After riding the 2019 cartel X's for 2 years and testing the new 2023 model I still love the binding. I have had injury's requiring a stiffer boot for added support, and I've found the responsiveness from a stiffer binding like the cartel X's to be perfect for a stiffer boot and board setup. You feel very locked in on deep carves, and the toe strap perfectly cups the toe of the boot without slippage which I love. The ankle strap also has a hinge giving easy boot access for strapping up on top of the mt, which not all bindings incorporate. Though i did not feel much difference between the cartels and cartel x's in stiffness, they do feel a bit more dampening possibly due to the added heel cup and gel in the base.

Best all around bindings.

I love these bindings and they are my favorite pair since starting 30 years ago.These bindings are easy to adjust and lightweight, I tried Burton bindings 15 years ago and was not impressed, I started to buy Ride bindings and liked to aluminum base plate on them. Last year I purchased the Ride C-6 and the Burton Cartel to have bindings on my two main boards, after 15 days snowboarding, I noticed that I was putting the Cartels on whatever board I was riding that day and the Ride bindings are sitting in my storage room.The Burton Cartel is a great binding that does it all, powder, park and back country really well.I rode 37 days last season; the Cartel bindings are holding up nice with no complaints.Buy these bindings and you will not regret it.

Great design, functionality is missing simplicity of use

I love the design of these bindings but I do not love how they work. I am not a fan of the front band that goes over your toes (on my old bindings the front band went across my instep). Also, the front bands get loose as you go down the mountain, I had to adjust them after each run. I like to step in to my board ( not sit down to put my foot in) and it is hard with this type of front band because it is always in your way, you have to go under the band with tip of your boot, lift the band up and then step down into the bindings. Which brings me to another thing. I am not sure if it is because I do have a big size of the boots ( US Women 10) but the boot gets very tight in the heel part of the bindings. I am used to loosening up the bands and easily stepping out of ... MoreI love the design of these bindings but I do not love how they work. I am not a fan of the front band that goes over your toes (on my old bindings the front band went across my instep). Also, the front bands get loose as you go down the mountain, I had to adjust them after each run. I like to step in to my board ( not sit down to put my foot in) and it is hard with this type of front band because it is always in your way, you have to go under the band with tip of your boot, lift the band up and then step down into the bindings. Which brings me to another thing. I am not sure if it is because I do have a big size of the boots ( US Women 10) but the boot gets very tight in the heel part of the bindings. I am used to loosening up the bands and easily stepping out of the bindings but it is impossible for me with this type of bindings because even after I loosen up the bands the boot is still firmly fixated in the back of the binding. So I had to remember and hold the back of the bindings with my hand and step out. It is very stylish and pretty but thats about it for me. I am already thinking of switching to a simplier type of bindings.

Highback cushioning pad ripped on 2nd day

Was using the Cartel together with the 2021 SLX Boot which has some „backstay“ nups on the Heel and backside providing grip so that the Boot is not moving or slipping out the binding. Unfortunately, the nubs are that rough that the immediately ripped off the cushioning pad of the Highback on the 2nd day.Opened a warranty request to get new Highbacks because I have no grip in the binding anymore - Burton said it is normal wear and that I did use the binding incorrectly. Don‘t know how that should work by just stepping in in a normal way and tightening the straps properly but ok. Fine if the Boots have some grip on the heels to not slip around but then the Highbacks should be resistant enough to match to the boots and not be ripped completely on the 2nd day.Not ... MoreWas using the Cartel together with the 2021 SLX Boot which has some „backstay“ nups on the Heel and backside providing grip so that the Boot is not moving or slipping out the binding. Unfortunately, the nubs are that rough that the immediately ripped off the cushioning pad of the Highback on the 2nd day.Opened a warranty request to get new Highbacks because I have no grip in the binding anymore - Burton said it is normal wear and that I did use the binding incorrectly. Don‘t know how that should work by just stepping in in a normal way and tightening the straps properly but ok. Fine if the Boots have some grip on the heels to not slip around but then the Highbacks should be resistant enough to match to the boots and not be ripped completely on the 2nd day.Not really high quality, durable goods :(((

I think I'll keep em'

I have had a great time on this bindings! They are a great happy medium in term of flex (in my opinion.) They are stiff enough to have great responsiveness at high speeds but also soft enough to butter and jib around the mountain at slower speeds. The heel hammock on it offers a great sense of support and engagement and paired with the EST channel system it offers superior board feel. You will notice that both EST is a +/- for me. Reason being for the board feel (+) but the channel screws seems to come loose here and there on my harder days of riding. Not a huge deal since you can simply tighten them with a screwdriver on mountain but nonetheless, can get annoying sometimes .

