Burton bindings are often at the top of the pile when it comes to performance and durability. I’ve had several iterations of the Cartel series and they’ve never done me wrong. This season it was time to upgrade and I decided to give the more high-end Burton Genesis bindings a go. After putting a good amount of days on them, it’s time to share my thoughts on these plush offerings out of Vermont.
Conditions and Test Details
- Model: 2020 Burton Genesis Re: Flex bindings, size medium
- Boards: Nitro Squash 153 and Arbor Element Camber 156
- Conditions: I rode the Genesis bindings around resorts in Utah and Lake Tahoe areas, in a mix of conditions that included everything from hard pack groomers to 1’ of fresh pow.
- Boots: Vans Aura Pro, size 8
- Rider Height/Weight: 5’9”, 145lbs
Baseplates and Cushioning
The Genesis bindings certainly look high-end. Burton has employed single-component baseplate construction that is comprised of a 30% Short Glass/Nylon composite. The idea here is that the single-component build will provide a consistent response for all-mountain riding in any conditions. It also means they are strong AF. If you do happen to break the baseplates, Burton has a lifetime warranty. The cushioning is impressive; the AutoCANT Fullbed system is dual-density EVA foam that is supposed to ease your foot into a more natural and comfortable position to reduce fatigue and pain. The B3 Gel Cushioning in the baseplates is designed to withstand cold temps and repeated bashings.
Straps and Ratchets
As usual, Burton has done a great job with the components. They look a lot fancier than my old Cartels. The Genesis are very minimal with a space-aged appearance to them. The Hammockstrap ankle straps are plush and wrapped in a wishbone frame which is designed to evenly distribute pressure on the foot. The capstraps are now SuperGrip Capstrap 2.0s. I’ve heard many folks declaring them a huge upgrade but I thought the original capstraps were fine. Finally, the Double Take Buckles round out the components, and as usual these are top quality (but slightly bulky).
Highbacks
Welcome to the future. The Kickback Hammock system on the Genesis is completely new to me. Burton engineered a two piece, heel-hugging system that acts as suspension and moves with the rider to smooth out choppy snow and dampen hard turns. It’s pretty wild. MicroFLAD forward lean adjusters provide a ton of lean angle options and the entire highback can be adjusted to fit each rider’s taste.
Ride and Feel
After a couple days of adjusting and experimenting I got the Genesis dialed in. There are absolutely no pressure points exerted onto my feet. Even when I overtighten the buckles, I can barely feel the straps. The baseplates are outstanding; repeated stomps on icy and flat landings are soaked up by the B3 Gel. The baseplate canting works nicely and really did make for a more comfortable all around ride. The Genesis is a very competent all-mountain binding by every measure. Chatter on uneven snow is dampened to the point I barely notice it. These bindings lock into turns and are very responsive. All this while transferring very little vibration or feedback to the rider. And therein lies my only complaint.
The Burton Genesis bindings are so smooth that variances in terrain get lost. I often don’t know how uneven or choppy the snow under my feet is because I can’t even feel it. The Kickback Hammock system absolutely works as advertised; a little too well for my taste. I enjoy the feedback I get from my other bindings. It keeps me honest in every condition. With the Genesis I don’t always know how hard I’m laying an edge into the snow. I don’t hate the Kickback, I just wish it did its job slightly less awesome. Funny that in 2020 I’m complaining that a snowboard binding is too smooth, but here we are.
Final Verdict
With a $350 price tag and a tech sheet that will make your eyes go crossed, you’d be right to expect a lot from the Burton Genesis bindings. And you’ll get it. I’ve never ridden a binding that was more high-end, both in construction and performance. While I found them to be a bit too smooth, many riders will be pleased with this type of luxury. After all, my feet don’t hurt at the end of the day, and my old man knees are much happier than after riding my lower price-point bindings. If you’re looking for a medium flex binding that will rip the entire mountain, the Genesis might be the one for you.