CLEW is a German snowboard brand and a patented Step-in binding system developed by CLEW GmbH in Munich. Unlike other quick-entry systems, CLEW bindings work with standard snowboard soft boots — there is no proprietary CLEW boot. The current model is called Independence, developed through more than 40 prototypes since 2017 and already representing the third generation of the product on the market. Since its market launch in 2019, CLEW has steadily grown its market share, with more than 100,000 customers worldwide in over 40 countries.

The system separates the binding into two parts: the Highback unit stays attached to the boot, while the Baseplate remains on the board. You step in, the system locks — no sitting down, no ratcheting. CLEW bindings are manufactured in Germany, while CLEW snowboards are produced in Austria.

CLEW works with almost all standard snowboard soft boots — including Burton, Nitro, Deeluxe, ThirtyTwo, Salomon, Vans, Adidas, Ride, K2 and others. There is no dedicated CLEW boot and no requirement to use a specific boot brand. What matters is not the manufacturer, but whether the boot — particularly the heel area — has suitable dimensions.

Not sure? The best option is to check our Size Guide on the binding product page and compare the specified external dimensions with your own boot. Size Guide

The key difference is the boot and the straps. Burton Step On works exclusively with Burton Step On-compatible boots — you are buying a complete system, not just the binding. CLEW works with almost any standard snowboard soft boot, including the boots you probably already own.

Technically, Step On connects the boot and binding using three cleats — locking elements on the outside of the boot — and does not use straps. CLEW, on the other hand, retains Ankle and Toe Straps and instead separates part of the binding from the board.

When CLEW is the better choice: If you want to keep your existing boots. If you prefer the traditional riding feel of straps. If you want to use different boots or avoid being tied to a specific boot brand. And if you want genuine straps that can be adjusted precisely and tool-free to your foot, rather than relying on a fixed three-point connection.

Both systems work with standard snowboard boots — that is the main similarity. The difference lies in the weight and the entry mechanism.

The Supermatic binding weighs around 1,270 g, making it one of the heaviest bindings on the market. The CLEW Independence weighs just 950 to 1,010 g in its standard configuration and is more than 20% lighter than the PreRider model from 2019.

The Supermatic is a rear-entry system with a folding Highback, while CLEW separates the Highback unit from the board during the lift ride.

When CLEW is the better choice: If weight and performance matter to you, and if you want full, tool-free strap adjustment without compromising the quick-entry experience. The difference becomes particularly noticeable when riding demanding terrain and over the course of a long day.

FASE is not a Step-in system, but a modified two-strap binding with an accelerated entry mechanism. FASE is also not a binding brand itself, but a technology licensed to different brands and incorporated into their models.

CLEW develops, manufactures and takes full responsibility for its entire binding system itself, in Weilheim, Bavaria.

When CLEW is the better choice: If you want to benefit from the two-part design when getting in and out of your binding — not simply ratcheting faster, but eliminating the need to ratchet or bend down altogether. You also get a more comfortable exit and a Highback that does not get in the way during the lift ride or when stepping in.

Choose CLEW if you want a binding where development, manufacturing, spare parts and customer service are all handled by one company.

No. CLEW bindings do not freeze up. The mechanism is designed to work reliably in ice, powder and temperatures down to −30 °C.

Icing was the biggest technical problem with Step-in systems in the 1990s and one of the reasons those systems disappeared from the market. Solving this problem took the CLEW development team more than ten prototypes between 2017 and 2019.

The icing problem occurs when snow or water enters the mechanical components, melts and then freezes again. The redesigned Step-in mechanism of the Independence is constructed so that there are no areas within the mechanism where direct surface contact can cause compressed snow to accumulate or ice to form.

In addition, the spring-loaded locking hooks are protected by a special housing grease, similar to the protection used in alpine ski bindings.

In short: Snow entering the mechanism cannot block the locking system, and ice formation is prevented in the critical areas.

What you should still do: Knock off large chunks of snow and ice before stepping in. This applies to every binding, including conventional strap bindings.

Yes, in deep powder. The mechanism is specifically designed for powder, ice and extreme cold.

Steep terrain is more challenging, however, and this applies to every quick-entry system on the market. If you are trying to step in on a 35-degree slope, you need a stable standing position with any system, or you can optionally use the two-ratchet system.

Honestly, the biggest advantage of Step-in is not on a steep slope. It is at the end of a lift ride, on flat sections, in cold conditions and over the course of an entire day.

Twenty to forty exits and entries without having to bend deeply or sit down add up. In deep powder, we recommend briefly clearing snow from the Baseplate — just as you would with a conventional strap binding using your boot.

The Step-in systems of the 1990s failed for three main reasons: icing, insufficient power transmission and a lack of adjustability.

