Union Step On vs Nidecker Supermatic LT vs Bataleon Phase: Which Fast-Entry Binding Fits Your Riding?

Introduction

Quick-entry bindings have gone from a niche convenience to a genuine category, and three systems currently define it: the Union Step On, the Nidecker Supermatic LT, and the Bataleon Phase. We spent time on snow with all three, hiking and riding to see how each feels in real conditions. Here is how they stack up.

The Quick Take: Three Ways to Skip the Straps

All three bindings chase the same goal: get your boot in and riding without the full fiddle of a traditional strap binding. How they get there differs a lot.

The Union Step On is a collaboration with Burton. It uses the same Burton Step On connection idea, a main heel lock plus two toe clips, but Union fully designed and manufactured the binding itself in-house with its own materials and engineering, so it feels a little different from a typical Burton Step On.

Bataleon Phase: The Traditional Feel Player

The Phase takes the most conservative approach. A small spring system in the heel cup pulls the highback back so you can slide your foot in more easily, an extended ankle strap holder keeps the strap out of the way, and a small lever locks the binding upright once you step in. Undo the strap and your foot slides right out.

Out of the three, the Phase felt the most like a traditional two-strap binding, which is exactly the point of the design. It is quick to get into and out of, intuitive to use, and the mechanism is light without adding noticeable weight. On weight, the Phase and the Supermatic LT felt roughly similar on snow, with the Phase holding a slight advantage. The main trade-offs: the entry opening is the tightest of the three, and you still have to strap the binding down, which takes a little longer.

Nidecker Supermatic LT: The Easiest Entry

The Supermatic LT is a more complex system than the Phase, but with a similar goal: fast entry with the feel of a regular two-strap binding. The highback folds back the furthest of the three, giving you the biggest opening, and a strap holds the toe and ankle straps in place while you step in. A heel lever then locks everything down through a steel mechanism.

Ease of entry was where the Supermatic LT came out on top. Hook up with the straps, stomp down, and you are fully automatic and good to go. The mechanism is made of steel, which makes it arguably the most bulletproof of the three, and it still feels like a two-strap binding. The downsides: the mechanism is slightly heavier, and the strap layout is a little more complex overall.

Union Step On: The Lightweight Contender

The Step On is the lightest binding of the three, which is no surprise given it has no straps at all. Less material means it feels light in the hand and light underfoot, and it delivers a quick, easy entry: line up the boot, hook the heel cleat into the mechanism, stomp down, and ride.

It also earns points for maturity. The Step On system has been on the market for five years or more, so it is tested, proven, and already well liked. One thing worth knowing: the three-point connection makes the boot itself part of what keeps the board attached, and you feel a little more connected to the board with a slightly more responsive feel, even with a softer boot. That feel is neither a pro nor a con on its own, just a preference call. The real limitation is compatibility: you need a Step On compatible boot.

Which Binding Should You Buy?

There is no single winner here; the right choice depends on what you value most.

Choose the Nidecker Supermatic LT if ease of entry is your top priority. It has the biggest opening, the most automatic step-in, and a steel mechanism that looks built to last for years.

Choose the Union Step On if weight matters most. It is dramatically lighter than the strap-based alternatives, easy to get in and out of, and backed by years of proven use, as long as you are willing to buy compatible boots.

Choose the Bataleon Phase if you want the closest thing to a traditional two-strap binding with added convenience. It is the easiest to exit of the three, very intuitive, and light, with the caveat of the tightest entry opening.

Conclusion

Three quick-entry systems, three distinct personalities: the Phase for traditional feel, the Supermatic LT for the easiest entry and a bombproof steel mechanism, and the Step On for the lightest setup with a more connected ride. Match the design to your priorities and you will be happy with any of them.