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 propriatery 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 plague “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 Lexa EST 2012
Burton
LEXA EST
Equal parts diva and dominatrix.
Powerful yet comfortable, precise yet playful—the Lexa EST™ pairs well with the diverse riding of Gabi Viteri, Linn Haug, and Maddy Schaffrick. Always in search of ways to make the day last longer, its NEW AutoCANT SensoryBED™ cushions and improves feel while automatically putting you into a more relaxed position. Comfort continues with the anatomically canted hi-back while the NEW Hammock grips your heel like the bucket seat of a high-end Beamer.
Ridden by: Gabi Viteri, Linn Haug, and Maddy Schaffrick
Features
+ Women’s-Specific True Fit™ Design
+ BASEPLATE: 30% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite EST
+ HI-BACK: NEW Single-Component Canted Living Hinge™ Zero-Lean Hi-Back with
DialFLAD™ and NEW Heel Hammock
+ STRAPS: Superstrap™ and Gettagrip Capstrap™
+ BUCKLES: Smooth Glide™ Buckles
+ CUSHIONING: NEW Removable AutoCANT SensoryBED Cushioning System with B3 Gel
+ Rides Exclusively with Burton Boards Featuring The Channel
+ Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate and Hi-Back to Reduce Waste
Colorways:
White & Black Speck
Purple Speck
Black
Sizes:
S
M
L
Response: 6
Burton Lexa 2012
Burton
LEXA
Rethink flex with Re:Flex.
As snowboarding’s first women’s-specific binding, the Lexa™ has been redefining comfort since 2003. The saga continues this season with some major innovation. The NEW Hammock locks around your heel like no other, eliminating the need to over-tighten your straps. NEW AutoCANT FullBED cushioning is nicer on your knees, while Re:Flex™ changes the game completely with a Living Hinge™ disc that flexes freely no matter what board you’re riding.
Ridden by: Hannah Teter
Features
+ Women’s-Specific True Fit™ Design
+ BASEPLATE: NEW Single-Component 30% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite Re:Flex
+ HI-BACK: NEW Single-Component Canted Living Hinge Zero-Lean Hi-Back with
DialFLAD™ and NEW Heel Hammock
+ STRAPS: Superstrap™ and Gettagrip Capstrap™
+ BUCKLES: Smooth Glide™ Buckles
+ CUSHIONING: NEW Re:Flex AutoCANT FullBED Cushioning System with B3 Gel
+ Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate and Hi-Back to Reduce Waste
Colorways:
White & Black Speck
Purple Speck
Black
Sizes:
S
M
L
Burton Lexa 2011
Burton
LEXA
Pioneering freestyle performance.
No binding has had a greater impact on women’s riding than the Lexa™. First introduced in 2003 as the world’s first women’s-specific binding, it has continuously been improved upon in terms of fit, function, and performance. Anatomically precise and completely cushioned with a B3 Gel infused FullBED, one run and you’ll realize why more pros, regardless of who’s paying them, choose the Lexa over all others.
Features
+ Women’s-Specific True Fit™ Design
+ BASEPLATE: Single-Component 30% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite
+ HI-BACK: Dual-Component Canted Living Hinge™ Hi-Back
+ STRAPS: Superstrap™ and NEW Gettagrip Capstrap™
+ BUCKLES: Smooth Glide™ Buckles
+ CUSHIONING: FullBED Cushioning System and B3 Gel Heel Cushioning
+ Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate and Hi-Back to Reduce Waste
Colorways:
Tucan
White Gold
Fade to Black
Sizes:
S
M
L
Response: 6
| Binding Type | Mens | Women |
| Binding Size |
S |
M |
L |
S |
M |
L |
| Men's Boots Size |
6-8 |
8-11 |
10+ |
3-5 |
5-7 |
7-9 |
| 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+ |
| UK Boot Size |
5-7 |
7-10 |
9+ |
2.5-4 |
4-6 |
6+ |
| Mondo Boot Size |
22-26 |
26-29 |
28+ |
21-23 |
23-25 |
25+ |
Burton Lexa EST 2011
Burton
LEXA EST
Power ballads from peak to park.
