UNION SNOWBOARD BINDINGS F/W 2025/26 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Bindings F/W 2025/26 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Union
Interviewee: Riley Goodwin, Global Marketing Manager

How was last season in the snowboard binding market?
We were in a bit of a down year last season with the lack of early season snowfall and the COVID outdoor product buying frenzy dying off a little bit. We are starting to see the market stabilize.

With the recent overall price increases, have there been any positive developments in manufacturing, sourcing, or logistics?
Yes, we are constantly working to improve our supply chain and manufacturing to get ready for a broader line of products in the future.

What are the major trends you’re seeing with product pricing in the snowboard bindings market?
We are seeing more segmentation of customers overall. People are all over the price range – they are willing to pay for the tech of the most high-end bindings, but many demand a lower price for some of our lowest priced bindings. Thankfully, we never skimp on quality and use trickle-down technology, so some of the parts on our lowest priced bindings were once features on our higher end bindings.

E-commerce Vs. physical retail, how are you balancing both channels?
We have a huge amount of pride in physical retail – that is what got us where we are now. With a network of sales reps and distributors around the world, it is physical retail that keeps us going. We do have our own non-discounted direct websites, and that gives customers the benefit of choosing exactly what they want no matter their region.

How are you supporting retailers to sell this category?
Our reps are extremely knowledgeable and provide a ton of support to shops, consistently giving in person presentations to keep retailers up to date on the latest and greatest. We also have a team of some of the greatest snowboarders in the world riding for us which helps to increase visibility of our products. Using our brand social channels we also steer our customers to find local retailers for key products.

What unique brand messages are you focusing on for the 2025/2026 bindings season?
We are looking back on our past to show the history of Union, as well as looking towards the future with some groundbreaking new products.

BINDING SPECIFIC

Are you introducing any new innovations in buckles, straps, highbacks, baseplates, heel cups, etc..?
One of Union’s many key innovations for the 25/26 collection can be found on the all-new Union Source FC binding. The Source FC features a brand new baseplate and mounting system that we’re calling Direct Connect. Union’s all-new Direct Connect System is just that — a direct connection between you and your snowboard. By fully removing the disk from the baseplate, Union has been able to drastically improve the reaction speed between the rider and the snowboard, increase baseplate strength, and simultaneously reduce the overall weight of the binding. Disks are a thing of the past. This all-new mounting system only relies on two screws and two washers to get the job done.

Are you using any new materials in your bindings for 25/26
Union Binding Company is proud to partner with Envalior to introduce our most eco-conscious nylon to date. This new material is a member of the Envalior sustainable product family, attributed with a remarkable 90% of sustainable raw materials, based on a mass balance approach. In addition to being more sustainable than traditional plastics, this material has passed all of Union’s in-house quality control tests for strength, durability in cold temperatures and product lifecycle.

Any new design or pattern approaches in your 25/26 gear? Any collabs on the line?
This year we have a few great collaborations going with some of our team riders, Arthur Longo, Jess Kimura and Kazu Kokubo.

Any quick entry bindings in your collection for 25/26?
Yes, this year we are releasing our first Step On® binding. We are utilizing Burton’s licensed and proven Step On® Instant Connection™ System and combing that with our top-of-the-line quality and performance to create the best Step On system to date. The Union Atlas Step On® binding is now available in a limited early release run.

Anything new concerning sustainability and related products or construction you would like to highlight?
We have been diligently working to become a B-Corp certified company over the past few years. Because of this, sustainability has become the forefront of our mission as a company, and we’ve been altering all of our manufacturing and supply chain efforts to adhere to our new guidelines set forth by B-Lab.

Are you planning to focus on a special product range or type of customers?

Key Products:

SOURCE FC: