Straps and Highbacks

The Blaster’s highback is a minimalist affair that borders on the spartan. Even without a load of holes through it, this thing weighs very little and offers bags of torsional flex. Even entry level riders should find it comfortable enough for a whole day in the saddle, and it won’t put them straight on their ass if their carving technique is a little sloppy; freestyle riders will find the same lateral forgiveness helps them press and poke their way over every feature in the park. Tools-free forward lean adjustment does exactly what it says on the tin.

We absolutely love the graphics Bataleon have added to this highback, especially the neon orange and green colourways available on the Asym version. They really make a statement – as the brand’s tagline says: smile, it’s snowboarding!

The Transfer ankle strap is a little more basic than the line-leading Infinity design found on the Astro and Atom. Nevertheless, we didn’t experience any foot pain. It’s a low profile, lightweight construction, pre-curved to fit your boot and durable enough to withstand sub-zero temps. Like the highback, it’s got a decent amount of flex built in, and you can mount it lower down using Bataleon’s innovative Kink Ladders to free up even more movement in your boot. Alternatively, the system can be set higher up across the foot to keep you fully locked in when railing turns. Whichever position you choose, the strap will fall open naturally when you undo it to make the process of getting in and out a little faster.

At the front, they’ve treated you to their high end Infinity toe strap, featuring AuxTech. When you tighten it down, a series of hinged cells allow it to spread evenly over your boot. And speaking of tightening, the Blaster’s aluminium buckles deliver a smooth, efficient action every time. Should you damage or break a ladder (and despite what anyone might tell you, this can happen to even the best bindings) Bataleon have had the foresight to include a set of extras. They call this ‘Never Miss a Day’, and it’s a great touch, especially for anyone hesitant to switch to a smaller binding brand in case spares are harder to come by.

“The graphics really make a statement – as the brand’s tagline says: smile, it’s snowboarding!”

Roundup

If the freestyle-friendly combo of a responsive base and softer highback does it for you, then take a look at this model from Bataleon. It’s a function-first design that largely gets out of the way and lets you focus on your riding, but at the same time it manages the difficult job of making bindings look exciting. And with echoes of both Rome and Switchback in the construction, you can rest assured it’ll last the distance. As a certain space smuggler once put it, hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good Blaster…

Pros:

• Freestyle friendly flex
• Two chassis options

Cons:

• Bright colourways only available in Asymwrap version

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