Rome Snowboard Bindings F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Bindings F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Rome
Interviewee: Ben Morse, Brand Director

How would you describe the 2024/25 snowboard binding season in terms of market performance and consumer demand?
The 24/25 season continued to see the success of our Katana. Performance and adjustability have always been the backbone of our binding line and the consumer awareness and knowledge of our specific technology and positioning is more present than ever.

What current trends are shaping the snowboard binding market (pricing, consumer preferences, retail shifts, rider demographics)?
Certainly pricing has changed from a global perspective with more variation between markets than ever before. Beyond that, we’ve seen an appetite for new technologies that span beyond specific rider demographics. With the growth of fast and easy entry systems across more brands, bindings are becoming a focal point for innovation.

From changing consumer behavior to tariffs and supply chain stress, what’s been the biggest challenge for your brand recently?
While tariffs and supply chains have faced their fair share of headaches, our biggest challenge has been in the development and introduction of our new Katana AW FASE®. That said, the challenge was more of one rooted in an exciting innovation we were eager to get on snow from a consumer, team and retailer perspective. Allowing ourselves to introduce a new technology on a cult classic in the Katana, while providing an educational tone was certainly a challenge we took head on.

BRAND FOCUS

What is your brand’s core mission or philosophy, and how does it influence the way you design and position your bindings?
Our core mission is rooted in the undying passion for snowboarding. With our office collectively being on snow almost every day, we can provide real time insight during the R&D process. Our All Ways Down ethos mixed with a responsive product team and the opportunity to 3D print parts in house really combines our passion and innovative approach to ensure we are making product with snowboarding at the root of it all.

How has your brand evolved in the snowboard binding market over the past few years?
Rome has had many chapters in its history, and it feel like the current state is the summation of its greatest hits. Whether we’re creating team-driven video projects, introducing new binding technology or crafting innovative board shapes and technology, we’ve shaped our focus to be the voice of youth-driven freestyle which influences these projects and products from development to the consumer.

Who is your target rider for the 26/27 season, and how has that profile changed in recent seasons?
While our line truly has something for everyone, our target rider is freestyle-oriented riders who want responsive, adjustable and comfortable product.

Which product ranges or binding styles do you anticipate driving the most growth in 26/27?
Our binding category is buzzing right now. We’ve always hung our hat on making the most adjustable bindings in snowboarding, and with the advent of the FASE® Fast Entry System, we feel that we have our most comprehensive line ever. For 26/27, we are expanding the fast entry line to include a Women’s Katana AW FASE®, as well as the new Men’s and Women’s Volt FASE®.

BINDING SPECIFIC

What new technical innovations are you introducing for 26/27 (buckles, straps, highbacks, baseplates, heel cups, etc.)?
For 26/27 we are growing our FASE® offering. Introducing this system on a fan-favorite Katana allowed us to position FASE® as a premium offering. We are excited to introduce the FASE® system on our new MonoFrame chassis.

Are you exploring new materials, construction techniques, or performance features in your bindings?
Our big focus outside of growing FASE® within the Rome line is continually improve the functionality and adjustability of our bindings. One of the main things we are currently working on is improving our buckles.

Do you have any new design directions, collaborations, or special editions for the 26/27 line?
Nothing yet, but if we have something you’ll be first to know.

Are you developing or expanding quick-entry / step-in binding systems, and how do you see demand for them evolving?
We are growing our FASE® offering to include a Women’s Katana AW FASE® and the all new Men’s and Women’s Volt FASE®, built on our MonoFrame chassis. With many quick-entry/step-in systems, convenience is key. We have continually positioned ourselves in this space as premium performance-driven. As new systems continue to span more riding styles and technologies are able to licensed, the demand is sure to maintain its growth.

Are you focusing on specific customer segments (freeride, freestyle, women’s-specific, youth, entry-level) for 26/27?
Our youth-driven freestyle approach will always be our DNA. We believe we have something for everyone while still honoring that freestyle ethos.

Key Products:

2627 ROME WOMENS KATANA AW FASE:

WOMENS-KATANA-AW-FASE

2627 ROME MENS VOLT FASE:

MENS-VOLT-FASE

2627 ROME KATANA AW FASE:

KATANA-AW-FASE