Review of the Burton AK Cyclic Pants – Shaun White Fit

snowboarder enjoying powder at Taos Ski Resort in New Mexico wearing the Burton ak Cyclic Pants Photo by Jaime Pirozzi - Local Freshies®

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After years of stockpiling Special Blend pants because they were comfortable and fit well, I finally ripped my last pair beyond fixing. I was forced to pick up a new pair of men’s tall snow pants. After researching the options out there, I decided on the Men’s Burton AK Cyclic Pants.

The Verdict

If you ski or snowboard 30+ days each season, no matter the conditions, these pants are like battle-hardened soldiers ready for anything Mother Nature throws at you. Burton used top-quality materials to ensure you stay dry even in the wettest storms, while also keeping you cool on warm spring days.

The only downsides are they only have one cargo pocket and Burton’s new regular fit feels a bit snug for me. However, if you’re comfortable with a tighter fit that still allows for flexibility, you’ll love these pants!

Men’s Burton [ak] Cyclic GORE‑TEX 2L Pants Specs

  • GORE-TEX 2-Layer
  • Waterproof Rating: 28,000 MM
  • Breathability: 17,000 G/M²
  • Material: Recycled Nylon 70D Plain Weave Fabric
  • Fully Taped Seams
  • Price: $419
  • Buy from Backcountry.com or EVO

What I Love About Them

snowboarder riding through powder at Pajarito ski area in New Mexico
Riding through the legendary New Mexican powder at Pajarito – Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®

I spent the entire last season using these as my resort pants. If you remember, it was an El Nino season meaning a roller coaster of temperature fluctuations. Lots of heavy wet snow and even quite a few decent blower pow days. Even when we were skiing gorilla snot, the pants kept me dry and warm. With only my Smartwool Classic Merino Base Layer Bottom underneath, they fit perfectly. The articulated fit provides space where you need for movement and tighter where you don’t. Then the pockets are deep, especially the cargo pocket which I was easily able to stuff with snacks such as protein bars and jerky.

Difference Between the Ballast and the [ak] Cyclic

Both Burton’s Ballast and Cyclic come with GORE-TEX 2L protection, but what do you get when you spend an additional $160? For starters, the fabric used in the Cyclic is nylon instead of the Ballast’s polyester. Nylon is a more durable material that can withstand wear and tear while providing greater flexibility. In fact, when it was introduced at the New York City World’s Fair in 1939, it was dubbed “as strong as steel, as fine as a spider’s web.”

Additionally, the [ak] Cyclic features articulated patterning. As you would expect, this design technique, which creates three-dimensional curves to mimic the human body, costs more but allows for a greater range of movement.

snowboarder enjoying powder at Wolf Creek Ski Area wearing the Burton ak Cyclic Pants
The articulated patterning working well – Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®

Burton has also included other features in the [ak] Cyclic, such as the anti-cuff cuff, which protects the back of the pants from dragging on the ground. Plus, its seams are triple-stitched, making them even more bomb-proof.

The Cons

snowboarder enjoying powder at Powder Mountain Resort in Utah wearing the Burton ak Cyclic Pants
Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®

On days when I needed to layer up, the fit in the thighs and legs was too tight for comfort. I couldn’t wear my baggy fleece pants underneath, so I tried Burton’s mid-layer option. While it was an improvement, it still didn’t provide enough space for my taste.

As for the one cargo pocket, while it’s as spacious as two, when I stuffed it with all my food, a tool, and a neck gaiter, I felt like a chipmunk with a mouth full of seeds!

In summary, if you’re comfortable with a snugger fit, you’ll LOVE these pants. Burton may be a juggernaut in snowboarding, but they truly stand behind their Lifetime warranties for the [ak] Cyclic pants. Over the years, I’ve broken their bindings multiple times, and they’ve made it easy for me to get replacement parts.

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