Burton: Men's CO2 Snowboard Binding

Most backcountry and big mountain expert freeriders will tell you that confidence is just as important as skill when you're dropping into a breathtakingly steep rock-lined chute. What's already implied is that you're equipped with the right gear--and that includes precision bindings like this Burton CO2. It's durable and it offers infinite adjustment settings, but most of all it's incredibly lightweight when you consider how many features Burton loaded into this freeride masterpiece. The CO2 has a rugged 50:50 dual component carbon fiber baseplate that enhances your mobility. There's also a removable FullBED Cushioning System that has B3 gel in the heel and a baseplate dampening pad for impact absorption after big air jumps. Burton worked hard to establish a balance between this shock absorption and terrain feel, so most riders will find that they can still have a feel for snow and terrain conditions while riding--a characteristic that matters most in difficult terrain and changing snow conditions. The CO2 also features Burton's new Cored Ultrastrap Air. It's a high-end ankle strap that was hollowed out and filled with encapsulated air padding to minimize weight and (more importantly) improve response. What we like is the comfort on the Cored Ultrastrap Air. Tighten it up if you need to feel it's there, but this is the sort of performance binding that when sized and adjusted, you can easily wear all day without enduring excess foot fatigue. If you have a new Burton board that features a Channel binding interface, check out the similar CO2 EST.

• Burton "response" rating: 8 on a scale of 1 to 9
• 50-50 short-glass/nylon composite EST baseplate material and tool-free adjustable Gas Pedal pads
• Dual-component canted Living Hinge carbon frame Hi-Back
• New Cored Ultrastrap Air and Ultra Capstrap
• New removable FullBED Cushioning System with B3 gel heel cushioning and under-baseplate dampening pad
• Tool-free Independent DialFLAD adjustment dial on Hi-Back
• Distinct dual-component Smooth Glide buckles with durable polished stainless steel levers and quick release gates