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Burton Cartel X 2020-2021 Snowboard Bindings Review

Why we chose the Burton Cartel X Snowboard Bindings: The Cartel just got a whole lot sexxxier.

XZibit, X rated movies, Xylophones. All the best things in life have the ‘X’ treatment. New for 2020/21 Burton have taken their OG Cartel and suped it up to give you an exhilarating ride with an exquisite look at exceptional value for your money. All the ingredients you know and love from your classic Cartels with a brand new upgraded highback for a more powerful, responsive and precise feel.

The Cartel X slots into the Burton line as the stiffest of their mid-price range bindings. Thanks to this new highback, you’re getting performance you’d generally find in a mega expensive binder, for a super reasonable price.

“As your heel slots into place, the sides of the hammock act like a claw, and pincer your boot on either side”

So what’s so special about the highback then? How does it differ to the one found on the normal Cartel? Burton have used their Heel Hammock, which grips round the back of your boot to eliminate any dead zones. As your heel slots into place, the sides of the hammock act like a claw, and pincer your boot on either side. Instead of your boot rubbing against the foam and losing power, the input is channelled straight into the highback and down into your board.

The lower baseplate also uses Nylon blended with 45-degree short glass to the regular Cartel’s 30. It’s a stiffer, more powerful option for more effective energy transfer. Burton are so sure it’s a winner that they’ve slapped a lifetime warranty on it.

One of our favourite features from Burton’s binding range is the inclusion of their Flex Slider on the ankle strap. When it’s opened, the strap sits to one side allowing easy entry and exit without you trying to smush your boot in. Okay, so it’s not strictly necessary to the bindings function but its these little luxuries and attention to detail that keep people returning to Burton year on year.

The straps themselves are fully malleable so as not to put pressure points and hotspots over the foot. You can argue until the cows come home about the correct placement of a toe strap, but they belong round the front of the boot, not on top and we won’t hear otherwise. Luckily, Burton agree with us and have designed their Supergrip Capstrap 2.0 to wrap round the front of your boot for a secure fit.

“You can argue until the cows come home about the correct placement of a toe strap, but they belong round the front of the boot”

Underfoot you get B3 Dampening Gel in the heel, absorbing chatter when the snow gets choppy. Burton have engineered it so it won’t freeze or harden when the temperature drops for year round comfort.

For the rider who’s looking for one binding to do it all, look no further. This is all-terrain versatility wrapped in a sleek new package. As Burton continue to tirelessly innovate we’re keeping our eyes peeled to see what they come up with next.

The Cartel X is available with both Re:Flex and EST baseplates, for 4×4, Channel and 3D mounting.

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