Why We Chose The Bataleon Whatever
Newly reshaped for Winter 26, the Whatever’s svelte directional outline hides a twin contact surface, delivering the ultimate all-terrain board for riders who want to keep their quiver simple.
“Bataleon has never been a brand to play it safe”
Who Is The Bataleon Whatever For?
The Whatever embodies its name perfectly – it’s built for riders who want to do whatever, wherever. Whether you’re sessioning park features, surfing pow, or just running into Kiki at the beach, this board’s like “Yeah whatever.” The medium flex makes it accessible for intermediates building confidence, while the refined construction gives advanced riders plenty of pub ammo.
Shape, Profile and Sidecut
The Whatever’s genius lies in its contradictions. While the updated outline appears strikingly directional, the contact surface remains true twin – offering the best of both worlds.
Bataleon’s signature 3BT shaping provides medium nose and tail uplift, reducing edge catch while maintaining camber’s pop and precision. That wide, flat centerbase keeps you stable when riding flat, while the gradually lifted side bases keep scorpions to a minimum. The board flows from edge to edge without punishing sloppy technique – forgiveness is essentially built into the shape as well as the flex.
A medium camber profile runs tip to tail, providing reliable pop for ollies and confident edge hold when carving. BackSeat Inserts allow you to shift your stance rearward for pow days, further enhancing the board’s versatility.
“The board flows from edge to edge without punishing sloppy technique”
Construction and Materials
Under the hood, the Light Core keeps things lively – Bataleon’s 2:2 blend of poplar and paulownia creates a well-balanced foundation that’s both responsive and strong without unnecessary weight.
Carbon stringers add snap without sacrificing playfulness, perfect for boosting off features. Dual carbon “SuperTubes” enhance the board’s natural spring even further – these six hollow carbon cylinders deliver targeted power to the edges while keeping weight in check.
Urethane sidewalls provide enhanced dampening and durability – the same material used in skateboard wheels makes a genuine difference in bumpy hardpack. A sintered base delivers reliable glide from kicker in-runs to cat tracks, though like any sintered base it rewards regular waxing. As for the graphic, it’s typically Bataleon – which is to say, it pops. The FlipFlop die-cut base means each board off the production line alternates the colors, minimising wastage and adding some welcome environmental brownie points.
“The Whatever truly lives up to its anything-goes philosophy”
Roundup
The Whatever truly lives up to its anything-goes philosophy. Bataleon’s 2025/26 redesign has created a board that refuses to be pigeonholed – it’s equally at home in the park, pow, or anywhere in between. The combination of directional shape with twin contact points is genuinely clever rather than gimmicky, delivering real versatility that you’ll appreciate every time conditions change mid-day. Whether you’re progressing beyond your first board or simplifying your quiver, the Whatever could be just the sophisticated weapon you’ve been searching for.
Pros:
- Genuine versatility across all terrain
- Quality construction and finish at an accessible price point
Cons:
- Medium flex might feel too soft for aggressive chargers
- 3BT shaping requires adjustment period for riders new to Bataleon
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“Playful and responsive energetic board. Great on piste holding an edge through turns and nice poppy ollies. Great also on the jumps and boxes. My favourite all mountain / freestyle board.”
Buy the Bataleon Whatever Snowboard 2025-2026: from $579.95 at evo.com
