HARDGOODS 25/26

[Kevington]

25/26 FASE: Thirtytwo / Bataleon / Jones / Rome SDS

The Jones and 32 bindings look to have the same baseplate. So either there is a new skate-tech baseplate that also has the Fase step-in thing, or Jones bindings are no longer with skate-tech. I'm hoping the former, not because I'm particularly interested in the Fase part but a new baseplate might get me back on skate-tech bindings. Love the skate-tech but the lateral stiffness is tough on my knees.

It didn't look like a Skate+fase combo to me. Skatetech bases are pretty unique with the pads. That's why the signature models and collabs were a bit surprising to me. I skeptical those guys are actually riding the fase bindings.

With the heavy fase rollout... doubtful a skate+stepon binding may ever be a thing. Seems they've picked their tech and are going all in on it.

is there anywhere I can see the fase tech in action yet?

There was video going around but it vanished. Looked like a simpler supermatic but with a really long ankle strap. Step in and tighten the strap.

[benjinyc]

Salomon Supermatic

this is gonna be an interesting era of bindings.

[casjcade]

It's probably just to have a few options in each brand to reach out to more people. Think now+fase would have too much going on in this phase. They seem to have a hint of Union Ultra/Falcor.. And also a hint of Aliexpress. EDB looks comfy, anyone tried it?

[C.Fuzzy]

Salomon Supermatic

this is gonna be an interesting era of bindings.

Flows and K2 cinch and Mervin "backdoor" have been around for a long time... and no one really cares. Idk why fase or supermatic are really all that different.

The interesting thing in bindings is that since Burton came with the step ons... it shifted the market into trying to compete with new-old tech. Or is it that the market seems to be open to adoption of the once rejected gadgetry.

There have been so many different "quick" binding configurations. The heel lever isn't new. The longer straps isn't new. The rear entry isn't new. step-ins and ons aren't even new. none of it is new.

Actually, the clew thing might be new. But... our ancestors might just have been wiser.

Traditional straps just aren't that hard that they present such hardship to overcome. Past rear entry experience has always left me wondering why folks think they're any easier. What I've sort of concluded is that some folks just suck at riding 1-footed and think one of these options is going to solve their problem, which would be better solved by improving their riding mechanic.

But... I am set up to try step ons, though, just for my own curiosity more than anything.

[benjinyc]

people like the convenience, I think 3/4 of the people I see coming off the chairlift end up sitting down to strap in, this is prob for them. I think we can all agree there's def a market for these and it's growing

its interesting that Salomon choose to license this design from Nidecker, they prob could have made their own (like k2's cinch which look like are being discontinued) but prob see a lot of value in the supermatic name

[eleveneightnate]

The interesting thing in bindings is that since Burton came with the step ons... it shifted the market into trying to compete with new-old tech. Or is it that the market seems to be open to adoption of the once rejected gadgetry.

I'd guess there are a few things going on:

• Gen X/Millennials getting older and wanting the convenience, plus becoming parents and needing to step in/out quicker to manage kiddos.

• New Gen Zs jumping into the scene and buying all the social media hype around them that didn't exist with Flow/Cinch/whatever.

I would also bet that the majority of quick entry sales are not the local 100-day a season rider, but the kid in Chicago that goes to Colorado for 5 days each season and spends the other 360 buying the online hype.

With that said, I'm in the same boat as you. Have some Step Ons on my Hometown to try this season. Expectations = low.

[ad1105]

I feel like he’s had one the past few seasons now, no?

Union will only be launching one boot in the line for now, called the Reset Pro.

[dpartridge7]

Salomon Supermatic

Actually, the clew thing might be new. But... our ancestors might just have been wiser.

EDCBC0F8-965B-4EA2-A3A0-6F6B7E40FBC6_4_5005_c.jpeg (62.65 KiB) Viewed 299 times

fusion.jpeg (89.32 KiB) Viewed 299 times

[ad1105]

I remember when there were no “bad” ideas in snowboard tech. Everyone was just throwing shit at a wall to see what stuck. It’s interesting to see everyone revisiting those ideas that failed. I’m all for it.

[C.Fuzzy]

Actually, the clew thing might be new. But... our ancestors might just have been wiser.

EDCBC0F8-965B-4EA2-A3A0-6F6B7E40FBC6_4_5005_c.jpeg
fusion.jpeg

I stand corrected