One of the most popular questions that come up when talking about Burton products is “What bindings will work with my Burton board?” Most people notice the difference in hole pattern on the boards and wonder “Can I only choose a Burton Binding or do I have other options?”. Not only is this confusing, but in the past few years, Burton has added some more options into the mix with their channel boards that have also varied in the bindings they work with. Now it can be a bit confusing as to which Burton bindings even work with which Burton boards. So what’s the deal? Is Burton just trying to make your life harder? We don’t think so, but we want to answer some questions for you and point you in the right direction. We’ll walk through each type of mounting pattern, and tell you which bindings are compatible and ideal.
Non-Burton 4 Hole Pattern
Let’s start out simple. The 4 Hole Pattern is what you’ll find on any non Burton snowboard. It’s referred to as a 4 Hole Pattern, because although the board has more than 4 holes, only 4 screws are used to mount each binding. Boards with this pattern will work with any binding of any brand except the Burton EST bindings. The Burton EST bindings are specifically designed for the Burton Channel System which we will get to a little later. As you can see below, regular Burton disc bindings (non EST bindings) will work with 4 Hole Pattern boards. These bindings will come with the appropriate discs for mounting. Again, any non EST binding will mount to any normal 4 Hole Pattern Snowboard.
Burton 3-D
As you can see from the diagram below, the Burton 3-D Pattern looks a little different than the normal 4 Hole Pattern. This 3-D design is used exclusively by Burton, and uses only 3 screws in a triangular pattern to mount each binding. The discs on normal Burton bindings are made to accommodate this, and therefore Burton disc bindings (non EST) from any year are the ideal match for any board with a 3-D Pattern. This means that those Burton disc bindings you picked up from a few years back will still work with any new Burton 3-D board. Again, EST bindings will not work because they are designed specifically for the ICS Channel. Trying to match a non Burton binding to a Burton board? In some cases it is possible with a compatible disc from your binding manufacturer. Bindings from Flow, Ride, K2, Forum will work the 3-D Hole Pattern and in most cases come with a compatible disc. If you have a different brand you want to use with a Burton board and don’t know if it will work, you can contact us for help or call the manufacturer for a compatible disc.
Pre 2011 Burton Channel (M5)
Now this is where it can get confusing. A few years back Burton came out with ICS which stands for Integrated Channel System. This is, in Burton’s opinion, the most direct connection from your board to your bindings. This allows the binding to flex with the board, gives you unlimited adjustability and most importantly allows your bindings to transfer energy to your board in the most effective and efficient way. The Burton EST bindings are made to work exclusively with the channel system. These bindings utilize a screw on the inside and a screw on the outside of the binding which are then screwed directly into the channel. These bindings do not have discs and again are ideal to be used with Burton ICS boards. Now, there are two forms of ICS that Burton has created. The first form was called M5, however for the 2010-2011 season Burton came out with a new version called M6. While we will get to M6 in detail a second, it is important to know right now that there is a difference. So how do you know what channel system your board has? If you purchased your Burton board previous to the 2010-2011 season, and it has a channel, then it is M5. If you purchases your board during the 2010-2011 season and it is the new current model then it has M6. If you aren’t sure you can always contact us or Burton themselves. Now, again when choosing a binding for your M5 ICS Burton board, it is important to remember that Burton EST bindings are ideal. Regardless of what year your EST bindings are, you should use the M5 hardware that came with the board. If you don’t have this hardware anymore you should contact Burton and order replacement hardware. If you have Burton disc bindings (non EST) you can still use them, but you will need a retro disc to use with the M5 hardware that came with your board. This will allow you to mount the bindings to the channel, but within the disc. Lastly, you may have non Burton bindings that you wish to mount to your Burton ICS board. Keep in mind that using any non EST binding defeats most of the purpose of the ICS system, but in some cases it still can be done. To do this you must contact the manufacturer of your bindings and ask if they have a compatible M5 disc. You will also have to use the M5 inserts that came with the board as well.
2011 Burton Channel (M6)
Lastly, we have the newest option available, the M6 Channel. Burton updated their ICS system to include a wider channel which allows for standardized hardware. What does this mean for you? It means that Burton has improved the performance of this system as well as the ease of use and compatibility of it. Basically the system now works with more of a variety of bindings. To start, the 2011 Burton M6 Channel works best with 2011 Burton EST Bindings. You simply you use the M6 hardware that came with the board, and the bindings mount from the outsides into the channel. Pre 2011 EST bindings will work, however only with the use of the M6 Transition Kit. These can be ordered for free from Burton directly. If you purchased 2011 Burton disc bindings, now with of the use of the new M6 channel, you can actually mount these using the M6 hardware that comes with the board. The disc included with the binding along with the new M6 hardware is all you need. Burton disc bindings that are pre 2011 however will need the M6 Transition Kit which can again be ordered from Burton for free. Trying to use a non Burton binding on a 2011 ICS board? It can be done with some manufacturers. Ride and Flow are a few of them, however you should contact your binding manufacturer for a compatible M6 disc and screws .You’ll also need to use the M6 inserts that came with your board.
So those are your options in Burton product as of right now! To simplify it, we suggest you use the options we have included above in bold, but we understand that they may not be available to you. Check out the key below that describes in detail some of the items in the diagrams. Of course feel free to comment on this article, or contact us directly if you have any questions!
Work better with pictures? Click here for our full Burton Binding Compatibility Chart. Done with the learning? Go ahead and shop bindings now!
