Hello and welcome to my Burton Custom X Flying V review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Custom X Flying V as an all-mountain snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Custom X Flying V a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other all-mountain snowboards.
NOTE: This review hasn’t been updated beyond the 2023 model. We haven’t tested it since the 2017 model and whilst it hasn’t changed a lot since then, there have been some changes. We will update once we’ve had a chance to re-test it.
Overall Rating
Board: Burton Custom X Flying V
Price: $839 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (8/10)
Flex Feel: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 83.5/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Boards
Out of the 38 men’s all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
- The average score was 83.9/100
- The highest score was 92.1/100
- The lowest score was 70.7/100
- The average price was $546
- The Custom X Flying V ranked 25th out of 38
Overview of the Custom X Flying V’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Custom X Flying V’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
| Style | All-Mountain | Flex | Medium-Stiff (7/10) |
| Ability Level | Intermediate to Expert | Feel | On the looser side of stable |
| Weight | Lighter than Normal | Turn Initiation | Fast |
| Camber Profile | Hybrid Rocker (Flying V) | Shape | Directional |
| Stance Setback | Setback 12.5mm (0.5″) | Edge-hold | Medium snow |
| Price | $839 (USD) | Base | Sintered |
*In terms of the flex. It feels quite stiff when you stand there and bend it but when riding it, it feels more forgiving than an 8/10 would suggest. I would say that riding it, it felt more like a 6.5/10 – but I probably should have been on the 158cm – so I’d say that it feels like a 7/10.
It feels a lot less stiff on snow than the Custom X (camber version) but similar when bending by hand.
Sizing (2019-2022)
| Size (Length) | 154 | 156 | 158 | 162 |
| Waist Width (mm) | 250 | 252 | 254 | 256 |
| Weight Range (lbs) | 120-180 | 150-200 | 150-200 | 180-260+ |
| Weight Range (kgs) | 54-82 | 68-91 | 68-91 | 82-118+ |
For the 2019-2022 models, the 150, 158W, 162W & 166W are no longer available. The remaining sizes have the same specs as the 2018 models.
Sizing (2018)
| Size (Length) | 150 | 154 | 156 | 158 | 158W | 162 | 162W | 166W |
| Waist Width (mm) | 248 | 250 | 252 | 254 | 262 | 256 | 264 | 266 |
| Weight Range (lbs) | 120-180 | 120-180 | 150-200 | 150-200 | 150-200 | 180-260+ | 180-260+ | 180-260+ |
| Weight Range (kgs) | 54-82 | 54-82 | 68-91 | 68-91 | 68-91 | 82-118+ | 82-118+ | 82-118+ |
Note that the sizings have changed for the 2018 model. The 152 size is gone and there is now a 150 and 154 instead. Also, the 160 is gone and replaced by a 162. The 159W has been replaced by a 158W. THe widths have also changed across all sizes. What used to be quite a narrow board is now a more regular width.
Sizing (2017)
| Size (Length) | 152 | 156 | 158 | 159W | 160 | 162W |
| Waist Width (mm) | 244 | 248 | 249 | 259 | 250 | 260 |
| Weight Range (lbs) | 125 – 165 | 135 – 175 | 145 – 185 | 145 – 185 | 155 – 195 | 165 – 205 |
| Weight Range (kgs) | 57-75 | 61-79 | 66-84 | 66-84 | 70-88 | 75-93 |
Who is the Custom X Flying V Most Suited to?
This board is most suited to anyone who wants a stiffer all-mountain board. Usually boards of this flex would be made to be more of an aggressive all-mountain board or a freeride board. But the Custom X Flying V isn’t that aggressive at all.
So, if you want a board that carves well in good conditions and has good float in powder and has good pop and edge-to-edge speed – but isn’t overly aggressive, then this board might suit you well.
It’s ok at riding switch but not great and doesn’t do jibs that well – so it’s not as versatile as some all-mountain boards.
Even though it’s not overly aggressive it’s still definitely too much for a beginner. But would be fine for intermediate riders and up.
The Custom X Flying V in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Custom X Flying V is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Custom X Flying V 2017 156cm (248mm waist width)
Date: April 16, 2016
Conditions: Some icy spots early but softened up a bit as the day went on – but still firm conditions. Sun and clouds in the morning with light snow in the afternoon.
Bindings angles: +18/-6
Powder
Didn’t have a lot of deep snow to test in on the day but what patches I found off the groomers revealed an easy floating board. And that’s no surprise given its 20mm setback and the rocker in the camber profile.
It doesn’t have a big scoopy long nose or anything like that which you might find on a freeride or a powder board – so it’s not the king of powder hounds – but it’s up there with the best in terms of all-mountain boards.
