Burton Hitchhiker Bindings: Everything You Need to Know

Burton Hitchhiker bindings are your ticket to uphill travel and the freedom of splitboarding. Manufactured from machined aluminum to keep weight low, Hitchhiker splitboard bindings are the brainchild of a collaboration with Spark R&D and deliver rock-solid performance in all conditions. Featuring an integrated Tesla T1 baseplate system, Hitchhikers are simple to use and reliable for everything from pre-lift skinning at your local resort to multi-day backcountry epics.

Here’s everything you need to know about Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings.

A Brief History of Splitboard Bindings
Hitchhiker Components
Pros of Hitchhiker Bindings
Cons of Hitchhiker Bindings
Hitchhiker Warranty Coverage & Spare Parts
A Note About Backcountry Splitboarding and In-bounds Splitboarding
Hitchhiker FAQs

A Brief History of Splitboard Bindings

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Despite snowboarding’s popularity in winter sports, it’s often challenging to uncover early history unless you can get in touch with the OGs who experienced it first-hand. Even then, accounts can be hazy.

Drew Zieff’s article, Convergent Tracks, from the November 2020 issue of Backcountry Magazine credits Swiss inventor Ueli Bettenmann with filing the first splitboard patent, although it’s unclear if he was truly the first to manufacture a splitboard or splitboard bindings. Other names come up in the debate including Nicolò Manaresi, Gerhard Zauner, and Stefan Schiele. One thing that isn’t debated is that splitboarding was born in Europe.

Side quest: Check out Manaresi’s original patent documents and the magazine pages from Italian magazine SKATESNOWBOARD, which are both available online and hosted by the Freeride Alliance.

While we can’t definitively state who was the very first, we do have a little bit more clarity around splitboarding’s development in North America, where Brett “Kowboy” Kobernik is credited by many sources as the man with the plan. With support from Voile founder Mark "Wally" Wariakois in the form of a machine shop and presses, Brett was able to tinker, experiment, and refine his earliest designs in 1991. Voile eventually released a DIY splitboard kit a few years later, in 1994, based on Kobernik’s early experimentation.

Out of necessity, splitboard bindings evolved alongside the first splitboards. Some designs borrowed features from old-school leather Nordic ski bindings, while others relied on plate systems that required hard boots. The biggest limitations of early splitboard binding systems were their ability to deliver a truly functional touring mode. Ultimately, stance adjustability was limited.

Pro tip: Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings utilize the Voile puck interface system.

Hitchhiker Components

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At first glance, Burton Hitchhiker bindings might look like conventional snowboard bindings, but because they’re designed for uphill and downhill travel, Hitchhiker components have some key differences. These include unique mounting pucks and touring-specific components like climbing wires.

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Splitboard Mounting Pucks: All snowboard bindings require some sort of mounting system to connect them to a snowboard, and most of these systems are based on round mounting discs. But unlike conventional bindings, Hitchhiker splitboard bindings use two separate oblong pucks (one for each plank). This system allows for a secure binding-to-board connection and also provides additional stability and strength to the splitboard planks while they are connected for downhill riding.

Important: To mount Hitchhiker bindings to a Burton splitboard with The Channel, you must use Burton pucks. Channel splitboard pucks are included with all Burton splitboards. If you received a Burton splitboard without these pucks, please reach out to the Burton Guides to get hooked up. To mount Hitchhiker bindings to a non-Burton splitboard, you will need to purchase compatible pucks separately from Voile or Spark R&D.

T1 (Toe) Bracket: T1 Toe brackets are included with Burton Hitchhiker bindings for installation on both planks of your splitboard. Toe brackets provide the mounting point for splitboard bindings when in touring mode, allowing for a nearly frictionless pivot when skinning. The T1 toe brackets that come with Hitchhiker bindings have two holes that correspond to the pins on the toe of the Hitchhiker binding baseplate.

T1 Heel (Rest) Bracket: Heel brackets are required for many splitboard bindings and are included with the Hitchhiker for installation on each plank of the board. These brackets provide alignment for the baseplate of the splitboard binding when it is resting on the splitboard plank, and they also provide a notch to catch Whammy Bars (climbing wires) during uphill travel.

Whammy (climbing) Bars: Almost all splitboard touring bindings have climbing bars, which are supports that deploy from underneath the binding baseplate and catch in the heel bracket. Climbing bars are used to ascend steep terrain and provide additional support under the rider’s heels. This makes sustained uphill travel easier by bringing the ankle closer to 90-degrees at rest and helping distribute body weight more evenly across the splitboard planks for better traction while skinning.

