which bindings are best ?

Unless you are getting the Burton Custom with ICS (Infinite Channel System), you can mount and brand of bindings to Burton boards. If you are getting the ICS board (and not the 3-hole [3D] version), you will have to get compatible (EST) bindings. Between those two bindings, only the Cartels are available in an EST version.

Now, about the bindings...

The Cartels are Burton's most popular binding for a reason; they will give you crazy good response all over the mountain: park, pipe, trails, whatever. The Cartels also offer more customization options than the Missions.

The Missions will be a little less responsive (and a little less expensive), but are still great bindings. They will still be very responsive...just not as much as the Cartels.

Everybody will tell you their brand of preference, (I prefer Flow NXT bindings over Burton bindings), but given the two choices you asked about, I'd get the Cartels...unless you really just want to save a few bucks...

Both bindings rock, though, and I don't think you would regret either purchase.

Wow, are you confused yet? Dude, just throw the Cartels on there. They are built perfectly for the Custom. The flex and characteristics of the custom and the cartel are super similar. They are good everywhere, but epic in the park. They are definitely worth the upgrade from a mission. And there aren't any better bindings than Burton, even though other brands will still fit on the Burton boards, why sell yourself short ya know?

The Cartels are about 70 bucks more expensive but will give you a bit more durability and probably last you alot longer. They are one of Burtons top binding models for 2009 but if you do want to go with The missions they are dependable but not as upper class and the 2009 models are Baby Blue and Yellow (Ugly) fyi

take a look at several other brands though, Try Ride, Technine, Union or Flow they have some badass models for 09 stray from Morrow, K2, or Lamar this year. you dont need to match board and binding, who cares if you match thats a newbie move plus you want quality PS take a look at Burton Uninc and Burton Vapor

hope that kind of helps good luck

I used to have ride board and used ride and drake bindings on them which were good. Then last year I got the Burton Custom X and Cartel bindings. Been riding for 5 years and this is the best combo for me. Cartel gives you a lot of customization options and that gel pad on the strap is pretty sweet. Custom and cartel are made for each other. I had over 40 days on my gear last year and loved every moment of it. Powder, pipes, rails, boxes everything will feel good. Put on Burton Ion boots with these and you will never switch to another combo again.

yeah dude you can put any binding with any board!!! and if that's a problem swap the plates for the burton bindings to a GOOD binding.

if your a beginner the Burton's a good board for you to learn tricks and stuff there boards do have some good pop, but if you want TOTAL CONTROL go for RIDE bindings there thee best mad, super lite, sooo strong, very very responsive.

ive done all the brands

me having the opportunity cuz of my sponcers i can share my knowledge with you BR-AH get the ride bindings the boards good

but the bindings even better!!

good luck

That's incorrect. You can put non-burton bindings on a burton board, unless you are using the EST channel system. I know hundreds who do.

I suggest ditching both and going for something that is Ride or Union. The make good quality bindings that are worth every penny.

I know plenty of people that have the Cartels and wish they never bought them, haven't heard much about the Missions though.

You can use any bindings as long as its not and EST board.

DEFINITLEY GET UNION BINDINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!