Burton Deep Thinker Review

Who is the Deep Thinker Most Suited To?

The Deep Thinker is best suited to anyone looking for a freeride first board that can do a bit of everything, but isn't too fatiguing or too difficult to ride, but want that feeling of a predominantly camber profile under their feet. 

It's something that get a little aggressive when you want it to, but can also be fun ridden slow and more playfully, so if you're looking for a bit of both, this board is worth considering.

While it's pretty easy to ride, it's not beginner friendly. 

The Deep Thinker in More Detail

Bindings angles: +15/-15

Stance width: 560mm (22″)

Stance Setback: Setback 1" (25mm)

Width at front inserts: 266mm (10.47")

Width at back insert: 265mm (10.43")

Rider Height: 6'0"

Rider Weight: 180lbs

Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Response ADV

Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M

Control Board for Control Laps: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker 

Weight: 2780grams (6lbs 13oz)

Weight per cm: 17.71 grams/cm

Average Weight per cm: 18.71 grams/cm*

*based on a sample size of around 250 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models. The Deep Thinker was lighter than average on the scales and it felt noticeably lighter than normal on snow too. 

Changes for the 2024 model

I believe these changes were in effect for the 2023 model, but carry on into the 2024 model. But we didn't specifically test the 2023 model, but have it on good authority that the 2023 model is when it first changed. 

Whilst there are no changes that are obvious with this boards, in terms of published specs, it is a vastly different board to the last time I rode it. 

The older models were, in my experience, a lot damper, stiffer and smoother, with the new one getting much snappier and lighter.

I overall far prefer the new model, but if you prefer things smooth and damp, you may not be as enthusiastic as me. But for me these board has transformed into one of my new favorites.

Powder

Didn't get a significant amount to test in on the day, but based on specs and feel, it should be really decent. It's got a 1" setback on effective edge, slightly longer nose than tail, 7mm of taper and some rocker in the tip. 

Carving

You can lay down some really good carves on this board - even at pretty high speeds. It favors a tighter radius carve rather than longer more drawn out carves. 

Turning

Ease of Turning/Slashing: The Deep Thinker was surprisingly easy for initiating carves and for slashing turns. For how well it carves, it's even better for casual turning and slashing. 

Maneuverability at slow speeds:  Nice and quick edge-to-edge when riding slow. 

Catchiness: Given how much camber this board has (10.5mm!), it's surprisingly un-catchy. 

Speed

Despite being fun to ride slower and being quite playful at slow speeds, the Deep Thinker manages to be nice and stable riding fast. 

Uneven Terrain

Crud: Even though it's quite light and not super damp (but not un-damp either), it handled crud nicely. Not immune to being thrown around, but remains quite stable in most crud, with a little chatter but not too much. 

Trees/Bumps: Felt really good in trees. It's nice and agile, even at slower speeds and just feels really good weaving between whatever's in front of it. 

Jumps

This thing was great for jumps! Probably my favorite board for jumping that's not a twin. 

Pop: There is a heap of pop in this board, which isn't a big surprise given the big bow of camber it has. But what was a little surprising was how easy it was extract that pop. It doesn't take much effort at all. When you do wind it up, there is even more pop, but most of it comes without having to put too much effort into it. 

Approach: Great combination of being stable for when you need to pick your line and bomb the approach but at the same time easy to adjust your line or speed check when you need to. 

Landing: I found I could stomp landings on this thing. But it's also forgiving when you don't quite get it right. Tail heavy landings aren't ideal but they're not too bad either. 

Side-hits: Really liked this board for side-hits, with its easy access pop and easy maneuverability. 

Small jumps/Big Jumps: Great for any sized jump. 

Switch

It is quite directional and has 7mm of taper, so its never going to be amazing, but it's not ultra setback and transitions were nice and easy too. 

Spins

Never going to be ideal for taking off and landing switch, but still very doable and otherwise works well for spins. It's light, has easy pop and not catchy on the setup. 

Butters

You've got to put in a bit of effort to get the tail and nose pressing, but really not that much. It's pretty easy to press - and while the nose and the tail don't feel identical, they don't feel too much different either. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

The Deep Thinker has no right being as easy as it is to turn, given how good it is on a carve - no right to be as good as it is at speed, given how well it rides slow - no right to be as good for riding switch, given how it floats in powder and no right to be as good at is it for jumps or butters, given how good it is for for freeride. 

This is one of those boards that defies the odds at every corner. Could be a one-board quiver for a wide range of riders - or a great compliment in a quiver too. 

It's a more snappy ride than it is a smooth one, so you'll have to like that feel of course, and whilst it's not overly chattery or anything  it's not super damp. So for some riders looking for particular things out of there board, it may not be right for everyone, but this very quickly became one of my new favorite boards!