T1 Step Locker: Step lockers are an accessory you can install on Burton Hitchhiker bindings that allow you to lock your heel down while remaining in touring mode. This can be useful for short ski-mode descents, side-stepping, or for skating on flat terrain. T1 Step Lockers are an optional accessory that can be purchased from Spark R&D.

Snap Block: Snap blocks (not pictured in this article) lock the Hitchhiker pins in place for both touring mode and descent (snowboarding) mode.

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Pros of Hitchhiker Bindings

There are four main benefits of the Burton Hitchhikers that you should consider when building a splitboard setup.

The first pro of Hitchhikers is their simple yet effective Tesla T1 baseplate mounting system. The T1 paired with Burton’s Channel splitboard mounting system provides an unparalleled range of stance adjustment, resists ice and snow build-up, and transitions from ascent to descent quickly.

Second, Hitchhiker bindings are constructed from machined and stamped aluminum which makes them incredibly stiff and lightweight. This translates to efficient touring and sports car-like responsiveness.

Third, the negative lean hiback found on Hitchhikers can be adjusted for an extended range of motion while touring, delivering improved comfort on long tours.

Finally, wide compatibility means that Hitchhikers are at home on just about any splitboard you can find. Just get yourself the correct pucks, mount ‘em up, and hit the skin track.

Cons of Hitchhiker Bindings

We don’t really consider them cons, but there are a few potential downsides that you should be aware of before investing in a pair of Hitchhikers.

First, there’s no denying that Hitchhikers are spendy. But so are most splitboard bindings. As with most high-quality professional outdoor gear, it’s a “buy once, cry once” scenario. Make the investment, and Hitchhikers will take care of you for many seasons to come.

A second consideration is that Hitchhikers are only offered in one flex profile, and it is more on the stiff/aggressive end of the spectrum. We generally find that most backcountry enthusiasts consider this a benefit, for the added response and control that it provides, but some folks prefer a softer touring experience. Bottom line? if you’re looking for a soft, flexible binding, this ain’t it, man.

Hitchhiker Warranty Coverage & Spare Parts

Splitboarding and backcountry travel come with a lot of uncertainty, but we want you to tour confidently knowing that Burton Hitchhiker bindings are covered by our industry leading Limited Lifetime Warranty. This means a lifetime warranty on your baseplates, and a 1-year warranty (from date of purchase) on all other components, including hibacks, straps, buckles, and hardware.

Pro tip: Lifetime Warranty does not mean human lifetime. Check out The Burton Lifetime Warranty Explained to understand how long your gear is covered.

Burton gear is designed to be durable, but it is not indestructible. Below is a breakdown of where you can purchase replacement parts, or spares. Please note that all warranty coverage claims must be processed directly through Burton.

Parts to Purchase from Burton

The following Hitchhiker binding parts should be purchased from Burton:

Supergrip Capstrap 2.0 (left or right, size specific)
Double Take Hammock Ankle Strap (left or right, size specific)
SF Toe Slider
Double Take EST Toe Tongue
Double Take Toe Buckle

Parts to Purchase from Spark R&D

The following Hitchhiker binding parts should be purchased from Spark R&D:

Whammy Bars
T1 Step Locker
T1 Heel Rest
Spark Mounting Pucks
Spark Canted Mounting Pucks
Snap Block
ST Bracket

Parts that May be Covered Under Burton’s Limited Lifetime Warranty

The following Hitchhiker binding parts may be eligible for replacement under Burton’s Limited Lifetime Warranty:

Baseplate
Heelcup
Whammy Bars
Hiback
Snap Block
Strap Mounting Hardware
Hitchhiker Ankle Tongue
Hitchhiker Ankle Slider
T1 Heel Rest
T1 Heel Rest
Mounting Hardware
T1 Bracket
T1 Bracket
Mounting Hardware
Supergrip Capstrap 2.0 (left or right, size specific)
Double Take Ankle Strap (left or right, size specific)
Toe Slider SF PR
Double Take EST Toe Tongue
Double Take Toe Buckle

Pro tip: Baseplates are covered by Burton’s Limited Lifetime Warranty and all other binding parts come with one year of warranty coverage from the date of purchase.

