Reader rating
Rate it and you move it. Community ratings re-rank this product inside its Top 10 list.
Expert-picked, reader-ranked. Our editors choose the products and the launch order; member star ratings move picks up or down over time.
The Burton Custom Flying V is a time-tested all-mountain icon configured with a relaxed, hybrid rocker profile. While the traditional full-camber Custom is famed for its rigid, unforgiving precision, the Flying V iteration swaps in rocker zones between and outside your feet, with subtle camber pockets beneath the bindings. The result is a fluid, catch-free ride that excels across casual resort laps, soft snow, and loose, surfy turns. This board shines in mixed terrain and light powder where traditional camber can sometimes feel grabby. The central rocker allows the board to pivot on a dime, making short-radius adjustments in tight trees or slushy bumps feel nearly effortless. Inside, Burton's high-grade wood core keeps the weight down and preserves a lively spring, making side hits and small park jumps intuitive and accessible for riders spanning a broad range of skill levels. The primary drawback of the Flying V profile is its reduced bite on bulletproof, hardpack snow. Without continuous camber pushing the edges firmly into the ice, the contact points can feel vague when attempting to lock into high-speed, aggressive carves. Riders who frequent icy East Coast conditions or demand unshakable edge security will likely prefer a fully cambered alternative. **Highlights** - Flying V hybrid profile combines central rocker with underfoot camber - Highly forgiving, catch-free feel through bumps and slush - Effortless float in soft snow without requiring massive rear setbacks - Lightweight core construction keeps swing weight to a minimum - Versatile all-mountain shape that handles casual park and groomer laps **Watch-outs** - Noticeably less edge grip and bite on firm, icy terrain - Can feel loose and washy at high speeds on hardpack - Requires Channel-compatible bindings for proper mounting
Pros
- Forgiving rocker profile significantly reduces edge catches in slush and crud
- Effortless low-speed pivotability in tight trees and mogul lines
- Generates natural float in fresh powder without severe setback
- Infinite stance adjustments available through The Channel system
Cons
- Compromised edge hold and stability on bulletproof ice and hardpack
- Prone to high-speed tip chatter when railing aggressive carves
- Requires Channel-compatible mounting discs for non-Burton bindings
Best uses
- Resort cruising on soft groomers
- Tight tree runs and glades
- All-mountain freestyle and side hits
- Moderate resort powder days
Specifications
- Profile
- Hybrid rocker-camber (Flying V)
- Shape
- Directional twin
- Flex
- Medium flex
- Mounting System
- The Channel mounting system
- Base
- Sintered WFO base
- Core
- FSC-certified dual-zone wood core
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Best for
Resort cruising on soft groomers, Tight tree runs and glades, All-mountain freestyle and side hits, Moderate resort powder days
Where to buy the Custom Flying V Snowboard
Prices and stock change often, so check the current Amazon offer before you buy.
Some links are affiliate links. Buying through them supports our testing at no extra cost to you.
The Burton Custom is an established benchmark in snowboarding history, but the Flying V variation takes that familiar platform in a decidedly more relaxed direction. Instead of the aggressive, locked-in edge bite associated with traditional camber, the Flying V introduces rocker between your feet and outside the bindings, balanced by subtle camber pockets underfoot. This geometry yields a fluid, pivot-friendly personality that focuses on maneuverability rather than sheer high-speed carving precision. On the hill, this design creates an accessible ride suited to mixed terrain, tree glades, and modest powder stashes. The rocker in the center makes initiations easy and reduces the risk of catching an edge in chopped-up snow or slush, while the core remains energetic enough to pop off rollers and side hits. It functions as an approachable all-mountain platform for intermediate to advanced riders who prefer a surfy feel over relentless edge pressure. The trade-off is edge hold on bulletproof surfaces. Because the profile pulls contact points slightly off the snow until weighted, it cannot generate the reliable hardpack grip of a full-camber board. For riders seeking a forgiving, everyday deck across soft resort snow, it hits a reliable middle ground.
Target Rider Profile
The Burton Custom Flying V is tailored for intermediate to advanced snowboarders who want the heritage of the Custom line without the demanding edge control of full camber. It suits resort riders who spend their days tracking across varied terrain, dipping into tree lines, and hitting natural side features rather than racing down icy groomers. Because the rocker between the feet significantly reduces edge catch, it also accommodates progressing riders seeking an intuitive feel in variable conditions. It is not built for high-speed carving purists, dedicated halfpipe riders, or anyone who primarily tackles hard-frozen slopes. Those riders will find the hybrid profile lacks the immediate rebound and unwavering stability under aggressive forward pressure that traditional camber offers.
Materials and Construction
Burton utilizes a lightweight multi-species wood core designed to optimize strength in critical areas while reducing swing weight at the tips. The core profiling alternates wood grain directions under the bindings and along the edges to bolster edge transfer despite the central rocker bend. Carbon stringers integrated into the fiberglass laminate inject longitudinal snap, helping the board pop off lips without stiffening its torsional flex to an unmanageable degree. The running surface features a fast, dense sintered base that absorbs wax efficiently, which aids in maintaining speed across flat runouts and slushy spring traverses. Together, these elements deliver a resilient platform that feels lightweight underfoot without sacrificing overall structural integrity.
