Michael pansiri

Alright so the last burton that i had was a canyon from i think 2002 and just on pure comparison, though they are different widths, you can see how technology has changed the way we ride the boards and the way the boards ride the mountain. I wasn't completely sold on the EST channel system when i first saw posts of it on youtube, and since i live in Thailand there aren't too many ski shops around (HAHAHA), but after using it for the first time in Japan for ten days, I am completely sold. In the future Burton will probably add another kind of stabilization vice on the binding for them to be mechanically more secure, but after the ride, i foresee no problems with the set up as is. The way the binding mount with only two screw perplexes me, but f the perplex-ion, the ride stance set ups on this thing are infinite. And you can literally jog down in your notebook a quantified precise degree measurement. I do like riding with Palmer PLS mounts under my bindings and you can't use them with these two killer burton items, but i guess you can't have it both ways...unless anyone out there knows a way to do it?So overall, awsome board with alot of pop, stiff but not too, great for backcountry or the park (really awsome for the park, the board actually inspires confidence (danger for the newbs)). And the channel with est is money in the bank

A good Helmet overall and IMHO I like the styling of the Omen more than most of the other giros and smiths. The goggle clip in the back is pretty flimsy though, and though i didn't break it off after 10 days of hard use, I'm pretty sure some way or another this thing is gonna be dust in the wind once the baggage handlers throw my board bag in the wrong position, and for this reason only is why i gave it one less star.I really do like the dial fit for the helmet, and the two, count em two venting areas allow for multiple flow options. Ear flaps are pretty comfy however not easily removed. I have a pretty gigantic head too, right at 62.5 cm, and the sizing guide was a perfect fit, glad backcountry didn't carry the XL or I would have ordered it! So, Kudos and 5 stars to BC on the proper sizing guide available and not letting me buy a helmet that was too big. A good helmet however a bit on the pricier end of the spectrum, but isn't protecting your dome worth 200 dollars?

So This is a very good bag and the quality of the build is high, and after travelling internationally with it, seems like it will hole up like the old Burton gear.

Now, correct me if i'm wrong, and i don't think that i am, but didn't all burton textiles, clothing, bags used to carry lifetimes manufacturer guarantees. I had two normal board cases and two pairs of pants from back in the day which have now been lost to the wind, but i believed that they were garaunteed for life by Burton, what's with all the downsizing? Uh oh, hope the suits are rolling in and destroying the hard work that Jake established years ago...

Back to the bag, it's great, holds two of my boards with bindings, and two additional without, all of my avy gear, shell, gloves, boots, and extra stuff i need on the mountain and in the village, and along with my laptop and another small carry on, this is my only check-in. Massive volume, and blow out proof neoprene safety zones adjacent to the zippers. Good bag, easy to carry, hope it lasts more than a year.....

Gave this 4 stars because it has a cool little case to keep the lock tidy in your bag or pocket. The coated cable wont scratch your skis or board, but the keys are a pain, and god forbid you lose them. But if you're into combo locks you lose some security as well. I think this gets the job done and the lock isn't a stanley, but it'll hold off thieves while you grab a beer, hit the head, and puff a smoke, just in time for the last gondola ride up....enjoy

just picked these up about a month ago and just got the opportunity to use them in Japan for a few weeks. I''l compare them to my previous bindings (i believe they were c60s also circa 2004-5, when the highback was full carbon instead of the holy one that it has now, and it had a lamborghini like yellow marquis on the highback as well) that these replaced.

Besides the fact that the old c60s didn't have the new EST channel system is what takes the cake. It really is one of the most innovative technical ideas to come through since the sport began. The channel actually makes it much easier to adjust your stance on the fly, and makes things much more precise and hassle free when you're up next in the park. The one thing I have to say is that I can see where the channel might have limitations, because you don't have the ability to set your stance really far back. Sometimes in the deep powder it was a pain in the ass for me to keep my custom x up in the deep powders of japan, and i would have liked the ability to move my front binding much further back so that it would be comfortable on my back leg as well. Other than that though, the channel system is pretty rockin, and i have a separate backcountry board anyways, so i was just being a complainer.

