Burton [ak] Cyclic Gore-Tex 2L Review: Specs, Sizing and Verdict
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The quick verdict: The benchmark premium snowboard shell: 28K Gore-Tex, a lining that adapts to your temperature, and a lifetime warranty to back it up. ~$480
Overview
The [ak] line is Burton’s backcountry-born flagship, and the Cyclic is its most popular pant for a reason: it takes the full Gore-Tex treatment and wraps it in a cut that works as well on groomers as it does off the ropes. The shell is a 70-denier nylon face bonded to a 2-layer Gore-Tex membrane, with GORE-SEAM tape on every seam and YKK water-resistant zippers throughout, brand specs that read like a checklist of everything that keeps weather out.
Inside is the interesting part. Burton’s Living Lining is designed to adjust its breathability with your body temperature, opening up when you run hot on a hike and holding warmth on a cold chair. Published reviews consistently rate the Cyclic among the best-performing shells they cover, and Burton backs the [ak] line with a lifetime warranty, which changes the math on a $480 pant you might otherwise replace twice a decade.
Key Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shell | Nylon 70D plain weave with 2L Gore-Tex membrane (brand spec) |
| Waterproofing | 28,000 mm / 20,000 g |
| Seams | Fully taped with GORE-SEAM tape |
| Insulation | None; Living Lining temperature-regulating liner |
| Fit | Regular articulated fit, straight leg |
| Sizes | S to XL, regular plus short and tall versions sold separately |
| Key features | Test-I-Cool mesh vents, zippered cargo pocket with tool sleeve, crotch gusset, YKK water-resistant zippers |
| Warranty | Lifetime (Burton [ak] program) |
| Price | ~$480 |
Sizing and Fit
Burton cuts the Cyclic as a regular articulated fit: patterned to follow a bent-knee riding stance, straight through the lower leg, neither slim nor baggy. It runs true to size, and because Burton sells dedicated short and tall versions of this pant, riders outside average proportions are actually catered for rather than told to make do. The thigh is trimmer than classic baggy snowboard pants, something reviewers point out for riders who layer thick fleece underneath. Gaiters are cut to play nicely with BOA boots, and the waist adjusts internally, so the pant works with or without a belt.
Where It Shines
- Top-tier weather protection: 28K Gore-Tex with GORE-SEAM taping shrugs off storm days
- Living Lining noticeably widens the comfortable temperature range of an uninsulated shell
- Lifetime warranty on the [ak] line makes the price easier to justify
- Long mesh-backed vents cool fast without snagging, useful for sidecountry hikes
- Short and tall inseams exist, rare in snowboard outerwear
Tradeoffs to Know
- At around $480 it costs nearly double the mid-market picks in this class
- Only one cargo pocket; storage is adequate rather than generous
- The articulated thigh is trimmer than it looks; bulky midlayers can feel tight
- Published reviews note light colorways show dirt and lift-chair grime quickly
Who It’s For
Riders who log 30-plus days a season, ride through weather most people sit out, and would rather buy one superb shell than three adequate ones. The lifetime warranty rewards exactly this kind of owner, and the trim-but-articulated cut suits riders who have moved past the park-baggy phase.
Who Should Skip It
Occasional riders will struggle to use what they are paying for; the Volcom L delivers most of the protection for $80 less, and the Jones Tweaker covers fair-weather seasons for half the price. Cold-blooded riders should remember this is still an uninsulated shell.
How It Compares
See the full field in our guide to the best snowboard pants of 2026/27. When one of the other picks makes more sense:
Volcom L Gore-Tex: The value play on the same membrane idea. You give up the Living Lining, the lifetime warranty and the tailored fit options, and keep most of the weatherproofing.
Jones MTN Surf Tweaker: Half the price and a completely different personality: stretchy, boxy and freestyle-first rather than expedition-grade.
686 Smarty 3-in-1 Cargo: Built-in warmth for cold climates. Less refined, far cheaper, and the removable liner does what no shell can.
ThirtyTwo Basement Bib: The bib alternative at nearly half the price; better deep-snow coverage, noticeably less waterproof fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Burton [ak] Cyclic worth the price?
If you ride often and in bad weather, the combination of 28K Gore-Tex, the adaptive lining and a lifetime warranty makes it one of the few snowboard pants that can be rationally amortized. For 10-day-a-season riders, mid-price picks deliver more value.
Does the Cyclic come in a bib version?
Yes. Burton sells an [ak] Cyclic Gore-Tex 2L bib with the same fabric package; it typically costs around $50 more than the pant.
How warm is the Cyclic?
It is an unpadded shell, so warmth comes from what you wear under it. The Living Lining helps regulate temperature, but on genuinely cold days you will want a fleece or insulated base layer.