The CLEW Independence addresses all three. The mechanism works down to −30 °C, the binding features 2.5° Performance Canting and fully adjustable Ankle and Toe Straps with tool-free fine adjustment.

The fundamental difference is structural: The systems of the 1990s attempted to connect the binding and boot through rigid cleats, sacrificing flex and adjustability in the process.

CLEW retains the strap architecture of a classic binding — you get the same hold and adjustability, but without constantly opening and closing the ratchets.

Material technology is another key factor. The Independence uses specially developed high-performance plastics reinforced with ultra-thin long glass fibers.

The result: more than 20% lighter than the first CLEW model from 2019, 11% lighter than the Freedom 1.0, and up to 15% stronger in the most heavily loaded areas than its predecessor.

Yes. The Strap unit remains attached to your boot while you snowboard. It weighs 431 g per foot.

When walking or riding the lift, you barely notice it. The sole remains completely free, allowing you to walk normally.

The overall system also makes carrying your board significantly easier than any other binding system where the complete binding remains attached to the board.

Two effects are often underestimated: The flat heel element underneath the sole does not interfere with walking in the snow at all. This was already the most surprising result of the very first prototype in 2017.

The CLEW sole is made from the same type of material used in conventional snowboard boots, providing a familiar walking experience.

Another major advantage: The Highback carried on the boot makes the board extremely easy to carry and grab. During re-entry, the Highback is never in the way and does not extend beyond the rear edge of the board. This means you can step in directly at any time.

A CLEW Independence weighs approximately 989 g per binding in size M — consisting of 558 g for the Baseplate unit and 431 g for the Highback unit.

This makes the complete binding more than 20% lighter than the first CLEW model from 2019 and 11% lighter than the Freedom 1.0 from the 2024/25 season.

This is made possible by the material combination: specially developed high-performance plastics reinforced with ultra-thin long glass fibers.

Despite the lower weight, the Independence is 15% stronger than the Freedom 1.0 in the areas subjected to the highest loads.

Weight Overview

CLEW bindings are manufactured in Weilheim, Upper Bavaria — Made in Germany.

CLEW snowboards have been produced in Austria since summer 2026.

Yes. The CLEW Independence locks via an exceptionally robust Step-in mechanism and only opens when deliberately released using the pull handle located at calf height.

The precise fit around the boot is created by the Ankle and Toe Straps — the same architecture used in a classic strap binding.

The system has been on the market since 2019, is used by more than 100,000 riders worldwide and has gone through more than 40 development stages.

The concern comes from the 1990s, when early Step-in systems were indeed unreliable. The difference lies in the construction: CLEW does not lock the boot to the binding via rigid cleats. Instead, it retains the strap-based construction.

For the lift ride, the Highback can be separated from the Baseplate using a slim, ice-resistant mechanism and remains comfortably attached to the boot until you step back in.

After getting used to the system, entry takes around 1.2 seconds per foot — step down, click in and ride.

By comparison, a conventional strap binding takes around 20 to 30 seconds per foot, plus the need to bend deeply or sit down and stand up again.

Over a snowboarding day with 20 to 40 runs, this can save several minutes.

But the real benefit isn't the single second you save. It is the “addictive comfort” you experience from day one, resulting from the highly ergonomic design of the CLEW binding.

Yes, and beginners can actually benefit disproportionately from the system.

If you're still learning to ride, you may get in and out of your bindings twenty times or more during a day — sitting down, ratcheting in, standing up and repeating the process.

This part of snowboarding consumes a lot of energy and motivation, rather than the riding itself.

Yes. CLEW bindings — and particularly the new Independence generation introduced in 2026 — also perform very well in the park and for freestyle riding.

CLEW was not primarily developed for the terrain park, but there are professional athletes from the FIS World Cup scene who deliberately choose the advantages of the CLEW binding.

There are many competitors on the market that primarily target the freestyle and park scene. The vast majority of these use highly flexible Highbacks and soft damping pads, for example to provide additional cushioning when landing jumps or absorbing hard impacts.

However, the damping characteristics of the binding itself are not the decisive factor. Damping is the result of a complex interaction between the boot, binding and board. A good binding should therefore not have more damping than absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the riding feel can quickly become too soft and vague.

For this reason, the CLEW binding has deliberately been designed to be somewhat stiffer and to use fewer damping elements — providing more direct power transmission and more precise control on groomed slopes, in deep snow and while carving.

More recently, it has also become clear that stiffer bindings can improve performance in freestyle riding.

Ultimately, however, it remains a matter of personal preference.

Yes. CLEW bindings are compatible with all common mounting systems: 4×4, 2×4 and Burton's The Channel.

For older boards with a 3D hole pattern, there is a suitable 3D Mounting Set, which can optionally be ordered with your purchase.

