riderjot

New to snowboarding.. looking for some input on EST vs non-EST bindings.

I've been searching around and can't seem to understand what the difference is between an EST and non-EST binding. Is there a really big difference?

Basically if I were to buy a board, how would I know if it supports EST or not...

Newb question, I know

PATKOUG

If you just visited a snowboard shop in-person and talked to the employees--they could/should/would SHOW you the difference between:

regular 4- (and 3-) hole boards,
regular/traditional/disc-type bindings,
Burton ICS/Channel/2-hole Boards,
and Burton EST (2-hole) Bindings.

But basically:

Burton EST (2/hole) Bindings ONLY work on/with Burton ICS/Channel/2-hole Boards.

Therefore Burton EST (2-hole) Bindings are completely USELESS if you don't have a Burton ICS/Channel/2-hole Board to use them on/with.

Burton EST (2-hole) Bindings are designed/constructed specifically/exclusively for use on/with Burton ICS/Channel/2-hole Boards and are therefore unique in that respect.

Most snowboards use the industry standard 4-hole binding mounting insert pattern.

Most bindings utilize a (relatively solid) baseplate design with a mounting disc that is 4-hole compatible. Sometimes 4-hole discs are also 3-hole compatible or, if available, the 4-hole discs can be substituted for 3-hole compatible discs.

Burton has plenty of traditional/disc-type bindings that can be used on both 4-hole and 3-hole (and ICS/Channel/2-hole) boards. Burton traditional/disc-type bindings can also be used on Burton ICS/Channel/2-hole Boards with special ICS/Channel/2-hole discs. I think that a few other binding companies just started producing their own special ICS/Channel/2-hole discs this season so that their bindings can be used on/with Burton ICS/Channel Boards.

SummitAtSnoq

Im throwing this out there RIGHT NOW. I picked up a Jeremy Jones 156 at the beginning of last season, with EST un inc's to go right along smoothly with the board. There has never been a binding system that gave me more hell. After about 3 weeks of solid riding, the screws began to strip somewhat, i had to tighten em down everytime i stomped a shooter over 20 otherwise my foot would twist and feel like it was dislocated.


It scared the living shit out of me feeling that happen. Ultimately, i went through three sets of EST screws throughout the season. I will never buy a channeled board again.

That's my two cents though.

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SummitAtSnoq

As opposed to there being a bunch of dots where the screws would go on a normal board, you'll see a long thin line recessed into the board itself. this is the ICS channel that is only available on burton boards.

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Deviant

That is an EST setup, if you don't see that channel, the board isn't compatible with EST bindings. That's about the easiest answer I can give you.

Contrary to the post above, my ESTs (Triads on an X8, not the one in the pic) have stayed super tight and never moved on me, I only tighten them a couple times a season and have way better things to say about them than any 4x4 type pattern out there.

riderjot

Alright. That clears things up.

I don't have a channel system. Looks like it's non-EST.
Any recommendations for bindings?

I've been looking out there, burton cartels is what I was looking for..

But what do you guys think of Unions? Forum republic? They are cheaper from what I can tell..

JoeR

Personally, I always avoided Burton boards and bindings when their norm was three screws per binding. Why rely on only three screws, I figured, if I could rely on four? (That, and I preferred an industry-standard rather than a proprietary system.) Now that they're down to two screws per binding, I'm not about to rethink anything.

SummitAtSnoq

Burton have their own binding system separate from the rest of the industry. They have for as long as i can remember. When you buy a pair of Burton's, you're somewhat locking yourself into their system. I have no problem with Burton gear, it's just usually priced rather high. The cartel's are a great binding overall, but i'd shoot for something less expensive. I am a huge fan of Rome bindings, particularly the 390's.

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riderjot

I'm rethinking the Burtons cause they're fairly expensive.

Just want something durable... Both the union force and forum republic bindings have good reviews..