They look amazing in real life. I had them in my hands yesterday and they legit. 2 Straps are the future!!!

 

How is it a step in if you still have to strap in?

 

Its not a step in. It is more like you only have to touch your ankle straps to strap in, and getting out is easier than StepOn and Supermatic imo. All you do is release your ankle buckle and step out. You never have to touch your toe buckles once you get them set up. It is pretty amazing.

 

I'm unclear on the mechanics of this. It loos like the highback can be tilted back (Jeremy Jones picture) coupled with really long two-strap ladders. Does this mean you step in, pull up the back, and then pull down the straps?

Edit: I should have watched more of the top video before scrolling down. It's basically a Supermatic but instead of the highback pulling the straps down, you manually control the top strap for in/out. This also makes it easer to fold down the highback since the top strap can be super wide open, yet still engaged. Unlike a Supermatic, you have to pull the highback backwards before entry.

 

It's basically a Supermatic but instead of the highback pulling the straps down, you manually control the top strap for in/out. This also makes it easer to fold down the highback since the top strap can be super wide open, yet still engaged. Unlike a Supermatic, you have to pull the highback backwards before entry.

The press materials has this quote, describing the actions:

To get in, simply insert your boot into the binding, the AutoBack (highback) automatcally closes around your boot while the Locked-In Toe Strap remains in place. Then simply buckle the FastStrap (ankle strap) with one hand to the preferred tension like you normally would.

To get out, simply open the FastStrap then lift your heel, the AutoBack naturally opens to release your boot. That’s it! The main feature is the AutoBack (highback) which automatically closes around the boot. This innovative design is built around the pedal, a pressure sensitve lever that raises the highback to the boot when strapping-in and opens the highback when the rider disengages as they are unstrapping.

I'm still not clear on how the highback can move both backwards to open and also fold down. Hopefully we'll see more videos as it becomes more public.

 

Looks like the ladder straps are designed not to be removed from the buckle.

I've seen ladder strap kits that does the same thing.

Speed Strap Kit - White – Snow White Technologies

 

Some sort of brand agnostic Supremitcs? Well why not…

 

Only watched had a quick look front page. If this can be implimented on all binding models with a "traditional highback", without chageing feel and reliability, that would be cool. Hopefully it would also standardize parts between brands making it easier than ever creating your perfect franken-binding.

 

Nidecker group rollout at the moment but I believe they are interested in licensing out to any one that wants to adopt. They are licensing Supermatic so I'd be shocked if they didn't license FASE. I have had a chat with some inside people about it, and it's legit. There is a slight weight penalty of about 100g/binding for the Rome/Bataleon offering. The Jones/32 is the same frame, different straps/highback. No skate tech on the Jones. What really lit the bulb for me is the cat track scenario; step out to skate, back in if you need to make a couple turns even without touching the ankle strap, back out to skate, back in and strap in, and do it all pretty seamless.

I'm still over here hoping they don't forget about the original quick entry, Flow. Now that the incorrect stigmas of "quick entry = less performance" or "quick entry = not cool" are hopefully over with they can gain some market share back as they are STILL the only brand that makes life just a bit easier, AND increases performance. These other solutions don't change performance for the better.

 

FASE Katana is roughly 70grams heavier than regular Katana. It is not noticeable at all imo.

 

So happy I grabbed some NX2-TMs last year before they were discontinued.

 

The heelcup looks thinner here. The biggest downside to the Supermatic and Step On is that massive heelcup and the bootout imo.

 

since i have to bend over to open - close one stap, the difference with doing this for both straps or one strap is nothing special i think.
Faster than normal bindings? yeap but not something special
easier ? yeap but not something special

Faster / easier than other fast entry? i think not

 

That’s kinda that way I’m at looking at specifically for me (I dont see an advantage for me with any of these as strapping in is not a problem that I’m looking for a solution).
However, I see this as a fantastic thing because the market gets a more true two strap option in this fast entry (? Or whatever it is) category of bindings. It’s better that the market has this in competition with the others. Nidecker has the funds to push this as well. E.G., burton isn’t the only player and that’s a good thing.

 

I think this is more likely to become the new baseline and if you want faster then you go supermatics or step ons.

the cat track part really has me interested

 

Seems pretty unnecessary all around? More moving parts for minimal benefit (and zero performance upgrade?)

 

well, we have to wati ti see them first, but i have the same opinion

 

Angry talked about the FASE system at the beginning of the live stream yesterday and dropped a link to a full interview with Erwin Knoester at FASE.

starts talking about it within the 1st min:

Full interview: FASE A Brand New Binding Technology For The Snowboard Industry - Boardsport SOURCE

 

The people still doubting step on systems almost 10 years later probably still dont trust boa's either

 

The Switch, Step-Ins, and Flow experiences have all been my boards. Aside from a random rental here and there, I haven't used traditional bindings since the mid-90s

 

Wtf. That promotional video has about two seconds of how it works. The rest is just a bunch of flash and pomp with pro riders shredding. Guess I’ll have to wait until next year.

