TL;DR
- Burton is the heritage leader, trusted for its technical performance, repair programs, and deep snowboarding roots built through decades of innovation.
- Montec is the modern disruptor, shaped by digital culture, rider-friendly design, and sustainable materials at a more accessible price point.
- Both brands care about the planet, but their styles, communities, and approaches speak to different kinds of riders. Your outerwear should match your mindset.
Choosing snowwear today is about more than fit and function. Riders want brands that reflect their identity on and off the mountain. Burton and Montec both serve that need, but they speak different languages. One is built on decades of experience. The other was shaped by digital culture and rider-driven design.
This is not about specs or seams. This is about what kind of rider you are, and which brand matches your rhythm.
The story behind the logo
Burton was founded in Vermont in 1977 and has been part of snowboarding since the beginning. Its logo has become a symbol of innovation, trust, and deep community roots. The brand continues to lead through a blend of heritage and modern performance.
Montec, created in 2016 by Swedish company Ridestore, came from a completely different starting point. It grew through online community connection, outfit-based shopping, and a focus on design-first gear for the new generation of riders. Montec is less about tradition and more about how snowwear fits into a lifestyle.
What riders say and feel
Across forums, reviews, and rider conversations, both brands earn strong reputations, but for different reasons.
- Burton is often praised for long-term durability, advanced fabric tech, and legacy-backed confidence. Riders mention how Burton pieces stay functional for many seasons and how the gear performs consistently across conditions.
- Montec is widely recognized for its visual appeal, value, and ease of shopping. Customers highlight how easy it is to create a matching look, and how well the gear balances performance with affordability. Many new riders feel welcomed by Montec’s straightforward style and user experience.
Each brand connects with its community by delivering what that audience values most.
Sustainability in focus
Sustainability plays a growing role in both brand identities.
Burton:
- Certified as a B Corporation for its commitment to environmental and social standards
- Uses bluesign® approved materials across its range
- Offers repair services, product recycling, and supports long product lifecycles
- Invests in renewable energy and ethical sourcing
Montec:
- Uses recycled polyester and PFAS-free DWR treatments in its collections
- Incorporates bluesign® approved fabrics in most outerwear
- Ships all products in plastic-free, recyclable packaging
- Runs a Renewed program to resell refurbished gear and reduce waste
Both brands show strong commitment, with Burton focused on certification and long-term durability, and Montec prioritizing low-waste design and responsible materials.
Style and design language
Burton offers a wide visual range. Some collections lean technical and minimal, while others feature freestyle-inspired looks. Its designs cover everything from slim fits to relaxed silhouettes, appealing to riders across the spectrum.
Montec focuses on strong visual consistency. Matching sets, long-line jackets, and anoraks create a clean and modern look. The style direction is bold but easy to wear, with clear coordination between jackets, pants, and accessories.
Price and accessibility
Burton operates at a premium price point, with jackets typically ranging from £230 – £840. This reflects high-end materials, deep R&D investment, and a reputation built over decades.
Montec targets mid-range pricing, with jackets between £195 – £212. By cutting out retail markups, Montec delivers performance and style in a more accessible package.
| Category | Burton | Montec |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Origin & Focus | Founded in 1977 in Vermont, USA, by Jake Burton Carpenter. A heritage snowboarding brand with global reach and deep roots in the snowboarding community. | Lauched in 2016. Part of the Ridestore Group (founded in Sweden); focuses on stylish, functional, and sustainable snow outerwear for a younger, digital-native audience. |
| Product Range | Full snowboarding ecosystem: outerwear, base layers, boots, bindings, boards, helmets, and accessories. | Outerwear (jackets, pants), mid-layers, base-layers, gloves, and facemasks. No hardgoods like boards or bindings. |
| Materials & Fabrics | Uses a wider variety of materials, including GORE-TEX (more technical waterproofing). 66% of softgoods are bluesign® certified, and many are made from recycled or responsibly sourced materials. | Uses recycled polyester (90%) made from PET bottles. Focuses on PFC-free fabrics and functional designs with high breathability and waterproofness. |
| Durability Focus | Offers a Lifetime Warranty on softgoods. Uses Life Cycle Assessment tools and bluesign® partnerships to ensure product durability | Builds high-twist yarn, dense weaves (192T), and durable waterproof membranes. Tests fabrics extensively (tear, seam, pilling, etc.) to ensure long-lasting performance |
| Sustainability Framework | Certified B Corp. 2025 goals include: 100% bluesign® materials, 50% of warranty claims repaired, all major suppliers paying living wages, and PFAS-free products | bluesign® system partner. Fall/Winter 2025 collection: 100% bluesign® product qualified, 95% of fabrics bluesign® approvedbluesign article. Uses renewable Billerud paper bags for shipping, cutting 10 tons of plastic/year |
| Circularity & Repair | “2nd Lap” resale and repair program. Targets 50% repair of global warranty claims. Offers spare parts, black-only replacements to reduce waste, and easy DIY repair support | “Renewed” program since 2021: reconditions used gear into three categories (Great, Good, Pre-loved). Partnerships with Texaid (EU) and Tersus (US) for textile renewal. Offers repair kits and spare parts. |
| Chemical Management | 100% of fabrics, trims, and leathers certified to clean chemistry standards. All products are PFAS-free | Completely PFC-free. Uses bluesign®-approved DWR (HeiQ EcoDry) and P-FAS-free TPU membranes. Third-party testing for chemical content and recycled inputroduct materials |
| Labor & Ethics | Accredited by the Fair Labor Association (FLA). Active monitoring, supplier engagement, and traceability through tiered supply chains. 100% of Tier 1 and key Tier 2 factories meet FLA standards | Uses a tailored A–E factory rating system created with Leadership & Sustainability. Evaluates all tiers of suppliers (1–4) with regular audits and deep partnerships. |
| Diversity & Inclusion | Strong focus on JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion). Multiple programs to increase BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation, including Chill Foundation, BIPOC rider events, and internal DEI training | No formal DEI program disclosed. Focus is on supplier ethics and environmental performance. |
| Climate Targets | Science-aligned targets: 42% emissions reduction for operations (Scope 1&2), 55% emissions intensity reduction across supply chain (Scope 3) by 2030 | Focused on reducing raw materials, increasing recycled inputs, and minimizing packaging emissions. Emphasis on continuous product innovation |
| Community presence | Deep global presence via athlete teams, events like the U.S. Open, and nonprofit work through Chill Foundation | Strong digital-native brand with a social-first strategy, leveraging influencer marketing, immersive visual storytelling across Instagram and YouTube, and featuring occasional pro athlete collaborations such as signature collections with freestyle skier Jesper Tjäder. |
| Design language | Technical performance focus, blends freestyle influence with minimalism; broader design spectrum (e.g. AK line vs. lifestyle) | Bold, clean silhouettes with cohesive colorways, modern styling, and high visual consistency across ranges |
| Customer value | Emphasizes performance, durability, and warranty-backed longevity; appeals to technical riders | Prioritizes accessible pricing, smooth online UX, and trendy yet functional gear for younger, style-conscious snow enthusiasts |
Final thoughts
Burton and Montec reflect two strong identities in the snowwear world. Burton brings decades of credibility, deep technical know-how, and a commitment to progress shaped by history. Montec offers a fresh approach built for modern riders, blending confident design with real-world performance and environmental awareness.
Neither brand is better. They simply offer different answers to the same question: what do you want from your outerwear?
Let your gear reflect your ride.
