Burton Diode 2016 - 2012 Review by The Good Ride

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The 2016 Burton Diode isn’t much different from the 14 and 15 models and it’s still a great binding. There might be some little tech tweaks but it’s still the same great ride. The only real difference is the toe strap of the Demo Diode we tried didn’t conform around the boot like it did with the 15 and below models.  The rubber was too stiff and it stuck up from the boot. They said they were going to fix that with the production models and they did (much softer) so we are 100% behind the 2016’s now.

Update: After spending some time on the Burton Genesis X and comparing it to the Burton Diode it won out as a Good Ride Favorite.  The Diode is still a great binding and highly recommendable but the Genesis X won out with the hammock strap and auto cant tech.

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 2015 Burton Diode hasn’t changed much from the 2014 model except a few tweaks.  The thing we noticed the most was the ankle strap opens up really easy compared to last year but the ride that we loved last year is very much the same.

The 2014 Burton Diode has a few changes this year.

1. We all really liked the change from carbon fiber to a blended more eco-friendly high back. It doesn’t have that rigid feel that the older models did but it’s just as responsive. Actually, we like the little bit of give that the new high back has compared to the old carbon one.

2. Great new more supportive ankle strap that really feels good.  You can crank it down more than before.

3. There is a new ratchet system that slides on easier and cranks down harder.  It’s much easier to get the ratchets on and you can do it one-handed if you need to. It takes a little getting used to but the more I play with the ratchet system the more I like it.

Days:  30+
Riders: James, Peter & Jimbo

Boots: Burton Ion, Burton SLX, Burton Imperial, Nike Kaiju, Nike Zoom Ites, Burton Ruler,
Boards: Jones Mountain Twin, Rossignol One Magtek,  Never Summer Cobra, Gnu Riders Choice, Arbor Steepwater and a few other boards

Flex: So the Diode changed up the flex of the high back for 2014.  It’s still very stiff but it’s got a little more give in the flex that actually feels pretty good. The older completely carbon high back was almost too stiff and we like the changeup. The flex seems to change according to the size. I have the mediums and they feel almost medium/stiff.  There is some flex when you twist it and a little give when you pull back but the large doesn’t really give at all. The small is more like the medium but a little softer. For example, I couldn’t bend the high back straight back with the Large but I could a little bit with the medium and small Diode.  So the general feel is stiff but it could easily be called med/stiff. The new flex is much better because we thought the older high back was a bit to stiff. This is just as responsive or even more responsive but with the give, there is also a return that seems to enhance the response.

Size Medium Weight: 3.6lbs

Adjustability: Same great adjustability. It’s pretty easy to adjust the ankle, toe straps and forward lean but after that, you need a tool to adjust the high back rotation.  Even though this binding requires a tool its still a lot better than most bindings when it comes to dialing it out for your specific needs.

Comfort: Incredibly comfortable and the 2014 Burton Diode offers the kind of set up that allows you to be very comfortable even if you are one of those riders that must crank down his straps as far as they go.

Heel-Toe Response: The Diode is pretty responsive but it sits at the bottom of excellent and borders on being great. There are other bindings out there from other brands that are more responsive but this is the most responsive of the Burton line.  This year the 2014 Burton Diode feels a little more responsive than before but also has a better all around feel to the ride. The new ankle strap seems to give the binding a little more toe side response than before and the high back does the same job as before even though it’s slightly softer. The Re:Flex tech of this binding also makes the response really smooth to where you don’t feel at first that it’s that responsive.  However, it really comes into play when you take up another responsive set of bindings along with the Diodes and one board.  I’ve done this a few times with a few different boards and it’s really interesting.  The board feels stiffer with most other bindings but the other bindings still turn it just as well.  When you put on the Diodes after the board feels softer but just as responsive.

Tip-Tail Response: What a great binding to butter with.  You would think this wouldn’t be so but it is thanks to the re:flex tech underfoot. This and the other Burton bindings that share this same base plate design are some of the best disc bindings out there when it comes to getting the board to flex lengthwise. Yes EST bindings are better but they only work with Burton boards so that doesn’t really count.

Boot Support: The new ankle strap for 2014 bumped up the response and also the support.  It’s still not as locked in as the higher end flux bindings but it is getting a lot closer to the point where it can share the same rating.  The new ankle strap really does contour your boot and give support everywhere it touches where the older react ankle strap, although great, just didn’t have the complete contoured support that this does. You really feel it holding you on the sides as well as the top. You can crank it down too with no pressure points if you have a comfortable boot on. All in all, it’s very solid when it comes to

Ratchet System: So I was a little worried about the new ratchet system at the Demos but Burton did some good work over the summer and now the ratchet seems better than their previous industry-leading ratchet system. The big thing about the new ratchet system is you can do it rather well with one hand and it also ratchets very smoothly. You can also push the ratchet down without using the crank so you push it down to where there is contact with your boot and then you crank to tighten it.  I was very skeptical about this upgrade at the demo’s but the more I play around with the production models the more I’m into this new design.

Shock Absorption: Same excellent shock absorption as always and with the new ankle strap, there is little to no compromise when it comes to getting your boots locked in.

All in all the 2014 Burton Diode is a great ultra stiff responsive binding for those that like to have the lightest, stiffest and most responsive binding a company makes.

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.