In the Kit Bag: Burton
Burton Snowboards, founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977, is one of snowboarding's original names. An honest look at the brand and its products.
Burton is the original snowboard company. Not the first, strictly, but the one that took snowboarding from a curiosity into a mainstream sport. The story is worth knowing if you’re buying anything Burton makes, because it shapes how the brand still operates.
Who they are
Burton Snowboards was founded in 1977 by Jake Burton Carpenter, working out of a barn in Londonderry, Vermont. Over 100 prototypes later, he landed on a laminated maple board called the Burton Backhill. In 1981, the company moved to a farm in Manchester, Vermont, where the barn was the factory, the living room was the store, the basement was the warehouse, and the bedroom was the office.
In 1985, Burton opened its European division in Innsbruck, Austria. In 1992, the company moved to its current home in Burlington, Vermont, where it remains. Jake Burton Carpenter died on 20 November 2019. His widow Donna and their three sons continue to lead the company.
Burton is a certified B Corporation.
What they make
The name is synonymous with snowboards, but Burton now makes a full line of snowboards, bindings, boots, outerwear, luggage, and accessories for both men and women. Skiers will find Burton’s outerwear genuinely usable even if they never touch a snowboard. The fit runs slightly looser than classic European ski brands, reflecting the snowboard heritage.
Who it’s for
Burton’s core is snowboarding, from beginner to expert. For skiers, the outerwear is worth considering if you prefer a looser, more relaxed fit than traditional ski cuts and want a brand with real ethical credentials behind it. Pricing tends to be mid-to-premium, not the cheapest option, but not boutique either.
What I’d buy right now
Burton’s outerwear range tends to be reliable and consistently spec’d. For a skier coming to Burton, look for their standard waterproof ratings (typically 10,000-20,000mm depending on line) and choose based on fit and colour. The jackets and pants work well with a layering system and benefit from Burton’s attention to detail on the features that actually matter on the mountain.
Honest verdict
Burton is one of the brands where the heritage is real, not marketing. You can fault them on price point, there are cheaper options with similar specs, but the brand is genuinely independent, genuinely committed to snowboarding, and the products tend to last.
If you want snowboard-first kit with ethics behind the label, Burton is worth the money. If you want the cheapest functional ski outerwear, look elsewhere.