Hello and welcome to my Burton Malavita bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the Malavitas as freestyle snowboard bindings.
These are bindings you can use for riding all-mountain too, they are very versatile – but this review rates them as freestyle bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Malavitas a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Burton Malavita
Price: $359 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freestyle/Park
Other Uses: All-Mountain/All-Mountain-Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium
Flex Feel: Medium (5.5/10)
Rating Score: 90.0/100
Compared to other All-Mountain Bindings
Out of the 17 men’s freestyle bindings that I rated:
The Malavita in More Detail
Check out the tables for the Malavita’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $359 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Edge-to-edge: | Medium |
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 Malavitas Most Suited To?
The Malavitas are best for anyone who likes to ride a mixture of all-mountain and park. Or anyone who likes to use the whole mountain like a park.
They’ve got enough response for reasonably quick edge-to-edge transitions but are also flexible enough for tweaking and flex really well with the board making them great for butters/presses.
They’re also great for larger features in the park, where you want a bit more stiffness than you’d get out of a more medium-soft freestyle binding.
Pretty versatile with the range of boards they match with, due to the way they naturally flex with the board, but ideal range is between a 4/10 and 6/10 flex.
Too stiff for beginners (and the price-point is probably a bit high for beginners) but certainly intermediate riders would be fine with these. Plus anyone advanced to expert that wants to use them for riding freestyle/all-mtn-freestyle.
The Malavita in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Malavita bindings are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Burton Malavita 2018 & 2019, 2022, M
Date: I own these bindings and I use them as my testing "control" bindings. i.e. when I'm testing boards I ride these bindings, first on my board, then on the board I'm testing.
And when I'm testing bindings I first ride these on my board, then the bindings I'm testing on my board.
So suffice to say I've ridden A LOT in these bindings!
Conditions: Various
Bindings angles: mostly +15/-15
Flex & Response
Out of the Burton Cartel, the Burton Genesis and the Burton Malavita I would say that, when riding, the Malavitas feel about half way between the Genesis and Cartel – around 5.5/10, with the Cartels feeling slightly stiffer – around 6/10 and the Genesis more like 5/10.
The Malavitas have a relatively stiff highback, but a softer baseplate. Stiffer highback than the Genesis and the Cartel too.
They respond just a little better than medium. But they strike a really good balance between response at higher speeds and maneuverability at slower speeds.
Butterability/Board Feel
Super easy to butter/press. These bindings are made for this and this is one area where they excel.
They flex really well with the board – both the Re:Flex and the EST versions – but the EST versions slightly more so – but the Re:Flex flex so well with the board that there’s more than enough board feel there – and I’m fussy on board feel!
Adjustability
Like most Burton bindings, the Malavitas have plenty of adjustability – high back lean, high back rotation, ankle strap, toe strap etc – and it’s all easy to use and mostly tool-less. The only downside with the Re:Flex model is that you can’t really micro-adjust your stance width – you have to adjust by 2cm at a time (on 4 x 2 insert patterns). This is because you can’t run the disc horizontally – only vertically.
Shock Absorption
These bindings have great shock absorption, which helps to make them seriously good for freestyle type stuff in or out of the park – landing those large kickers all day is less taxing with all the padding in there – and it’s great for absorbing chatter from cruddy snow too.
Entry/Exit
Nice smooth ratchets and typically easy to get in and out of.
Has the flex slider on the ankle strap that Burton bindings have had for the last couple of years. This isn’t a biggie for me because I think it’s just as easy with other brands to bend the ankle strap in behind the high back when strapping in – but it’s not a bad thing either.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
The Malavita comes in at around 4:38
Comfort
I like bindings with a canted footbed and the Malavitas have an autocant in their footbed – so that gets a tick from me. What this does is align your hips, ankles and knees in a more natural way which reduces fatigue over time.
The ankle straps are also really comfortable and I’ve never noticed any pressure points anytime I’ve ridden them (which is a lot as these are the bindings that I use for all my snowboard testing) – they conform really well around the boot.
All that shock absorption also makes these bindings feel really comfortable.
