Summary

The Burton Custom X Flying V is a hybrid rocker take on the old original camber Custom X. It's a pretty fun good condition ride but like many hybrid rocker Burton boards, it fell apart in harder snow.

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Riding Style All Mountain
Riding Level Intermediate - Expert
Fits Boot size (US) 8-10
Manufactured in China
Shape Directional
Camber Profile Hybrid Rocker
Stance Setback -12.5mm
Approx. Weight Feels Light
Split No
Powder Average
Base Glide Great
Carving Average
Speed Good
Uneven Terrain Great
Switch Good
Jumps Good
Jibbing Average
Pipe Good
On Snow Feel

Semi-Stable

Turn Initiation

Fast

Skidded Turns

Semi-Easy

Flex

Medium/Stiff

Buttering

Moderate

Edge Hold

Medium/Soft Snow

Where To Buy

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Snowcountry.eu
Burton Men's Custom X Fly
€ 799.95Buy it

Burton Custom X Flying V Written Review Review by The Good Ride

he 2018-2020 Burton Custom X Flying V has been reshaped with a slightly wider width, more twin-like shape, blunted nose and less set back than before. It used to have a very different shape compared to the Custom Flying V but now has the same exact specs and it seems that the only difference now between the two boards is the stiffer flex along with a better core.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

So not much has changed in terms of design from 2018-2020 so the old review still stands. The only thing that changed is Burton isn’t offering wider sizes anymore.  I did update the review to elaborate a bit more on how it rides.

Size: 158
Days:  2
Conditions: Day 1- really good CO snow with some powder but also a hard block of snowment underneath. Day 2- Pretty soft wet PNW snow at Mt. Bachelor.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), and Tim
Boots: Burton Almighty, Adidas Tactical ADV,  Burton SLXNike Lunarendore
Bindings: Burton Genesis X both times
Set Up:  Closer to reference but a bit set back. 15 front -9 back both times.  about 23″ wide both times

Approximate Weight

Feels light bordering on normal.  Not too light to be un-sturdy. Wood weight varies from board to board so who’s to say how yours will feel.

Flex/Buttering

Stiff but surprisingly easy to butter for this med/stiff flex. Jimbo had zero issues buttering this but even Peter and I could do it.  If this was camber we would not have been able to do so but the pre-bent middle really makes it easier.

Sizing

The 158 felt pretty good for Peter and I but now that the waist width is a little wider the 156 might of been even better for our specs.  Before it would have been the 158 or 160 for us but now the little bit of extra width seems to work better a little shorter.  For Tim and Jimbo, they would have liked wider. Jimbo would like the 158w and Tim, being much heavier would have liked the 162w.  Unfortunately, both Tim and Jimbo are out of luck for 2019 as they don’t make wides.

On Snow Feel

So the Burton Custom X Flying V has that same semi-stable kind of feel that all the other Burton Flying V / Hybrid Rocker boards have. Its fine in soft snow but can feel a little loose in harder snow and every time we hit a hard patch we felt it get loose. One footing and flat basing aren’t super easy and the board can start to spin on you if you aren’t always on edge. It’s got a very spinny playfully poppy feel to it for how stiff it is. It feels a touch more stable underfoot but it’s still very similar to the older model.

Edge Hold

Better than some of the hybrid rocker Burton Boards but still it’s not that great and we felt like even the stiffer flex was still in the same general area as the other Flying V boards. You could feel it let go in the hard patches if you tried to commit to an edge. It’s not a board we would recommend for people who see hard to icy snow and it completely drained your confidence in hard snow.

Turn Initiation

Super quick edge to edge and it’s even fast if you are an intermediate rider.  It can even skid turns pretty quick making it forgivingly quick.

Turning Experience

Really good for hybrid rocker but it’s missing that springy magic that the Custom X has.  The Burton Custom X Flying V is not a bad turner though but if you rode the camber version you will be massively disappointed. If you expect it to be a little better than the Custom Flying V then you are good though.

Skidded Turns

Very easy to skid turns and it’s got a very forgiving ride for how stiff it is. If you want a board that is stiff but also forgiving this could work.

Carving

The Burton Custom X Flying V is not the Custom X Camber by any means. You don’t buy this to carve but it can carve ok in good snow. The Hybrid rocker is a bit too washy for those that really like to commit and the spring out of the turn isn’t the same.

