Gear review | Nidecker - The Gun & Supermatic Carbon

First impression

The first impression, which my PowderGuide colleague Till also confirms: The name says it all - "The Gun". A completely matt black board, very straight and long. All around, the longboard with its impressive 174 cm length looks like a weapon of the non-violent kind.

The board comes with a quiver, as you would expect from real surfboards. The very wide and long nose and the short tail are striking. It looks as if the designers wanted to transfer the classic characteristics of a surfboard to a snowboard.

The shape and especially the shovel of the "Gun" are also somewhat reminiscent of a classic longboard: a wide nose, barely any waist and a slightly narrower taper towards the tail. The inscription "SnowSurf" arouses curiosity as to how such a board can be ridden in powder snow.

In combination with the Carbon Supermatic from Nidecker, it not only looks great on the outside, but the board and binding pair also complement each other from the inside. Characteristics such as the high stiffness of the pair are immediately noticeable and ensure a very direct riding experience.

The binding is ridden in size XL (for boot sizes from 44.5) and initially looks a little clunky on the long sidecut. With a total weight of around 3,100 g, the "Supermatic Carbon" in size XL is no lightweight. Especially in comparison to the other two Supermatic versions(OG and LT), the partial carbon version is 400-600g heavier, which surprised me at first considering the significantly higher price and the fat carbon label.

At second glance, however, it is easy to see why the weight is higher despite the carbon and the price is 30-40% higher. The stiffness of the carbon parts, the stability of the binding and the workmanship of all the individual parts combined with the matt color combination and the minimalist interplay of design, high-quality materials and workmanship simply look great!

Test report: Piste

"The Gun" riding characteristics - smoothness and stability at the highest level

"The Gun" is clearly designed for maximum stability and performance at high speeds. This is due in particular to the long design, the pronounced sidecut and the long camber between the slightly wider and longer nose and the short tail. The result is a distinctive riding experience with an exceptionally smooth ride. Even at high speeds, the board remains stable and confident at all times and plows over medium-sized bumps without this being noticeable.

However, it is noticeable that the board needs a certain basic speed to develop its full potential. Due to its length and high stiffness, changing edges requires an active and powerful riding style. However, as soon as the board is on the edge, it impresses with enormous directional stability, edge grip and precision. Even at very high speeds, the handling remains calm and controlled.

"The Gun" shows its clear strength when carving long radii at high speeds on wide, preferably empty slopes. This is where the board feels most comfortable and conveys an extremely safe ride, even on harder piste conditions. However, it is less comfortable on short, fast turns or frequently changing radii. In these situations, the board feels more demanding and less agile. The extent to which it can fully exploit its strengths in very steep and icy passages depends heavily on the rider's level and the space available for longer turns (more on this in the powder section).

Supermatic Carbon - Direct power transmission and high comfort

The Carbon Supermatic proves to be the perfect complement to the sporty character of the board. Its high rigidity enables direct and low-loss power transmission so that steering impulses can be implemented precisely.

The power transmission on the backside is particularly positive. Thanks to the adjustment options of the highback, the pressure is transferred evenly and directly to the board. This ensures a stable and controlled ride. The classic 2-point straps enclose the boot securely, provide a firm hold and stabilize the foot effectively.

Step-in system - functional and suitable for everyday use

A key feature of the Supermatic is its step-in mechanism, which provides a significant increase in comfort, especially when using the lift. In contrast to pure step-on systems, the Supermatic still works with classic straps, but these can remain closed when getting on and off.

Once adjusted, the binding can be easily opened using a lever on the highback. Entry is from the rear, with the highback automatically engaging when loaded. After a short familiarization and practice phase, this system works reliably and intuitively. As a result, it ensures faster access on "important days" and reduces waiting times, especially compared to classic strap bindings.

Test report: Powder

Board: SnowSurf with built-in buoyancy

The shape of "The Gun" leaves little doubt as to what this board was built for. The extremely long and wide nose, the significantly shorter tail and the overall stretched outline consistently transfer classic surfboard genes to the snow. In deep snow, it quickly becomes clear that this shape is not just design, but the functional core of the concept.

Floating up is effortless and consistent

The most striking impression in powder is the exceptionally early and stable floatation. The long nose generates an enormous amount of float, which means that the board hardly tends to sink in, even in deeper snow. It is striking how little weight transfer to the back foot is necessary. Whereas with many freeride boards you have to actively apply pressure to the tail to keep the nose up, "The Gun" remains stable in the snow even in a neutral, central position.

