This Snowboard Game Changer Brings an Awesomely Handy Feature to the Masses

Good news, shredders: easy-access snowboard bindings have gotten even more, well, accessible — not to mention affordable.

ThirtyTwo

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published December 26, 2025

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For years now, Burton’s revolutionary Step On has been the dominant easy-access binding, with nothing else really coming close.

Still, it has at least a couple hang-ups: 1. Many boarders simply prefer the classic two-strap set-up. 2. It requires a Burton (or Burton-licensed) Step On boot, at a starting price of $380.

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Close-up of black ski boots with colorful snake design and red-white bindings on a snow-covered ski. — One of the best things about FASE bindings is that they work with the boots you already own.

Addressing both issues at once? FASE, short for Fast Entry System, breakthrough binding tech that has been adopted by highly respected brands including Jones Snowboards and ThirtyTwo.

One key ingredient is the AutoBack, which angles the highback outward to make it easy to slip your boot in, complete with a small tab you trigger with your heel as it descends, closing the gate behind you.

White and blue ThirtyTwo snowboard binding with black and blue straps and red padded highback. — The AutoBack lets you slip your boot in and *automatically* trigger the closing tab with your heel as it descends.

A long top binding strap, the FastStrap, does not completely detach from the buckle but simply requires tightening and loosening when your boot goes in and out, while you never even touch the “set it and forget it” Locked-In Toe Strap.

It all adds up to a system that meaningfully democratizes easy-access bindings for riders of all levels.

Four-panel collage showing a snowboarder in action. The first three panels focus on close-up shots of the snowboarder's foot securing into the snowboard binding on snow, highlighting the process of stepping in and fastening the boot. The fourth panel shows the snowboarder from behind, gliding down a snowy slope surrounded by trees, wearing black snow gear and a helmet. — As our tester learned first-hand, using FASE-powered bindings is as easy as stepping in, pressing down, tightening the FastStrap and sending it.

It’s compatible with any boot and board and feels like a traditional binding yet works so much faster once you get the hang, even while in motion or sitting on a lift.

Starting from scratch, the biggest impact might be on your wallet: ThirtyTwo’s Shifty Boots ($220) plus a pair of entry-level FASE bindings ($330) costs $550, $150 less than the cheapest Step On combo.