A Note About Backcountry Splitboarding and In-bounds Splitboarding

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Backcountry splitboarding is an incredibly fun (depending on who you ask) sport, but it comes with a lot of responsibility on behalf of the rider. In the backcountry, there’s no ski patrol telling you to slow down, or keeping you out of unsafe areas – those decisions are all up to you. And the truth is that the backcountry comes with a lot of hazards, like unmarked cliffs, avalanches, unpredictable weather, and expansive terrain.

At a bare minimum, backcountry splitboarding requires you to be able to identify and avoid avalanche terrain as well as carry and know how to use avalanche rescue equipment. You also need to have trusted knowledgeable splitboarding partners with the same basic knowledge and gear. To learn the basics, Burton highly encourages aspiring splitboarders to take an AIARE 1 avalanche training course with a certified guide as a starting point. Then, get out there and practice what you’ve learned with other knowledgeable and experienced backcountry enthusiasts. Learn more by reading Splitboarding 101: The Complete Beginner’s Guide.

If you are not ready to take on the responsibilities of the backcountry, splitboarding inbounds at a ski area is a great alternative that is still really rewarding, but with much lower stakes. To get started splitboarding in-bounds at resorts, start by researching what mountains in your area allow uphill travel. Then, find answers to the following questions.

What paperwork do I need to complete?
What is the fee?
What are the rules?
What hours/days am I allowed to splitboard inbounds?

All mountains have different policies, so find one that will work best for your needs. You can also inquire about lessons, to learn how to use splitboarding equipment. At a bare minimum, you should be fully capable and confident switching between uphill and downhill modes. If you’ve never even snowboarded before, it’s best to learn the basics by taking some lessons before progressing to a splitboard.

Burton Hitchhiker Binding FAQs

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Burton Guides are experts on all things snowboarding, and they know a lot about splitboarding and Hitchhiker bindings. We compiled some of frequently asked questions they receive via email, chat, and phone.

Q: What are Burton Hitchhiker bindings?
A: Hitchhiker Bindings are Burton’s tried-and-true splitboard touring bindings. Characterized by weight-saving aluminum construction and a minimalist design, Hitchhikers are feather-light in the skin track, yet stiff and responsive when it’s time to descend. Hitchhiker touring bindings were designed for tackling epic alpine tours, steep powder fields, and variable out-of-bounds terrain.

Q: Can you mount splitboard bindings on regular (non-split) snowboards?
A: The short answer is, technically yes. The longer answer is, probably not. Here are three reasons why the experts at Burton do not recommend mounting splitboard bindings on a non-split snowboard.

First and foremost, adapting splitboard bindings to a conventional snowboard will likely require non-standard or custom mounting pucks, which may not be readily available.
Second, from a performance standpoint, riding touring bindings on a conventional snowboard may result in less than desirable performance characteristics. For example, the Hitchhiker’s milled aluminum baseplate is extremely stiff, a quality that results in excellent performance when skinning and a nice responsive ride in descent mode. However, when riding inbounds, having a very rigid binding baseplate reduces board-feel by preventing the deck from flexing under the bindings. Inbounds, many riders prefer a more forgiving ride, with consistent flex across the entire snowboard. For non-split snowboards, we recommend mounting Burton Re:Flex™ bindings or EST® bindings.
Finally, splitboard bindings can typically cost more than conventional bindings, so if you don’t own a splitboard, it really doesn’t make financial sense to buy splitboard bindings.

Important: Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings can be mounted to non-split snowboards with 4x4 mounting patterns with the help of a puck adaptor kit, however, Hitchhikers cannot be adapted to Channel snowboards. Either way, the experts at Burton recommend only purchasing Hitchhikers for use with splitboards.

Q: Are Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings good for beginners?
A: Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings are great for beginners thanks to their simple and easy to operate mounting system. Transitioning from ascent to descent mode is quick, and the Hitchhikers are rock solid, so you can ride them with confidence.

Q: What are splitboard crampons?
A: Splitboard crampons are accessories that can be added to splitboard bindings to provide additional traction while skinning, especially on steep, icy, or side-hill terrain. Burton splitboard crampons are compatible with Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings.

Q: What are splitboard climbing bars?
A: Splitboard climbing bars are metal supports that stow under the heel of splitboard bindings, ready to deploy when you encounter steep, sustained terrain. When deployed, climbing bars elevate the heel of your boot, reducing the angle of your foot to the terrain you are ascending. This reduces fatigue and enhances traction, two qualities that make climbing bars invaluable on demanding backcountry tours.

Q: How much do Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings weigh?
A: The weight of Buton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings vary by size.