Resort Handling and Feel
On the snow, the Flying V feels loose, lively, and quick to swivel. The central rocker zone creates a natural pivot point, allowing rapid turn adjustments in tight mogul fields or dense glades where an edge catch could result in a fall. In fresh snow, the upturned tip and tail provide natural float without requiring an extreme setback stance, reducing back-leg fatigue on powder days. However, when pushed into high-speed arcs on firm corduroy or boilerplate ice, the profile reveals its limits. The edge contacts can feel slightly disconnected from the snowpack, leading to unwanted chatter or slippage during hard lateral loads. In soft groomers and chopped powder, however, the ride remains composed and playful.
Durability and Wear
Long-term reliability on the Custom Flying V aligns with industry standards for premium resort decks. The topsheet holds up well against edge dings from lift lines, though high-impact impacts can cause cosmetic chipping on the upper perimeter. The sintered base requires periodic waxing to maintain its glide, but its high-density composition resists gouges from hidden rocks better than entry-level extruded alternatives. Over extended seasons, the hybrid camber arcs will gradually settle, slightly reducing the spring between the feet, though the deck retains its forgiving character throughout its working life. Routine base grinds and edge de-tuning near the contact zones will help preserve consistent sliding dynamics year after year.
Mounting and Binding Tuning
Like all modern Burton models, the Custom Flying V features The Channel mounting track rather than traditional four-hole insert packs. This setup allows micro-adjustments in stance width, setback, and angles, but it demands specific hardware. Burton EST bindings mount directly to the channel rails with minimal hardware, while non-EST bindings from other brands require Channel-compatible baseplate discs. Proper torque on the channel screws is essential, as hardware can occasionally loosen if not checked during the first few days of the season. For optimal response, pairing this deck with a medium-flex all-mountain binding matches the board's balanced flex profile without overpowering its torsional flexibility.
Competitive Context and Value
At its price point, the Custom Flying V competes directly with other hybrid-rocker all-mountain staples such as the Never Summer Proto series and hybrid-camber designs from Lib Tech. While Lib Tech's C2 profile relies on serrated edges to counter the edge-hold deficit of central rocker on ice, Burton opts for traditional smooth steel edges, meaning the Custom Flying V forfeits raw ice security in exchange for cleaner glide and a smoother flat-base slide. Compared to the standard full-camber Burton Custom, the Flying V trades aggressive edge lock and energy for superior float and low-speed forgiveness. It represents fair value for riders who prioritize comfort across mixed snow over rigid carving performance.
How we picked
We started with a long list of all-mountain snowboards that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Edge hold and stability
- Grip on firm snow and composure at speed for the intended skier level.
- Versatility across conditions
- How the ski or board handles groomers, crud and fresh snow in one day.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
Custom Flying V Snowboard — frequently asked questions
- Is the Custom Flying V Snowboard worth it?
- We rank it #9 in All-Mountain Snowboards. The Burton Custom Flying V is a time-tested all-mountain icon configured with a relaxed, hybrid rocker profile. While the traditional full-camber Custom is famed for its rigid, unforgiving precision, the Flying V iteration swaps in rocker zones between and outside your feet, with subtle camber pockets beneath the…
- What is the Custom Flying V Snowboard best for?
- Best for resort cruising on soft groomers, tight tree runs and glades, all-mountain freestyle and side hits and moderate resort powder days. Standouts: forgiving rocker profile significantly reduces edge catches in slush and crud and effortless low-speed pivotability in tight trees and mogul lines.
- What are the downsides of the Custom Flying V Snowboard?
- Compromised edge hold and stability on bulletproof ice and hardpack, Prone to high-speed tip chatter when railing aggressive carves and Requires Channel-compatible mounting discs for non-Burton bindings.
- What are the key specs of the Custom Flying V Snowboard?
- Profile: Hybrid rocker-camber (Flying V) · Shape: Directional twin · Flex: Medium flex · Mounting System: The Channel mounting system · Base: Sintered WFO base
- Target Rider Profile — what should I know about the Custom Flying V Snowboard?
- The Burton Custom Flying V is tailored for intermediate to advanced snowboarders who want the heritage of the Custom line without the demanding edge control of full camber. It suits resort riders who spend their days tracking across varied terrain, dipping into tree lines, and hitting natural side features rather…
- Materials and Construction — what should I know about the Custom Flying V Snowboard?
- Burton utilizes a lightweight multi-species wood core designed to optimize strength in critical areas while reducing swing weight at the tips. The core profiling alternates wood grain directions under the bindings and along the edges to bolster edge transfer despite the central rocker bend.
Compare side by side
Put the Custom Flying V Snowboard against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.