Shaun clicked into the Burton Step On Genesis Re:Flex in 1.9 seconds on the flat and 5.0 on a steep traverse, the quickest steep time of the ten, with no calf bite from its suspended highback, but it only works with Step On boots. It scores 78 out of 100 and ranks #8 in our best step-in & quick-entry snowboard bindings guide as our best step-in snowboard binding for comfort.
What is the best step-in snowboard binding for comfort?
The best step-in snowboard binding for comfort is the Burton Step On Genesis Re:Flex, whose suspended highback removed calf bite for Shaun and still got him locked in in 1.9 seconds on the flat.
Burton Step On Genesis Re:Flex
- Weight: 880 g
- Heel stack: 14 mm
- Flat entry: 1.9 s
- Boots: Step On boots only
Bottom Line : Step On speed with a suspended highback that takes out calf bite and soaks up vibration. It works only with Step On boots, so the full setup costs more once you buy them.
Pros
- 1.9 seconds on the flat and the fastest steep entry of the ten, at 5.0
- Kickback Hammock highback cradles the heel and removes calf bite
- Full-length cushioning and a suspended highback that cut vibration
- 880 g and a 14 mm heel stack, the second lightest and second lowest here
Cons
- Works only with Step On boots, so Boots scored 3.0
- Needs its own Step On boots, so the full setup costs more
On the Mountain
The Kickback Hammock highback acts as an elastic spring that guides the boot heel into the rear cleat a little more smoothly than the standard Step On Re:Flex, and the times were 1.9 seconds on the flat, 5.0 steep and 8.7 in slush, each the average of three timed entries. Step On is Burton's boot-and-binding system, so only boots built for it click in.
There are no straps. The two-piece suspended highback cradles the boot spine, takes out the rigid, jarring feedback of standard step-in systems and removes highback calf bite, and Shaun kept instant edge bite. At 880 g with a 14 mm heel stack it's the second lightest and second lowest binding in the test.
Shaun rode a size Medium on a Burton Custom 158 cm with the Burton Channel mount, at 22.5 in, +15 and -9 degrees, in the Burton Photon Step On and Ion Step On boots, both US men's 10.5, with Amy co-testing. The maker's Medium is US men's 8.5 to 10.5.
Where It Asks Something of You
Your own boots won't do. It works only with Step On boots, so Boots scored 3.0, and because it needs its own boots, the full setup costs more.
The binding itself sits in the mid-price tier, level with the plain Step On Re:Flex, so the extra bill is the boots.
Wet snow slows it, and the LT Supermatic was quicker in slush. Otherwise nothing broke or loosened.
Spec Sheet vs Our Test
Kickback Hammock highback. This is the feature that earns the comfort award. The maker says it cradles your heel in complete suspension for increased response and reduced vibration, and Shaun found it removed highback calf bite and the rigid feedback of standard step-in systems while edge bite stayed instant.
Re:Flex FullBED cushioning. Full underfoot cushioning that limits fatigue is the maker's claim. We didn't score fatigue, but the ride was damp, with the jarring feedback taken out.
Step On boot-to-binding connection. Two toe points and the Toe Hook 2.0 for easier entry and exit, says the maker. Shaun found the heel guided into the rear cleat smoothly and entry fast, and on steep ground it was the quickest of the ten.
Single-component baseplate. The maker says a nylon composite baseplate with 30% short glass gives a playful response. We didn't test playfulness on its own, but edge bite was instant.
Forward lean adjustment and warranty. A micro-adjustment for forward lean and a lifetime warranty on the baseplate are the maker's promises. We didn't test the adjustment, and a warranty isn't something a summer test can check.
Should You Buy the Burton Step On Genesis Re:Flex?
Buy the Genesis if you'll buy Step On boots and want a ride without the jarring feedback of the standard Step On, in the fastest class of binding. It's our comfort pick. The binding is mid-price, but count the boots when you weigh value, and use the Check Latest Prices button for the current figure.
Keep your own boots and the premium Nidecker LT Supermatic is the better buy: it takes them, 1.2 seconds slower on the flat and 335 g heavier. For 20 g less at the same price, with a firmer ride, the Burton Step On Re:Flex is the other Step On choice.
A beginner should price the Step On boots first, since the binding alone isn't the whole bill. Check the maker's size chart against your boot size before you order.
Compare With
- Nidecker LT Supermatic: our best overall step-in snowboard binding.
- Bent Metal Lightning Supermatic: our best step-in snowboard binding for carving.
- Bent Metal Speed-In Pro: our best step-in snowboard binding for freeride.
- Flow Fuse Hybrid: our best step-in snowboard binding for freestyle.
- K2 Cinch GT: our best step-in snowboard binding for heavy riders.
- Flow Fenix: our best step-in snowboard binding for beginners.
- Flow NX2: our best step-in snowboard binding for high-speed riding.
- Burton Step On Re:Flex: our best lightweight step-in snowboard binding.
- System MTN Rear Entry: our best budget step-in snowboard binding.
See all ten, and how we tested them, in our best step-in & quick-entry snowboard bindings guide.
Ranked in our Best Step-In Snowboard Bindings guide. All our tested picks, guides and reviews are in our Best Snowboard Bindings hub.
Editor's Note, 11 November 2026: New review. In June and July 2026 Shaun and Amy rode the Burton Step On Genesis Re:Flex on Horstman Glacier at Whistler Blackcomb, timed entry three times on the flat, on a steep traverse and in slush, weighed it, and scored it on entry, instep hold, boot compatibility, and weight and bulk.
Our Testers
This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested on Horstman Glacier at Whistler Blackcomb by Shaun Taylor, Amy Carter and James Ward.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. A former commercial outdoor copywriter and gear journalist who runs Top-Notch Outdoor as an independent publisher. He checks every tester's field notes against the maker's claims before a score goes live.
- Shaun Taylor, Freeride Snowboard Tester. Raced banked slalom and halfpipe in the late 1980s and 1990s before turning to backcountry freeriding, and a finish carpenter by trade. Shaun led the testing of the Burton Step On Genesis Re:Flex.
- Amy Carter, Freestyle Snowboard Tester. An action sports videographer and terrain park builder, and our strongest snowboarder. Amy co-tested the Burton Step On Genesis Re:Flex.
- James Ward, Alpine Ski & Fat Bike Tester. On skis since he was 3 and a former regional alpine racer, now a ski tuner and dryland fitness coach. He ran the stopwatch and the boot swaps for every binding in our step-in test. James ran the stopwatch for every binding in our step-in test.