This significantly reduces the strain on the rear thigh and enables longer descents without premature fatigue. Especially in flatter powder passages or when the speed decreases, the board remains surprisingly efficient in gliding and hardly loses any lift.

However, the board is also built in such a way that it expects you to lean back a little and ride the snow like a surfboard. This is also the best way to initiate turns in deep snow, by pulling the nose around into the edge changes.

Riding behavior - built for flow and line

"The Gun" conveys a very calm and confident ride in open terrain. The length of the board provides plenty of stability, while the wide shovel effectively compensates for unevenness and different layers of snow. The board is less playful and more flowing and purposeful. I wasn't able to try out tight scurrying through the forest, but in my opinion this requires foresighted riding and a very good feel for the board.

Its strength clearly lies in exploiting natural lines in the terrain instead of provoking spontaneous, tight changes of direction. It feels most comfortable when it is given space and ridden at speed. This creates a very surfy feel, with the board gliding over the snow rather than plowing through it.

Binding: Speed entry meets freeride performance

The Supermatic Carbon consistently complements the freeride character of the board and offers both comfort and performance.

Getting on and off in powder - comfortable with minor restrictions

The step-in mechanism also works reliably in deep snow, but requires some attention in very deep conditions. When stepping in, it is particularly helpful to briefly clear the area under the binding of snow so that the highback can engage properly.

The boots under the sole should also be as free of snow as possible so that the straps, which are adjusted in snow-free conditions, still fit perfectly. With a little practice, however, getting into the boots can be much quicker and more comfortable than with classic strap bindings - especially in situations where you would otherwise have to balance or sit in deep snow.

Getting out, on the other hand, is also very straightforward in powder using the lever on the highback. There is a noticeable gain in comfort here, especially on frequent short descents with repeated strapping in.

Power transmission - direct and precise

The high rigidity of the carbon components is particularly noticeable in deep snow. Steering impulses are transmitted directly to the board, which enables very precise control.

The binding provides a stable and reliable ride, especially on faster powder lines or in changing snow conditions. The perceived direct connection between rider and board supports the surfy character of the "Gun" without sacrificing control.

Weight - noticeable but functional

At around 3100 g in size XL, the Supermatic Carbon is not one of the lightest bindings in its class. The additional weight is noticeable when carrying the board or on longer ascents. The weight of the binding is sometimes noticeable in the long run, even when the nose is torn around like a surfboard.

However, over the course of a day and especially during descents, this impression is put into perspective. Here, the advantages of the stable construction and high rigidity outweigh the disadvantages, giving the setup a very solid feel overall.

Stability and material quality - built for stress

The straps provide a very good hold and enclose the boot evenly and securely. The foot remains stable in position even under intensive load in deep snow.

The entire binding gives a high-quality and robust impression. The materials and workmanship are designed for durability and resilience - in keeping with the uncompromising character of the board.

Conclusion

With The Gun in combination with the Supermatic Carbon, Nidecker delivers an uncompromising setup for experienced riders looking for high-speed carving and surf flow in powder. On the piste, the board impresses with extreme smoothness and precision, especially when carving fast, while in deep snow it shines with enormous float and a unique surf-like feel. It really comes into its own when it gains space and speed, whether on wide carving highways or open powder faces.

The Supermatic Carbon complements this character perfectly: direct power transmission, high grip and the comfortable speed entry mechanism make it a functional upgrade for a day on the mountain. The higher weight fades into the background during the ride and is more than compensated for by stability and control.

Overall, this setup is not an all-rounder, but a specialist for big lines, high speeds and stylish snow surfing. If that's exactly what you're looking for, you'll get an exceptionally strong and characterful overall package.

Advantages and disadvantages

Board

+ Extremely smooth running at speed

+ Outstanding carving performance

+ Enormous float in deep snow

+ Power-saving riding in powder

+ Unique, surf-like ride

+ High-quality workmanship and minimalist design

- Less agile in short and tight turns

- Needs speed to develop its full potential

- Demanding in very tight, technical passages

- Clearly a specialist, not a versatile all-rounder

Binding

+ Very direct and precise power transmission

+ High stability and excellent grip

+ Comfortable and quick entry and exit

+ Classic, reliable two-strap feel despite speed entry

+ High-quality materials and very robust construction

- Relatively high weight

- Entry in very deep powder sometimes a little more awkward than on hard surfaces

- High price

Click here to visit the Nidecker website for more information on the Attack Hybrid.

The binding was provided to PowderGuide free of charge by the manufacturer. Find out how we test them in our test statement.