In the world of snowboarding, the Never Summer Snowtrooper and the Bataleon Whatever are two boards that have made a name for themselves. Both boards are designed for all-mountain riding, with a focus on versatility and performance. The Snowtrooper is praised for its flexibility, ease of turn initiation, and durability, making it a great choice for beginner to intermediate riders. The Bataleon Whatever, on the other hand, is known for its 3BT technology, playful feel, and carving capabilities, making it a favorite among intermediate to advanced riders. While both boards have their strengths, the Snowtrooper is more beginner-friendly, while the Whatever offers a more aggressive ride. The final verdict? It all comes down to your riding style and preference.

Never Summer Snowtrooper Snowboard · 2023 summary

The Never Summer Snowtrooper Snowboard is a versatile all-mountain board that is perfect for intermediate to advanced riders. Its Original Rocker Camber Profile provides a playful feel while still allowing for deep carving. With a medium flex rating and fully-wrapped metal edges, this board is durable and can handle any terrain. It's the Swiss Army Knife of snowboards, making it a great fit for any riding style.

The Snowtrooper is also known for its flexibility and ease of turn initiation, making it a wonderful board for demonstrating techniques to new riders. It's slightly directional, which is super nice for powder days, and it rides switch pretty great when you have it set up right. This board is recommended for anyone who started out on a softer board and doesn't want to get anything too stiff yet.

However, the Snowtrooper is not without its drawbacks. It doesn't have super great edge hold for carving, and it's not stiff enough for advanced riders that want more performance out of their boards. Also, if you have big feet, you might find that even the wide version of this board isn't big enough.

Bataleon Whatever Snowboard · 2023 summary

The Bataleon Whatever Snowboard is an all-mountain monster that's ready for whatever riding you have in mind. Its Triple Base Technology (3BT) is the Bataleon special; uplifted sidebases carve like butter and float like a dream. The Whatever has a directional shape/twin profile that brings you the best of both worlds. You can ditch your entire quiver and finally pick up the one board that can do it all.

The Whatever is a great board for advanced boarders. It crushes it off-piste in the trees on powder days. Even on the spring groomer days, the Whatever is playful and fun to ride. The floatation on this board is amazing. The front of the board wants to lift even in deep snow which helps you power through the deeper powder and not get stuck in the flats.

However, the Whatever is not without its drawbacks. The durability of the topsheet could be slightly better as it starts to chip after some use. Also, the 3BT technology, while providing a lot of benefits, makes the board harder to wax and scrape.

Similarities

Both the Never Summer Snowtrooper and the Bataleon Whatever are designed for all-mountain riding, making them versatile and capable of handling a variety of terrains and conditions. They both have a playful feel and are great for carving, thanks to their unique profiles. Both boards are also praised for their durability and high-quality construction. They are both considered to be the "Swiss Army Knife" of snowboards, capable of doing it all, from park to peak.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both boards are versatile, they cater to different types of riders. The Snowtrooper is more beginner-friendly, with its flexibility and ease of turn initiation making it a great choice for those who are just starting out or are at an intermediate level. It's also a good choice for riders with a softer riding style who don't want anything too stiff.

On the other hand, the Whatever is more suited for intermediate to advanced riders who want a more aggressive ride. Its 3BT technology and directional shape/twin profile make it a great choice for those who want to carve like butter and float like a dream. It's also a good choice for riders who want a board that can handle high speeds and offer a responsive ride.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both boards are winners. They are both designed for all-mountain riding and can handle a variety of terrains and conditions. However, the Snowtrooper might have a slight edge for beginners due to its flexibility and ease of turn initiation.

In terms of performance, the Whatever might take the lead. Its 3BT technology and directional shape/twin profile make it a great choice for those who want to carve like butter and float like a dream. It's also a good choice for riders who want a board that can handle high speeds and offer a responsive ride.

As for durability, both boards are praised for their high-quality construction. However, the Snowtrooper is often mentioned for its durability, with one expert noting that it takes less damage and scratches than other boards he has ridden.

Finally, in terms of price, the Snowtrooper might be a better choice for those on a budget or those who are just starting out and don't want to invest too much in their first board.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Never Summer Snowtrooper and the Bataleon Whatever are excellent choices for all-mountain riding. They both offer versatility, performance, and durability. However, they cater to different types of riders. The Snowtrooper is more beginner-friendly and might be a better choice for those who are just starting out or are at an intermediate level. On the other hand, the Whatever is more suited for intermediate to advanced riders who want a more aggressive ride. Ultimately, the best board for you will depend on your riding style and preference. So whether you're a beginner looking to hit the slopes for the first time or an experienced rider looking for a new challenge, both boards are worth considering.