Burton Genesis Re:Flex Snowboard Binding Review

The Burton Genesis Re:Flex is one of those bindings that appears as it would be only for mellow park boards but instead fits a wide variety of boards and has been one of our favorite bindings for a long time.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  No one is perfect and we do make money from the “Where To Buy” links below, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

The Burton Genesis hasn’t had a lot of major changes from 2014-2016 there are only a few minor changes. They are mainly with ease of use adjustability/comfort and only a little bit of response/performance.

The 2016 Burton Genesis demo model’s Toe Straps didn’t really conform around the toe of your boot and none of us liked them. They stuck out and didn’t fit right. I just got a 2016 production model and the new toe straps fit really well.  The rubber is much softer and they fit great around the toe.

Days:50+ on 13,14,15 and 16 models

James, Peter & Jimbo

Boots: Burton SLX, Salomon F3.0, Burton Fiend LTD, Burton Fiend, Burton Ion, Burton Imperial, Nike Kaiju, DC Judge, Nike Zoom Ites, Burton Ambush, Burton Hail, Burton Ruler, Salomon Synapse, Nike Lunarendore
Boards: Rome Powder Division 157,  Jones Mountain Twin, Gnu Impossible Series, Yes Greats, Rossignol One Magtek, Lib Tech Burtner Box Scratcher, Never Summer Proto, Never Summer Cobra, Lib Tech TRS, Lib Tech Lando Phoenix, Lib Tech Hot Knife, Arbor Coda, Burton Barracuda, Burton Nug Flying V, Gnu Space Case, Gnu Riders Choice, Slash ATV,Yes Jackpot

This is a great binding but first impressions seem like the 2 piece high back could be a little fragile. So after bringing this up with a Burton rep, he showed us that they hold up better than they look. He bent the 2 pliable pieces each way and it convinced us that it will hold together much better than our initial impressions. In general, one part lasts longer than 2 but this should hold up better than a brittle high back as they had with the old Burton Co2’s.

Regarding Re:Flex Tech: Re:Flex Tech really changes the way the board rides for the better but it has one minor issue that should be addressed.  Most 4 hole Discs can be aligned tip to tail or heel to toe but the Re:Flex Disc can only be aligned heel to toe. This isn’t a big deal because most align heel to toe but some like to turn their discs sideways to reduce or increase their stance width to a size that the binding holes won’t allow. If you do this make sure your board has the stance width you desire.

Size Medium Weight: 3.6lbs 

Flex: The High Back is very interesting. At first, I felt that this was a soft high back but the more I ride this the more I feel like the flex is just med/soft to even medium.  It’s the 2 piece thing that makes you think the high back is softer than it is. It’s hard to flex the 2 pieces with your hand together. In actuality, the combined flex of the 2 pieces makes for a high back that is more responsive than it’s flex. The two-piece system grows on you and makes for a pretty fun/unique feel on the high back when turning.

Adjustability: Very adjustable like all Burton bindings. This is one of Burton’s best qualities. One of our favorite parts about this and all Burton bindings is the high back rotation is better than almost every other binding out there because you don’t have 3 holes to choose from. You have something you can slide back in forth that is more like the equivalent of 5 holes.

Comfort: These ankle straps are some of the best in the business and these are the favorite in our line. The Toe Straps are just like every other Burton Binding and do a pretty good job. The overall feel of the binding is very easy on the feet. For most, it should be pressure point free.

Heel to Toe Response– We felt the Diodes have more response but these do the same thing that all high end Re:Flex bindings do. They don’t feel super responsive but instead make the board underneath you feel like it’s softer and easier to turn. I noticed that when we put these on the Arbor A-Frame which is a pretty stiff board that requires responsive bindings to turn it the best that they had no issues there. These feel right in between the Diodes and standard Cartels in terms of response and give you a lot more response than you would think for the high backs flex.  The new 2014 ankle strap feels a little more responsive too.

Tip to Tail Response– Very easy to leverage the board into a butter or press. This base plate is exceptional and it offers a good flex underfoot that we feel is pretty much tied with Burton EST bindings.

Boot Support: There is a very good grip around your ankle that holds your boot down very well. The new 2014 Hammock Ankle strap grips incredibly well and is a step up from the older but very well liked react strap.  It has a more supportive and more form-fitting grip that’s coming really close to how the high-end Flux bindings lock you in. The Burton Genesis is more on the great side of excellent where the high-end Flux bindings have set the standard but man this is a really locked in feel. It can crank down harder than the old react strap and feels like it’s holding your heel into the binding more than any other Burton ankle strap has done before.  Also, there feels like more support on the outer sides of the ankle strap. Even with the EVA footbed the ankle strap keeps you locked in. Well done.

Ratchet System: Smooth and practically perfect. Burton’s high-end bindings are very easy on and off.

Shock Absorption– Really great for absorbing hard landings or dealing with shitty tracked out chatter filled runs. Burton does one of the best job’s here. The offer a very cushy deep pad under your foot without really affecting the response. Also, the Auto-Cant that’s been on the binding for the last few years helps align your body better and reduce joint stress with the stance width you have when snowboarding. Well, at least it does for me.

2016 Burton Genesis Review

2015 Burton Genesis Review

1. It’s got a new ankle strap that really conforms to your ankle that we really like.  You can crank it down without that much discomfort.

2. It has a new ratchet system. Some of the demo models had issues but Burton said this would be fixed for the production models. So far the production models we have played with are outstanding.  I actually now own a Genesis binding and find that the new ratchet system is smoother and easier to put on compared to my Burton bindings that have the older system.

Burton Diode vs. Burton Genesis vs Burton Cartel

The Burton Genesis 2013 has a 2 layer high back combined with a base plate very similar to the Diode. At first it seemed fragile and a little weird but the more time we have on this binding it the less fragile it feels and the more fun it rides.  It’s kind of like a mellow diode or a slightly more responsive Cartel binding that offers a pretty balanced all mountain ride.