Burton Power Wagon Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. 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.

A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who Its For

How This Review Happened:

Borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 160
Days: 4+
Conditions: Good Groomers, some ok groomers, uneven snow and pretty good pow
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs)
Boots: Ride Torrent, Ride Fuse
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas and Cartel X
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Bib, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bib
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Similar Boards We Like (but not the same): Amplid Souly Grail, K2 Alchemist, Korua Otto, K2 Manifest, Jones Frontier, Ride Algorythm, Ride Shadowban, Yes Standard Uninc

James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +18/-3 & +18/-9. Close to Reference on groomers and Set all the way back in powder.

How It Was Tested

I often rode this same day as the Burton Gril Master, Flight Attendant, Jones Frontier and Jones Stratos.

Approximate Weight

The Burton Power Wagon feels pretty normal and maybe even a touch on the heavy side of normal. (We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores there is no consistency in a boards weight)

Sizing

The Burton Power Wagon has big gaps between sizing. Each size goes up 6cm. On top of that the width and especially the recommended weight range go’s way up. I was in between the 154 and 160. The 154 would work better for my boot size but not be as ideal for my weight. The 160 worked ok for my weight but I’m at the lower end of the recommended weight range and I really felt it. For someone 185lbs this felt very stiff. The combo of the wide waist and stiff flex made for bigger riders wasn’t easy to turn with my size 9’s and 185lbs in all conditions. I would for sure match your boot size first but be very cognizant of the weight recommendations from Burton too. Especially if you are on the low end with the bigger sizes like I was. If you are in between sizes, like me pass on this.

Here are some recommended boot sizes.
148: 8-9
154: 9-10
160: 10-11
166: 11-12
154w: 11-12

Shape

The Burton Power Wagon doesn’t have a lot of taper, a sidecut that doesn’t feel very tapered but it has a pretty directional/set back shape to it. That gives it a freeride look but a more centered aggressive all mountain feel. Every time I got on the Power Wagon after the Flight Attendant and Gril Master it just didn’t feel as directional. It felt more in line with the Jones Frontier in same day tests.

Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The Burton Power Wagon has that same directional camber as almost every Family Tree Freeride board has. It’s more on the technical side but still more forgiving than the old Full Camber Juice Wagon. It one foot and tracks very well.

Flex Personality

Pretty stiff between the feet but the upper part of the nose/tail are softer. I didn’t specify this enough in the video review but the tail is stiff till you get to the part where it bends up and then gets a good bit softer. It pops really well with some effort but doesn’t butter well.

Uneven Terrain

The Burton Power Wagon did so well in the semi-soft to soft uneven snow I encountered. In what little hard/microbumpy snow I encountered it didn’t feel bad either. Very good all conditions ride.

Edge Hold

I’ve tried several times to sharpen the edges of Burton Boards. I even got a professional tuner to do it for me once. It helps, but still doesn’t grip like many of it’s competitors out there. On top of that it makes the board feel more locked in and catchy. Just wish they had a little more grip but Burton is firm on their edge hold being fine. The Burton Power Wago

Speed

The Burton Power Wagon is very competent at higher speed. Much better than I thought it would be. The softer nose/tail don’t clown shoe much or at all either.

Base Glide

The base glide felt a little slow and a touch chalky/sticky. It’s not on the same level as the new Hometown Hero and Straight Chuter’s base. Those had really special glide. Even on a similar price point the Jones Frontier (cheaper) had a faster base. You need to give this a really good waxing with high end wax. I would even do it twice to really get it to absorb.

Turning Experience/Carving

The Burton Power Wagon has powerful spring out of the turn and it rivals some full camber rides in terms of spring out of the turn. It’s pretty quick edge to edge but when you get it over on edge the overall turning experience is a touch straight line friendly but pretty balanced. I could make any kind of turn I’d like without it fighting me.

Powder

So in comparison to many freeride boards I tried the Power Wagon against I felt it wasn’t there. Especially the Jones Stratos, Burton Gril Master and Burton Flight Attendant. Those all did better. Even the little 155 Grill Master had easier directional float. It was about on par with the Jones Frontier which has really easy float for a non-tapered all mountain board. I think I would prefer the Power Wagon best in steep terrain. It just seems like it would shine there.

You can get -3.75” back from center of board with a 23” stance width which is pretty good but it just didn’t feel like that. So glad they didn’t go for a more centered ride.

Switch

Very doable switch even though you feel there is a lot less tail when you throw it around the other way. The sidecut makes it feel like the small tail is an optical illusion.

Final Thoughts

So overall, I think this Burton Power Wagon does a great job ad being what it’s designed for. It’s a great competitor to boards like the Capita Kazu, Salomon Sick Stick and other tapered but centered feeling big mtn rides.

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