HARDGOODS 25/26

[kimchi]

Pour one out for the K2 Instrument. I had a feeling its days were numbered when the Passport was a hit-- and its replacement appears to be the Commonwealth, the apparently beefed-up Passport.

[Canuck]

Pour one out for the K2 Instrument. I had a feeling its days were numbered when the Passport was a hit-- and its replacement appears to be the Commonwealth, the apparently beefed-up Passport.

Looks like no more Niseko either.

[dpartridge7]

I’m not trying to be a dick but it doesn’t appear to allow you to get in substantially more quickly or more easily in my opinion. It still requires messing with your straps just like a regular strap binding but with the added benefit (read detriment) of the rear folding high back. There is for sure a market for the ease of entry crowd and I’m not knocking it, but these don’t really seem to sufficiently solve that issue in a meaningful way, while seemingly diminishing performance in other ways. I just don’t see a place for them or what they’re driving at with these.

Our goal with FASE, in collaboration with our brand partners, is to deliver the best high-performance two-strap binding system. It enhances the locked-in feel, precision, and board connection of traditional two-strap bindings while being compatible with any boots—all in a lightweight, minimal, and durable design. Going fully automatic would compromise these core principles. Try it, and you’ll experience just how fast entry is and how effortless the exit feels!

Take all of this with a grain of salt because I have yet to even see them in person yet alone ride them but this seems to confirm my earlier point, “going fully automated would compromise these principals”. I.e we’re not as convenient as fully automatic but necessarily heavier (more parts) and less performance driven (rear folding non-rotating high back and seemingly limited at best forward lean options, perhaps limited adjustability) than a traditional two strap binding.

This is a split the baby scenario, and seems to do a poor job at serving too wide an audience by getting a C+ answer for both of its purported audiences (convenience and performance; strange bedfellows as they are widely different customers).

Impressive team (pros get paid to ride all sorts of stuff) and marketing language aside the performance driven rider is unlikely to be receptive to this. Similarly, there are far better options for the convenience rider. Do I think these will absolutely suck, no probably not. Do I think they are a great innovation, no I do not (extra long locking ladders have been done before and seem to be 80% of the convenience play). Do I think everything they suggest they do has already been done better by someone else, yes I do.

that will be why we see so many pros plugging their step-on/in's on the podium

[g3greg]

Our goal with FASE, in collaboration with our brand partners, is to deliver the best high-performance two-strap binding system. It enhances the locked-in feel, precision, and board connection of traditional two-strap bindings while being compatible with any boots—all in a lightweight, minimal, and durable design. Going fully automatic would compromise these core principles. Try it, and you’ll experience just how fast entry is and how effortless the exit feels!

Take all of this with a grain of salt because I have yet to even see them in person yet alone ride them but this seems to confirm my earlier point, “going fully automated would compromise these principals”. I.e we’re not as convenient as fully automatic but necessarily heavier (more parts) and less performance driven (rear folding non-rotating high back and seemingly limited at best forward lean options, perhaps limited adjustability) than a traditional two strap binding.

This is a split the baby scenario, and seems to do a poor job at serving too wide an audience by getting a C+ answer for both of its purported audiences (convenience and performance; strange bedfellows as they are widely different customers).

Impressive team (pros get paid to ride all sorts of stuff) and marketing language aside the performance driven rider is unlikely to be receptive to this. Similarly, there are far better options for the convenience rider. Do I think these will absolutely suck, no probably not. Do I think they are a great innovation, no I do not (extra long locking ladders have been done before and seem to be 80% of the convenience play). Do I think everything they suggest they do has already been done better by someone else, yes I do.

that will be why we see so many pros plugging their step-on/in's on the podium

Massive respect to anyone out there who's trying to build something, or develop the next big thing, but there's just something so incredibly kooky about the step on binding technology progression. It's probably the CLEW people that ruined it for everyone. As was said above, anyone can be paid to ride something, i don't know if that's the best way to win over people that have seen trends come and go.

[dpartridge7]

What am I missing with the fase bindings? Why is that system helpful, where is the demand for it in the market, what problem does it seek to solve? Help me make them make sense.

This system is the most likely for me to use as long as it doesn't add too much weight. Quickly getting in and out on cat tracks when needed would be nice. Also, if the price is the same... why not?

yes, is the same weight and price as regular bindings and great on cat tracks. don't need to ratchet the ankle strap if you are in and out of the bindings a lot to skate. also easier off loading the chair when not stopping to strap in.

[Dave T]

Are you really getting stuck THAT often on cat tracks?

[Speeder757]

Could someone please upload the Burton and Union catalog? I would appreciate it

[pow_hnd]

. (extra long locking ladders have been done before and seem to be 80% of the convenience play). Do I think everything they suggest they do has already been done better by someone else, yes I do.

100% the extra long ladders and straps that didn’t fully separate have been done and gone by the wayside. The biggest brand to do it was Salomon in the early 00’s, FastFit System. Outside of STEP-ONS, which I fully believe are here to stay, I see Supermatic as the only other option, presently, that I can see still being around in 5+ seasons.

[pow_hnd]

Are you really getting stuck THAT often on cat tracks?

Agreed, who TF is getting stuck on cat tracks.

[Spenser]

What am I missing with the fase bindings? Why is that system helpful, where is the demand for it in the market, what problem does it seek to solve? Help me make them make sense.

This system is the most likely for me to use as long as it doesn't add too much weight. Quickly getting in and out on cat tracks when needed would be nice. Also, if the price is the same... why not?

yes, is the same weight and price as regular bindings and great on cat tracks. don't need to ratchet the ankle strap if you are in and out of the bindings a lot to skate. also easier off loading the chair when not stopping to strap in.

Union steps in last, while the other two step in before him at about the same time.

Fase reaches for his ratchet immediately, and moves quickly, while union pauses before reaching down, moves slower, and takes his time ratcheting in comparison.

Union takes the most time standing & lifting the toe edge up, to... stare at the binding?

Fase pops the ratchet & removes strap in a more swift motion. Union pops each ratchet and then removes each strap less quickly.

It's pretty obvious that this video purposely makes the regular binding look slower. Funny, as even if you ignore that, there is still only a ~7 second difference from fase - which of course becomes less when the comparison isn't exaggerated.

I'm not at all saying these bindings can't work well or improve something for certain riders, but that video is silly. If it were simply showing the different mechanisms, fair enough, but...