Burton Driver X Snowboard Boot Review |
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The Good Ride TakeThe Burton Driver X Advanced to Expert All Mountain to Freeride Snowboard Boot ReviewDays on the boot- 80+ The Driver X has been around for a long time and has the reputation of Burton's most responsive freeride boot. Burton does great things with their boots and probably pleases the widest scope of riders out there. The Driver X
Flex- The Burton Driver X used to be a very very stiff boot. It actually felt like a ski boot in the old days. In 2010 Burton softened up the boot a lot and for the first time you could flex the top into the toe. The response was lessened a bit in 2010 but not as much as you would think for it being soo soft. In 2011 the Driver X was stiffened up a bit but nothing like it was before. It's still rather easy to get a flex out of it where before it wouldn't budge. The response is almost the same as it use to be though so that is a nice trick of giving a decent comfortable flex with the same response of the old super stiff boots. In 2012 remained pretty much the same as 2011.
Comfort- Many stiff boots don't give so usually your feet do first so that is a problem. Since Burton softened up their boots the complaints about breaking in the Driver X went down. This is still a pretty stiff boot but it's nothing like it use to be. The softening of the flex and a re-design of the Driver X makes it even more comfortable than it was before. Burton claims no break in period. We can't say this will be true for everyone but we all have fewer issues on our first few days. Usually it's a good idea to bring your old boots in case you get some pressure points or blisters with the new boots you just bought but now it's ok to just bring the new Driver X's.
Heel Hold- The Driver X has always held the heel in place and that hasn't changed.
Upper and Lower Adjustability- Speed Lace is constantly improving. The upper and lower adjustability with speed lace is the best quick lace systems. You can also tighten up the boot incredibly tight and have the minimal pressure points. These hard plastic handles are easier to store in their pouches, helps you crank the laces harder and easier than the old synthetic leather grips. It's a lot closer to cranking it down like you can with a BOA boot and for the most part creates fewer pressure points.
Response- Even though the Driver X is softer the response is almost the same as it was in the days before the 2010 softening trend. This can bend almost any board torsionally. We weren't sure at first about the softening but now quite enjoy the added comfort for similar response. It's not super stiff any more but the Driver X still competes with the Likes of the K2 Thraxis and Salomon Malamute.
Traction- These are supposed to be excellent in ice because of the ice spikes but we haven't felt that. These boots seem to be a little more slippery walking on those ice patches on the way to the mountain. However the grip in softer snow is awesome. Also hiking up steep trails through tracks or setting your own is awesome.
Sole Cushioning- The Driver X doesn't have the cushioning of the Ions but it's a lot softer under foot than it looks. There is some serious cushioning riding on top of hat thick spikey Vibram sole and it gives alot of shock absorption at higher speeds or on big jumps. It also felt good to walk long distances in despite the now med/stiff flex.
All in all the Driver X is a great boot for someone who wants the most response Burton has for making stiffer boards turn in critical situations. It's a perfect ballance of comfort and response. The Good Ride Take on 3D Molded Tongues vs. Traditional Tongues
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.
Company InfoBurton Driver X 2012Burton DRIVER X Billy goat grip meets rapid-fire response.
Sketchy bootpacks and exposed lines have been Driver X™ domain for almost a decade. The most supportive boot in snowboarding, it’s been newly redesigned with Total Comfort for a broken-in feel the first day out. Built with an eco-conscience, it’s the obvious partner for riders who hike, sled, guide, or patrol, as well as freestyle technicians like Frederik Kalbermatten and Kazu Kokubo. Not supportive enough? Add torque to the tongue with the Rider Adjustable Flex inserts.
Ridden by: Kazu Kokubo, Frederik Kalbermatten, and Stephan Mauer
Features + Shrinkage™ Footprint Reduction Technology + LACING: Speed Zone™ Lacing System for True Zonal Lacing Control + LINER: Imprint™ 3X Liner with Rad Pad for Lace Comfort + CUSHIONING: Vibram® EcoStep™ Rubber Outsole [30% Recycled] with Rubber Ice Spikes and Dual Zone Cushioning System Featuring B3 Gel in the Heel and EVA in the Toe + FLEX AND RESPONSE: Firm Flex Thin Profile 3D® Molded Tongue, Dual Axis Power Spine Backstay, Removable Rider Adjustable Flex Tongue Insert, and Super Grip Toe + COMFORT: NEW Total Comfort Construction, NEW Snow-Proof Internal Gusset and Level 2 Molded EVA Footbed with ESS Support Shank and Aegis™ Antimicrobial Coating + EcoSmart™ Recycled Mesh Upper Materials
Colorway: Black / Oxblood
Sizes: 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 13
Support: 10
Burton Driver X 2011Burton DRIVER X Best response in the business. For riders addicted to speed, there is no alternative. Rocket-fueled response meets five-star comfort, the Driver X™ propels riders up, over, and through anything with zero lag between eyes and action. If you think that perfect turns are all this boot’s about, cue up any one of Frederik Kalbermatten or Kazu Kokubo’s video parts—then see where that stereotype takes you. Not stiff enough? Add torque to the tongue with the Rider Adjustable Flex inserts. Features
Colorway: Black / Silver Support: 10
Burton Driver X 2010For riders addicted to the sounds of jacket-flapping speed, there is no alternative. Rocket-fueled response meets 5-star comfort, the Driver X™ propels riders up, over, and through anything with zero lag between eyes and action. If you think that perfect turns are all this boot’s about, take a peek at any one of Frederik Kalbermatten or Kazu Kokubo’s video parts—then see where that stereotype takes you.Comfort
Flex Response
Lacing
Cushioning / Trac
Liner
Support10Other Features
Compare Laces & SizingBOA vs. Speed Lace vs. Traditional Lace The Good Ride Take on BOA Boots- A BOA Boot has a steel cable attached to some sort of plastic Coiler mechanism that tightens the boot instead of laces. There are 2 main types of BOA boots. The Good Ride Take on Traditional Lace- Traditional Lace is what most people know. It’s reliable and easy to repair. Lace boots take a lot more effort than BOA or Speed Lace. Also many riders complain about blisters in attempts to get them tight. Some Lacing systems have handles at the top that connect to the laces and we love this. Another thing we like is when the upper lace hooks hold the lace in place so each section can tighten independently. When you have this along with a handle connected to the end of the laces it’s more adjustable than BOA and Speed lace. We really like this but it’s almost not a traditional lace boot. It’s more a hybrid but whatever you call it we like it! However it’s not great in terms of the time it takes to get things dialed out or make minor adjustments on the hill. The Good Ride Take on Speed Lace- Speed lace is a perfect compromise between BOA and Traditional lace. It’s almost as fast as BOA and more adjustable. Some Traditional Lace is just as adjustable but speed lace is easier to do so. We really like how the upper and lower laces are 100% separate. This is a huge advantage over BOA Boots and some traditional laces that don’t lock at each hook. Speed Lace is super easy to tighten up and dial out. It’s also pretty easy to make small adjustments throughout the course of the day. If the laces break out on the hill it will be a lot more difficult to fix than traditional laces but it can be done without help from a shop or sending it back. If you are a 100 day a year rider then plan on changing out your laces half way through the season. We have been lucky so far and never had one break on the hill because any time they start to get frayed they break. We mainly ride speed lace boots but we aren't that high on ourselves to say that's the way it should be. Everyone is different. All lacing systems have strengths and weaknesses. It’s up to you to figure out what will work the best.
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Burton Driver X Snowboard Boot Review
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