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Bataleon Camel Toe 2021-2022 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £350 / €400 / $400
  • Category: Freeride + Powder
  • Sizes: 148, 153, 158, 162
  • Flex: 4/10
  • Shape: Directional
  • Profile: Camber
  • 3D: Yes
  • Base: Extruded
MORE INFO:
BATALEON.COM

They say you get more conservative as you grow older. The Camel Toe might have been around a long time now, but it’s lost none of its fun-loving attitude and is still named after an unfortunate wedgie. It’s the snowboarding equivalent of David Bowie: a little bit quirky yet timelessly cool, whatever its current look.

“It’s the snowboarding equivalent of David Bowie: a little bit quirky yet timelessly cool, whatever its current look”

Who Is The Bataleon Camel Toe For?

Speed freaks who enjoy drawing big, open lines everywhere on the mountain

Shape, Profile and Sidecut

The Camel Toe was one of the boards responsible for the current trend towards directional carving machines. And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The 2021/22 version boasts a familiar outline – with an extended nose, a long and shallow sidecut, and a compact crescent tail. It’s a shape designed for fast, drawn-out turns both inside and outside the ropes.

Being a Bataleon, there is of course some Triple Base in the mix – in fact the Camel Toe features their most extreme 3D design, which they call Pow 3BT. The sides lift steeply up towards the nose (less so at the tail) to form a deep bowl, accentuated by SideKick scoops at the wide points. The effect is that this board sails effortlessly over rough snow and powder alike. There’s a slight rolling sensation when you initiate a turn that’s different to regular flat boards – some love it, some get freaked out by it – but there’s no denying that turn entry is smooth, and once on edge the uplift helps the board to hold a carve brilliantly.

From tip to tail the Camel Toe has a relaxed camber profile that’s never likely to put you on your ass, especially with those raised contact points.

“From tip to tail the Camel Toe has a relaxed camber profile that’s never likely to put you on your ass, especially with those raised contact points”

Construction and Materials

The Camel Toe’s construction is based around a classic full poplar core with hardwood beech stringers to add a little strength. The topsheet is biax and the overall flex is actually pretty mellow for a board that’s meant to be ridden at speed – that’s a good thing if you’re not a fan of twitchy carbon-filled models, and it helps to keep the price down, but expect a less dampened ride when you’re flat out. Likewise, we’re a little surprised that the Camel Toe doesn’t have a sintered base, although this is the densest extruded P-tex on the market – and if you really want fancier materials you can always stump up for the Camel Two.

“It’s an absolute blast to ride on motorway pistes or open powder faces, and its 3D elements are the most advanced in the business”

Roundup

Despite increasing competition in the world of modern directional silhouettes, the Camel Toe continues to offer some unique charms. It’s an absolute blast to ride on motorway pistes or open powder faces, and its 3D elements are the most advanced in the business. Construction is simple yet effective, and the fact that Bataleon have provided such an exciting shape with a flex and price tag accessible to every level of rider – not just gear snobs looking for an attention-grabbing quiver stick – can only be applauded.

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