I rode with these about 20 times last season and has no issues so far. Comfort is good, buckles go smooth... be careful with the highbacks they can brake easily while getting on/off a chairlift! Friend of mine broke the highback while landing 35 footer, so as it looks this is the weakest link.

I had got the Cartels last year in a Large, and rode them for a season before finding out my boots were too big and had to switch to a medium. Dogfunk took care of it no questions asked! super stoked, love the bindings, they ride super comfy, good flex, love the skybacks. I haven't had the issue maybe but once about having to put the skyback down when getting on lifts (no problems in Mammoth). Definitely recommend them to anyone ready to step it up.

These bindings are awesome. I thought all bindings were pretty much the same until i used them. they are so comfortable i hardly notice them but keep my boots entirely secure. the only downside is the price but it is well worth it.

mostly plastic, which could be an issue. large size is still a snug fit with a size 14 boot.

hi-back is, very high, even at the most upright stance you have a relatively forward, forward-lean, it took some getting used to but i now enjoy it, i believe burton makes a lower back which you could swap out if you needed to

ratchets are high quality, don't get jammed up with snow. the toe cap stays on well with burton boots, but my friend borrowed the board and had trouble with his non-burton boots.

I ended up renting a pair of these from WaveRave in Mammoth, when my hommies bindings didn't work out. Comfy biding!!! The skyback really makes your heal-side turns a piece of cake! I love the toe-cap feature too, at first I wasn't too sure about it, but after riding them I'm convinced it's the way to go. I picked up the moss/fade to go with my green/kaki jacket and pants. WOO! yeah for Cartels!!!

While the toe caps are great, you really need the newer generation toe caps b/c the first generation caps don't have that extra rubber grip at the bottow to really hold themselves on when needed. However, there is no newer generation toe cap that matches this binding (that I have found) so you would have to get the black replacement toe cap and if you are going for looks, that might not be so good.

The cartel rides nice but poorly engineered. The toe cap material can't handle crusty snow, tore up first ride. The ratchet placement on the straps allow them to hit and damage the top of the board. The high back is positioned such that there is a step between it and the base which then catches the sole of your boot at the back of your ankle pulling it away. The method to acheive forward lean stresses the material and is showing signs of fatigue. All this in 6 days riding. Not flash at all

These bindings really make you ride hard. No just cruising in them. The amount of forward lean these bindings have really wears your legs down on long runs. They are adjustable, and you can move the flad on the highback, but you are still quite forward when strapped in. Still a great binding. Just a bit too much forward lean for me.

These are light!! I was giddy taking off my old bindings and putting these on my board. The toe is perfect and keeps my dialed for every ride all day. I agree with park comment earlier, with the high backs things get a little cramped for grabs.