The appropriate Universal Discs for the three currently common mounting systems are included with all bindings and 2nd Board Base Sets.

Please note that discs, screws and accessories are model-specific: Parts from the Freedom 1.0 are not compatible with Independence-generation models, and vice versa.

Not sure? Take a photo of the mounting pattern on your snowboard and contact our support team at support@clew.de.

No. CLEW bindings are currently not designed for splitboards.

The system is constructed for mounting on a continuous snowboard and does not support splitboard interfaces with puck systems.

For touring, you need a dedicated splitboard setup or alternatives such as snowshoes.

Yes. All common wear parts are available individually through the CLEW spare parts shop. Standard delivery time within Europe is 2–4 business days.

Most parts can be replaced at home — a standard PH-3 Phillips screwdriver is sufficient.

For certain repairs, step-by-step video tutorials are available.

In addition, around 170 independent specialist retailers in more than 40 countries carry CLEW products and corresponding spare parts.

The in-house CLEW customer service team resolves many cases on the same day.

We also repair bindings beyond the warranty period — the binding was designed from the beginning to be easy to maintain and repair.

Most riders have the process down after two to three runs.

The first day may feel slightly unfamiliar — not because the system is difficult, but because you're replacing a movement you've been doing automatically for years.

Yes. The Ankle and Toe Straps can be fully adjusted tool-free in millimeter increments and tightened exactly as firmly as you want.

The entry mechanism operates independently of the strap adjustment and continues to work effortlessly in just 2–3 seconds.

This is the key difference compared with conventional rear-entry systems.

With rear-entry bindings, you slide your foot underneath the straps when entering, which means the straps cannot be tightened arbitrarily.

With CLEW, the Step-in mechanism and strap adjustment are two completely independent functions.

CLEW was founded in 2019 as CLEW GmbH.

The idea originated in early March 2017 in Ellmau, Tyrol. Jakob Schneider and Johannes Weckerle, both development engineers and passionate snowboarders, were riding in wet, heavy snow when they watched a skier effortlessly step back into his bindings — toe in, heel down.

The question was obvious: Why couldn't the same thing work with snowboard soft boots?

A survey of more than 100 active snowboarders confirmed the demand.

The decisive idea was to separate part of the ratchet binding from the rest of the system and carry it on the boot during the lift ride.

The concept was patented.

Afterwards came weeks of discussions with established manufacturers — but not a single snowboard brand was willing to invest in its development.

So the founders decided to build the company themselves, together with Matthias Albrecht and Jan Mewis.

By mid-2019, more than ten prototypes had been developed before the breakthrough was achieved and the icing problem was solved.

In October 2019, CLEW appeared on the German TV show Die Höhle der Löwen. No deal was made: the investors considered the snowboard market too small and the valuation too high.

The first small production run was launched in December 2019, financed through the founders' own funds and the sale of 25% of the company's shares.

It remained the only financing round the company has ever needed.

Since then, every winter season has sold out despite increasing production volumes.

The company remains founder-led and independent to this day.

The binding can be separated into two parts by operating a pull handle that is easily accessible at the rear of the Highback, around calf height. This allows you to disconnect the two parts without operating the ratchets.

The Highback unit, including the still-closed Ankle Strap, remains attached to the boot, while the Baseplate, including the Toe Strap unit, stays on the snowboard.

When you step back in, the Step-in mechanism between the Highback unit and Base unit automatically engages and locks into place using spring-loaded locking hooks.

The natural movement when stepping in is supported by Performance Canting, which angles the entire Baseplate inward by 2.5°, as well as by a smooth three-stage click mechanism.

The binding size is determined by the sole length of your boot, not your shoe size.

Finde the right using the size guide on the product page.

If you are between two sizes, measure the sole length and width of your boot or contact us at support@clew.de for assistance.

After every day of snowboarding, carefully knock off any snow and ice or remove it with a soft brush. Whenever possible, allow the binding to dry at room temperature.

At regular intervals, and at least once per season, check that all screws are properly tightened and wipe the locking area clean with a water-dampened cloth.

Do not use cleaning products.

In particular, do not apply grease, silicone spray or oils to the locking mechanism unless they have been explicitly approved by CLEW for this purpose. Such products can attract dirt and may even cause problems at low temperatures.

Yes. With the CLEW Highback attached to your boot, you can move freely in snow and on solid ground, for example when walking into a gondola.

The sole of the Highback unit is designed to provide a level of grip on smooth and wet surfaces comparable to the sole material used on conventional snowboard soft boots.

With a weight of [XXX g] per foot, the Highback unit attached to the boot is practically unnoticeable when walking, while the snowboard itself feels significantly lighter when carried.