Carving & Turns
I enjoyed carving on this board in the softer patches. Not so much on the hard/icy spots. Felt like it got a bit loose/washy on harder snow. But really fun in softer snow.
In terms of turns – this board is forgiving enough with that Flying V camber profile and you can get away with skidded turns – despite the stiffer flex.
Edge-to-edge this board felt really fast – is was really fun for doing quick tight radius turns and that made it really fun through trees as well as on groomers.
Speed
Generally pretty fast and felt stable when on softer snow – but felt a little sketchy when travelling at speed on harder snow.
Uneven Terrain
If you’re riding the resort on a Saturday afternoon and you encounter that chundery mess that can sometimes occur, this board actually handles it quite well. This was one of the biggest surprises for me for this board – especially given it’s stiffness.
It handled the chunder considerably better than the Custom X (trad camber model).
Jumps
There’s a good amount of pop in there for ollies and popping off jumps, lips, etc. It takes a bit of effort due to that stiffness but if you’ve got the strength you can definitely get this thing to pop.
Most suited to larger jumps – it’s got that kind of flex that can handle those landings from up high.
Switch
It’s ok – better than your average freeride board and aggressive all-mountain board and better than the Custom X (camber model) but it’s still not amazing for riding switch.
I’d say just under the average all-mountain board when it comes to riding switch – it’s got a 20mm setback which doesn’t make things the easiest to ride switch but I’ve ridden boards with this same setback that were easier for riding switch.
I think that extra stiffness does make it a little harder for riding switch – unless you can really ride switch as well as your natural direction.
Jibbing
Though this board feels more forgiving than its flex when riding and way more forgiving than it’s brother Custom X, it’s still not the kind of board you really want to jib on or butter on. You notice that stiffness when you’re on jibs.
If you’re a real pro on jibs you can do it – but there are much more fun boards for jibbing, if that’s a big part of your repertoire.
Changes from 2021 Model
The 2022 model appears to be the same as the 2021 model, bar the graphic.
Changes from 2020 Model
The 2021 model appears to be the same as the 2019 model, bar the graphic.
Changes from 2019 Model
The 2020 model appears to be the same as the 2019 model, bar the graphic.
Changes from 2018 Model
The 150, 158W, 162W & 166W are no longer available in the 2019 model.
Otherwise the 2019 and 2018 models look to be the same.
Changes from 2017 Model
The biggest change for the 2018 model compared to the 2017 model is the sizings (see sizings above for details).
Some lengths have changed and all of the widths have changed. This has also led to a change in effective edge and sidecut. So it’s a different board because of those sizing changes. Everything else about the board has remained the same.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
| Powder: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Carving: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Turns/Slashing: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Speed: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Crud/Chunder: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Trees/Bumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Spins: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Butters: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 83.5/100 |
This is an above average all-mountain board overall – and it would be awesome for someone who doesn’t really like to jib or butter that much, but still wants a slightly more forgiving feel than an aggressive all-mountain board has.
I enjoyed riding this board and its snappy edge-to-edge, fun in the trees and down groomers and surprisingly good in chunder but personally for the type of board, I prefer something a touch softer and would prefer a little more edge hold in harder conditions (especially for the price).
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Custom X Flying V, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Custom X Flying V compares to other all-mountain boards or check out some other all-mountain options, check out the next link.
>>My Top 10 All-Mountain Snowboards
Nate
Currently ride a 155 Burton Clash that was a gift. I know it is to small, but love how easy and forgiving this board is, but kills my knees when it breaks loose on carves and in icy or or rough conditions towards the end of day when groomed snow is all bumpy and piled up. Looking for another board to progress on. 65 years old, weigh 230lbs. Going to Burton Stepon Bindings this year in 11.5 boot.
Have been looking at Burton Process Flying V and Custom Flying V, but reviews not great on icy conditions. I am not super aggressive, but try to keep up with son and grand kids. Which gets harder every year.🙂
Hi Tom
Thanks for your message.
Yeah, certainly going a little longer will help for you. But to keep things relatively easy going and forgiving, you don’t need to go too long. Maybe more like 159-161 – something around that would be a good way to go, IMO.
I have never found the Flying V profile to be very good in icy conditions, unfortunately. Otherwise very fun boards in good conditions – nice and forgiving, but not so good in icy conditions, in my experience.
Step on bindings will work on other brands if you wanted to look outside Burton, or you could look at a purepop camber or camber option from Burton, which will give better edge hold in icy conditions – but they won’t be as forgiving as the Flying V or Flat Top options Burton has. Maybe check out the following for some options to consider. Something like the Never Summer Snowtrooper or YES Typo were some options that first popped into my head that are nice and forgiving but still good in icy conditions.
>>Top 10 Intermediate Snowboards
>>My Top 10 All Mountain Snowboards
Hope this helps