Nidecker FW20/21 Snowboard Bindings Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Bindings FW20/21

Brand: NIDECKER
Interviewee: Lucien Vink, Sr. Product Manager & Designer

What are the top three most important products of next year’s line, and why? Please tell us about them, and what makes them the highlights.
Built for a perfect pairing with Nidecker boots and the FlowFit philosophy, all Nidecker bindings are redesigned from the ground up based on the Flow Axis-Series platform. With all-new heelcups, hibacks, foot-straps, buckles and EVA-pads we left no detail untouched to offer you the latest innovations in 2-strap bindings.

Kaon-CX Graphite: For the most demanding riders, this binding offers it all; Carbon-infused Nylon Axis.N1-Series baseplate and heelcup, canted EVA BankBeds and Carbon Asym C6-Hiback offer lightweight and direct edge-to-edge performance. And we cross over with the all-new Flow Hybrid ExoFrame PowerStrap and new Hexo Toecap, for unparalleled boot-hold and energy transfer. You have to try the Kaon-CX for yourself to feel how all this makes total sense!

Kaon-X Petrol/Red: At the better-level we have the work-horse in our new range, the Kaon-X and womens Kaon-W. Build on the Glass-filled Nylon Axis.N1-Series baseplate, with off-axis PowerBeams and asym rockered corners, canted BankBeds and Glass-filed Nylon Heelcup, this is one tough but smooth and efficient new platform. The all-new Asym Hadron-Hiback and the ExoFrame ankle-strap with Hexo Toecap and new Aluminum Axion-ratchets complete the package for an all-day, all-mountain, all-fun performer.

Muon-X Black/Lime: There is really nothing entry-level about the good-level Muon-X and Muon-W models, except the price-point. The Glass-filled Nylon Axis.N1-Series baseplate, heelcup and Nylon Hadron-Hiback are responsive but flexible enough for effortless riding. EVA heel and hiback-pads, ComfortFit ankle-strap with Hexo Toecap and buttery-smooth Proton-Ratchets offer all the comfort and ease-of-use for a great and fun day on the snow.

Which new materials are you using in your bindings?
For most components we rely on true and tested materials, specifically engineered for the uniqueness of snowboard bindings and use in freezing cold temperatures. The Carbon-infused Nylon material on the Kaon-CX baseplate and heelcup adds a lot of response and direct feel to the Axis.N1-Series platform, along with the 3K-fiber Carbon layup C6-Hiback, this binding will transfer every bit of energy directly into your board.

Please tell us about the dominant colour themes in next year’s binding line?
The dominant color is black, simply because it sells. Most of them are subtle and tonal, but we have some white and colored bindings too, like the earth-tone Kaon-X Desert, and the cool ombre paint-fade on the Kaon-W Lilac/Green.

Where is your brand going? Higher? Lower?
We try to keep it as stable as we can. We have a pretty simple product-line and limited price-points at our good-better-best levels with clear feature/benefit upsells.

Any new ideas in buckles, straps, highbacks, bases?
All Nidecker bindings are redesigned from the ground up for a perfect pairing with Nidecker boots and the FlowFit philosophy. Based on the Flow Axis-Series platform but with a Glass-filled Nylon Heelcup firmly fixated to the Axis.N1 base to form a strong and rigid unibody-style baseplate, it is perfect for riders who want a precise but comfortable all-terrain binding. We are excited about the new ExoFrame ankle-straps and Hexo Toecaps too. The ExoFrame ankle-strap is an injected TPU frame with the same stretchable 3D Hexo-pattern as the Hexo Toecap, for great form-fitting to your boot. The ankle ExoSpine is suspended over the ExoFrame strap to lock in your boot for uncompromised comfort and performance. Add in all-new asymmetrical hibacks, buckles and EVA-pads and we left no detail untouched to offer you the latest innovations in 2-strap bindings.

Going for an easy-in, easy-out solution next year? If so, are you licensing or developing it yourself?
Even though the all-new Nidecker bindings are based on the Flow Axis-Series platform and are incredibly easy to use, they do not feature the Flow easy-in easy-out technology. For riders looking for that solution specifically, we gladly recommend Flow as the originator and market leader of the easy-in easy-out style binding.

Anything new in production wise? New factories, new assembly methods?
We joined forces with Flow to offer a range of products that complement well with the FlowFit designs of our Nidecker boots, but also to offer a strong and reliable supply-chain with simplified logistics to our business partners. All Nidecker bindings are now made and assembled by the same team at Pegasus Sports that we have been using for many many years with Flow. In addition, we employ our own QC personnel, who monitor the full production process, to ensure that we offer the best and most consistent product quality.

What are your top marketing stories for next season? This will help us to put the highlights in the right place.
Built for a perfect pairing with Nidecker boots and the FlowFit philosophy, all Nidecker bindings are redesigned from the ground up based on the Flow Axis-Series platform. With all-new heelcups, hibacks, foot-straps, buckles and EVA-pads we left no detail untouched to offer you the latest innovations in 2-strap bindings.