Clew Snowboard Bindings F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Bindings F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Clew
Interviewee: Jakob Schneider, CTO

How would you describe the 2024/25 snowboard binding season in terms of market performance and consumer demand?
The 24/25 season has been another big one for us. We saw strong sell-through, great momentum in the US, and more riders than ever stepping onto CLEW for the first time. What makes us proud is that it’s not just repeat customers driving growth. It’s riders switching from traditional bindings after trying ours once. That shows we’re building real trust in the product. A huge part of that success comes from our community and our worldwide retail partners. We’ve built strong relationships not only with big retailers, but also with many small local shops. No matter how many pairs they take, we value every single one. And we’re equally grateful to everyone, because our strength comes from this diverse network of partners.

What current trends are shaping the snowboard binding market (pricing, consumer preferences, retail shifts, rider demographics)?
Like everyone else, brands and riders alike, we’re feeling the impact of inflation and rising costs. Still, we held our ground on pricing for the 24/25 Freedom 1.0, because we wanted to deliver value without compromise. With the launch of the 25/26 Independence 1.0, we invested heavily in new machinery, tooling, molds, staff, and of course the R&D behind the new model. Even with those upgrades, we kept the brandnew CLEW binding competitively priced, especially for a fully made in Germany product at this quality level. We truly believe riders recognize the value they get when they choose CLEW. Our audience continues to grow in both directions. Younger riders love the innovation, design, and speed of the system. At the same time, we get strong feedback from older riders who appreciate the comfort, simplicity, and solid feel of our bindings. It’s a good mix, and it proves that CLEW connects generations of snowboarders.

From changing consumer behavior to tariffs and supply chain stress, what’s been the biggest challenge for your brand recently?
I’d say we’re actually benefiting from the shift in consumer behavior. More and more riders are moving from traditional bindings to step in systems, and that trend plays right into our strengths. Of course, tariffs and volatile currency exchange rates make things challenging. But being a young company means we can react quickly to market changes. And since we manufacture in Germany, we’re not facing the same pressure we would if our production were outside Europe. That gives us a lot more stability and control while staying flexible even in a turbulent global market environment.

What is your brand’s core mission or philosophy, and how does it influence the way you design and position your bindings?
We exist to move snowboarding forward. Every decision we make starts with the rider and ends with performance. The goal is simple. Less time using ratchets and more time riding. Our brand new bindings are designed to be fast, intuitive and built for the demands of modern snowboarding. We build everything in Germany which gives us full control over every step from early development to production. That allows us to improve constantly, react faster than anyone else and take full responsibility for the people and processes behind our products. We position CLEW as the choice for riders who want performance, comfort and a brand that stands for german handmade quality. We want to show more of what truly defines CLEW. The performance of our bindings has to be front and center in everything we create. We want to move away from only showing the step in moment and focus more on what happens after that. We will show how the product performs at the highest level, from big mountain lines in the Andes to the biggest kickers in Europe. At the same time we will show more of our production and the precision that goes into every part. Our goal is to let riders see and feel what makes CLEW different. Performance, quality and authenticity will drive every piece of content we release.

How has your brand evolved in the snowboard binding market over the past few years?
We went from an idea to a movement. A few years ago step in systems were a side topic. Now they are the conversation. We built a product that performs, proved it under pressure and earned the trust of riders who once swore by traditional straps. Producing in Germany gives us a huge advantage. Our production and development are directly connected which means we can test, refine and improve every day. That speed and precision define how we work and how we grow.

Who is your target rider for the 26/27 season, and how has that profile changed in recent seasons?
In the beginning a lot of people saw us as the new brand with the step in idea. Now they see us as a serious competitor to the big names in bindings. The CLEW product has evolved a lot. Our system is faster, lighter and stronger, but the biggest change is how the community has grown around our brand. Soooo basically it used to be early adopters who wanted to try something new. Now it is everyone who values time, performance and design that works. Younger riders want innovation. Experienced riders want comfort and reliability. Both find what they are looking for in CLEW. So the shift in the market has already happened and we are right in the center of it.

Which product ranges or binding styles do you anticipate driving the most growth in 26/27?
All mountain remains the core because that is how most people ride. Freeride is growing fast, especially in regions where build quality and dependability matter most. (But it really depends on the snow quality). Freestyle continues to be important because that is where new ideas are tested. With the new Independence we are pushing performance and comfort further and setting the foundation for the next phase of growth.

BINDING SPECIFIC

What new technical innovations are you introducing for 26/27 (buckles, straps, highbacks, baseplates, heel cups, etc.)?
At CLEW, there is currently a major generational shift from the previous ‘Freedom’ series to the new ‘Independence’ generation. Starting in 2026, our entire production will transition to our latest binding generation. The Independence bindings represent a significant technological leap compared to all previous models. The main focus is on weight reduction and performance enhancement. Additionally, there are several new features, including tool-free length adjustment of the straps, a new generation of lockable buckles, and for the first time, native canting integrated into the baseplate. Since the highback at CLEW can be detached from the baseplate, in the future, different highbacks and baseplates could be combined, and it will be possible to switch from a snowboard directly to snowshoes using the click system.

Are you exploring new materials, construction techniques, or performance features in your bindings?
To simultaneously reduce weight and increase durability, we use a material exclusively manufactured for us, featuring extra-thin long glass fibers, which are incorporated into several components of the binding. Additionally, other materials are currently being tested to influence various properties such as flexibility, impact resistance, and weight. Another unique manufacturing feature is our sole, produced using a 2-component injection molding process, with a wear-resistant TPU surface.

Do you have any new design directions, collaborations, or special editions for the 26/27 line?
We continue to stand by our timeless design, which is based on simple shapes tailored to function. The CLEW brand does not align with flashy graphics or colorful elements on the bindings. Technical features, such as the stainless steel pull handle, are intentionally kept in their natural finish.

Are you developing or expanding quick-entry / step-in binding systems, and how do you see demand for them evolving?
From the very beginning, we have been convinced that in the future, no snowboarder will have to compromise on performance by forgoing a step-in feature. We see ourselves as pioneers in the step-in field and fully commit to our patented technology.

What steps are you taking toward sustainability and ethical production in bindings — whether in materials, processes, or lifecycle?
CLEW stands for responsible production ‘Made in Germany’ to the highest industrial standards. In our product development, the entire lifecycle is taken into account. CLEW bindings can also be repaired beyond the warranty period and are designed to be particularly easy to maintain. For retailers and customers, getting replacement parts is very straightforward, and our customer service is extremly fast and uncomplicated.

Are you focusing on specific customer segments (freeride, freestyle, women’s-specific, youth, entry-level) for 26/27
Our current focus is on piste and freeride, and the target group is very diverse.

Key Products:

I1_Black_Adjuster_Seite:

I1_Black_Adjuster_Seite

I1_White_Flying:

I1_White_Flying

I1 White ISO vorne:

I1_White_ISO_vorne_1