It's been a hard topic to bring up over the years but I have no problem admitting.. I'm addicted.... to the K2 Clicker Snowboard Bindings. And I am never going to quit!
Yeah yeah, Calm down.. If your like most other snowboarders out there, your probably under the impression that they suck big time. Am I right?
And like most other snowboarders out there you have probably never given them a real go or even tried them and found it easier just giving into the "vicious hype and uneducated rumours" that they are far less superior to your much preferred strap in bindings.. (obviously my clicker brethren are excused from this accusation).
Sorry, but I am passionate about this topic I've been using them and loving them since 1998 and I ask you, is this really an informed and educated choice you have made, or are you just believing what you hear and you're not even willing to give them a try?
That being said.. I'm not saying there for everyone but if you haven't tried them and your just adding to the perpetual misinformation spilling all over the Snow fields of the world because of something you think you know or you have heard, how will you ever know?? The people going along with the hype instead of making your own decision have now ruined it for all of us that know how good and functional they are because no one makes them any more:( It reminds me of a story..
A group of scientists placed 5 Monkeys in a cage and in the middle, a ladder with bananas on top.
Every time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water.
After a while, every time a monkey went up the ladder, the other ones beat up the one on the ladder.
After some time, no Monkey dare to go up the ladder regardless of the temptation.
Scientists then decided to substitute one of the Monkeys. The first thing this new monkey did was to go up the ladder. Immediately the other Monkeys beat him up.
After several beatings, the new member learned not to climb the ladder even though it never new why.
A second Monkey was substituted and the same occurred. The first Monkey participated on the beating on the second Monkey. A third Monkey was changed and the same was repeated. The Fourth and fifth were replaced and the same again.
What was left was a group of 5 Monkeys that even though they never received the cold shower, continued to beat up any Monkey who attempted to climb the ladder. And they have no idea why but they just think that is how it's done around here.
I can understand if the only clicker system you have seen or possibly tried were early versions from brands like Switch, Device and Sims because let's face it, brands just kept trying to come up with the new and latest thing for a sport that was still in its infancy in the mid 90's and there were some shockers as a result like the Switch version that clicked your boots in on the sides. The worst one I remember you had to twist your foot almost 180 degrees to lock your boot to the binding, this was awful and completely unfunctional. The K2 system Clicks in toe to heel which is by far the most functional and allows for easy foot release, but only if you reach down and unlock your boot which is to easy while cruising and the best when you need to pick up some momentum on a flat area.
From my experience It's a conspiracy!!
Yes they were on all the hire boards back in the day, but that was years ago. and the legends at K2 were the only company that could produce (in my opinion)
a lightweight, strong, functional click in system that has lasted me for years. I was devastated when I heard K2 were not going to continue any production or evolutions of this awesome misunderstood technology. But I was stoked to hear in 2013 they were reintroducing the Clicker Binding System for Split boards. Not that I will ever buy a split board, It just gives me hope that the technology is not dead forever and maybe most crew weren't ready for it yet.
All it seemed to take for the hype to snowball out of control was a couple of derogatory adds in snowboard magazines and some crazy bad hype spread throughout the worlds snow mountains due to poor early designs that lead to the risk of commercial failure from a poorly performing Step-in binding systems that were originally released. This intern presented serious risk to established market leaders Like Burton. Which is probably why they never bothered which sucks because I'm sure the Burton click in system would have been awesome.
This is not a scooter vs. skater type of situation.. but clearly it has divided Freestyle snowboarders into three main groups: Strap In, Step In and speed entry hybrid systems like Flow.
Pros of K2 Clicker
* The most obvious is quickest release and connection to boots.
* Feels like your standing on a skateboard instead of strapped to it like the feeling of rubber banding your feet to your skateboard when you're a kid.
* Toe to Heel response time when they came out was superior to strap ins and maybe still is.
* Fits better in your car for those of us that don't have a roof pod and you can stack boards way easier in a bag or for storage.
* Way better to Hike with because you will be snowboarding all the little downhill parts rather than walking down snow. Because it is too much trouble to strap in your standard bindings with a pack on your back that ways as much as you. (I have Hiked the razor back and camped at the Feathertop base camp twice. It would have sucked without my trusty K2 Clickers)
* Very lightweight adding almost no extra weight to your board.
* Unbreakable titanium construction.
* Nobody will steal your board.
* Great for rail practice because you can hit it, click out, walk back up and hit it again.. Of course you can do this with any Binding but know where near as effortlessly and quick.
Cons of K2 Clicker
* Can rarely Ice up but easily fixed by stomping your foot on the binding and causes no real concern. In my experience it has never resulted in me not being able to get my foot back in when I'm standing or cruising and the benefits out ways this problem.
* There is a sound like you have a safety pin in your shoe when you walk on concrete of asphalt. This is no big deal.
* Little bit more ankle movement. Some say this is bad but actually love the unrestriction and think it feels better.
I'm not saying you should change to the K2 Click-Ins if you find some on Ebay.. Hell no!! you missed out and you should now leave them to us that will be spewing when their all gone.. You should have tried them when there was enough for everyone and not added to their extinction by believing the hype. I'm just asking you to try before you deny in the future so no other awesome technology has to suffer and quit advancing.. And if your completely happy with you strap-ins or hybrids that's great just please stop putting down the poor clicker anymore, it hasn't done anything to you. And there are many of us that would love the K2 technology advancement of the click in system to return forever. We will be the ones sitting next to you on the chair getting off, clicking our foot in and riding away while you sit down on the cold snow to strap in. At least until all the clicker boots left on the planet are used up and disintegrated. Then we will be forced to resort to your slower wetter option of strapping in. Damn It!!!
I will be hoping for the K2 clickers to return!! and I know I'm not alone..
Anyway no hard feelings and have a great season whatever your binding choice, at least you're not a Skier;)
I'll finish with the immortal words of Public Enemy..."Don't Believe the HYPE!"
P.S. If anyone at K2 sees this..Please bring back the Clickers for normal snowboards.. Those of us that have given them a good run will never look back but we all need some new boots. And please bring back the comfy Boy gloves with the shaved rubber on the outside, the massive red Velcro strap that wrapped around your wrist with the K2 logo and the inner black wool gloves. And thanks to you and Shimano for creating the best and most functional Binding system made for Snowboarding. They just weren't ready!! Please Bring them Back!!
