SUPERMATICS VS FASE

Product reviewed

Two “quick entry” step-in style snowboard binding systems:

• Supermatics (Supermatic)
• Phase (with Burton/Jones-style Phase tech on other brands like Jones Mercury)

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Key features & how they work

Supermatics

• Fast step-in using a lever (can be operated with a thumb, but typically you put your foot on it).
• Highback opens wide to create an easy/sliding entry angle.
• Foot locks in by pushing the heel down into a steel locking mechanism.
• Quick exit: release the mechanism with thumb, lift heel, step out.
• Chairlift/travel handling
  • Highback can be lowered; chairlift pressure may “squish into the ankle straps.”
  • Can also lower the highback for traveling.

Phase bindings

• Step-in capable, with slightly different mechanics:
• Highback folds down with a kick/push (it does fold, even if it seems like it wouldn’t).
• Entry angle is steeper than Supermatics.
• Locking process:
  • After pushing heel down, a spring/lever pulls the highback flush to the boot.
  • Then you tighten the ankle strap to lock.
• Exit: described as “dead easy”
  • Undo ankle strap, lift heel, step out.
• Travel/chairlift
  • Can fold down “down pretty low,” though the user suggests it may not go quite as low as a true two-step binding.

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User experience on snow (including conditions)

Supermatics

• The user has ridden them “quite a long time” and likes them heavily—especially for teaching.
• Reports very quick in and out, and ended up riding them more than expected.
• Practical benefit: because they’re so easy to use, they make frequent in/out situations worthwhile (e.g., briefly putting a foot in to skate quickly to a lift), unlike typical bindings.

Phase

• About 20 days ridden so far, mainly in icy, poor snow conditions.
• Main usability issue: the steeper entry angle makes step-in more challenging on skiddy/icy snow, especially when balancing on one foot to get the other in.

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Performance / feel comparison vs normal two-strap bindings

Supermatics vs normal two-strap

• The user says they feel like a normal two-strap, with only a slight difference a rider can notice.
• Also noted: they are not the most performance-oriented bindings overall.

Phase vs normal two-strap

• The user claims Phase feels even closer to a standard two-strap:
  • You “really don’t notice any difference at all” in weight/feel/ride quality once strapped in.

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Pros and cons mentioned

Supermatics — Pros

• Easier entry angle than Phase (more sliding-in friendly).
• Very quick and convenient step-in/out.
• Highly useful for teaching/filming, where frequent board access matters.
• The user repeatedly chooses them and expects to keep using them.

Supermatics — Cons

• Heavier and bulkier than a normal binding.
• Not “performance focused” enough for very high-level use cases:
  • Big park kickers
  • Competitive slalom
  • “Ultimate heli boarding in Alaska” style setups (the user would choose more performance-focused options)

Phase — Pros

• When locked in, feels essentially like a normal two-strap (minimal/no noticeable difference).
• Stepping-in tech without sacrificing ride feel as much as Supermatics (per the user).

Phase — Cons

• Steeper entry angle means harder step-in when snow is icy/skiddy, especially while balancing on one foot.
• Folding/low position for travel is not quite as low as a two-step binding (though still workable).

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Who each binding is for (as stated)

• Choose Supermatics if:

  • Your top priority is automatic/step-in entry and the easiest step-in mechanics.

• Choose Phase if:

  • You want the performance feel closest to a normal two-strap, and you’re okay with a steeper entry angle (meaning you can step in reliably).

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Comparisons made

• Both compared against:
  • Standard two-strap bindings (used as the “benchmark”)
• The reviewer only directly evaluates Supermatics and Phase, while noting other quick-entry options exist via another comparison source.
• Specific indirect comparison: Supermatics vs Phase on:
  • Entry angle ease
  • “Normal binding” feel similarity
  • Weight/bulk vs ride feel

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Ratings / numerical scores

• No explicit star ratings or numeric scores were provided.
• Only numerical context: ~20 days ridden on Phase.

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Overall verdict / recommendation

• Supermatics are the better pick if you want the easiest and most forgiving step-in/out, especially for frequent use (teaching, filming, quick transitions).
• Phase is the better pick if you care most about having a binding that feels like a true regular two-strap once locked in, and you can handle a slightly harder stepless entry in icy conditions.
• Practical conclusion from the reviewer:
  • They’ll keep riding Supermatics most of the time
  • Choose Phase when they want a lighter/more performance-focused option

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Unique points mentioned by the speaker (single speaker)

• Emphasized:
  • Teaching usefulness and frequent in/out scenarios (Supermatics)
  • Ease of entry/exit mechanics for both systems
  • Steeper entry angle difficulty for Phase on ice
  • Weight/bulk drawback of Supermatics vs normal bindings
  • Phase feeling indistinguishable from normal two-strap bindings once engaged
  • Not recommending these as “ultimate performance/competition/heli” choices