The Burton C60 and C60 EST Snowboard Binding Review by The Good Ride
Day's Ridden 30+
Boards Used- Too Many to remember
For 2011 the Burton C60 has had a few changes. To start off with the C60 is made in EST only and that means you can't get a 2011 if you don't have a Burton Channel tech board. This sucks! Second off they added a new strap set up. The ankle strap is the same as the new Burton Co2. The C60 also has a newer and better toe strap that fits over the toe much better than the 2010 models. The 2010 models were not designed well and had the strap coming through the toe mount and getting in the way between the boot and strap.
The Burton C60 is a smooth stable and very predictable ride at any speed. We were really impressed with every aspect of this binding. After riding the C60's we went back to riding the Burton Cartel's and Burton Co2's and to our surprise we weren't in C60 withdrawals. We aren't saying that the C60's weren't exceptional but they didn't have that ride changing experience. The C60 Est's are almost a different binding than the regular C60's. We only had the luxury to ride the C60's so our take is mostly on the regular C60's. The best way we can describe them is a souped up version of the Cartels. Is it worth $200 more? We can't speak to your wallet and riding style but we can say that this is a great binding. It's hard to get into real detail about this binding because its soo expensive wee feel guilty recommending this to any snowboarder unless you are super rich. One rider has them in our crew but most of us ride something less expensive.
Stiffness- Like we said up top the C60 defies logic by being stiffer than the Co2's but has a much better riding feel. It's jolly jack superfuckingtastic times when making turns. They have the ability to make any board, stiff or soft, respond better. It does feel like it is slightly more effort on the toe side to initiate a turn but this is common with most burton bindings.
Comfort- If these bindings are uncomfortable then nothing will work for you and you should give up snowboarding, don't even bother skiing and just go sledding with the 4 year olds! Burton makes this light weight but still very comfortable.
Adjustability- All burton bindings get a 5 in adjustability. The high backs, toe straps, toe plates, ankle straps set the standards for functional variation. This can pretty much fit anyone's riding style. You still need a tool for most of the adjustments but we don't want to take away any points for having to use a tool. The Flux Super Diamond is a good example of a great tooless binding but it is still difficult to adjust the binding when your fingers are cold. That is why we give both top ratings.
Dampening- The non Est's have a massive gel insert at the heel surrounded by foam. Instead of hard material underneath the heel it has some sort of soft plastic/rubber. Again this binding is a year or 2 ahead of most other companies top of the line binding. This binding is beyond 99% of the snowboarding worlds ability. The Est's are all soft under the board to take shock absorption and dampening to a new level. The only problem with the Est's is you are committed to only Burton boards from here on out.
Board/boot/ Integration- It makes any freeride/all mountain set up better!
All in all the Burton C60 has an amazing ride and feel to it, especially in the EST model but is it worth the money? We'll leave that up to you but we will say we are more stoked on the any board ride tech called "flex disc" that allows you to ride 4 hole, 3 hole and Channel boards like the EST bindings that is on the Burton Co2 and Burton Prophecy for 2011.
Our Take on Burton EST Bindings
1. We love the 100% shock absorbent foot pad that runs entirely across the board. We also like that it comes in different types of thickness.
2. The 2 screw channel system really allows the board to flex more naturally and creates much easier turn initiaiton than the standard 4 or 3 hole bindings. The only other binding manufacturer who captures the same feeling is Union. They have the same ability to create minimal contact with the board to allow it to flex a lot easier than it normally would.
3. We like how easy they are to adjust compared to 4 hole bindings.
Did we want to hate the EST set up? Yes because we aren't fan's of proprietary tech. However after riding and playing around with the new bindings we couldn't help but like them. Would we buy the EST set up? No because we ride too many boards and don't want a set of bindings only for Burton boards. We do have the 2 hole plates and they do a pretty good job but the EST bindings do have some advantages over the traditional Burton bindings.
A Good Ride Take on Binding Tech
Metal vs Plastic Bindings
This is a Goodride breakdown for all you that are having a tough time choosing your bindings and what to make of the material you are looking at. Most bindings are Metal, Plastic or some combo of the 2.
Metal Bindings have a lot of great aspects. Almost all-metal bindings are made from aluminum. Aluminum is great when it come to weight to stiffness ratio and also pretty durable. There is one key issue with metal/aluminum bindings; they transfer all the vibrations from the board right into your feet. This is the same principle that pelage “bass-less” bindings, your feet got totally tired or fatigued. The newer generations have much better/damp bases so this problem has been minimized and in some cases eliminated. There are some companies that make great bindings despite the vibration issue with Aluminum. Some that come to mind are Ride and Rome.
Plastic Bindings also have many great features but let’s address some technical stuff first. Most plastic bindings are really hardened glass plastic mix. The high-end stuff tends to have a more carbon, and carbon fiber added for extra stiffness and weight savings. Plastic bindings really dominate the market right now and most top bindings these days are mostly or all plastic. They can be really stiff and react well to your commands. The new bindings finally dialed in the carbon/ fiber integration to the point that the bindings will perform with the stiffness of metal and absorb more chatter. Most industry leaders have limited or completely eliminated metal from their bindings and we feel that with the materials used right now this is the future. Some mostly plastic companies that we feel rock are Burton, Flux and Union.
What kind of binding should you buy? It’s a tough call. Both Plastic and Metal bindings offer freestyle, freeride and all mountain styles. At this point we feel that plastic bindings are edging out metal bindings when it comes to the very high end $300+ category. However it is a tough call in the below $300 category as to which material has the advantage.
