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Burton Speed Date 2018-2019 Snowboard Review

The Burton Speed Date snowboard sits in the brand’s ‘Family Tree’ line, which is a big clue as to what this model is all about. Still need a hint? Check out the directional shape and setback camber profile. This is a powder chaser, through and through.

And not the mellow pillow-popping, tree-dodging kind either; the Burton Speed date is stiff and responsive, so your best course of action is to find a challenging face and let rip. As well as being pretty rigid from end to end, there’s a full later of carbon additives incorporated into the glass too.

“When there’s powder to be had, a lot of the work is done for you”

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Not that it’s a door, by any means. The Speed Date has the same featherlight core as the Burton Custom X, as well as ‘Squeezebox’ profiling. The core is thinner between the feet and on either side, but thicker elsewhere. Without sacrificing strength you get a livelier ride and even less weight.

By having the camber bend concentrated at the back foot, this has plenty of power and edge hold, with the bonus of a rocker section up front. When there’s powder to be had, a lot of the work is done for you – and that’s before you consider that the tapered outline, which further sinks the tail.

Our test team also appreciated its performance on groomers, so you don’t have to be planning a pow trip to enjoy the Burton Speed Date.

Tester’s Verdict

Sam McMahonwhitelines.com

“Burton seems to have a slight problem with its Family Tree range these days: year after year there’s a constant rotation of names and shapes, and adding to the confusion they all look pretty similar graphically. Fitting then, that this one is titled the Speed Date.

Given the whirlwind that is La Clusaz’s Avant Premiere, it took me a moment after the fact to actually remember which board the SD was, but then the gears started turning and a some happy memories resurfaced. You see, it may look pretty unassuming compared to a lot of shapes these days, but boy did the boys in Vermont give it a tune up on its way out the factory.

“Built for freeriding, but won’t hamper you when the conditions aren’t optimal”

The surfy tapered outline complements the directional camber, resulting in a sidecut that isn’t aggressive, but certainly bites. The contact points extend way past the feet as well, giving an experienced rider plenty to work with. Unlike a lot of other powder shapes, they’ve opted to leave a decent serving of tail as well, so it doesn’t wash out too easily whilst dishing up enough pop to play around with.

It fits nicely into that bracket that the best of the Family Tree boards occupy – the Flight Attendants, the Trick Ponies – i.e. something that’s built for freeriding, but won’t hamper you when the conditions aren’t optimal. It’s fun enough for blasting pistes and cruising side hits, so keep this one’s number handy.”

Tester’s Verdict

Jon Birdldmountaincentre.com

“A new addition to the Burton family tree for 2019, The Speed Date is a banked slalom- and boardercross-inspired race board, but take it to the deep stuff and it shreds like the best powder board.

“You’ll really need to push the Speed Date to get the best out of it – don’t expect an easy ride”

Riding the Speed Date was fast and furious fun. I loved the grip and control railing it on the groomers, and the quick turning manoeuvrability. You’ll really need to push the Speed Date to get the best out of it though – don’t expect an easy ride.

The shape and profile of the Speed Date really aided the float in powder, turning a racing thoroughbred into a powder stick that was fun and fast.

The Speed Date is a great board for dynamic freeriders who fancy some racing. It’s just not your everyday runaround, or for the lazy rider.”

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