Like the previous c60s, these are super stiff and have great power transfer from feet to bindings to board. I've used these in the park as well as back country and they are really great performers, with the dial up angle on the back, you can adjust for super icy conditions, or just when you need better edge grip for lazy days. The only performance difference i can remember from my old models is that it had a "gas pedal" hinge on the front end of the baseplate which not only added a bit more flexibility for hard turns but also gave a bit more cushioning. I do ride with palmer pls lifters along with all of my boards, so i can really tell when the padding is substantially different. The only complaint I have is the use of the CF, i mean come on Jake Burton and company, you're loyal customers are and remain so because we expect the products to live up to the brand name as it has been established, and i realize it's expensive, but if my old c60s cost the same amount, and seem to have better build quality, something is missing from the equation on your end. Same money, less Carbon Fiber? hmmmm. Well shape up soon, cause the loyalists can only take so much before the brand leaves a sour taste in our mouths.

So overall, an excellent riding and technically innovative set of bindings if you're willing to drop the cash. But maybe you should buy them this year, cause next season, the CF may be limited to the burton logo......HA HA HA. easy riding dudes!

I just picked these up about a month ago and just got the opportunity to use them in Japan for a few weeks. I''l compare them to my previous bindings (i believe they were c60s also circa 2004-5, when the highback was full carbon instead of the holy one that it has now, and it had a lamborghini like yellow marquis on the highback as well) that these replaced.

Like the previous c60s, these are super stiff and have great power transfer from feet to bindings to board. I've used these in the park as well as back country and they are really great performers, with the dial up angle on the back, you can adjust for super icy conditions, or just when you need better edge grip for lazy days. The only performance difference i can remember from my old models is that it had a "gas pedal" hinge on the front end of the baseplate which not only added a bit more flexibility for hard turns but also gave a bit more cushioning. I do ride with palmer pls lifters along with all of my boards, so i can really tell when the padding is substantially different. The only complaint I have is the use of the CF, i mean come on Jake Burton and company, you're loyal customers are and remain so because we expect the products to live up to the brand name as it has been established, and i realize it's expensive, but if my old c60s cost the same amount, and seem to have better build quality, something is missing from the equation on your end. Same money, less Carbon Fiber? hmmmm. Well shape up soon, cause the loyalists can only take so much before the brand leaves a sour taste in our mouths.

So overall, an excellent riding and technically innovative set of bindings if you're willing to drop the cash. But maybe you should buy them this year, cause next season, the CF may be limited to the burton logo......HA HA HA. easy riding dudes!

IMHO the Pieps DSP is the best available on the market today, simple user interface, klutz proof buttons and intuitive layout; to go along with the triple antenna. And if used in conjunction with the iprobe, can help you search faster for your buddies who are buried. The probe also has a cool feature that actually talks to your dsp and allows you to switch targets after one has been found. I would find this very useful if you had many members of your party buried and needed to get to finding the others quickly while the rest of your party did the dig out. The probe is a little more short relative to the others out there, I believe this one is 225 cm versus like a 260 cm medium from the other brands, but where it lacks in length, the iprobe makes up for in girth. The tip of the probe actually has a tiny sensor that sends a transmitting beep when you get within about 15 cm from the transmitting dsp. Pretty cool features that I think can help save time when it matters most., unless it's not in your bag........d'oh

I'll update on the build quality later on in the season when this thing has been used for more than 15 days.

