Burton Root Review And Buying Advice

Burton Root

I'm riding the Root 148 with Burton Cartel bindings. This is an East Coast woods rider's dream. It's very lightweight and super short, which helps you execute the tightest turns in the thickest trees in the thinnest cover (stumps, logs, rocks, ice), or the gnarliest giant moguls. All the while it's stable enough for high speed straight-lining. Yes, the Root handles high speed in a confidence inspiring way because 1) it's very easy to balance on edge, e.g. when you have to negotiate a 1000 yards of snowment on your heel side, this board helps you not fall on your behind; 2) the flat top to rocker profile design ensures no accidental catches. People who say the Root turns on thought are not exaggerating. You need only begin to think about turning or whatever thought and the Root has already responded; the event is over before you can process it. That's why I love this board in the woods of New England: You'll make every turn, and if you can't, it rides switch (despite being a bit directional with some taper) very easily. This board is your best friend when riding gnarly stuff. And it seems to float my heft in pow (not that we've had much of that). That said, I'd like to see more spring off the tail for better ollies and there's not a lot of backseat available. But, again, this board handles East Coast gnar very well. It makes my other boards seem like heavy, slow turning trailer trucks. I sometimes ride my other boards, but after a run or two, I always go back to the car and get my Root. It just plain works better in more places than any other board I've ridden. I wish Burton would resume its production.

I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING IN THE ABOVE REVIEW. THIS BOARD IS AWESOME. IT REALLY WORKS, THE NUG REDUCTION, AND ALLOWS ME TO RIDE A 152 WHEN I SHOULD BE ON 158-160 EASILY. IM 5'9" AND 190 LBS. THE 152 ROOT FEELS PERFECT. I NOW HAVE NEW CARTELS ON THERE AND IT TURNS SO SIMPLE ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY. I WAS IN MAMMOTH LAST WEEK AND IT WAS VERY ICY IN THE AM, IT HANDLES ITS EDGES GREAT. IVE BEEN TO BRECK, MAMMOTH, BEAR MTN, AND SUNDAY LEAVING FOR WHISTLER THIS YEAR WITH THIS BOARD AND HAVE EXTREMELY IMPROVED MY RIDING. IM NOT IN THE PARK AT ALL AND SPEND ALL DAY ON BLUE AND MELLOW BLACK GROOMERS SURFING DOWN THE HILL. GREAT BOARD AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FUN ALL RESORT BOARD.

Love this board!

Don\'t look at specs to rate this board! After 7 days on it I LOVE it! (I actually loved it within a few seconds of hopping off the first lift...) It has a bizarre mind-reading ability. In trees and moguls it turns as fast as I want it too, but when straight lining groomers as fast as possible its super stable. I came from a Venture Zephyr 161 and this is just as stable, and unbelievably it floats BETTER in the powder than that board. Steep powder big mountain Colorado lines? no problem. Flat spot in the pow? You\'ll coast through it.

This is rated as a 4/10 by burton for flex but it is definitely on the soft side - NOT medium! Very buttery.

Enough pop for me on kickers, maybe not if all you do is ride the park.

Edge hold was surprisingly awesome on everything except pure ice. ...But I don\'t think any board holds well on ice, at least not without sacrificing ride quality in other conditions.

Again with the mind reading - you CANNOT catch an edge with this board. It has me trying things I never have before... kind of feels like cheating.

I makes chop really easy to ride, strangely enough. Used to be at the end of a pow day I hated getting beat up by all the chop but this is no problem now.

FYI I\'m 6\', 180 pounds. Still can\'t believe I\'m riding a 152 but this \"nug raduction\" stuff is no joke. This setup (with Burton Cartels) has to be 5 pounds lighter than my Venture setup with unions.

These boards are cheap right now and I hear they aren\'t making it for the 13/14 run. Get it while you can cuz this is gonna be a classic board!