Product Review: Burton Malavita Restricted Binding

Photo courtesy of Burton.com

  The Burton Malavita Restricted is the version of the Malavita EST designed to be mounted on any board as opposed to those designed specifically for the Burton Infinite Channel System (the EST line).  The baseplate flips up to enable insertion of any one of three plastic disc adapters (standard 4 hole, 2 hole channel, and Burton 3D system).  Very simple and easy to use I switched the bindings between my Salomon Ace with a standard 4 hole mounting deck and my Burton Barracuda with the Burton Infinite Channel often.

  Available only in black the distinctive feature of the Restricted model is the asymmetrical winged high back for extra lateral leverage and Burton's Heel Hammock, a rubbery material that wraps around the heel of the boot that does a great job of locking your heel in place and reducing the need to make the straps extra tight.  The high back is also adjustable laterally to give it perfect alignment with the angle you set the binding to.

  The build quality is excellent, light yet sturdy with virtually no plastic to be found.  The front of the footbed is adjustable as well for different foot sizes, made with gel cushioning under the heel for impact absorption.  The same quality extends to the oversize, asymmetrical strap and the toe cup which features a similar material to the Heel Hammock on the inside to grip the toe of your boot.  The buckles are chrome-plated aluminum and lightweight polycarbonate; very light yet strong.

Photo courtesy of Burton.com

  High back lean adjustment is very simple via Burton's MicroFlad system, a horizontal knob built right into the one-piece back of the binding allowing for micro adjustment to personalize your stance.  

  In practical use the Malavita Restricted was incredibly comfortable and easy to adjust in a myriad of ways to suit my taste.  I was able to strap in snug and secure without the need to tighten the straps much at all, a testament to the effectiveness of the Heel Hammock.  The extra leverage provided by the winged high back was much appreciated in icy East Coast conditions.  Certain products just have a feel to them of quality and sturdiness and the Malavita is definitely one of them.  Adjusting any part of the binding on the fly quite simple as I broke them in and got used to them between two different boards.  The only plastic was in the disc adapters which were easy to swap out and mount (note: the Burton Channel EST specific bindings will have no mounting disc providing an even lighter, thinner footbed).

Photo courtesy of Burton.com

This is a higher end binding, retailing at around $289.99 but the build quality and nearly infinite adjustability easily justifies the price.  A binding that should last for years in a comfortable, well made package.  Recommended.