Ankle Support
There is a nice firm feeling of support when strapping these bindings in. They don’t feel as tightly locked in as some bindings – but they’re more than medium. And to be honest I don’t think I’d want them any more locked down for the type of riding that these bindings are best suited to. Also, you can adjust the ankle strap position for more support if you have it on the higher setting. I mostly keep in on the lower setting.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.0/100 |
Overall the Malavita are great freestyle or all-mountain freestyle bindings. They have great board feel and are super comfy and shock absorbing.
They are really versatile too and can be ridden on a wide range of different boards - from 3/10 flex to 8/10 flex (but ideal on 4/10 to 6/10 flex boards). Which makes them great as my testing bindings.
They have been very consistent for me 100+ days riding them so far.
If you're looking at Malavita ESTs, check out my Malavita EST Review.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Malavitas, are ready to buy or want to research pricing and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out other freestyle options or want to see how the Malavitas compared to other options, check out the next link.
Hey man I was wondering if these binding would go well with a capita doa. Thanks for you help!
Hi Billy
Thanks for your message.
The Malavita work with the DOA, IMO. I use Malavitas as my test bindings, so I’ve ridden the DOA with Malavitas several times and it’s always worked well. I have also ridden the DOA with stiffer bindings and I did feel I preferred it with slightly stiffer bindings on it. So, I think ideally I would go a touch stiffer, but that’s getting pretty fussy and the Malavitas do a really good job with it, IMO.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate looking at Burton Malavita! I’m running size 11 K2 Thraxis and a YES standard 159. What size should I grab in these. Medium or Large? Your input is spot on bud! Thanks
Hey James
I would be looking at the L. You might squeeze into the M, but could be pushing it with the Thraxis. And I think you should get really good boot to binding fit with the L – and the L will give you a little more leverage on the board with the longer baseplate. I think you’d probably get away with the M, but I would go L in this case.
Thank you Nate. Enjoy the rest of the season!
Thanks dd – you too!
Hi Nate – thank you for your continued great contributions to the snowboarding community, you’re such a great resource! Quick question please….do you think the malavitas would pair well with a rossi sashimi? I don’t believe you’ve reviewed the sashimi but perhaps you’ve ridden one? If not, rossi rates the flex at 7, but I think that might be overstated a bit, as they rate the rossi XV a 9 or 10, and when I rode my son’s it didn’t feel that stiff (stiff for sure, but not 9-10). At any rate, I’m looking for a surfy type binding to go with my new sashimi and since I’m not a bomber but more cruising the blues and blacks (both groomers and powder) I’m wondering is the malavitas would be fine? Thanks in advance!
Hi dd
Hope you’re doing well.
I haven’t ridden the Sashimi, so couldn’t say for sure, but I agree that Rossi tend to overstate their flex, typically. E.g. the One is rated 7, but more of a 6 by my feel and the XV a 9 but more of an 8 by my feel. By deduction, the Sashimi is likely a 6/10 flex. Not necessarily though – hard to say having not ridden it, so no guarantees, but that’s what I would expect. If that is the case, then I think the Malavita could work on it for sure.
Would you recommend the Maltivas for a Capita Doa board? I have done some research and have been looking between these and the Cartels or Cartel X’s.
Hi Ben
Thanks for your message.
The Malavita’s definitely work with the DOA. My experience riding the DOA though, I have preferred slightly stiffer bindings on it. I rate the DOA a 6/10 flex – and typically for a 6/10 flex, anything from 5/10 to 7/10 flex for the bindings will work well. For the DOA, I’ve preferred it when I’ve had bindings on the stiffer end of that scale, so I would be leaning Cartel X, in this case. Both the Malavita and Cartel would still work fine, but if I had the choice, I’d personally go Cartel X on the DOA.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate, did you find these were a good match for the yes hybrid? I’ve been using cartel x on mine. Been great only complaint is since it’s missing the canting I’m getting cramps in my foot which I was getting from other non canted bindings, just wondering if I could get away with something like malavita on the board. Like not too much drop in response and carving? trying to find some 2020 cartels but seems to be all sold out here in my size.
Once again cheers nate!
Tim
Hi Tim
I think you get away with the Malavitas on the Hybrid, for sure. I rode it with the Hybrid and really enjoyed the board. I think they’re a pretty good flex match. I think for carving you would get a bit of a drop. When I tested the Cartel X, I did notice it helped for carving a little harder versus the Malavitas (though that was the Cartel X EST versus Malavita Re:Flex). But yeah, the Malavita’s definitely worked for me for this board, but do expect some drop in carving.