Together, Gabi Viteri and Spencer O’Brien log hundreds of hours on snow each year. From high-consequence handrails to contest kickers, deep woods stashes, and sculpted snow features—their bindings have been to hell and back. They report, we modify. The result is the Lexa EST™—a freestyle phenomenon and crème de la crème of cushioned, free flexing comfort and performance.
Features
+ Women’s-Specific True Fit™ Design
+ BASEPLATE: 30% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite EST
+ HI-BACK: Dual-Component Canted Living Hinge™ Hi-Back
+ Dual-Component Winged Canted Living Hinge Hi-Back [White Crack Colorway]
+ STRAPS: Superstrap™ and NEW Gettagrip Capstrap™
+ Asym Superstrap™ [White Crack Colorway]
+ BUCKLES: Smooth Glide™ Buckles
+ CUSHIONING: Removable SensoryBED™ Cushioning System with B3 Gel Cushioning
+ Rides Exclusively with Burton Boards Featuring The Channel
+ Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate and Hi-Back to Reduce Waste
Colorways:
3D Glasses
White Chrome
White Crack
Black Gold
Sizes:
S
M
L
Response: 6
Burton Lexa 2010
No binding has had a greater impact on women’s riding than the Lexa™. First introduced in 2003 as the world’s first women’s-specific binding, it has continuously been improved upon in search of the holy grail in fit, function, and performance. Anatomically precise and with an all-new cushioned platform, one run and you’ll realize why more pros, regardless of who’s paying them, choose the Lexa over all others.
Featured Tech
- Women's Specific True Fit Design
In conjunction with our women's boots, we developed True Fit™ to ensure a most perfect fit in both your boots and your bindings. Every baseplate, hi-back, and strap is specifically designed with the way a woman rides in mind. It's like taking your riding into 6th gear—complete control, total power, and more fun than you ever thought possible.
Women's Specific True Fit Design
truefit bindings.flv
Baseplates
- 30% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite
A slightly higher amount of response and power without sacrificing mobility.
pdetail-bind-base-30-shortglass-nylon.jpg
- Single-Component
One material throughout the entire baseplate creates consistent response and feel for a versatile ride that excels on all terrain.
Hi-Backs
- Canted Living Hinge™
This exclusive technology eliminates excess hardware and weight, and even allows you to adjust your Forward Lean™ independent of your hi-back rotation. Set your hi-back rotation once, never touch it again, and still be able to adjust the Forward Lean any time.
pdetail-bind-hi-backs-canted-living-hinge_01.jpg,pdetail-bind-hi-backs-canted-living-hinge_02.jpg
- Dual-Component Construction
Dual-component hi-backs let us modify the flex profile by interchanging the frames on the spine. The spine maintains the structural integrity and flex of the hi-back, while the frame acts independently to support the boot. By doing this we can offer more comfortable and supportive hi-backs while eliminating dreaded calf bite.
Cushioning
- NEW 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-new-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
Straps
- Superstrap™
- Superstrap™ Construction
- 3D® Curved, Triple Axis Spine
- NeoPadding
pdetail-bind-straps-superstrap_01.jpg,pdetail-bind-straps-superstrap_02.jpg,pdetail-bind-straps-superstrap_03.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
Buckles
- Dual-Component
Dual-component hi-backs let us modify the flex profile by interchanging the frames on the spine. The spine maintains the structural integrity and flex of the hi-back, while the frame acts independently to support the boot. By doing this we can offer more comfortable and supportive hi-backs while eliminating dreaded calf bite.
- Smooth Glide Buckle Technology
Buttery smooth entry and release, and unmatched strength are the trademarks of our Smooth Glide™ buckle technology. Polished, chrome-plated aluminum and lightweight polycarbonate levers give you season after season of premium ratcheting power. Best of all, our buckles are designed and built by us, not some shady supplier.
pdetail-bind-buckles-smoothglide_01.jpg,pdetail-bind-buckles-smoothglide_02.jpg
Response
- 5
Every binding in our line rides differently. The best way to describe the type of ride is through our response rating. The response rating is based primarily on the construction, profile, and materials used in the baseplate, hi-back, cushioning system, and straps, as well as feedback we get from our team riders and product testers. Based only as a comparison between the bindings within our line, a rating of one is more relaxed while ten is more responsive.
Binding Response - 5
Other Features
- Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate and Hi-Back to Reduce Waste
