Burton Cartel X ReFlex vs Cartel X Est Review (Same for 2025)

[@mariankowalski9797]

Always the best reviews on the internet!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks!

[@yipshingho1510]

Great review! I am on Cartel/Ion since 2007, still on those. Looking for a new set and man things have changed so much since then, lol.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! I had Cartels from back in the 00's as well and yeah things are super different. Check thegoodride.com/snowboard-binding-reviews/?mens=1 to see the other bindings and how they evolved in an easier way than KZbin.

[@Anukulous]

Just a side note, you should mention that EST has a limited angle. So I have the Burton X which is like their top tier halo binding. It’s all carbon. I ride normal with a 30 degree in the front and plus 21 degrees in the back. EST will limit my front leg up to 27 degrees in the front, and 21 degrees on the back leg. If you are goofy, the numbers i gave would be inverted, and the reason why it’s limited to those max angles is because of the length of the rails on the side of the binding. Just fyi. Love the video. I might get a pair of cartel x and swap out the footbed for my Burton X EST. The footbed on the X is just two layers of carbon separated by 6 carbon spacers. I feel with my weight, i will smash the footbed on a kicker.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for taking the time to write this and good to know about the stance angles. Let us know how the mix n match plays out if you go that route. Cheers!

[@ElevenEightNate]

Too much angle is just going to negate the positives of EST anyway. The whole idea is that it's on a hinge that flexes laterally with the board, and if you're wanting some crazy angle it would just cancel that out. Maybe you should look at different bindings for your awkward stance setup.

[@Anukulous]

@@ElevenEightNate it should accommodate a posi-posi angle of at least 30 degrees. Otherwise the niche is limited to a selective demographic of snowboarders on EST. Like i love the concept of EST because of the sum of forces or coupling for torquing a board, but if i can’t go 30 21 like Jeremey Jones, on a carve, the Burton doesn’t want my business…

[@gsquared1997]

Would love a comparison between these and some other competitors like the union falcor or force

[@thegoodridesnow]

Good idea. I'll add that to the to do list. Just soo damn behind.

[@FourT6and22]

Cartel X Re:Flex used to be my favorite binding. I've moved to Union Force and Atlas though. The Burton disc just doesn't get the job done for me anymore. I need the ability to adjust stance width. And Burton's disc does not allow this. Union's does. You can center your boot with Union's heel cup. Then rotate the disc 90 degrees and boom... you've got 2-4cm of adjustability in stance width. Burton can't do this. The binding itself is good though.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for your take and that is why I stopped testing with Burton's as well.

[@kyros7407]

Great review! Now I’m considering buying a separate binding only for the Burton Fish 3D I just purchased. Should I go for the EST binding? Cause like what you and some other guys mentioned, EST bindings have better feeling. Or would the Atlas you used in your review of Fish 3D, could be a better choice? And maybe other options, like Falcor, Nitro Team Pro?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! No. I'd still get Re:Flex or another brand so you have redundancy/the option to use it on another board. Yeah I like the Union Force, Nitro Team Pro, Bataleon Astro, Rome Katana and Burton Cartel X or Genesis Re:Flex for this board.

[@bike.krueger]

Great review. Been riding Burton Bindings for like over 20 years, but now I want more dampening to reduce shatter. My last Burton was the Triad, so a rather stiff one (for that time). I can imagine picking a less stiff highback, but want to remain a rather direct, but not too stiff response and overall comfort for all mountain riding. Having watched several other videos from you, I assume the Union Atlas is the way to go? Thx for your response and keep up the great work!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! Oh man I remember the Triad. Owned one. Yeah I think the Atlas could work but you might also really like the new Force. That's what I'm riding these days and I love it. It's a little stiffer high back but still not super stiff and has lots of twist. It has less dampness at the base but a much more cush/shock absorbent EVA foam top that I've really appreciated lately.

[@bike.krueger]

@@thegoodridesnow Thanks for your reply! Yes, I already considered it, but thought the Atlas would be preferable due to the superior dampening. I am looking for a comfy all-day all-mountain ride, but I am not riding park- so the Force is still your recommendation? Planning on moving from a Custom Camber to a Jones Frontier, so I think Union Bindings will be a great match.

[@thegoodridesnow]

I wouldn't say superior. Just a little better but has a lot less shock absorption. That is why I switched to Force's and recommended them over the Atlas because it's an easier all day ride. If you are ok with a lot less shock absorption the Atlas does everything else very well. Especially keeping the edge quiet on a hard turn.

[@TheeAaron]

Seems like Burton is just mailing in all their traditional bindings. They've been the exact same for eternity. Any rumors of changes for 25/26

[@thegoodridesnow]

Haven't looked at the catalog yet and yeah they haven't changed much.

[@fredericintx]

Good stuff but I have to disagree on the double take- I found that to be such a better ratchet/ladder system. DT just never torqued out on me. Current Brtn ratchets are not great. I swapped them out for Union ratchets (whatever is in the orange Union parts box at the shop) and they have excellent bite/hold. EST is the shit, but Burton got cheap with the ratchets. Great review as always my man.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words, your take and glad it works for you.

[@AnotherDaveInParadise]

The binding footprints for both Re:Flex and EST have been the same for over 10 years now. No board protection whatsoever, and Burton have been left behind on this front by other brands, especially Rome/Bataleon and Union. It's not the plastic unibody construction, as the 2024 K2 bindings with the new module chassis had a layer of foam underneath. Burton are just serving up the same bindings year on year.

[@ElevenEightNate]

The new K2s are also very dead feeling under foot and they make their foam and rubber out of "eco" caster beans that break down super fast. There's a reason you see 10 year old Burton bindings in better condition than a season old pair of Bonds or Editions that look all chewed up already. Plus K2's a ski brand, support snowboard brands.