 

Yeah I don't find the Photon stepons to be overly stiff anywhere.

 

I got to mess around with these recently.
The system works and it’s able to provide a true two strap binding in this category. It’s clean, simple, and works.
The only thing is that it requires tightening the ankle strap, but from my standpoint that’s not a disadvantage. I realize people will say that means you can’t just click and go, id happily say go with something else if you want to click and go (I don’t see many people actually doing that very effectively and still sit down…). For everyone else, if you are standing in your binding and just have to push the ankle ratchet down then I do think more people will find this super simple.
If I ever find myself getting a binding in this category, this is the system I’d use. I could also imagine it might be the only option for some bindings in distant future as I can imagine the company going all in with the concept that there’s zero drawback compared to the same binding that has regular straps. So in a situation like that, if I liked the rest of the binding and this is the only option then I’m fine with that.
While I am very stoked that the market gets this option, I still maintain that this entire category is trying to solve a problem that I don’t really think exists for most riders that know how to strap in. I don’t always crank my ankle strap the same and I prefer that adjustability. This at least gives that. I like that this system allows the high back to be folded in the normal way as there are situations I would not want the high back folded back.

 

I got to mess around with these recently.
The system works and it’s able to provide a true two strap binding in this category. It’s clean, simple, and works.
The only thing is that it requires tightening the ankle strap, but from my standpoint that’s not a disadvantage. I realize people will say that means you can’t just click and go, id happily say go with something else if you want to click and go (I don’t see many people actually doing that very effectively and still sit down…). For everyone else, if you are standing in your binding and just have to push the ankle ratchet down then I do think more people will find this super simple.
If I ever find myself getting a binding in this category, this is the system I’d use. I could also imagine it might be the only option for some bindings in distant future as I can imagine the company going all in with the concept that there’s zero drawback compared to the same binding that has regular straps. So in a situation like that, if I liked the rest of the binding and this is the only option then I’m fine with that.
While I am very stoked that the market gets this option, I still maintain that this entire category is trying to solve a problem that I don’t really think exists for most riders that know how to strap in. I don’t always crank my ankle strap the same and I prefer that adjustability. This at least gives that. I like that this system allows the high back to be folded in the normal way as there are situations I would not want the high back folded back.

Nice that you got to try it. I'm looking forward to seeing/trying in person at some point. I agree that this will probably supersede regular straps for some companies if it works as well as straps but is quicker/easier.

What I don't agree with, at all, is that the entire category is trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist for most riders that know how to strap in. I can strap in while moving (and quickly), but Step On is still much quicker/easier than standard straps for me all while being more performant for my style of riding (freeriding/carving). I can come off of a steep chairlift exit and step on and ride without any pause. I also don't have to bend over and do anything and I'm constantly waiting on other advanced/expert friends that can strap in while moving.

 

If you can release your boot on a flat or uphill cat track, kick a couple times and get semi-strapped back in without stomping on your straps by accident then it's a win in my book.

 

Then you’ll find this to be a winner. I do think there’s enough here that is attractive that people will give it a try. Once trying, I think most people will find that’s a true two strap binding that doesn’t come with the stigma and doesn’t look all funny. In most ways, it wouldn’t be converting as it’s more or less the same binding. For example, when it comes out it’ll be Katana at first. It’s a slightly altered chassis just to fit the system, but in all honesty it’s the same freaking binding. The Katana with a slightly higher price point might do very well. I’d imagine the cleaver and others follow suit not long after if the system does well.
But yes, the cat track thing is attractive if that’s something you are looking for.

 

If they have a Bataleon Chaos Heelwrap Fase, I might try it.

 

I tried Flows for a short time and found them to be almost impossible to get into in deep snow, or a sidehill entry. Probably a learning curve I didn't take the time to get over but I think the rear entry design works best on flat ground. Does this new design have the same shortcoming?

 

It’s not rear entry.

 

Well the back entry is optional on most of those bindings now, so not that big of an issue.

 

I'm usually at a short hill. It's not uncommon to have runs that last less than a minute. The speed of rapid entry bindings really pays off in these situations.

For my Flows, I usually enter facing uphill, so the highback can lay all the way down. The slip baseplate on the NX2 series is also sooo much better than the non-slip baseplate versions (it might be on the Fuse, I didn't check). Your toe slides right in under to toe strap with less effort. It will be interesting to see if any of the FASE bindings adopt that baseplate design.

I have yet to try getting my foot into an open Flow binding while on a cat track. I'm sure it can be done but will require more muscle memory. I used to do that on my old Switch and Burton Step-In bindings, but those required simpler foot motions like the current Burton Step-On style.

 

Then I guess it won't have that issue 😁

 

is the highback angle adjustable? I don't see this option in the videos..