In my review of the Burton Cartel, I noted that in my experience, Burton’s Re:Flex baseplate technology doesn’t seem to yield better board flex than a binding without it, and the Genesis hasn’t changed my mind in this respect. But where the Re:Flex system does seem advantageous is in cutting weight from the binding, replacing much of the plastic baseplate with light EVA foam. The Genesis is definitely a lightweight binding thanks to the Re:Flex design and other aspects of its construction, and it’s great for pairing with a light board like the Antler for playing around Taos and Snowbird.
I also mounted the Genesis on Voile slider plates on the K2 Panoramic Splitboard for a multi-day tour in the Indian Peaks near Boulder, Colorado. Though I would have rather been using a dedicated splitboard binding like the Spark R&D Magneto, I liked the Genesis as a split binding; I appreciated its comfortable straps and relatively low weight in touring mode.
But the K2 Panoramic is a heavier, longer, and more cumbersome board than the Antler, and on the ride down, the Genesis wasn’t substantial enough to let me control the board with as much precision as I would have liked. The combination of the less initially responsive (albeit comfortable) feel of the Genesis bindings and the heavy splitboard made turning in tight trees especially tough. On a softer, lighter, more manageable powder board, I imagine the Genesis would be perfect.
Bottom Line
The Genesis proved to be a very comfortable binding, just as Burton intended it to be, but this added comfort does affect the binding’s initial responsiveness somewhat. For this reason, I can’t recommend it to someone competing on the Freeride World Tour, looking to send big lines in demanding conditions, or someone who needs to control a heavy, stiff board with real precision.
However, the Genesis ought to be great for pretty much everyone else. While the Genesis’ uniquely designed hi-back reduces the responsiveness of the binding initially, it makes the binding seriously comfortable, and it still provides a good amount stability and power once the board is on edge. I’d recommend it to anyone who is looking for a very comfortable, lightweight binding, especially if they plan to pair it with a lighter all-mountain board.