New favourite bindings

I wanted to get som new bindings that would suit for park, groomers and freeride. From before I have Malavita and they are a bit too soft, so I wanted to try someones with more respons and stiffness. I wear EU 45 and got the size medium. The mediums go to EU 44,5 and when stretching out the plate they just fit. And the space on the sides of the boot are more narrow and gives better fit in general. I have experienced wide bindings and not a fan. My weight is 88kg so that's another why I went for stiffer bindings that could give more support when I ride.First try was at opening day in Hemsedal, Norway this season and it had been pumping down with snow. I ride +20 and 0, tilted highbacks and likes to align the highbacks to the snowboards edge line. Thats a thing I ... MoreI wanted to get som new bindings that would suit for park, groomers and freeride. From before I have Malavita and they are a bit too soft, so I wanted to try someones with more respons and stiffness. I wear EU 45 and got the size medium. The mediums go to EU 44,5 and when stretching out the plate they just fit. And the space on the sides of the boot are more narrow and gives better fit in general. I have experienced wide bindings and not a fan. My weight is 88kg so that's another why I went for stiffer bindings that could give more support when I ride.First try was at opening day in Hemsedal, Norway this season and it had been pumping down with snow. I ride +20 and 0, tilted highbacks and likes to align the highbacks to the snowboards edge line. Thats a thing I really like with this bindings are the all adjustments you can do. Also the huge toestraps that feels good without pressing too much. The whole day I went from fresh grooms, powder in open terrain and forest, and also jumps. Gotta say They where better then what I expected and they got me pumped. I have since only used this ones on my directional camber board, my powder fish board and twin board. The only negative thing seems to be the aluminium buckles seems already a little bit loose, but they still hold super tight.Highly recommended for those that are looking for a medium plus stiff binding with all-mountain focus. Riders over 80kg would have the most use for this since when you are going on in the park, quick turns in the pow or just carving on grooms, you will enjoy this ones. If you are a size EU 45, try medium size.

Skeptical at first, but WOW!

It had been 16 years since I had a Burton setup, but I had cartels prior years back. The EST system had me skeptical.....the fact that they bolt down on the sides and have no discs was very foreign to me. Got the EST Cartels with a Free Thinker. And holy moly does this board hard charge. The binding is the perfect combination of stiff/responsive and flexy/tweaky. I'm a believer now....the EST system really works. If any con at all.....I feel like there is more chatter under my feet than a traditional binding with disc plates. But I love the board feel this binding promotes. Burton for the win.

They are made specifically for EST Channel.

These bindings were made for any board that has The Channel installation system. I would recommend them if you have such a board.I used re-flex discs with disc bindings and they would get loose and move while riding.Also, you may rip your bindings out, I say may, as discs were not specifically made for channel boards.Overall, these EST Cartel bindings are great, are heavy duty and customizable.I purchased in Mens medium, and have a size 10 foot.These are very robust, and should last at least a while.I highly recommend them if you are all-mountain, with park I would recommend softer straps that have a little give, so you could have these and swap the straps out if needed.

Top-shelf form and function

I bought these as a present for my wife. She was looking for bindings that were flexible and comfortable underfoot and stiff enough for aggressive all mountain riding. These hit the performance sweet spot. But what really sets these binders apart are the little details: the buckles are super smooth going on or off, the re:flex system lets the board flex more naturally, and the hinge on the ankle strap is pure genius- one of those features you'd never think was necessary until you go back to the old floppy ankle strap getting in the way of your foot. Colors are on point, too. Highly recommend these binders.

Unsafe

I have loved everything Burton since I began snowboarding. In my house right now there are five Burton snowboards, two sets of bindings, and countless coats, snow pants, underlayers, fleeces; however, Burton is currently showing an unethical stance on recurrent problems with the diagonal ratchet and ladder system on its Lexa binding toe straps. They come undone easily and are unsafe. Your customer service reps have repeatedly told me I was the only person who experienced this, but in only two hours I found four others who experienced the exact same thing--one who saw it repeatedly because she worked in a shop--in a group of 900 women who do winters sports. There are many of us out there--I am not the only one. Burton, this is not your entry-level binding: I wore ... MoreI have loved everything Burton since I began snowboarding. In my house right now there are five Burton snowboards, two sets of bindings, and countless coats, snow pants, underlayers, fleeces; however, Burton is currently showing an unethical stance on recurrent problems with the diagonal ratchet and ladder system on its Lexa binding toe straps. They come undone easily and are unsafe. Your customer service reps have repeatedly told me I was the only person who experienced this, but in only two hours I found four others who experienced the exact same thing--one who saw it repeatedly because she worked in a shop--in a group of 900 women who do winters sports. There are many of us out there--I am not the only one. Burton, this is not your entry-level binding: I wore your bindings on Blackcomb's Couloir Extreme and Big Sky's A-Z chutes, among other places where I needed them to perform to keep me safe. They cannot come undone mid-run, as they routinely do. If Burton is okay with that, I am not okay with Burton.