| Riding Level | Beginner - Expert |
| Quick Release | No |
| Manufactured in | |
| Canted Footbed | No |
| Burton Channel Compatible | Burton Only |
| Mini disc | No |
| Approx. Weight | Feels Light |
| Flex |
Medium/Stiff |
| Boot Support |
Firm |
| Turn Initiation |
Medium |
| Buttering |
Very Easy |
| Binding AdjustabilityGood |   |
| Stance AdjustabilityExcellent | |
| ComfortExcellent | |
| Ratchet SystemAverage |  |
| Shock AbsorptionGreat | |
Burton Cartel X EST Written Review Review by The Good Ride
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Here is the Burton Cartel X EST Snowboard Binding Review from an average rider with extensive snowboard gear experience but an exceptionally objective perspective.
Update 2024: The 2023 Cartel X EST binding we reviewed is the same as the 2024 and there were no real changes. Most development has been focused on Step On.
Ethics Statement:We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.
A Breakdown of How it rides and who it is for
How This Review Happened: Borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Days: 8+
Conditions: Everything from hard snow to powder with the help of my Drift Boards & Union Rovers
Riders:James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo, Burton Tourist,
Boards: Burton Forager, Burton Territory Manager, First Cut and a few others.
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Similar Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Force, Union Strata, Burton Cartel, Burton Malavita, Salomon Highlander, Salomon Hologram, Nitro Team Pro, Nitro Team, Nitro Phantom Carver, Rome Cleaver, Rome Katana, Rome Vice, Rome DOD, Rome 390 Boss
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom Guide Jacket, Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket, Jones Peak Bagger Jacket. Burton AK Helitak Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, CG Habitats Work Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,
How It Was Tested
I rode these bindings on their own with one board but also in same day samplers.
Weight
2.0Lbs with discs and screws in.
Highback Flex
The Burton Cartel X EST is pretty stiff but not ultra stiff. There is reasonable twist but with the excellent high back rotation it’s easier to avoid calf bite.
Flex Underfoot
You can’t use these bindings with most boards but you can’t do much better than Burton Cartel X EST when it comes to having a very natural flex underfoot. If you have a mediumish board it will flex really easy underfoot.
Turn Initiation/Response
So the response of the Burton Cartel X EST varies from board to board. You put these on a board that has a mediumish flex or less the response will be pretty fast. However I found that the stiffer the board gets, like with the Burton First Cut or Forager, you don’t feel like you have as much response.
Shock Absorption
With the Burton Cartel X EST you don’t have as much dampness as some but you have a lot of shock absorption. It’s on par with the Burton Cartel X Re:Flex.
Boot Support
I personally really like the Burton Cartel X EST ankle strap but as much the Toe Strap. Even with Burton boots I never feel like I’m getting a good connection over the toe.
Ratchets
The Burton Cartel X EST ratchets are smooth but don’t like it if you try to crank em down. They pop back which is great for those that over crank your ankle but it isn’t ideal for the toe where there are no pressure points. I’d like to crank it down there.
Adjustability
Everything works with the Burton Cartel X EST to get you pretty dialed. You can fit the boot well but not perfectly in the binding but you have long channels on each side to get it centered on board. The Re:Flex Burton Cartel X works with almost any board but the Burton Cartel X EST has all the adjustability.
Conclusion
So the Burton Cartel X EST has a questionable toe strap and it only works with Burton channel compatible boards but it really shines with Burton boards. No one brand can give you everything you want or need. So unless you are 100% committed to Burton or their 3-4 other brands that license the Channel system, just get the Cartel X Re:Flex.
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Burton Cartel X EST Past Reviews
Burton Cartel X EST Snowboard Binding Video and Written Review
You have arrived at the Burton Cartel X EST Snowboard Binding Review brought to you by average riders with extensive binding experience.
Turn Ons/Swipe Right: Best flex underfoot we have found. Very smooth turning binding with great board feel.
Turn Offs/Swipe Left: Only for Burton Channel System boards. So as of 2021 only Burton, Endeavor & Signal.
Summary
The Burton Cartel X EST limits your snowboard choices to 3 brands out of hundreds. But, if you are all in with Burton, then this offers exceptional board feel and a smooth response.
Ethics Statement:We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.
A Breakdown of How it rides and who it is for
How This Review Happened: We kept using this during the demos and got a few days on it.
Days: 3
Riders:James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Davey (Size 12, 240lbs, 6’4”), Grant ( Size 11, 6’0”, 160lbs), Peter (Size 8.5, 5’11”, 175lbs)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers, Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Boards: Burton Kilroy Twin, Burton Big Gulp, Burton Kilroy 3D Camber
Similar (but not the same) Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Falcor, Burton Genesis X, Salomon Quantum, Salomon Highlander, Nitro Carver, Nitro Phantom Carver, Now O-Drive
Approximate Weight
Burton does light right. The Burton Cartel X EST is really light but not chattery.
Highback Flex
There is a noticeably stiffer flex than the standard Cartel models while still having a little bit of twist.
Binding to Boot Adjustability
Burton EST bindings like the Cartel X are very easy to adjust to dial out to your boot so it is centered on the board. The channel on the sides of each binding do two things. It adjusts stance angles and helps center the boot on the board to make turning symmetrical. Because it is optimized to work with Burton Channel System boards only it does a better job than Re:Flex. It comes at the cost of only being able to use less than 5% of the boards for sale though.
Stance Width Adjustability
Infinite with the Channel System. There isn’t a stance width you can’t set up within the Burton Channel.
Boot Support
The ankle strap of the Burton Cartel X EST is the star of this binding. It is very supportive without being restrictive and feels great. Now the Toe Strap, however, is another story. We fount it very hard to center on your toe so it feels right. We have found the toe strap off our toe at the bottom of the run. The ankle strap is so good than we can deal with it but we don’t like it.
Ratchet System
Our crew only wants to crank down the toe strap because it locks your heel into the high back and doesn’t hurt your foot. Cranking down the ankle strap can cause permanent damage to your feet. Every time we try it pops out and doesn’t allow it to crank.
Turn Initiation/Response
Burton bindings, including the Cartel X EST are not about being super responsive but they are one of the most responsive bindings in their line. It still has a smooth fluid consistent response throughout the turn that we all really like. If you want sharp quick response it would be best to check out other brands but if you want smooth this is where it’s at.
Flex Under Foot/Buttering
The Burton Cartel X EST is a little better than the Cartel X Re:Flex. That says a lot because any Re:Flex binding is at the top of the industry when it comes to natural flex underfoot and easy butterability. You can’t ride em with normal boards though so it comes with a huge cavoite. Still, this is the kind of binding that makes the board almost flex naturally. On top of that it has a little more pop/ollie power with the hinge tech springs in the base plate. We have done an A/B test in the past and all noticed a little more ollie power.
Shock Absorption/Dampness
There is just about the same shock absorption as the Re:Flex Cartel X.
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Burton Cartel X EST Specs
Burton Cartel X EST Images
We try to get as many images of the Burton Cartel X EST, but forgive us if they're not all there.
