Hello and welcome to my Burton Custom X review.
In this review I will take a look at the Custom X as an aggressive-all-mountain snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Custom X a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other aggressive-all-mountain snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Burton Custom X
Price: $749 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Aggressive All Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (8/10)
On Snow Flex Feel: Stiff (9/10)
Rating Score: 87.1/100
Compared to other Men’s Aggressive All Mountain Boards
Out of the 19 men’s aggressive-all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
- The average score was 82.0/100
- The highest score was 91.0/100
- The lowest score was 78.7/100
- The average price was $590
- The Custom X ranked 2nd out of 19
Overview of the Custom X’s Specs
Check out the tables below for the Custom X’s specs and available sizes in the charts below.
Specs (2018 & 2019)
| Style | Aggressive All-Mountain | Flex | Stiff (9 out of 10) |
| Ability Level | Advanced to Expert | Feel | Locked In |
| Weight | Lighter than Normal | Turn Initiation | Medium-Fast |
| Camber Profile | Traditional Camber | Shape | Directional |
| Stance Setback | Setback 12.5mm (1/2″) | Edge-hold | Hard snow |
| Price | $749 (USD) | Base | Sintered |
The flex on the Custom X is the same as on the Custom X Flying V – however, the Custom X Flying V feels softer than an 8/10 on snow (more like 7/10), whereas the Custom X felt stiffer than that (to me anyway) so more like a 9/10. This was a very stiff/aggressive board.
Specs (2017)
| Style | Aggressive All-Mountain | Flex | Stiff (9 out of 10) |
| Ability Level | Advanced to Expert | Feel | Locked In |
| Weight | Lighter than Normal | Turn Initiation | Medium-Fast |
| Camber Profile | Traditional Camber | Shape | Directional |
| Stance Setback | Setback 25mm (1″) | Edge-hold | Hard snow |
| Price | $749 (USD) | Base | Sintered |
Sizing (2018 & 2019)
| 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 The 159W has been replaced by a 158W.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.
The 2019 Sizings are the same as 2018.
2017 Sizing
| Size (Length) | 152 | 156 | 158 | 159W | 160 | 162W | 164 | 164W |
| Waist Width (mm) | 244 | 248 | 249 | 259 | 250 | 260 | 252 | 261 |
| Weight Range (lbs) | 125 – 165 | 135 – 175 | 145 – 185 | 145 – 185 | 155 – 195 | 165 – 205 | 170 – 210+ | 170 – 210+ |
| Weight Range (kgs) | 57-75 | 61-79 | 66-84 | 66-84 | 70-88 | 75-93 | 77-95+ | 77-95+ |
Who is the Custom X Most Suited to?
The Custom X is a great board for anyone who likes their riding aggressive. Anyone who wants to ride the whole-mountain but wants to really carve it up and get their elbows low and generate some speed and have access to some serious pop.
Not for the exclusively backcountry rider because the float in powder isn’t that great. Also not for the beginner at all – way too aggressive for that. Also not for an intermediate rider – This is really an advanced and up board. And also not a jibber.
This board is really for those advanced to expert riders who want to carve all day at speed and hit some pretty aggressive lines.
The Custom X in More Detail
Burton Custom X 2017 in the SnowO.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Custom X is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Burton Custom X 2017, 158cm (249mm waist width)
Date: January 22, 2017
Conditions: Reasonably hard conditions first thing, with some icy patches. Puked snow midday and quickly became nice and soft with a good layer of fresh. Visibility stayed decent even whilst it was snowing.
Bindings angles: +18/+3
Powder
The Custom X is a traditional camber snowboard – so this will naturally stop it from being the best floater in powder. However, it does have a reasonable setback, which helps to redeem it in the powder somewhat.
Note that the 2018 model has a smaller reference setback of 12.5mm (was 25mm on the 2017 model)
I got a bit of shallow powder to test over and it doesn’t float like a dream and not like a freeride or powder board of course – but it’s slightly above average.
Carving and Turning
This is where this board really shines. You could really lean into a carve on this board and it never for a second felt washy, even when really pushing it.
Edge hold felt really good too. Held an edge nicely in hard conditions. It has Burton’s frostbite edges which helps with that edge-hold – and that stiffness and camber profile also help.
Really fast going from edge to edge if you’ve got the muscle to pull it around – it’s pretty light but also pretty stiff so takes a bit of oomph to ride it. The response is awesome and you get some real spring out of turns.
Speed
No doubt this board is quick. There’s no issues with coasting on flats and keeping momentum on up-hills. It has a sintered base – which helps this board with it’s speed (in addition to the sidecut, shape, camber profile and stiffness). Just make sure to keep it waxed.