Speed

It didn’t feel like a good board for bombing but it’s ok if the snow is good. The board felt a little too chattery compared to the Custom X but good compared to other Flying V boards in their line.  Still don’t get this if you like to bomb.  Get the custom X

Uneven Terrain

Pretty easy in the messy patches we encountered and it’s good for all day resort riding.

Powder

Here is where The Burton Custom X Flying V outperforms the Custom X Camber. Now the 2018-2019 Burton Custom X Flying V has a bigger shovel nose but half the set back on sidecut than the 2017 model so it is possible it could be a wash. We didn’t get to measure the set back on board so it’s hard to say for sure if it’s the same. Most likely it is at least 1/2″ less of a setback on board than before which could mean less directional float. There is also a little more surface area than before so maybe that will help even it out.

Switch

The 2018-2019 Custom X is easier than 2017 and past models when it comes to riding switch/fakie. It used to be a much more directional board but now it shares the almost twin shape of the regular Custom Flying V.

Jibbing

The The Burton Custom X Flying V is easy and forgiving to ride but it’s still stiff and the kind of board that would bonk you hitting harder jibs.

Pipe

Would rather be in the pipe with the Custom X but this flying v version is forgiving though. The pipe just needs to be soft for us to get the courage to go in.

Jumps

Nice and poppy and very easy to get some air from. The new more twin-like shape can still land switch rather well. We all liked how this could Ollie without having to have that old-school camber strength to make it do so. One thing Burton almost always does right is pop and this is one of the best of the Flying V boards in Burton’s line when it comes to getting air.

So the Custom X Flying V is a fun board as long as it’s in soft snow and as long as you don’t expect it to be anything like the camber Custom X you are good. It feels like you need to fork out enough cash to buy the Custom X and Custom X to have a more complete ride.  To us, we feel boards like the Flight Attendant would be a better call if you want great float in powder but also a strong springy turning experience like the Custom X. I’d get this if you like the forgiving easy feel of the Custom Flying V but just want a little stiffer flex.

 
Burton Custom X Flying V Past Reviews

2017 Burton Custom X Flying V Review

 

 

 
Burton Custom X Flying V Specs

 
Burton Custom X Flying V Images

We try to get as many images of the Burton Custom X Flying V, but forgive us if they're not all there.

2020

2019

2018

2017

Burton Custom X Flying V User Reviews

Burton Custom X Flying V Snowboard Review SKU UPC Model

Please try the 2020!

Jun 04, 2019 by Carlito
Ability Level: Expert • 
Riding Style: All Mnt Freeride • 
Days You Ride A Year: 45 • 
Height, Weight And Boot Size (for Boards, Boots & Bindings): 1.80m / 75kg / EU 42 

I have tried around 15 boards in many different contexts and snow conditions these past 10 years. I fully agree with the review for 2018-2019 edition.

IHowever, I have tried the 2020 edition recently and my experience was completely different. More stable / secured ride. A bit stiffer and forgiving. You should try it ;)


Feb 02, 2018 by Josh
Ability Level: Expert • 
Riding Style: All Mountain/Freeride • 
Days You Ride A Year: 40-50 

I bought this board which felt cheap and after 2 months of riding on it, the board snapped in half. Burton ignored me than mislead me that they would send a new board and than contradicted themselves and said there is nothing they can do. DO NOT GET THIS!


Right Board, Wrong Name

Feb 10, 2017 by James K151
Ability Level: Intermediate Punter • 
Riding Style: All Mtn • 
Days You Ride A Year: 35 • 
Height, Weight And Boot Size (for Boards, Boots & Bindings): 6', 190lb, US11.5/UK10.5 

Bindings: Genesis EST (L)
Boots: Burton IONs
Stance: REG -18 / +15

I thought long and hard before parting hard earned cash on this year’s new Custom X Flying V. I was so unsure about it, I've even felt the need to share it here to try and help others who are unsure about this board.

I’d seen the main review and listened between the lines and to be fair, the GR guys are very accurate - it’s more playful and forgiving than I’d assumed, and if I’m honest, it’s not quite as stiff as I expected either - which is great, as it makes it far more versatile than I had hoped for.

I’m the sort of guy who’s wasted far too much money on soft, noodle boards to try and find the ‘perfect’ board for goofing around on, but can still hold its own when you need to chase the ski pack. It’s taken me about 4 years of trial and error to actually work out that my boarding demands a stiffer deck. I don’t ride boxes or rails as they hurt too much, my butters & presses are weak but improving slowly and I really only ride switch when it suits on leg burner traverses, rather than to tweak out any particular style.