I replaced my Driver X's from i think about 2005 with the new grail in black and red. Just for comparison sake i'll use the driver x as my constant. I don't know if technically burton built the boot in this manner but this is my opinion from riding them both. The grails seem like they are built with the same last as the driver x and fit is the same, however the driver x was a bit more stiff, and seems like the build was more for backcountry (durability wise and water repellent strength), but I like the way the grail rides much more. The more flexible attitude of the grails cuff compared to the driver obviously allows for more flexibility and movement which i find handy in the park, bust also useful when you need a little forgiveness in the backwoods. Granted the power exchange between your boots to bindings isn't so direct, I still prefer the grails to the driver x from 2004. Final note, i've had quality issues with burton gloves and little things before, but with bindings and boots, the craftsmanship is there and these at least feel the same as the others. I'll update this review once the grails have had one season under them, but seems pretty burton quality already after 7 hard boarding days in japan. Oh, ps, cushioning on these are pretty badass and will keep you comfy all day.

Just received my blackbird in tall, I'm 6'1 with an athletically stocky build and a longer torso than normal. And It feels like the pack was tailored for me. Luckily i read the reviews below regarding the arc'teryx sizing because i was torn between ordering tall or regular. here's the link for sizing http://www.arcteryx.com/sizing-charts.aspx . I have yet to use the pack in the field, but it will be used in Niseko Japan in two weeks. From what I can see, the bag is up to arc standards, and the skin seems completely waterproof and indestructible, plus it holds all of my hydrator system, first aid kit, avalance gear, shovel, probe, etc. and still has plenty of room for other mountain essentials. Arc stuff is expensive, but Murray's laws are true, you get what you pay for, and if it seems too goo to be true its probably just another great product from Arc'teryx! I'll keep you guys filled in on how it holds up this first season, but from the looks of it, it's not going anywhere.

Just wanted to add this to the review. just finished a trip in japan and the hip suspension disc contraption really worked well while i was snowboarding, as long as the fit of the pack is right and you have the load supported by your hips, it really allows the bag to move with your body and not contort while you're trying to grabs or hard turns.

Just ordered these mitts, and i had the continum fuse model from a few years back. This is burton's top of the line so i assume it was just a change in model name, and i have yet to use my new hovers, but if they perform as well as the continum fuse i'll give it five stars. The fuse had no liner, but was the perfect windstopping waterproof shell mitt, and if you added your own low profile moisture wicking glover underneath, you could go through -10 degree weather with no numb fingers and perfectly warm dry hands. I'm interested to see how these new ones perform with the removable liner. I had a pair of ak oven's a while back, and i know they weren't proshell or xcr, but i found them to get too soaked after 3 or 4 hours or riding. I prefer a shell only glove that will resist the elements and i can add my own liners and layers. But i'll let you guys know how the removable liner works with and without the shell in place.

Decent stomp pad, if you've got bigger feet, i'm thinking above a size ten, its not as big as jeremy describes, but the placement of the metal spikes gets the job done. Japanesey design is simple and functional, plus it won't look as EMO as some of the dakine stuff.

I recently just ordered a new one of these bad boys in the volcano colorway, while i was using and everglade from about 2004. I have yet to use my newly acquired one, but one i know from my older model (which got replaced because i gave it away to a friend in need), it's a sick shell with a nice athletic fit that can be used for epic off piste skiing, or if you're just moying around the groomed runs. I know Arc'teryx stuff seems pricey, but the build quality of this stuff is great and along with the great customer care of both backcounry and arc'teryx. I don't think you can go wrong. My old sidewinder from '04 had no problems with waterproofing and build quality, as long as you keep the garment cleaned with the proper liquid stuff arc'teryx recommends. (website). My first jacket lasted my numerous (100 plus days in the powder a year on the east coast (jay peak, killington, stowe, and granted the weather may not seem like its too raunchy there. but believe me the ice and wind will not get through this bomber beast. Waist gaiter, zipper placement, and construction have this jacket running at the front of the line for me, and if you can afford it, I gaurantee it will not disappoint you for years to come. Happy outdooring! and Enjoy the jacket if you get it, I surely am and will for a long time to come!