I'm super happy with the step on and initially thought fase seemed gimmicky in comparison but after seeing people using them on final products online I have to say it's pretty neat. Seems like a meaningful iteration of traditional bindings.

 

I had less reservations before seeing them in person. But seeing someone in person use them, they are pretty rad. Definitely a cool step for traditional bindigns.

 

Any chance these are coming out end of this season?

 

I dunno but I've been checking every 10 minutes since December.

 

I'm pretty interested in these. Anyone see a price yet? Seems like shops have been getting various versions in as I'm seeing more and more clips posted. Seems like a great cross between traditional and step ins. I've been using top level flows for five years now and really like them. It is a bit of a skill to use them properly and they arent perfect. But I can get in and out so fast and in various conditions. Biggest plus for me has always been I never sit down. Which comparing the Fase tech to something like flow hybrids they seem very similar in function but the fase being closer to a traditional binding feel.

 

Had a play with the Jones Mercury FASE.
Haven't experienced any Jones bindings previously but I enjoyed them. Felt solid, responsive and quite damp. Straps comfortable. Weakest part I would say was the buckle and ladder quality.
They're just like normal bindings but one strap faster getting in and out. Obviously not as "step in" as Step ons and Supermatics. A bit tricky to thread your foot through and strap in on the move but can be done; in the same way you can with traditional bindings.
Nice incremental improvement and would be happy to pay ~50 EUR extra for the convenience vs the traditional equivalent.

 

I’d imagine you want to treat them more like flows. Facing up hill and dig the toe edge in or tripoding it. Also I’d imagine there’s skill and practice needed to really master the technique. Like you need with any step on.

 

Yeah we had the Rome guys asking us (me and the Nidecker/was Flow rep) how they hell we've been doing it for so long with Flow. Like having to "hold peoples hands" as they figure out not to just jam and stomp their foot into the system. Focus on getting you're toe in as far as you can first, then step down. Easy as that.

 

Did they put the Flow slip & grip footbed in? I find that makes it much easier to bang my toe into my newer Flows.

 

I didn't need to change anything about how I positioned myself or the board to strap in with FASE. Dig any edge, slot foot in and a couple of clicks on the ratchet. If I'd had to sit, put a hand down or balance awkwardly then it would be a no go.

Like most people, I've been used to driving my heels into my bindings before strapping in for years, so it felt a weird to lead with the toes but it's not an issue. Was used to it after a couple of entry/exits.

I would happily switch to FASE tomorrow. I would be equally happy sticking with traditional bindings (and hopefully paying less for them) if FASE becomes the norm.

 

I can't remember, are the Jones still skate tech with FASE?

 

These didn't have skate tech

 

So who makes the base? I thought Jones were rebranded now's?

 

No, you get your toe much further in than with Flows coming directly from the back so it isn't as necessary.

 

Source: Introducing FASE: The Next Generation High-Performance Two-Strap Fast-Entry Snowboard Binding System. - Boardsport SOURCE

 

 

The biggest thing for me with any type of step on/rear entry binding is not having to sit down....ever. With flows most the time I'm just standing and sometimes doing a tripod move. Even the Tripod move is no big deal at all. Plenty of landings I "strap" in on are not flat and you cant just stand there and slam your foot in. So like flows I have no doubt Fase bindings will be treated in a similar fashion.

 

I find it so funny that people love to comment on bindings that aren't regular bindings when all they have to say is they wont be buying them. Why are you even here!?

 

The only other drawback is the phat heel cup right. Going to be more chance of drag there laying down a heelside euro. Are any of these things releasing this season?

 

I think I'm most curious on price.

 

The price listed on golgoda for the black / orange FASE 32 is 49,000 YEN - about 315USD, not sure if thats wholesale or suggested retail. From what I've heard the Katana FASE and Jones FASE aren't that much more expensive vs traditional set up offering.

 

I'd hope not. $450 for Katana Pro is already stupid. I think Nivek said same price for FASE. So $450 for Katana FASE and $400 for Katana.

 

Ouch $450 is a lot.

 

My info says $380 for Katana and FASE. Same price.

 

Wondering if the mechanism allows for highback rotation.

By the looks of it, unlikely because of the notch in the heelcup. Unless the part that integrates with the notch (attached to the highback) is positionable/floating on the highback itself.

 

Rome/Balateon version doesnt have adjustment screw that the regular ones have for highback rotation.

 

Victor De La Rue is clearly riding these in the current World Freeride Tour, and I heard that he rode them last year as well, but hardly anybody noticed.

 

Def want to demo these - if Victor is rocking these and winning they clearly have performance in mind. The draw for me really isn't speed of the system, but instead new tech.

 

Can confirm there's no high back rotation on the Jones Mercury FASE either so could be a limitation of the system for now. The male part is fixed to the forward lean adjuster so any high back rotation would throw it out of alignment with the female part on the heel cup. Bit of a shame but aligned well enough to shred on a Freecarver 6000. Had so much fun on this set up today

 

The mechanism looks bulky and fragile. Interested to hear how it survives with extended use.

 

I'm just not very excited about this anymore. I mean I guess I'll get a pair of Katana FASE after my regular Katanas go kapput but I feel like the industry is trying to gaslight me into believing FASE is far more revolutionary than it is. To me it looks like a minor improvement that may or may not be worth making.

Thats all I got to say about that...

 

Agreed, not revolutionary. With quite bit more plastic moving parts which will be prone to breaking, wearing out or locking up (ice/snow). At the end of the day its about how much you value the added "convenience" factor.