With the Highbacks attached to your boots, there is no other softboot binding that makes carrying a snowboard as easy and comfortable as CLEW.

When riding a chairlift or surface lift, the front binding remains closed while the rear foot, including the Highback unit, can move freely.

In addition to eliminating the need to operate the ratchets, the two-part design offers another major advantage: the Highback and Ankle Strap are no longer in the way when stepping back in or protruding beyond the edge of the board.

Unlike rear-entry bindings, there is therefore no risk of catching the Highback on something.

Lift rides are also more comfortable because the board is lighter, which reduces the amount of twisting placed on your strapped-in foot.

The CLEW Independence costs €379 in the official online shop and at specialist retailers.

No special boots are required — you can simply continue using your own boots, making the overall setup significantly more affordable than Step-in systems that require proprietary boots.

For an even more affordable entry into the CLEW system, the previous-generation Freedom 1.0 is available through the Outlet section and as inspected returns in the Refurbished range.

Yes. There are actually three different ways to test CLEW bindings before purchasing.

You can visit us during our official CLEW Demo Tour, register online for our Test & Try program, or contact one of our approximately 170 independent specialist retailers to ask whether they have demo equipment available.

All CLEW bindings come with a two-year full warranty from the date of purchase.

The warranty covers manufacturing defects, material defects and damage that is not the result of improper use.

Please keep your proof of purchase — we need it to process a warranty claim.

To report a warranty issue, contact support@clew.de.

Many cases can be resolved without going through the warranty process, as wear parts can be ordered individually and replaced yourself.

Unused items can be returned within 14 days of receipt.

Returns within the EU are free of charge.

Refunds are issued within 2–5 business days after the returned item has been received.

CLEW is available at around 170 independent snowboard shops.

A website cannot replace genuine advice from a specialist retailer.

Local shops are at the heart of snowboard culture, and we support them wherever we can.

No.

The CLEW Freedom 1.0 and CLEW Independence are two completely different systems and are not compatible with each other.

For example, an Independence Highback cannot be combined with a Freedom Baseplate or Freedom 2nd Board Base Set, and vice versa.

All spare parts, discs and accessories are model-specific.

Yes.

Most spare parts can be replaced at home using a standard screwdriver.

For certain repairs — such as replacing the straps — detailed step-by-step video tutorials are available.

All wear parts are available individually.

This is intentional: We do not build a binding where one small damaged component forces you to buy an entirely new binding.

However, make sure you select the correct model-specific spare part, as the Freedom 1.0 and Independence systems are not compatible with each other.

Yes.

CLEW offers the CLEW AirTag Disc — a mounting disc that allows you to integrate an Apple AirTag.

The tracker is positioned discreetly underneath the binding.

Make sure you select the correct version, as the disc is specific to the binding model and mounting pattern.

CLEW is not the most expensive binding on the market, but at around €350–€400, it is positioned in the higher-priced segment.

The reason is that the product incorporates unique manufacturing technologies and a high level of research and in-house development that cannot simply be purchased from any conventional binding manufacturer in Asia.

We have built our own production capabilities in Germany so that we can continuously improve our technology and fully exploit its technical potential.

For example, none of our components use “cheap plastic”. Instead, we exclusively use high-performance polymers with expensive fiber reinforcements.

The raw material alone costs around twice as much as that used by competitors manufacturing in Asia.

On top of that come German labor standards, strict quality and environmental regulations, as well as significant investment in our own manufacturing capabilities and continued product development.

CLEW is designed for snowboarders who value performance on groomed slopes, in deep snow and while carving.

The binding is deliberately designed to be somewhat stiffer and uses fewer additional damping elements — prioritizing more direct power transmission and more precise control.

CLEW is particularly well suited to you if you primarily ride piste and powder, enjoy clean carving, use multiple boots or snowboards, or simply don't want to be tied to a specific system or brand.

You get a full-performance strap binding combined with a fast and uncompromisingly convenient Step-in system.

The design is deliberately polarizing.

CLEW avoids overly playful material combinations, complex surface finishes and elaborate paintwork. Instead, the design uses a reduced, clean visual language and restrained color choices.

Some people criticize exactly that, while others appreciate it.

The minimalist approach is not about saving money. It is a matter of philosophy.

Every additional layer of paint and every material joint represents a potential weak point and unnecessary consumption of resources and energy.

Instead, we aim to make the high-quality materials themselves visible and create an “honest” design language that does not try to disguise what the product is made of.

For CLEW, “Made in Germany” is not just a label — it is an entire system.

Development, testing, engineering, quality control and series production are closely interconnected.

This allows for faster adjustments, more flexible small production runs, more precise quality control and shorter decision-making processes.

New ideas with the potential to improve the product are implemented immediately.