I’m a punter - 100%. But in saying that, this is a great board to push my comfort zone, but not take it so far as to scare the shit out of me either.

It’s snappy and responsive- and that means it takes me less effort to do things ‘the industry’ would probably shove me on a Skate Banana to experience. A simple case in point, this has to be the easiest board I’ve ever landed a 180 on… speed and air by the bucket load which means I barely had to do any work to get it up n’ around off the tiniest of side-hit.

I need something fast and agile to keep up with the skiers. It sits firmly between a LibTech TRice 157 and a Jones Flagship 162 in my 3 board quiver…. So yes, I like stiff boards and cannot lie. This is now my board for ‘one board’ trips with the family and will be the go-to option for a groomer day.

It smashes over chop and chunder will ease. It’s precise when it needs to be with quick, snappy turn initiation and it will hold an edge better in ice than most boards I’ve ridden. Torsionally it seems relatively stiffer than across the length, but it's still feels OK to wind it up and twist it. It certainly seems to have better edge hold than the Capita Mercury I had for a while, but then it is a shade stiffer which could explain things here.

I hit a few small kickers - it sends. Lands solid. Makes it easy to look and feel good. I could see why a big feature park rider might consider this. I pushed the front binding a nubbin over reference to twin it up a bit more. That felt right for me as it also widened the stance up to something I’m more used to with my Jones board. There's obviously a lot of scope to roll back for powder days too... which has to be the primary USP of the Channel System- so much easier to adjust stance between runs.

I’ve never been a massive fan of Flying V in the past. I demo’d a Process FV once. It didn’t really gel with me. I also dabbled with a FV Nug a year or two ago which wasn’t my bag at all- horrid little urchin of a board. However on a stiffer deck this hybrid camber stuff really seems to work, especially with serration on the edges. My TRice Lib showed me the light here…. a distinct cut above any Skate Banana, Rocker or lower end GNU board I’ve ridden historically. After the initial WTF!?! moments, I was hooked on that board - the camber profile just works well on everything I’ve chucked it at.

I find the Flying V on this stiff Custom X deck very similar to the C2 BTX profile. The main point of difference is that the Magnatraction on my other boards would still get a nudge up over Frostbite Edges for firm hold, but I’m no way saying edge hold is poor, you jut can’t beat Mag…

Okay about the name… this is my only real beef. Why do Burton associate this board with the Custom X? It’s not a Custom X. A Custom X owns your arse faster than you can say ‘no thanks Bubba’. I tried one once, I almost died. That said, it schooled me enough to know that it’s the sort of board that better riders would adore, almost worship, especially for carving days. I respected it, even if I couldn’t ride it. This Custom X Flying V is a completely different animal. It’s far less catchy and I’m confident it’ll handle powder better than a camber dominant board like the trad Custom X.

I’m also fairly m’eh about the standard Custom FV… it’s never really excited me; nothing wrong with it, but there are better boards out there for less cash. But this X thing rips… charging hard and demanding enough commitment to stop it from feeling stale and boring like a Jones Aviator or equivalent.

So in summary, my conclusion is it’s a great board with simply the wrong name. Associating it with the Custom X is a mistake - the purists will hate it on principle, an average punter like me will be reticent after all average punters aren’t meant to be riding Custom X’s and those that have have the horror stories that accompany it. And I have to be honest, there’s an element of me thinking I’m the Porsche Boxster guy lining up against the 911. But I’d also say that’s it has so much more going for it than the regular Custom too… maybe a Burton fanboy would see this as turbo’d Custom, but for those of us still unsure about the whole Burton vibe, associating it with the boring choice from the Burton line up, is again not something that drew me in initially the way say the Skeleton Key or Branch Manager turned my head. Names aside, it’s a great board and suits me…. and who’ll know or care what the name says once it’s caked in white stuff anyway?

I’d recommend this for anyone intermediate level or above who rides stiffer boards by choice. They’d need to be looking for a fast charging, aggressive deck to stretch that plateau but not push them off the cliff. There’s no point being afraid to up your game on this bad boy, but you still have options to go lazy some of the time too. I like it, and I’m glad I bought it. Thanks for the honest reviews gentlemen, they really do help us!


3.3 5.0 3 3 I have tried around 15 boards in many different contexts and snow conditions these past 10 years. I fully agree with the review for 2018-2019 edition. IHowever, I have tried the Burton Custom X Flying V Snowboard Review

Where To Buy

No obligation, but these links support the site.

Snowcountry.eu
Burton Men's Custom X Fly
€ 799.95Buy it

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