The Good Ride Take on Burton
Burton is huge. They have developed or acquired most of the technology that we use today. Burton is one of the only companies that can provide you with everything you need to snowboard from boards to beanies. Burton even owns arguably the best surfboard company Channel Islands because Jake likes to surf. They are like the Yankees of snowboarding because they can always outspend their competition to win.
The positives- Burton provides more products for each gear/clothing/accessory category than any other company. Burton has possibly the best customer service in the snowboarding industry. Burton continuously spends more money than almost any company to develop new tech or just make what they have better. Burton sponsors more pro’s and get’s more high level user feed back than any other company. They have some of the best boots, bindings and boards in the industry. They also have great clothing.
The Negatives- Because Burton spends so much money on sponsorship and tech they have to pass this cost along to the products they sell. They relentlessly continue to jack up the prices every year. You are almost always going to get a good product from Burton’s higher end line but some mid to low level products don’t stack up to the competition in the same price range. Just remember it’s not always good because it hast the Burton label on it.
Burton C60 and C60 EST 2011
Burton
C60 EST
Warp speed is imminent.
In the words of one of our testing monkeys, “these things are Richter, love ‘em.” Pro shreds like Frederik Kalbermatten and Peetu Piirionen agree, given the reactive nature of a carbonated baseplate and hi-back. That power is amplified by the NEW React ankle strap and NEW MegaBED Air, both cushioned just enough to take the thunder from the chunder while giving you more feel, drive, and control than ever before.
Features
+ BASEPLATE: Carbon Fiber/Nylon Composite EST
+ HI-BACK: Dual-Component Canted Living Hinge™ Carbon Frame Hi-Back
+ STRAPS: NEW React Ankle Strap and Gettagrip Capstrap™
+ BUCKLES: Dual-Component Smooth Glide™ Buckles
+ CUSHIONING: NEW Removable MegaBED Air Cushioning System
+ Rides Exclusively with Burton Boards Featuring The Channel
+ Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate and Hi-Back to Reduce Waste
Colorway:
Black
Sizes: S M L
Response: 9
boots/bindings sizes
| Binding Type | Mens | Women | Freestyle Jr. |
| Binding Size |
S |
M |
L |
S |
M |
L |
XS |
Y |
* |
| Men's Boots Size |
6-8 |
8-11 |
10+ |
3-5 |
5-7 |
7-9 |
11C |
2K-6K |
* |
| Women's Boot Size |
7-9 |
9-11 |
11+ |
4-6 |
6-8 |
8+ |
* |
* |
* |
| Euro Boot Size |
36-41 |
41-44 |
43+ |
34-36.5 |
36.5-40 |
40+ |
28-32.5 |
33-38 |
* |
| UK Boot Size |
5-7 |
7-10 |
9+ |
2.5-4 |
4-6 |
6+ |
10-13 |
1-5 |
* |
| Mondo Boot Size |
22-26 |
26-29 |
28+ |
21-23 |
23-25 |
25+ |
17.5-20 |
20.5-24 |
* |
Burton C60 2010
We’ve never been fired from a cannon, so we can only speculate that riding the C60™ feels similar. Crazy light and ultra-responsive, this carbon concoction perfectly mirrors the explosiveness of riders like Nicolas Müller. Air-infused straps join a full line-up of cushioning, including the NEW FullBED™ system, to offer a seemingly contradictory blend of all-day comfort and high-caliber control.
Cushioning
- B3 Gel Heel Cushioning
The same cushioning found in our high-end boots, B3 Gel lets you stomp flat landings without self-detonating.
pdetail-bind-cushioning-b3-gel-heel-cush.jpg
- NEW FullBED Cushioning System
Found on the C60™, C02™, Triad™, Cartel™, Escapade™, and Lexa™, NEW FullBED™ baseplate padding offers a full coverage, cushioned platform that maximizes comfort while minimizing fatigue.
pdetail-bind-cushioning-new-fullbed-cush_01.jpg,pdetail-bind-cushioning-new-fullbed-cush_02.jpg,pdetail-bind-cushioning-new-fullbed-cush_03.jpg,pdetail-bind-cushioning-new-fullbed-cush_04.jpg
- Under-Baseplate Dampening Pad
Impact-absorbent dampening pads eat up vibrations, sudden impacts, and rough terrain so your body doesn't have to.
Straps
- New Cored Ultrastrap Air
- NEW Cored, Ultra-Minimized Superstrap Construction
- 3D® Curved, Triple Axis Spine
- Fully Encapsulated Air Padding
pdetail-bind-straps-ultrastrap-air_01.jpg,pdetail-bind-straps-ultrastrap-air_02.jpg
- Ultra Capstrap
- 3D® Curved, Triple Axis Spine
- Ultra-Minimized Capstrap™ Construction with True Wrap Toe Window
- Conformable from Capstrap or Toe Strap
pdetail-bind-straps-ultra-capstrap.jpg
boots/bindings sizes
| Binding Type | Mens | Women | Freestyle Jr. |
| Binding Size |
S |
M |
L |
S |
M |
L |
XS |
Y |
* |
| Men's Boots Size |
6-8 |
8-11 |
10+ |
3-5 |
5-7 |
7-9 |
11C |
2K-6K |
* |
| Women's Boot Size |
7-9 |
9-11 |
11+ |
4-6 |
6-8 |
8+ |
* |
* |
* |
| Euro Boot Size |
36-41 |
41-44 |
43+ |
34-36.5 |
36.5-40 |
40+ |
28-32.5 |
33-38 |
* |
| UK Boot Size |
5-7 |
7-10 |
9+ |
2.5-4 |
4-6 |
6+ |
10-13 |
1-5 |
* |
| Mondo Boot Size |
22-26 |
26-29 |
28+ |
21-23 |
23-25 |
25+ |
17.5-20 |
20.5-24 |
* |
