“A versatile all-mountain workhorse pairing proper two-strap response with genuinely rapid entry”
Why We Chose The Jones Mercury FASE:
The binding that launched Jones’ FASE line remains its benchmark – a versatile all-mountain workhorse pairing proper two-strap response with genuinely rapid entry.
Who Is The Jones Mercury FASE For?
Confident all-terrain riders who refuse to choose between convenience and performance. Whether you’re charging demanding lines or cruising creative resort laps, the Mercury delivers the locked-in feel of a traditional binding – minus the daily ritual of bending down to ratchet in. Pros like Victor de le Rue rate it, which says plenty.
Baseplate:
Underneath, the Mercury runs on Jones’ Fusion XR Baseplate – an asymmetric, low-profile shape moulded from glass-nylon composite that’s tuned for a balance of comfort and response. A three-layer Fusion Pad, blending TPU and EVA, sits between your boot and the board to soak up impact and vibration, while the ImpactCush Footbed adds a further layer of cushioning and a 3-degree cant to keep your stance naturally aligned.
While entry is not quite as fast or hands-free as its rival and stablemate Supermatic, there’s no weight penalty with the FASE system. The mechanism that automatically closes the highback adds a mere 40g, and the complete Mercury FASE weighs in at 870g per binding in a size medium, much the same as the standard Mercury and comparable to any premium two-strap on the market. The baseplate is also similar in volume to the ones we’ve been riding for years, so in terms of looks and ride feel, it’s business as usual. A universal mounting disk means it’ll bolt straight onto 4×4, 2×4, or EST/Channel-equipped boards without fuss.
“Pros like Victor de le Rue rate it, which says plenty”
Straps and Highback:
The AsymFlex Highback is mid-stiff and (you guessed it) asymmetric. It wraps further around the boot laterally for turning power, and is a touch softer on the inside to let you style stuff out in the park. The aforementioned FASE AutoBack mechanism closes it automatically as soon as you slide your boot in. Nifty.
Strapping in is still a thing, but it’s way less faff thanks to the extra long FastStrap ladder, which stays connected to the strap at all times so you tighten it with one hand. The DualFlex Ankle Strap pairs a stiff TPU core for immediate response with softer edges that fit a wider range of boots comfortably, while the Adaptive Fit Toe Strap moulds itself around your boot – the ratchet here shares the same auto-locking buckles as Supermatic, so once you’ve set the toe strap you rarely need to touch it again. It’s all adjustable tool-free, including the forward lean.
Roundup:
With the Zenith and Nebula now flanking it in the Jones line, the Mercury could easily slip your attention for winter 2026/27. That would be a shame. For riders who want a FASE two-strap that won’t be pigeon-holed by riding style or terrain, their original model remains the obvious starting point.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“I was a fan of the Mercury when they launched the original binding, and it was great to test it again now, a few years and updates later – including FASE technology. They feel perfectly responsive without being restrictive. And the new blue colour is also banging.”
