After seven years of development and real-world testing, the FASE Fast Entry System represents the most significant evolution in two-strap binding design since, well, the two-strap binding itself. But here’s what makes FASE different from every other “innovative” binding system that’s come before it: it doesn’t ask you to compromise. What FASE Actually IsFASE isn’t a binding brand. It’s an ingredient technology, similar to how BOA operates in the boot market or how Gore-Tex functions across outdoor gear. The system has been licensed to four launch partners: Jones, Bataleon, Rome, and ThirtyTwo. Each brand integrates the FASE system into their flagship models while maintaining their distinct design philosophies and performance characteristics. This means you’re getting the Jones Mercury FASE, the Rome Katana AW FASE, the Bataleon Blaster FASE, or the all-new ThirtyTwo T32M FASE. Each binding rides differently and targets different riders, but they all share the same core FASE technology.
How It Works: Three Components, One SystemThe FASE system revolves around three key innovations that work together seamlessly. The AutoBack is the star of the show. This is your highback, but reimagined. It features a pressure-sensitive pedal at the heel cup that, when engaged by your boot, automatically closes the highback around your heel. No levers, no manual latches, just step in and the AutoBack does its thing. When you’re ready to exit, bend your knee and lift your heel, the AutoBack opens automatically. The system also folds flat for chairlift rides and storage. The FastStrap is an extended ankle ladder that remains connected after opening the strap. Unlike traditional ankle straps that can flop around or require two hands to manipulate, the FastStrap stays engaged on the ladder, allowing genuine one-handed operation. The technique is simple: thumb on the buckle, pinky on the ladder strap, pinch together. The buckle tracks straight into the ladder without fumbling. The Locked-In Toe Strap uses the LSR 2.0 buckle system with a unique tri-toothed ladder designed to prevent slipping. The philosophy here is “set it and forget it.” Before your first run of the season, you dial in the proper tension, and it stays locked in that position. You can still adjust on the fly if needed, but most riders set it once and leave it. The beauty of this three-part system is that it enhances the traditional binding experience rather than replacing it. You’re still strapping in, just faster and more efficiently.
Performance: Where FASE Actually ShinesThrough seven years of R&D and extensive testing by team riders across multiple conditions and terrain types, the most striking feedback about FASE bindings is how unremarkable they feel once you’re riding. That’s a compliment. The system adds only 40 grams to the binding’s overall weight. For context, the Jones Mercury FASE in medium weighs 870 grams, which is completely in line with traditional high-end bindings. There’s no added bulk, no noticeable volume increase underfoot, and most importantly, no compromise in board feel or response. The locked-in feel is exceptional. Team riders consistently report feeling even more secure than with traditional two-straps. This comes down to the way you slide in with your heel along the highback, your boot is always snug into the heelcup. This results in never feeling loose in the binding and not having to retighten your ankle strap to feel locked in. According to rider feedback and R&D testing, the system works flawlessly in powder once you clear accumulated snow from the binding (just like you would with any binding). On steep terrain, the AutoBack provides the same support and response you’d expect from any premium highback. In the park, the one-handed FastStrap operation means riders can keep their phone, camera, or beer in hand while strapping in. On icy hardpack, team riders report the consistent pressure and board feel remain unchanged. The Universal Compatibility AdvantageHere’s where FASE separates itself from every other convenience binding system on the market: it works with every boot you already own. There’s no proprietary boot requirement, no specific sole pattern, no compatibility chart to consult. Soft park boots to stiff freeriding boots. They all work, because FASE is fundamentally still a traditional two-strap binding. This universal compatibility extends to boards as well. Any insert pattern, any board shape, any mounting system. FASE doesn’t care.
Who FASE Is ForThe short answer: everyone. The slightly longer answer: FASE appeals to riders who want the convenience of fast entry systems but refuse to sacrifice the performance, adjustability, and familiarity of traditional two-strap bindings. Victor de Le Rue won the opening event of the 2025 Freeride World Tour riding Jones Mercury FASE bindings on some of the gnarliest terrain imaginable. Scott Stevens and Pat Fava have been sessioning park features and urban rails on ThirtyTwo T32M FASE bindings. Jeremy Jones has been touring the backcountry on them. Ståle Sandbech has been riding Rome Katana FASE bindings from park laps to remote mountain peaks and won the Natural Selection Tour on his Rome Katana FASE. The point is, FASE doesn’t pigeonhole you into a specific riding style or terrain type. Each binding model caters to different riders, but the FASE system itself is genuinely universal in application. Durability and The Lifetime WarrantySeven years of development wasn’t just about getting the mechanism right. It was about ensuring mountain-proof durability across all conditions and riding styles. FASE backs the system components (the Hitch/forward lean adjuster, Pedal, Spring, and Axle assembly) with a lifetime warranty. That’s a significant statement of confidence in a first-generation product. For all other binding components, you’re covered by the respective brand’s warranty policy. Real-world testing by pro riders over multiple seasons has validated the system’s reliability. These aren’t pampered demo bindings seeing occasional use or from a gimmicky binding company with no clue. They’re being hammered in streets, stomped on big mountain lines, and cranked through hundreds of park laps. The Model BreakdownJones Mercury FASE ($359.95): The freeride destroyer. Stiff, responsive, built for charging. Victor de Le Rue’s weapon of choice.
Rome Katana AW FASE ($409.95): The all-mountain versatile option. Ståle Sandbech rides these from park to big mountain with equal confidence.
Bataleon Blaster FASE ($379.95): The playful, surfy option. Asymmetric design for tweaked-out style and all-terrain versatility.
ThirtyTwo T32M FASE ($329.99): The value play. ThirtyTwo’s entry into the binding market leads with a freestyle-focused, park-ready offering at an accessible price point.
The Last WordFASE succeeds where countless “revolutionary” binding systems have failed: it makes your life easier without making you slower, less responsive, or more limited in your choices. The system delivers on its core promise of faster entry and exit while maintaining true two-strap performance. The universal boot compatibility removes a massive barrier to entry. The lifetime warranty on system components addresses durability concerns. And the integration with established, respected binding models from Jones, Rome, Bataleon, and ThirtyTwo means you’re getting proven performance with added convenience. Is FASE perfect? The system performs slightly better in cold conditions than at room temperature, which means home try-ons might feel grippier than on-snow reality. And there’s a learning curve to the exit motion (driving your knee forward rather than just lifting straight up), though most riders adapt within a few runs. But these are minor considerations in a system that fundamentally improves the binding experience without compromise. After decades of incremental binding improvements, FASE represents genuine innovation in a category that desperately needed it. The future of two-strap bindings has arrived, and it turns out, the revolution does have straps. Jib will be putting the Jones Mercury FASE through some hot lapping sessions as soon as Park City Mountain Resort opens for the season. Stay tuned for a future follow up.
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Selasa, 25 November 2025
FASE Binding System Review
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