If you were open to other brands you could also check out the Union Force, Atlas, Strata or Falcor (depending on flex/board feel you were after) or K2 Lien AT or Salomon Highlander (which all have canted footbeds)
Hmm, I think I’ll keep eye out for 2020 cartels. I have had malavitas on a optimistic and it was not ideal. Although very different boards. The malavita colour way would have been perfect for the hybrid uninc. Have you tried the now select pro? They are releasing a now x yes uninc select pro that would likely suit and it canted.
I have atlas kazu and Stratas so I can use them til something pops up
Hi Tim
I haven’t tried the Select Pro – have tried most NOW bindings but not that one. As far as I know it’s the only NOW binding with canting. Apart from the Graphic, the YES collab Select Pro looks to be the same as the regular Select Pro.
I think the Atlas and Strata should work well on the Hybrid.
Hi Nate, love the site and reviews. I have two new boards, a gnu riders choice, and a lib dynamo. I am currently riding burton malavitas on both of them but want to have two sets of bindings to not have to move them, considering going malavita again, but also considering the cartel x since i used to ride the old cartels (on many old boards, don’t like the new base model cartels). love the new malavitas but wondering if the cartel x would be a better fit for one of these boards. I ride them both the same, all mountain freeride and all mountain freestyle. dynamo is more my deeper snow and hard charger go to vs the riders choice. so cartel x vs malavita better for either of those boards? Thanks!
Hi M
Thanks for your message.
I would try the Cartel X on the Dynamo, to give you something different there and to give you a bit more of a hard charging binding and Malavita on your Rider’s Choice for that more freestyle ride. I think that would be the best match-up. You could certainly go Malavita on the Dynamo too, but I think the Cartel X would be a slightly better option and more suited to the style of riding you’re doing on the Dynamo.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I am a 50 years old 5’9, 160 woman who finally bought a new snowboard, a 2020 Lady West 156. I have demo’d about 4 different bindings: a medium Union Juliet, medium Burton Cartel, a small Cartel X, and a small Now Vetta.
The Vettas were too soft. The Cartels were awesome and playful, but too big. The Cartel Xs were perfectly sized and the most comfortable but maybe lacked in board feel. And the Juliets were okay.
I want to know more about the Malavitas. I am a solid intermediate rider who wants to progress into trees and some all mountain fun. It is unlikely in the next year that I will do any sort of big mountain riding. I want to progress as a rider…
Which binding would you suggest. Please feel free to ask any qualifying questions. Thank you, Jodi
Also, I have some loyalty to the local shop near me and they have a small malavita in stock.
Hi Jodi
Thanks for your message.
If you liked the Cartel’s, then I think you’ll like the Malavitas. To me they have a little more board feel than the Cartel’s, so you shouldn’t lack board feel, and if the S fit you well in the Cartel X, then the S should be a good fit in the Malavita, most likely. I think the Malavita would be a good match for the Lady West too. But you should also consider the S Cartel, given that you liked it, but it just wasn’t in the right size.
Note that the base plate on the Malavita is softer than the Cartel, but the high back is stiffer, so it’s pretty similar overall flex, but a slightly different feel.
Hope this helps
FYI burton makes a reflex disk that allows micro nose-to-tail adjustment. If you contact customer service they’ll send them for free. I forget what they’re called specifically. Micro disk maybe?
If the customer service person doesn’t know what they are then hang up and call back until you reach someone that does. I had one person there ship me the basic 4×4 disk which was a waste of time and airplane fuel.
Happy shredding.
Hi David
Thanks for the info. I was unaware of that disc. Will have to look into it. Appreciate the FYI.
Hey. I love your website and use it all the time. Keep it up. I have a yes jackpot for park and and messing around and a endeavor scout for powder and groomers. I have 2017 genesis reflex and 2021 malavita. Which binding should go with which board. I do plan to upgrade the toe straps on the genesis this year
Hi Ameer
Thanks for your message.
