Binding Review: 12-13 Burton Genesis

Location: Winter Park, CO

Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to softpacked groomers.

Setup: I rode the Burton Genesis on the Burton Root with my Vans Ferra Boots size 8.

Time to set up the binding: Pretty normal time to set up the bindings.

Fit: I don’t remember what size the Genesis bindings were, either a small or medium for the men’s. The baseplate fit was fine and the ankle strap fit was good, the toe strap was tight and fit but definitely showed the boot was smaller than it should be. Overall fit was decent on the binding but mostly due to my using women’s boots.

First Impression: Crazy fun and a bit more movement/support than you are used to.

Appearance: The Genesis EST bindings come with the day and night colorway. It’s not very flashy but isn’t meant to be, just the opposites attract and let the tech do the talking kind of binding look.

Comfort: Super comfortable binding, good cushioning in the baseplate and padding on the highback. Both of the straps were comfortable, the ankle strap didn’t have much to it but molded great to my boot.

Functionality: The Genesis bindings feature a new dual-component EST featuring the hinge with park blend short-glass/nylon composite spar and 30% short-glass/nylon composite lower. The highback is a new zero lean kickback hammock hiback with microflad. It’s basically a highback that moves with the boot in front of the highback. The straps are react strap and a lightweight gettagrip capstrap, the buckes are dual component smooth glide buckles, the cushioning is removeable shredbed 3.0 cushioning system. It rides exclusively with the Burton boards featuring the channel. The binding features re-ground materials in the baseplate to reduce waste.

Flex: You have the support of the highback but you also have this inner highback that gives you movement and control over response a bit. Overall it’s in the middle of the range for flex but you have a lot of lateral support and can count on the binding to really hold you into each turn. When you start initiating response, you have something there to help kickstart it. It’s a really cool concept of flex/movement and putting it into play. The living hinge also lets you have movement beneath the binding/in the baseplate to feel better connected to the board.

Response: This isn’t an overly responsive binding, more enjoy the ride and feel the support when you need it. The hammock highback is a good mix of comfort, support and response.

Toe Strap: The gettagrip capstrap was a good choice on the toe strap, it stayed secure and locked my boot into the binding really good. Super comfortable with no pressure points.

Overall Impression: The Genesis binding is new for 2013 from Burton. It’s designed with all the components that make a successful Burton binding but with a new hammock hi-back that helps give you more support and flex. Combined with the hinge, it gives you good flex from the binding down to the board.

Shay’s Honesty Box:  This is one of the newer bindings techs out for 2013, having an inner highback on the highback designed to give you more support and flex from the highback. I actually liked the concept and wish I could have ridden it with the women’s Escapade binding but the men’s Genesis was still a great choice for trying out the tech.

Review Disclosure: I demoed this binding at the SIA On-Snow Demo at Winter Park, CO.