Jones Snowboard Bindings F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Bindings F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: JONES
Interviewee: Xavier Nidecker (Jones Brand Manager)

How would you describe the 2024/25 snowboard binding season in terms of market performance and consumer demand?
The 24/25 season saw the fast-entry binding segment continue to grow and solidify in the market, but the majority of riders still favored traditional two-strap bindings for their proven performance and the range of options. That all changed in the 25/26 season with the arrival of the FASE® System. This new ingredient technology will revolutionize the entire binding market.

What current trends are shaping the snowboard binding market (pricing, consumer preferences, retail shifts, rider demographics)?
In today’s challenging macroeconomic climate, consumers are more informed and selective than ever. They’re prioritizing innovation, durability, and purpose-driven design over short-term or underperforming products. We’re also seeing more riders returning to retail – not just to buy, but to understand and test new technologies. The introduction of the FASE® Fast Entry System has been a major milestone in this landscape. Driven by riders who want both performance and convenience, we introduced the Mercury FASE® binding for 25/26 to meet this growing demand. FASE® bindings offer fast-entry solutions that retain the benefits of traditional two-strap designs without compromising weight, footprint, or performance. The Mercury FASE® has set a new benchmark – both in terms of sell-in and sell-through. Demand far exceeded our forecasts, and inventory is already sold out. With this clear signal from the market, we’re doubling down: expanding our FASE®-featured binding line to three models for 25/26 and continuing to invest in rider-driven innovation.

From changing consumer behavior to tariffs and supply chain stress, what’s been the biggest challenge for your brand recently?
The biggest challenge in our binding category has been scaling production to meet demand. Bringing FASE® to market at volume has required deep collaboration with our factory and partners to ensure on-time delivery and consistent, high-quality output. Beyond that, navigating macroeconomic volatility – from rising material and labor costs to unstable exchange rates and evolving U.S. tariffs – has made long-term planning more complex. We’ve maintained clear separation between U.S. and European pricing to ensure transparency and protect retailers from the impact of U.S. tariffs.

BRAND FOCUS

What is your brand’s core mission or philosophy, and how does it influence the way you design and position your bindings?
Performance and innovation guide the entire design process. We start every binding with the questions around what will enhance the rider’s feel, control and experience on their board. Our FASE®-featured bindings are the new benchmark of this journey. It took nearly seven years of testing and development to get the system exactly how we intended, and the end result has surpassed expectations.

How has your brand evolved in the snowboard binding market over the past few years?
Since launching our first bindings in 2018/19, Jones has championed purposeful innovation. In 2025, we entered the next chapter of this journey with the introduction of the FASE® Fast Entry System. The Mercury FASE® launched in October and delivered record-breaking sell-in and sell-through. On the back of that demand and the rider feedback we’ve received, we expect unprecedented growth in our bindings category and will introduce two additional FASE®-featured bindings for the 26/27 season.

Who is your target rider for the 26/27 season, and how has that profile changed in recent seasons?
Our target rider hasn’t shifted so much as broadened. We’ve always set ourselves apart by pursuing genuine, on-snow innovation that enhances the rider’s experience on their snowboard. Our FASE® bindings build on this legacy: fast entry and exit without sacrificing two-strap fit, support, or adjustability. Riders also value universal boot compatibility and the low-weight, low-profile footprint of a true two-strap binding. FASE® was engineered to preserve those standards.

Which product ranges or binding styles do you anticipate driving the most growth in 26/27?
We’re tripling the choice of our FASE® featured bindings for 26/27, and this is what will drive significant growth for our line. The Nebula FASE® brings an ultra-cushioned, forgiving feel for creative riders, while the Zenith FASE® raises the bar with a carbon-injected, ultra-responsive package for expert level riders. These new arrivals meaningfully expand our binding line. Now we can meet riders exactly where they are. Anyone can ride a FASE® binding without sacrificing the flex, response, boot compatibility that best serves their preferences and riding style. For retailers, that creates a clear ladder of options that speak to distinct styles and riders, widening the customer base even further.