I really good question – and a close call. Both bindings work with both boards well. But I would personally put the Malavita on the Jackpot and the Genesis on the Scout. The Malavita have a softer base plate and stiffer highback – so you get that toe to heel response but a more buttery feel side to side – and just a bit more in terms of ollie power, IMO. Both bindings have great board feel though and would both suit the Jackpot, but I would be leaning Malavita for Jackpot. The Genesis is a bit more of a smoother feel and would feel subtly surfier in powder, IMO, so that’s why I’d lean towards that for the Scout. Again, both suit both and these are very subtle differences, but that’s the way I would go.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate
I got Endeavor Pioneer 2021 (all mtn – park) board and ThirtyTwo TM3 boots. What will be good binding to go with Pioneer? Looking at Burton Malavita EST (may be with Wingback 2020 model) or Genesis EST. I am mostly on the mountain (groomed trails).
Thanks
Vip
Hi Vip
Thanks for your message.
Neither would be a bad choice for that setup, IMO.
I would say the Genesis EST is just that little bit more comfortable – but that’s getting pretty picky as both bindings are very comfortable. With the Malavita EST having just that little bit more response, but again very subtly. The Malavita has a stiffer highback. I would say Malavita baseplate is mid flexing – like a 5/10, but with a slightly stiffer highback – more like a 7/10 flexing highback. The Genesis on the other hand is more like a 5/10 base plate and a 5/10 highback.
Of course, if you really want the wingback, that’s only on the Malavita model.
With the Pioneer, and on groomed trails predominantly, I would probably lean towards the Genesis, but the Malavita would definitely be a good choice too.
Hope this helps
Actually got the Burton Custom and Malavita re:flex after reading your reviews.
Ok there are newer boards but I wanted that feel of when I started some 20+ years ago.
Hope I can get the Burton custom to butter and play a bit. First time I actually spent money on getting top of the line gear so damn excited.
One of few here at home longing for winter.
Hi Dan
Thanks for your message. I’m pining for winter too, especially after the last season was cut short!
I didn’t find the Custom easy to butter, but it’s also not super hard. Takes a bit of energy to get it to butter, but not un-butterable either, if that makes sense.
Hi Nate, I find the underworld fantastic for super responsive but flexible allmontain freestyle use. for my feedback I don’t agree that the 2019 and 2020 cap strap is better than 2018, with my ruler boot and new imperial the new cap strap does not block the tip of the boot well in the attack, instead with the 2019 cartel and the old cap strap didn’t have these problems. (I tried with all the settings). also visually the new cap strap has less quality and less grip inside the old one. I had to buy the old cap strap seperatamante from burton to solve the problem.
boots size 11,5 , Malavita size L .
Hi Gonzalo
Thanks for your message and input. Interesting that you prefer the old strap. I really prefer the new one. But different boots certainly work differently with bindings. Though I don’t remember any issues with it on the Ruler or Imperial that I tested. But maybe sizing is part of it too. I ride M Malavitas with size 10 boots. Glad you were able to get the old strap and get the fit you were looking for in the end though.
Hi Nate,
Do you think these would pair well with the Jones Mountain Twin?
For use in resort general bombing around and on powder days (in resort not backcountry)
Also, by way of reference I currently have 2017 union Altas bindings which I like (they are super comfy and pretty responsive) but I want to get back on Burton ReFlex bindings as I used to have cartel’s which had way better board flex under foot.
Hi James
Yeah, I think the Malavita would pair well with the Mountain Twin – that’s what I rode on the Mountain Twin as Malavitas are my testing bindings. And that go well, IMO. Vs the Atlas, they probably not quite as responsive, but they do definitely have better board feel, and just as comfortable and probably a little more in terms of shock absorption. So yeah, only thing is you loose a touch of response (IMO).
Awesome. Thanks Nate
You’re very welcome
One more question!
Leaving price aside, do you think the Union Falcors or the Malavitas would be better suited to the MT?
Hi James
Depends on what you’re going for. If you want a bit more of an aggressive ride – doing deeper carves, bombing etc, then I would go with the Falcors. If you’re looking to incorporate some freestyle stuff, then the Malavitas are better suited. But yeah, certainly more response/power from the Falcors. The MT is a pretty versatile board, so both would work, depending on how you are wanting to ride it.
Hey Nate,
I saw these bindings in a shop in France and I absolutely fell in love with just the feeling of the material of these bindings, specially the straps and foot-bed. My current bindings are in need of an upgrade and it has been annoying that my current ones do not have cushion on the foot bed and after 2-3 hours or riding I can feel the pain in my sole of the foot which usually goes up to my calf. I do not hit the park, I like free-riding, carving and jumps where I can up the mountain. My questions is, are these bindings specifically for men or can a woman use them too? Thank you
Hi Denise
Thanks for your message.
