I have been riding the Burton ICS since the beginning of the season. I’ve tested it on a variety of Burton snowboards with EST and 3D bindings and in many varied conditions. I will not come back
Using a channel system to attach bindings to a snowboard is not a new idea. But the way Burton has implemented it is and that’s what I think makes Burton’s ICS worth it.
Before you go ahead and buy a Burton ICS board, there are a few things you should know.
1. If you have Burton 3D bindings, you can attach them to your board with new binding plates that are free from Burton.
2. If you don’t have Burton bindings, check with your dealer to see if new binding plates are available from your bindery company. At the time of writing, there were no alternative motherboards available for most of the well-known brands.
3. The future is ICS, so if you’re going to buy a new board, don’t compromise because your old bindings won’t fit.
ICS stands for ‘Infinite Channel System’ and when it comes to setting up your board, the keyword here is infinity. With traditional systems, you are locked into fixed positions on the board and at the turntables. With ICS you can move the bindings fractionally in all directions to achieve the perfect stance width and foot position. Angles and widths are easily set using the new angles/references view window. If you carry a tool with you when you ride, it’s very easy to make changes by loosening the two screws on each binding. No need to lift the board joint to adjust the position or angles of the board… this is a big plus.
To accompany the channel system, Burton has produced a new range of bindings called EST. In addition to the 2-point bindings, Burton has improved the footbed, and the most obvious difference to me is the comfort of the cushioning.
If you already have Burton 3D bindings, you can attach them to the new ICS system, but you don’t get the same level of flexibility when setting them up. If you have any doubts regarding the use of your old Burton bindings, let me dispel them…they work and they work well…but my advice is to go all the way and get some EST bindings.