And, more importantly, it felt really stable when riding at speed. Carving and speed is what this board is all about really.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Uneven Terrain
This board is too stiff to be really good in the bumpy stuff. But if you take aggressive lines on this thing you’ll fly right over it!
But navigating Saturday afternoon groomers where it’s all chopped up and bumpy isn’t really where this board excels. The Flying V version of this board is much better for those conditions. This board wants nice smooth snow (soft or hard doesn’t matter) where you can really open it out.
Jumps
It’s pretty good on jumps. Not really a park jumper in my opinion – though you could definitely take it there – but has plenty of pop for ollies over rollers and lips and generally getting some air off natural terrain. But you’ve got to really load that pop up to extract it. It’s not easy to extract pop.
Switch
Not what it’s really designed for and doesn’t feel that natural riding switch on it. It does have that semi-twin shape between the contact points (see video above) but it still feels odd riding switch. Maybe because it has a 25mm setback. (2018 and onwards models now have a 12.5mm setback so it’s a little better for riding switch).
Also because of it’s stiff, aggressive nature that makes it harder to ride switch on – unless you’re at an advanced level in riding in your unnatural direction it’s not going to be the easiest riding switch.
You can do it but that’s not its forte.
Jibbing
You can if you’re a really competent jibber. But not the easiest to jib with – and to be honest not fun to jib on. Not a board that I would ever use for jibbing.
Pipe
I didn’t take it in the pipe but from what I’ve heard, and based on the boards specs, I think it would do o.k. in there. Not amazing but you could definitely still have fun in the pipe on this thing, if you’re an experienced pipe rider.
Changes from 2019 to 2020
The 2020 model looks to be essentially the same as the 2019 model, bar the graphic.
Changes from 2018 to 2019
As far as I can tell the 2019 model is the same as the 2018 model, except for the graphic.
Changes from 2017 to 2018
The 2018 model has a number of changes compared with the 2017 model.
- The sizings are different (see sizing section above) in both lengths offered and in terms of width
- The reference setback stance is now 12.5mm – was 25mm for the 2017 model
- The sidecut and effective edge have both changed as well
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 |
| Carving: | 5.0 | 25/25 |
| Speed: | 5.0 | 20/20 |
| Jumps: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Powder: | 2.5 | 7.5/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Pipe: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Switch: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 87.1/100 |
This is one of the better choices out there for aggressive all mountain snowboards. So if you like your riding fast and elbow deep and you want some great edge hold in hard conditions, then you should definitely have this on your wishlist. If it’s in your budget of course. It’s not the cheapest deck in the world.
Also, you’ll want to have some decent strength behind you and you want to be an advanced rider – if you are an advanced rider and relatively strong, then this board can take you beyond where a lot of boards can – but if you don’t fall in this category, then it could be difficult to ride.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re keen to learn more about the Custom X, are ready to buy or want to research size availability and current prices, check out the links below.
- Burton Custom X at PRFO.com (CANADA)
If you’re keen to check out more options or see how the Custom X rated compared to other aggressive-all-mountain snowboards, check out the next link.
>>SnowboardingProfiles.com’s Top 6 Men’s Aggressive-All-Mountain Snowboards
Firstly, the reviews are great! Thanks for doing them.
Here’s my question:
I’m trying to decide between the Billy goat and the Custom X. I already have a Flight attendant( Which I like, but it really gets washy at high speeds on hard snow). So I’m looking for an aggressive all mountain board that has really good edge hold that is competent in pow, but mostly for groomer day carving. I really love Mervin products and have ridden many over the years, but I feel as though the newer ones tend to break in way too much and too quickly. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Hi Jon
Thanks for your message.
I would go Billy Goat for you, mostly because it’s better in hard snow than the Custom X, IMO.
In terms of breaking in: I don’t own any Mervin boards currently, but they do tend to break in quite quickly like you say. I don’t mind that personally, but some find they break in too quickly/too much. But I’m not sure if their more recent gear is still the same in that respect. I typically don’t test gear for long enough to really gain a good insight there, unless it’s gear I own.
Hope this helps
Spot on review of this board. Basically to ride this board you have to push hard. It shines under loads, responds instantly and gives you all the confidence in the world to ride damn fast. In my opinion – it’s very capable on powder but pay attention to that front-end since it dives fast. Carving obviously works well. On uneven terrain, moguls etc. it’s a pain – avoid.
To summarize – a deck for strong, experienced riders looking for a stable high speed ride. Not the best all rounder. Also – you must be in your zone to have a good a time with it.
Hi Oscar
Some great points and well said. Thanks for your input and insight – much appreciated
hello Nate, I bought my first custom x this year. Looking for a burton binding EST to put on it. Seems like the binding burton made for it is the GENESIS X . But it overkill my budget. I was not considerate the burton CARTEL because you suggest with the CARTEL a board max 7/10 stiff. Can the CARTEL do a good job or just doesnt fit with the custom x. I just wanna make sure to have a binding who can extract the best out of the custom x . I’m 6`6“ . 240 lbs. boots :13
Thanks for your help and for your passion in snowboarding. You helped me a lot
Hi Jean-Philippe
Thanks for your message.
I think the Cartel would certainly do the job on the Custom X. It’s a versatile binding. But ideally I would put something stiffer on the Custom X, to get the most out of it. The Genesis X would be the best option, in terms of an EST binding, IMO, apart from the X Base (but that’s even more expensive than the Gen X!). There are cheaper options that you could get that better suit the flex of the Custom X, in different brands (and ones that will be compatible with the Channel System) but that wouldn’t specifically be EST bindings. So, given you want EST, the Genesis X would be your best bet (you could try to find a 2019 model to get it a bit cheaper).
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks for the reply. My budget got me to choose the Cartel EST since they are the stiffers EST binding in my range of price. Also considarate that i’m a casual rider. The slide adjustement toe to heel with the EST bindings is just amazing. For the very first time , I can ride a board and not having my toes touch the snow in a agressive turn on the groom.
Have a great season
Hi Jean-Philippe
Thanks for the update. Hope you have a great season too!
HI Nate, In your opinion, what are the effects of having a middle softer side binding ( like CARTEL ) on a stiffer side board ( like CUSTOM X). With that set up , I feel I can play a little bit around but I feel also I lost some power into carving. I’m concern of the effects it will have on ”the playing around thing ” having a stiff binding ( like UNION ULTRA ) on a stiff board (like Custom X ) .
I’m targeting actually the UNION ULTRA to put on the custom x. Do you think that is a good match.I ask directly UNION BINDING if the ULTRA’ s highback is design to be rotate. Their answer was no. Do you think that the lack of rotation on the highback is a big deal considaring i like carving. My guess is , if a cie. like UNION doesn’t allow highback rotation on most popular and performance models , may be it’s because it is something useless. what is your opinion.
thanks , have a good day
Hi Jean-Philippe
I find with softer bindings on a stiffer board that the binding struggles to “drive” the board with enough power if that makes sense. Basically like you’re describing that you can carve as hard or deep – and I find that it slows up the edge to edge speed on a stiffer board too. I usually find that going stiffer in your bindings (or anywhere in your gear) will mean less in terms of maneuverability at slower speeds.
I think that the Ultra would be a great match for the Custom X, for sure. You would likely loose some of that playability (I swear that’s a word!) too though, IMO. Something like the Union Falcor could be a nice middle ground in terms of having more power to drive the Custom X, but retaining some playability. Or something like the Flux XF – see the following for more that would fit in that in between category.
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
In terms of rotating the high backs. Some people swear by it. Others say they don’t bother. If I have a binding that I can rotate the highback on, I typically do, but I honestly don’t notice a lot of difference personally. I don’t take it into consideration when buying bindings. I own bindings that I can and bindings that I can’t, but I never took that into consideration when buying (and I’m very particular when I buy, or recommend snowboard gear!).
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Im debating the 2020 custom x or the super doa.. I’m into big air jumps, but mostly in the park no jibbing.
I do all-mountain, what is better suited for me? And what do you think of the super doa compared to the traditional?
Hi Shaun
Thanks for your message.
The DOA vs Super DOA, first of all, the main differences are:
1. The Super DOA is a little stiffer feeling than the DOA. Capita rate DOA 5.5 and SuperDOA 6. But I would say more like DOA 6/10 and SuperDOA 7/10. Their ratings are for the wood core of the board – before adding the fibreglass, etc. Some boards feel less than their stated flex, some more. For the DOA and SuperDOA I’ve found them a little stiffer than their ratings personally.
2. The Super DOA is a little lighter. The 156 I rode weighed in at 2680 grams – and the DOA (2019) that I rode was 2720 grams. So not a huge difference but a little lighter (of course wood cores vary, so that can explain some difference). But it did feel a little lighter for spinning and getting pop overall.
3. The Super DOA had a little more on a carve than the DOA – and a little more stable at speed – but still nothing like the Custom X, when it comes to aggressive carving.
4. I’d say the Super DOA is a little more aggressive overall vs the DOA – but again nothing like the Custom X in that sense.
Vs the Custom X:
1. The Super DOA would be better all round for jumps/spins, IMO. But in terms of big air – especially just straight air, then that difference would be much less – both would be pretty close in that sense. I’d say the pop from the Custom X is still harder to access (you’ve got to put more in to get it out) but probably has a little more pop once you do actually load it up – and obviously no issues with stable approaches and solid landings. Though the Super DOA is good there too, of course. For any kind of smaller jumps, then the Super DOA is preferable.
2. The Custom X has it over the Super DOA in terms of speed and carving for sure. And even though it’s not amazing for powder itself, still a little better than the Super DOA when it comes to powder.
If you mostly ride the mountain and are just doing big straight air (certainly not something you can’t spin – but it’s a beefier board to get around – and it’s not twin, so landing/taking off switch not as good), and want something super aggressive and a real carving/speed machine, then I would go Custom X.
If you want something with just a little more forgiveness and something that’s good no big air, but also smaller jumps/spins, then the Super DOA is probably more your thing.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
I’m trying to decide between this board and the slash ATV. I mostly do aggressive charging plus some deeper carving, but also do enjoy jumps – both natural and smaller jumps in the park. It feels like every review I’ve read mentions the custom x as the board that gives you the most pop out of your turns and #1 board for aggressive charging, and I’ve read a couple that mention the ATV as slightly plankish/slightly dead out of turns. I’ve read your detailed reviews of each, but would you be able to do a direct comparison on the carving, quickness of turn initiation, speed, jumps and overall turning experience between the two? I’m trying to better understand the gap in overall turning experience and speed vs the gap in jumps. Thanks in advance for any response.
Hi Dan
Thanks for your message.
I certainly didn’t find the ATV dead out of turn at all but the Custom X does have a bit more there. Head to head for carving, the Custom X does win. And it’s quick edge-to-edge when really bombing, which is great. The ATV is also really quick edge-to-edge at speed, and probably no quicker than the Custom X, but when you slow down a bit the ATV is better and quicker edge-to-edge than the Custom X, IMO. The Custom X doesn’t like going slow at all, whereas the ATV can ride slower better. That’s part of the reason, I really preferred it for jumps. You get a bit more in terms of maneuverability for the approach.
But also for jumps, it’s still got great pop, is stable on fast approaches and a really solid landing platform. The Custom X felt more sketchy trying to lineup tricky side-hits or making adjustments on the approach to a jump. The other important difference I found for jumps between the 2, is that the Custom X, whilst it has plenty of pop there, it takes more muscle/effort to extract that pop, IMO. The ATV was easier to pop with less effort. If you’re really athletic you might not notice this as much, but this is something that’s really noticeable for me.
Overall for carving/turns I think I probably just preferred the ATV, only because I liked it better at slower speeds, but the Custom X, carving when you’re really bombing, it wins out there, IMO. And just straight line speed – the ATV is really good, but the Custom X is another level again.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks for the detailed comparison. I think I’m definitely leaning towards the ATV after your comments. One last thing, and I didn’t see a review on the site so maybe you haven’t ridden it, but do you know how you’d compare the burton custom (camber) with the ATV? In terms of pop, edge hold and turning experience? Seems like both are supposed to be solid carvers with good pop. The main difference I’ve seen from others is that the custom has more flex to it.
Thanks in advance, your website and personal responses are extremely helpful.
Hi Dan
I haven’t ridden the Custom Camber for a couple of seasons, but I would say that’s a relatively close description. Though it might be closer to say that the Custom is like a softer flexing Custom X. Slash boards have a different flavor to Burton boards, so I’d say that would be a closer comparison. Which makes the Custom a little less hard carvy than the Custom X and a little less stable at speed. But, IMO, better for jumps and a bit better for uneven terrain. Which I guess is some of the ways that the ATV is different to the Custom X as well – except the ATV still has that carvability and speed over the Custom (non-x), IMO. So, in some ways the ATV is almost in between the Custom X and Custom. But with a different feel to it. Hope that makes sense!
Thank you so much for all your detailed replies. I’m 185 lbs, 6 ft 2 in, and have a size 12 boot (adidas tactical adv). I just ordered the Slash ATV 163W (ww of 263). I seemed to fit perfectly according to your waist width charts (for foot/boot size), your height/weight charts and the slash atv website proposed weight range.
Looking forward to using it. Based on how well all 3 of those charts say I fit, I’d assume you would have proposed the same size ATV as well??
Thanks,
Dan
You’re very welcome Dan.
Yeah, assuming you’re an advanced ride, which it sounds like you are, I think the 163W is a good size for your specs. If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on, once you’ve had a chance to get it out on snow. Happy riding!
What bindings do you recommend for this board for the ultimate carving / fast speed experience?
Hi Martin
Thanks for your message.
If carving and speed are your biggest concern, I would look at the following options:
>>Top 5 Freeride Bindings
Hope this helps
Own this exact same board and this review is absolutely 100% bang on. The one thing I also find with the CX is the faster you go on this board the easier everything feels. This is where it wants to be. The CX just loves high speed for laying down some super sic’ heavy lines.
Hi Craig
Thanks for your input. Yeah definitely a board that wants to bomb at high speed!