I wouldn’t say women can’t use them. But they are designed for men and depending on your specs might not be ideal. You would be better off, IMO, going for the Burton Lexa (closest women’s equivalent to this). That is designed specifically for women and would be more likely to be more comfortable for you. So yeah, I would go Lexa – or Escapade – but from what you’re describing, I think the Lexa would be your best bet.
https://snowboardingprofiles.com/top-3-freeride-snowboard-bindings-for-women
Hope this helps with your decision
Thank you very much for the response, Nate. I will most probably go with the Lexa Re:flex, since I don’t have a Burton board. Once again, thank you and enjoy the summer! Personally, I count the days ’till winter comes again.
Hi Denise
You’re very welcome. And good call on the Lexa Re:Flex, I reckon. Hope you have a great summer too – I’m counting the days as well!
Hey Nate,
Nelson again, just checking your review as I have these bindings also.
Like you said, my only issue is the toe strap.
If you can get your hands on the 2019 tie strap please let me know! I’d love to know where I can get them.
Just to add, I did email Burton haven’t received a response.
Hi Nelson
Not sure where you can get a 2019 toe strap. Burton is your best bet to ask. I find they tend to be pretty good at responding, but at this time of year can be pretty slow at getting back. Would be good if they had somewhere on their website where you could order replacement parts.
Hello, is there a very noticeable difference between malavita and cartel? I ride mainly all mountain but no park and got malavitas. But now worry that they might be too soft for my jones mtw and yes standard
Hi Remi
Thanks for your message.
I wouldn’t say they’re too soft for the Mountain Twin and Standard. I’ve ridden both boards with the Malavitas and found them fine for that purpose. But even though Jones and YES rate the Mountain Twin and Standard 7/10 for flex, I would say they’re more like 6/10.
There are some differences between the Cartel and Malavita but they’re not hugely difference flex-wise. The Base Plate on the Cartel is stiffer than the Malavita Base Plate, but the Malavita High Back is stiffer than the Cartel’s High Back. Overall the Cartel rates a little stiffer in my books (6/10) but it’s not a huge difference and the feel of the flex is in different places.
Hope this helps
Will these work with the Rossi one mag? I’m intermediate level , no park , like to strictly carve groomers , and want to learn how to ride switch to better my skills . The mountain I’m currently riding has narrow runs and does require quick turning in some parts on some fairly steep blues. My main mountain has not opened their much wider blue groomers due to lack of snow. I’m a fairly older rider 54 years old and really working on surfing the mountain. Will these work for me? Thank you!!!
Hi Keith
Thanks for your message.
Funny you should ask this, as I have been riding Malavitas on a Rossi One quite a bit recently! I find they work really well. I do ride park and freestyle a lot and I like them for that, but I like how they work for carving too. I’m finding that I can get fairly quick edge-to-edge on this setup – not the quickest/most responsive setup I’ve ridden but still pretty good – and you get a bit of forgiveness there too – not too stiff and rigid. So definitely a good intermediate level option as well. You can definitely get a surfy feel out of them too, I have found.
But if you want to check out some other options, also check out the following:
>>Top 5 All Mountain Bindings
Hope this helps
Thank you so very much!!! I appreciate your help. Very informative!!
You’re very welcome Keith. Hope you have an awesome season!
Thank you for your answer but regardless the price, do you think the genesis are the best?
About responsiveness is there a big difference?
Hi Johany
Yeah, I would rate the Genesis the best. I feel they are little bit more responsive. It’s only subtle but I just get that bit more of a responsive feel out of them. Perhaps, the Malavitas have marginally better board feel – but overall, I would say that the Genesis are the better binding – but there’s not a huge difference.
Hello Nate,
Nice review,
Is there really a big difference between the malavitas and the genesis?
I really don’t know which ones choose…
I don’t realy ride parks but I like to do frestyle in all mountain,
what is your advice?
Thanks
Hi Johany
They do have a slightly different feel and they are subtly different. But they aren’t hugely different. Unless you ride bindings as much as I do, you may not notice the difference. They’re both really good options for all-mountain-freestyle riding.