Snowboard Review: 09-10 Burton Hero

Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Snowing with powder on runs, some groomed areas.

Setup: I rode the Burton Hero with Burton Molotov bindings and my Rome Vamps size 8.

First Impression: Varying information on whether it changed from 08-09 to 09-10, I heard it was the same from the demo reps but catalog says the flex scale changed, after I rode it…it didn’t feel like the flex had changed.

Size: 155cm

Weight: lighter than average

Flex: The hero is stiffer between the bindings with a softer scoop nose and tail, making it easy to press and butter but also holds well when freeriding. V-rocker is a 3 point rocker, between the bindings and on the nose and tail at the contact points making it less likely to catch and with the rocker between the feet, easy to press.

Turning: The hero is impressive on edge, holds an edge for carving and quick response edge to edge. It never felt like it would catch an edge or be overly aggressive. Whether it has a long radius turn or short radius, the board was capable of each turn at slow speeds and faster speeds. The PDE definitely helps with the edgehold at each binding, always feel like you have good grip and not out of control with how much grip it is.

Stable: The hero both times I’ve ridden it have been stable when going faster, the only unstable feeling I get is when I’m riding chop with it. It holds an edge during the hardpacked with the PDE (Pressure Distribution Edges), I didn’t take it on ice this time.

Pop: It took time to get used to ollie’ing on it but it was really easy to press and butter the board on the groomers.

Switch: Easy to maneuver into switch, no problems with the edges catching and with the twin flex you don’t need to adjust to it riding differently switch.

Overall Impression: The hero to me is a solid ride, obviously popular because it’s a do everything board but still park orientated. With ICS/EST you get good response and feel connected to the board. The only issue I have with the hero is through choppy conditions, it doesn’t handle as well and you definitely feel it in the board.

Shay’s Honesty Box: It’ll be interesting to see what is said about this board when it comes out. The catalog says a flex difference, down 2 points to make it even softer but I haven’t seen anything to prove why it would be softer (catalog descriptions are the same). When I rode it, it didn’t feel like a different flex, it rode the same to me as the last time with the 08-09 model. So It’ll be interesting to see other’s reports on if they think it changed. Overall the hero is a fun ride, I like Burton’s take on rocker.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the 2011 version of the Burton Hero or shop their full line of Burton snowboards