BINDING SPECIFIC

What new technical innovations are you introducing for 26/27 (buckles, straps, highbacks, baseplates, heel cups, etc.)?
The Zenith FASE® represents the pinnacle of our collection. It features a new carbon-injected Fusion⁺ XR-C baseplate and AsymCore highback, along with premium impact cushioning and our super-responsive VertEx ankle strap, which delivers instant heel-to-toe edge response. The Nebula FASE® uses the same responsive XR chassis as the Mercury FASE® but it’s cradled with our ultra-cushioned D-FUSE impact pad. It provides great underfoot cushioning and natural board flex. The softer AsymFlite highback and Sensi-Flex ankle strap pair well to enhance the tweak-friendly, easy-going flex of the binding. All FASE® bindings also feature the updated and improved LSR 2.1 Auto-Lock toe buckle, designed to be set once at the start of the day and then left in place.

Are you exploring new materials, construction techniques, or performance features in your bindings?
The major talking point is the FASE® system itself. And after seven years in development, it surpassed our highest expectations in terms of functionality and durability, and we back that we back it up with a lifetime warranty. On top of this, as our FASE® binding line evolves and expands, we’ll of course continue to introduce new materials and design ideas to the collection – like the carbon-injected Zenith FASE® chassis and highback, or the ultra-cushioned PU D-FUSE basepad that features in the Nebula FASE® for 26/27.

Do you have any new design directions, collaborations, or special editions for the 26/27 line?
The Zenith FASE® binding – as well as the Flagship and Flagship Pro snowboards – carries the coordinates of KT-22, the iconic chairlift at Palisades Tahoe. Jeremy attributes countless laps on this chair as one of the early inspirations that led to the inception of the brand, and we wanted to pay tribute to this. The details are engraved along the highback of the Zenith FASE®.

Are you developing or expanding quick-entry / step-in binding systems, and how do you see demand for them evolving?
Yes – our FASE®-featured binding line expanded to three options for 26/27.

What steps are you taking toward sustainability and ethical production in bindings — whether in materials, processes, or lifecycle?
Sustainability always starts with making the most durable product possible. We test our bindings in the mountains extensively to ensure that they hold under extensive use. We really back their durability – so much so that we offer a lifetime warranty on the FASE® system.

Are you focusing on specific customer segments (freeride, freestyle, women’s-specific, youth, entry-level) for 26/27?
We’re not narrowing in on a single segment; we’re widening access. Our FASE®-featured binding line gives riders fast entry and exit with true two-strap performance, priced alongside traditional equivalents and offered in three distinct models that cover the full spectrum of flex and personality. Crucially, FASE® maintains full boot compatibility and the low-weight, low-profile footprint riders expect, so there’s no trade-off on feel. At the same time, our SkateTech® bindings continue to serve a loyal community that remains committed to the unique design and signature feel of our original binding collection. Taken together, the lineup meets every rider’s needs without forcing a compromise in any aspect.

Key Products:

Jones Zenith FASE®:
The all-new Zenith FASE® is a next-gen, carbon-injected binding that delivers instant response, maximum power transfer, and the locked-in feel of a two-strap design, combined with the FASE® Fast Entry System. Inspired by the technical freeriding off the iconic KT-22 chairlift at Palisades Tahoe, and developed in collaboration with Victor de Le Rue, the Zenith FASE® is engineered for advanced to expert-level riders seeking a zero-compromise performance binding.

FASE-Zenith-Black-Carbon

Jones Nebula FASE®:
The all-new Nebula FASE® is a playful all-mountain binding built for comfort and style. Its tweak-friendly flex and plush underfoot cushioning deliver versatile performance and great board feel, while the FASE® Fast Entry System offers rapid entry and exit with the trusted feel of a two-strap system. The Nebula FASE® allows you to unlock creativity and elevate your style anywhere on the mountain.

FASE-Nebula-Tweaker-Black-Red

Jones Mercury FASE®:
Designed for all-terrain performance, the Mercury FASE® is a super versatile binding offering the locked-in feel, all-day comfort, and precise response of a traditional two-strap binding combined with the FASE® Fast Entry System. Powerful enough for demanding lines but equally adept at creative riding across the resort, the Mercury FASE® is built for confident riders who shred everything.

FASE-Mercury-MTN-Twin