Can you use 2011 EST bindings with M5 boards?
Sally,
Yes, you can use the 2011 EST bindings with the M5 board but you will need to use the M5 hardware.
Thanks,
Chris
i need some help, i just got the new Burton Blunt, and it has the stupid 3-D hole pattern and my old bindings won’t fit. i have Morrow bindings, and i am usin some screwed up uni disk that can’t handle a kicker without my bindings shifting like nuts. what the hell do i do!?
Charles,
To the best of my knowledge the Morrow base plate isn’t designed to work with the Burton 3D hole pattern which is most likely why you are having your shifting problem. If the uni-disc that you have wasn’t the disc that came with your bindings there is a good chance that they don’t fit the binding well enough and that also can cause tons of problems. You can contact Burton at (800) 881-3138 or info@burton.com to get better information on this or see if they might offer a conversion disc that would work for your needs.
Are the GNU choice step in bindings compatible with the channel system?
Randi,
Our snowboard buyer doesn’t believe that the GNU Choice bindings are compatible. The best option for the EST snowboards is to buy a Burton EST binding so that you can take full advantage of the channel system.
For 2011 burton boards, as long as the binding type says "channeling" it should work correct?
Steve,
If you have a 2011 ICS board, then you either need a pair of 2011 EST Bindings or a pair of 2012 EST bindings with the Black conversion kit. You can find more info here as well as request necessary hardware.
http://www.burton.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Burton_US-Site/default/CustomerService-M6
I was wondering if I could use last years EST bindings with a board from this year? Like I was thinking a Burton custom (2012) and mission EST bindings(2011) last years model. So will this setup work? And if so what kind of adaptors or hardware will I need? Thanks
Justin,
Yes, last years EST will work with this years EST boards. You will need to get a black transition kit. Contact Burtons customer service, they should send it out free of charge.
Thanks,
Chris
I have K2 bindings and I’m buying a Burton Dominant …. will my K2′s fit? Need answers!
Hey Will,
It will depend on which model of the Dominant you are buying. If the board you are looking at has a traditional 4 hole set up to attach the bindings then yes, the K2 bindings will work with the right compatibility disc. If the Dominant has the ICS channel to attach the bindings, then no. It will need a Burton EST binding to fit out of the box. You can also purchase a retro disc from Burton so you can attach the K2 bindings to the ICS board. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru
Burton suck ride suck imho. I have a pre 2011 burton channel board. I bought some ride SPI bindings and was told they would fit! Finally today got the ride conversion kit after waiting 5 months for them to arrive in NZ, to find out they only work with the M6 setup. From what I am understanding there is no way to get my bindings on the board.
Hello,
The binding conversion kit that you would need it the M5 set, it appears that they sent you the M6 kit by mistake. The M5 kit should still be available through the manufacturer as there are still pre-2011 boards available.
Lisa
Question: Can I use new burton diode bindings on an older 2008 Burton Royale Snowboard? I currently have a pair of broken cartels that i am looking to replace with a higher end binding.
Hello,
The Diode bindings will not work if you have the 3D hole pattern on the board because the EST system is not compatible. If you have the pre-2011 channel system you will simply need to use the M5 hardware from the board to mount the bindings.
Lisa
Hello,
The Diode bindings will not work if you have the 3D hole pattern on the board because the EST system is not compatible. If you have the pre-2011 channel system you will simply need to use the M5 hardware from the board to mount the bindings.
Lisa
I have some new K2 Cinch CTX bindings and am thinking of getting a 2012 Custom flying V, is it possible to get these bindings to fit the board and what is needed?
Simon,
Sorry for the delay in response but I look forward to assisting you. In order for the K2 Cinch CTX bindings to fit onto the Burton Custom Flying V you will need to contact K2 and get a special disc set up making the bindings compatible. If for any reason you have an issue contacting K2 you can contact our customer service @ 888-271-7500
K2′s customer service can be reached @ 800-985-2191
Please let us know if you have any further comments or questions.
Thanks,
Chris
I am thinking about getting the Burton Malavita EST 2011 in CS Blue, will they fit my 2012 Custom X?
Hey Roy,
Yes the Malavita’s in the EST model will work with any Channel board, including your Custom X. You just want to make sure that they truly are the EST bindings and you should be solid. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru
Hi there,
I was considering buying a 2011 Burton Nug,but would like to put my Ride contraband bindings on it. Is it possible and if so how do I go about?
cheers
Peter
Hey Peter,
It will depend on the which model Contraband’s you have. Any of the newest models should come with a Mini Disk that will allow it to convert over and be used with the Channel Nug. If it’s from a previous season, Ride does sell a conversion disc that will allow you to use the bindings on any ICS board. They can sometimes be hard to acquire as they sell fast but will normally run you around $20. Either way, you should definitely be able to use those bindings with the Nug. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru
I just got some K2 Cinch CTS bindings, and have a (I think) 2008 Burton Custom X.
If I get M5 hardware, will I be able to use them?
Hey Douglas,
Yes you will be able to use those Cinch’s with the Custom X, although how it will attach will depend on which version of the Custom X you have from 2008, as it came in both an ICS channel version as well as a 3-D hole pattern model. If it is the ICS channel model, then yes the M5 hardware along with the disc that came with the K2′s should work. If it is the 3-D hole pattern, your K2 disc should allow the Cinch’s to work with the board out of the box. Either way, you should be good. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru