Burton's Impact Shorts are padded shorts you wear under your snow pants to protect your tailbone, hips and backside. When riders ask which impact shorts to buy, one rider says the answer 9 times out of 10 is Burton.
This review covers why riders pick them, how they compare with Demon's shorts and what cheap Amazon shorts miss.
What They Are: Low-Profile Padded Shorts
Burton calls the Impact Shorts low profile and comfortable. They are cut like compression shorts with pads over the tailbone and hips. One owner who has worn them for about four seasons says the material is much like a pair of compression shorts, and they barely notice them.
Burton also sells a women's version.
On the Hill: You Forget You Have Them On
Comfort is why riders pick Burton. A rider who owns both Burton and Demon shorts says Burton has the lowest profile they have seen in the US. Another rider tried Demon's shorts, found the many pads made them tight around the thighs, and switched to Burton. They say they do not notice the Burtons when they ride.
Owners say they protect better than cheap foam shorts. One rider who moved up from a cheaper brand says the Burtons are comfortable and protect far better. Another rider who tried cheap Amazon foam shorts says the Burton pads are much thinner and harden on impact, and that the cheap ones sag and droop.
Burton or Demon?
Demon's impact shorts are the main rival, and owners describe a clear tradeoff.
- Burton is slimmer and more comfortable, with a little less padding. One rider recommends Burton if you are learning and plan to wear pads every day.
- Demon is bulkier but more protective, and has extra options such as attaching upper body armor. One rider wears Demon shorts for park riding and says they have saved them many times. Another rider who hurt their tailbone on icy snow switched to Demon for better lower back protection.
If you mainly want to stop bruises while you learn, owners lean Burton. If you hit big jumps and rails, owners lean Demon.
Where It Falls Short
There is less padding than in bulkier shorts. One owner who prefers Burton's low profile says you do not need thick padding if you are not falling on your backside all the time.
The price is high. Some riders say a cheap pair from Amazon did the job for them. Others say cheap foam shorts did little, and one rider had months of tailbone pain after a fall on ice in cheap shorts.
Fit can be tricky for tall riders. One rider on Burton's own site said the large was too tight and the XL kept sliding down while riding.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Burton Impact Shorts if you want protection you will actually wear every day, especially while you learn.
Look elsewhere if you ride park hard or slam on rails often. Bulkier shorts with more padding will protect more.
Alternatives
The Leatt 3DF 5.0 Impact Shorts are another slim pair with soft pads that harden on impact.
For wrists, the Demon Flexmeter Single Sided Wrist Guards are the guards riders recommend most for snowboarding.
Verdict
Burton's Impact Shorts are the impact shorts riders recommend most, because they are comfortable enough to wear every day. They have less padding than bulkier shorts and cost more than cheap foam pairs. For most learners and all-mountain riders, they are a good pick.
