of movement.

The clicking noise can be diminished by using a small amount of lubricant, like rub on wax or Vaseline.

However, the slight movement between the boots and binding while ollie-ing or doing hop turns is always there. This movement cannot be detected when doing skidded or carved turns. You seem to get used to this feeling and stop noticing it.

Superior Binding Construction

Jake Burton Carpenter worked with his best engineers to make the revolutionary step-in bindings. Five years of product development and extreme testing led to the superior Burton Step On technology.

The Burton team repeatedly tested the bindings to find the best way to connect the boots to the binding. Eventually, the results led to the two toe clips and one heel clip connection. This product design results in the most secure, efficient, and solid connection.

Burton would blast snow at the bindings to ensure the boots could clip in during all conditions. Don’t worry. They also made sure the snowboard boots would reliably eject from the bindings.

Thanks to the Burton team, Stepping in and out couldn’t be easier and more reliable. Just to note, we had the Felix Boots in use during testing.

The Re:Flex FullBED cushioning is excellent at impact absorption and cushioning. This Burton binding bed technology is ideal for absorbing crud conditions. You will still feel good as new after a long run while your friends are fatigued at the bottom of the run.

Burton adds forward lean adjustment to the binding high back to increase an individual’s performance.

Adjusting the forward lean to match your riding preference with a #2 screwdriver is easy. People move the forward lean forward to push the calves forward, allowing for more knee bend and power on heelside turns. Reminder: not everyone adjusts their forward lean.

I tested this system with stock forward lean and had no problems with heelside turns.

Who Loves Step Ons and Who Doesn’t

Step On bindings seem to be consumed mainly by the intermediate weekend-warrior rider. But, after testing, it’s very clear that the performance of these bindings should appeal to a bigger demographic.

The Step On bindings help riders flow from edge to edge while providing reliable control.

People with a limited range of motion will appreciate the ease of using the Step On bindings. The accessibility of the Step On bindings unlocks a newfound freedom for riders hassled by traditional strap-in bindings.

Freeriders who like to rip everything to shreds will enjoy the Step On bindings. The boot-binding amalgamation creates an instant, robust response. If you’re shredding down double black mogels is your style, you may be more impressed with the Step On binding’s response and control than you’d expect.

The Burton Step On boots mesh perfectly with the Step On bindings, bringing instant response. The quick response time does lose some board feel. Board feel is when you can feel what the board is doing in the snow and how it responds.

Freeride and freestyle riders who like to feel everything when they snowboard may complain of the lack of board feel.

The upside to the loss of some board feel is the ability to slash through nasty conditions feels incredibly powerful.

If it hasn’t snowed in weeks and the conditions are garbage, I would choose the Step On bindings over any other binding due to their gnar strength. 

If your mountain has poor conditions that are easier to ski, using the Step On bindings elevates the snowboard’s capabilities in unfriendly snow and ice.

Another thing freestyle riders may miss is the subtle movements of their boots in strap-in bindings. The movement of the snowboard boots in the bindings helps perform ollies and butter tricks. It simulates more of a skateboarding-like feeling.

To those who prefer to strap in, check out our 11 Best Snowboard Bindings to find your next setup.

How to Find Your Size Binding and Set Up

When deciding what size binding you need, consider your boot size. The women’s Burton Step On bindings come in small, medium, and large Burton Step On snowboard bindings.

The Burton website provides a size guide with snowboard boot sizes corresponding to binding sizes. Women’s boot sizes correspond as follows: 5-6 is a small binding, 6.5 to 8.5 is a medium binding, and 9 to 11 is a large binding.

Once you get your Step On binding, you will notice it has a universal Re:Flex mounting disc.

The Re:Flex disk is compatible with the Channel, 4×4, and 4×2 snowboard mounting systems. Burton’s Re:Flex mounting system provides a more even board flex and reduces weight.

The Channel mounting system is easy to line up and has two screws to attach the mounting system. Using the Channel system, you can slide your bindings around while standing on the board to find your perfect stance. The 4×4/4×2 systems use four screws and are more challenging to attach and adjust.

How to Use the Step On Bindings

After attaching your new Step On bindings, it is best to practice attaching/exiting the bindings inside on flat ground. The Step On system is intuitive. Simply direct your heel towards the heel cup, step down, and listen for the three clicks- then you’re all set.

To exit the Step-Ons, use the levers on either side of the bindings and easily pull up while simultaneously taking your foot out. The lever can be pulled with or without gloves on.

Best Step On Snowboard Boots for Men & Women

Burton Step On bindings are only compatible with Burton’s Step On technology. Burton has a lineup of Step On boots ready to fit your needs. Due to Step On’s popularity, companies like Nitro and DC have released snowboard boots with Burton’s patented technology.

At the top of our list are the all-mountain men’s Photon Step On boots and their counterpart, the women’s Felix Step On boots. Both of these snowboard boots are for intermediate and above riders. Both sit around a 7/10 of flex with BOA Snugger Straps on the heel to adjust flex.

The best men’s and women’s Burton Step On boots for beginner riders are the men’s Burton Ruler Step Ons and the women’s Burton Limelight Step On boots. These boots feature a single BOA for quick and simple adjustments. Both snowboard boots have a softer flex, around 4/10; this contributes to easier turn initiation for beginner riders.

If you’re looking for the best freeriding Step On boots, look towards the men’s Burton Ion Step On boots and the women’s Burton Ritual Step On Snowboard boots. These boots are stiff and ready to charge.

Burton has released a few men’s freestyle snowboarding Step On boots this season. The men’s Burton Swath Step On Sweetspot boots have a single BOA and a Sweet Spot Speed Zone strap; this makes for a soft flex and a playful ride. Another freestyle boot is the mid-flex Burton Swath Step On boot; these vary from the Sweetspot boots by having a dual BOA lacing system.

The Value of the Burton Step On Bindings

The Burton Step On bindings come in at $300; this is a competitive binding price. However, the Step On bindings are only compatible with Step On snowboard boots. Step On boots make the buy-in price slightly higher than strap-in bindings and traditional snowboard boots.

The price difference shouldn’t deter you, as Step Ons offer something different than strap-in bindings.

Step On technology works great. It brings this new-found fun feeling to snowboarding. Just like some snowboarders sometimes use hard snowboard boots, putting on a pair of Step On bindings feels great when looking for a lot of power, edge-to-edge control, and response.

We Recommend these Powerful Snowboard Bindings

The American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) does not revere step-in systems. However, they perform equivalent, if not better, in some aspects than strap-in bindings. AASI may disagree with this setup because the Step On technology alters slight snowboarding fundamentals.

The Burton Step On boots and binding system is for more than just the 50-year-old shredder looking for convenience. The Step On system is sleek, fun, and performative. Strapping in, I found myself slightly slower than my skier friends and too fast for my snowboarder friends.

Overall, the Burton Step On Re:Flex snowboard bindings pack a serious punch. They deliver power and response similar to a ski boot. Twisting the snowboard to turn with the Step Ons is easier than ever. But the biggest highlight is how the bindings absorption makes the choppiest conditions feel smooth.