Hello and welcome to my Burton Genesis X review.
In this review I will take a look at the Genesis X as all-mountain-freeride snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Genesis X a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain-freeride bindings.
NOTE: The 2020 model was the last model of the Genesis X, so this review will no longer be updated.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Burton Genesis X
Price: $449 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain-Freeride
Other Uses: All–Mountain, Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff
Flex Feel: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 88.8/100
Compared to other All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Out of the 14 all-mountain-freeride bindings that I rated:
Overview of the Genesis X’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Genesis X’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain-Freeride |
Price: | $449 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Edge-to-edge: | Medium-Fast |
Weight: | Normal |
Mounts to: | 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel |
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 6-8 | 38-41 | 5-7 |
M | 8-11 | 41-44 | 7-10 |
L | 10+ | 43+ | 9+ |
Who are the Genesis X Most Suited to?
The Genesis X are best suited to anyone looking for a binding that’s a bit stiffer than medium but still want something that’s super comfortable and that has great board feel.
The Genesis X take the comfort and board feel of the Genesis but have a stiffer high-back and base plate, which helps to produce better response. So, they’re great for anyone that wants more response and a binding that can match with boards medium to medium-stiff in flex, but don’t want to sacrifice comfort or board feel to get that.
Not for beginners – too stiff for that.
Not for the budget conscious either.
The Genesis X in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Genesis X are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Burton Genesis X
Size: M
Date: April 16, 2017
Conditions: Sunshine! And plenty of it. Snow conditions were a great mix of hard spots and soft-pack on the groomers and plenty of powder to be found off groomer, making it the perfect conditions for demoing – a bit of everything. Quite cold in the morning but got quite warm in the afternoon (it was spring after all, but you’d never have known it with the amount of snow around and the cold morning!)
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Flex
Whilst Burton rate them medium, they also say they have a stiffer high-back than the Genesis, which they also rate medium. And the baseplate in the Gensis X is a Carbon Fibre/Nylon blend vs the Short Glass/Nylon blend in the Genesis.
O.k. so maybe they rate the Genesis around a 5/10 and the Genesis X a 6/10. To me, the Genesis X felt more like a 7/10. They feel a little stiffer than the Cartels (which I would rate a 6/10).
Also, the fact that they rated the 2017 model “stiff” makes me think their rating for the 2018 & 2019 models as “medium” might also be a typo, given that nothing obvious has changed.
Responsiveness
Whilst they aren’t the most responsive bindings I’ve ridden, they are nice and responsive.
A step up in terms of response from the Cartels, Genesis & Malavita.
Board Feel/Butterability
Even though they’re a bit stiffer, they don’t sacrifice any board feel. And this is something I really liked about them. I’m a sucker for board feel and that can often be lost in a stiffer bindings, so when I find a stiffer binding that still has good board feel, then I get excited about them.
Adjustability
Like most Burton bindings, there is almost endless adjustability and a lot of that adjustability is tool-less. The biggest downside where adjustability is concerned is that you can only adjust your stance width in quite wide adjustments due to the re:flex disc which can only be used vertically and not horizontally.
Shock Absorption
The EST version still isn’t as cush, IMO, as the Re:Flex version but still has decent cushioning. The Re:Flex has decent shock absorption. Not as much as the Genesis (non-x) but still pretty good.
Entry/Exit
Super easy to get in and out of. The Flex slider isn’t something that I’m amazed by – it’s ok, but not revolutionary in my opinion – but it’s the smoothness of the ratchets and how easy and fast they are to crank down and to release.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Comfort
Apart from a lack of canting in the footbed, these bindings are super comfortable. I found the straps to be super nice and conform to my foot well, the hammock (kickback hammock) in front of the high-back, like on the Genesis, feels amazing and that shock absorption helps to make them feel super comfy. The new toe strap on the 2019 model is a welcome improvement.
Ankle Support
There are 2 ankle strap positions on the Genesis X, like most Burton bindings. The higher position gives more ankle support and the lower position a looser, surfier feel. Overall, the ankle support felt good.
Price
They aren’t the cheapest bindings on the market by any stretch of the imagination. So, if you’ve got a small budget, then maybe not for you, but if cost isn’t an issue, these things are nice to ride.
Changes from the 2019 Model
Looks like they've added Carbon into the material for the highback for the 2020 model and a higher percentage of short glass (30% vs 18% in the 2019 model). Everything looks to be the same as far as I can tell.
Changes from the 2018 Model
The 2019 model is pretty much the same as the 2018 model, except for a new toe strap. A nicely improved toe strap as well.
Changes from the 2017 Model
As far as I can tell the 2018 model is the same as the 2017 model.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 24/30 |
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 15/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.8/100 |
Overall the Genesis X strike that perfect balance between being relatively stiff & responsive but also super comfortable and allowing for great board feel. A great combination that they nail really well.
Not the cheapest option, but if money is no obstacle and they otherwise sound like what you’re looking for then they would be a good buy, IMO.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Genesis X, are ready to buy or want to research current prices and sizing availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Genesis X compared to other all-mountain-freeride bindings, or want to check out some other options, check out the link below.
