In the beginning a few words what are exactly Step-in systems. These systems may be generally defined with a use of one sentence- functioning of step-in consists in making it easier to pin on or pin out the snowboard boot from the binding. These systems are composed of suitable bindings and boots which are adjusted to them. Entirety differs much from traditional soft bindings and boots mainly because here the magic “click” is enough and your boots are already fastened. But I will tell about it later

How does it work?
The whole base of functioning of thi mechanism is very similar to this in ski binding- whe you want to bucke your boot to the snowboard you just have to stand on binding. Step-in system is composed of properly constructed boots and bindings. On the first sight boots doesn’t differ anyhow from traditional soft boots but after longer watching we notice, that there are some gadgets on the sole of the boot like metal hooks etc. which enables pinning boots to the bindings. But it’s also a fact that such boots are much stiffer and it isn’t very nice to walk wearing them. Bindings just on the first sight are distinguishing from traditional soft bindings. Some of them are distinguished more, some of them less but differences are unimportant. Bindings appearance depends on the firm and on the solution. Some time ago it came into being some basic technical solutions for buckling boot in bindings: Clicker, Intec, SIIS, Fast, which were used by many snowboard ompanies as systems proven in practise.

Pluses and minuses
It’s obvious that every solution has pluses and minuses. It isn’t different in the case of step-in. Main and the most often enumerated disadvantages are: they don’t hold the boot in bindings very stably, boots are much stiffer and it is difficult to walk, it is difficult to fasten them when the snow is sticking to the sole, the binding may suddenly unfasten. These are the most often enumerated disadvantages of these systems, which I think are a little bit exaggerated, because year to year they are improved aaand they offer higher and higher parameters (advantages and disadvantages depends on the firm producing particular equipment, we can’t generalize too much). Advantages are: fast and handy fastening and unfastening the boots from bindings, facilitation of displacing oneself on the flat parts of ski trail where it’s enough to unfasten one leg and then it is much easier to push oneself away. We should add that this tehnical solution is very good first of all in the short jumps where the time of fastening your boots is often equal to the time of going down the hill.

Summary
Present-day steps-in are not the same as once.Bindings are not so sensitive for the snow which is sticking to the boot, foot stabilization in the boot is much better. We cen say that this solution is absolutely enough for average snowboarder, but as we know price isn’t very low for this average human. The second reason for low popularity ooof step-in systems is that snowboarders don’t want to have anything in common with skiers. Maybe we model on pro competitors who (because of making tricks) ride in soft bindings? You must answer for yourself.