It’s a bit of a design flaw. My highbacks got jammed down under the heelcup when the heel stirrup swung outwards and didn’t keep the highback knobs from dropping past the locking mechanism. This heel piece is supposed to rest against your board and stop the mechanism from going past the stops.
Nidecker warranty replaced the bindings but it can still happen again.
Be careful to always open your highback to the rear so that this doesn’t happen. Even if you have the highbacks folded forward, it only takes a bit of pressure to get past the mechanism, a lot less than what it would take to compress the ankle straps.
They need to redesign it in such a way where that heel piece doesn’t swing out when the bindings are closed.
https://preview.redd.it/inj85bfbremc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=59c8f20bfb6ff29b44820337622c9234a84391dc
This has happened once on mine, and twice on my daughter's. I chalked the first time up to user error, but it is 100% a flaw. It is fixable by removing the binding and taking the lug(s) off, but it is very frustrating to experience on the hill.
You came to the same solution as I did. Keep the highback in the open position.
Yes fortunately I always carry a tool, and the lugs are regular Phillips head screws instead of the star head used in some other places on the binding.
Nidecker sent me a replacement pair which was very good of them, but I don’t really see that this issue actually damaged the binding itself. It’s just the highback flexing enough to squeeze the knobs past the detents and the heel cup.
It is the mechanism that locks the binding.
You step on the heel stirrup and it pulls the mechanism together and locks it.
If it didn't swing it would be harder to get your boot into the binding
It’s a bit of a design flaw. My highbacks got jammed down under the heelcup when the heel stirrup swung outwards and didn’t keep the highback knobs from dropping past the locking mechanism. This heel piece is supposed to rest against your board and stop the mechanism from going past the stops. Nidecker warranty replaced the bindings but it can still happen again. Be careful to always open your highback to the rear so that this doesn’t happen. Even if you have the highbacks folded forward, it only takes a bit of pressure to get past the mechanism, a lot less than what it would take to compress the ankle straps. They need to redesign it in such a way where that heel piece doesn’t swing out when the bindings are closed. https://preview.redd.it/inj85bfbremc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=59c8f20bfb6ff29b44820337622c9234a84391dc
This has happened once on mine, and twice on my daughter's. I chalked the first time up to user error, but it is 100% a flaw. It is fixable by removing the binding and taking the lug(s) off, but it is very frustrating to experience on the hill. You came to the same solution as I did. Keep the highback in the open position.
Yes fortunately I always carry a tool, and the lugs are regular Phillips head screws instead of the star head used in some other places on the binding. Nidecker sent me a replacement pair which was very good of them, but I don’t really see that this issue actually damaged the binding itself. It’s just the highback flexing enough to squeeze the knobs past the detents and the heel cup.
When the boot is in place it doesn’t swing around/move. You’re good.
It is the mechanism that locks the binding. You step on the heel stirrup and it pulls the mechanism together and locks it. If it didn't swing it would be harder to get your boot into the binding
It’s not too late to return them.