Location: Mammoth Mountain, CA
Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to icy groomers.
Setup: I rode the Burton Diode bindings on the Burton Feelgood Flying V with my Vans Ferra Boots size 8.
Time to set up the binding: This setup was average time to set up for the demo. Once we knew the size, it was easy to get it dialed and mounted to the aftermath with the EST/ICS system.
Fit: My size 8 women’s boots worked fine in the small Diode bindings for fit. The straps worked with my boots and there was no extra width in the bindings.
First Impression: Holy hell, these highbacks aren’t a joke.
Appearance: I rode the re:flex Diode’s so they came in the blue/black color option. It’s mostly a black binding with some blue ratchets and a highback with blue on the outside and blue polka dots on the inside. It’s a pretty slick binding in the design.
Comfort: The Diode’s in my opinion aren’t as padded or comfortable as the malavita’s. There is padding in the baseplate and the straps are padded but there is less padding in the highback and you feel very connected because of it.
Functionality: The Burton Diode bindings feature a new ultra-lightweight single component carbon fiber highback and a baseplate with single component carbon fiber/nylon composite re:flex. The re:flex reduces weight and increases board flex. The react strap features a 3D curved construction with a triple axis spine, with ultra-responsive enduro padding and an improved wrap for constant boot contact. The toe strap is gettagrip capstrap is 3D curved with a triple axis spine, ultra-minimized construction and true wrap toe winding grip fit. The cushioning system offers a full coverage, cushioned platform to maximize comfort and minimize fatigue. The Diode’s come with dual component smooth glide buckles with aluminium.
Flex: The highback on the Diode is a stiffer flex with the carbon fiber and solid highback design. Definitely not the most playful binding. The straps are a softer flex so you have a lot of side to side flex for comfortable riding without being too stiff to handle.
Response: The Diode’s aren’t a joke with the carbon fiber highback and baseplate. They are a stiffer binding with loads of response from the highback. The straps are a bit more forgiving so you mostly get response for toe to heelside turns with a softer lateral give to the binding.
Toe Strap: The Gettagrip capstrap fit very snugly with the toe of my Vans boots. The capstrap design really grips the boot and stays secure without moving while riding.
Overall Impression: The Burton Diode is packed for powerful riding. The carbon fiber on the binding keeps it lightweight but also offers a stiffer responsive ride. Definitely not a binding for a first timer into snowboarding, it’s aggressive and quick so you get the most out of a binding and the board beneath it.
Shay’s Honesty Box: It was definitely an eye-opening riding experience to get out on the Diode’s. I could probably say hands down that the Diode’s are the most responsive binding I’ve ridden. The interesting time on them was that the highback was very powerful but with the straps you had a softer side to side flex on the binding.
Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Burton Diode or shop their full line of Burton snowboard bindings
On Snow Photos
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Burton Diode Description
Review Disclosure: I demoed this binding at a Burton demo day.
Phil
January 17, 2012 at 12:47 pmI returned these, I wasn’t impressed with the board feel. They just weren’t a smooth binding probably due to the stiffer flex. But I’ve ridden stiff bindings that still have a good feel and smooth response, these didn’t fall into that category for me.