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Bataleon Global Warmer 2020-2021 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £430, $530
  • Category: Park/Jib
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 148, 151, 153W, 154, 156W, 157
  • Flex: 3.5/10
  • Shape: True Twin
  • Profile: 3BT Camber
  • Base: Extruded
  • BUY DIRECT FROM BATALEON

There was a time when the term ‘jib board’ was synonymous with ‘plank of wood and topsheet’. But when Bataleon released the Global Warmer it shook up the status quo of what was possible for snowboards in this category. While it’s fine-tuned for the rail or box line, this one can still throw down on the bigger jumps. Better yet, it’s not a complete fish out of water once you leave the confines of the park.

The outline, profile and flex pattern are all true twin – no real surprise for a snowboard that’s designed to be ridden switch as often as regular. Where it breaks from convention, is just how much performance is packed into a core that only reaches 3.5/10 on the flex rating scale.

“While it’s fine-tuned for the rail or box line, this one can still throw down on the bigger jumps”

For the 2021 season, the GW’s been upgraded to the Super Ultra Light wood core. Heavy on hyperbole; light on materials, this is the most premium offering in Bataleon’s line and makes it ideal for chucking about on park features without it ever feeling cumbersome or lifeless.

The rest of the core is configured with mid-flexing bi-ax fiberglass and a couple of carbon additives. Firstly, there are stringers concentrated on either side of the bindings to provide a solid platform. Edge changes are quicker and more stable, while vibrations underfoot are slightly dampened – all benefits you’ll be thankful for when you’re dropping into the XL line.

“Once it finds its way into the park, boy, does it deliver”

Secondly, there’s a hollow carbon tube running down the centre of the snowboard, between the inserts. Without interfering with the torsional forgiveness, it does manage to liven up that mellow full-length camber when it’s time to pop.

Then, as always, there’s Bataleon’s kicker card – Triple Base Technology. The Global Warmer features a jib specific profile, utilising the widest possible centre base and only a subtle uplift in the side bases of the nose and tail. While it proves less capable for carving or riding powder like other Bataleon models, it does make it incredibly stable for pressing and popping, coupled with the advantage of being less prone to edge catches around the contact area.

If early intermediates have enough budget to push the boat out, the Global Warmer would be a very accessible snowboard to progress freestyle riding on. Really, though, this one’s all about the rider who already knows exactly what they’re looking for. And once it finds its way into the park, boy, does it deliver.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Hughes – Co-owner Dragon Lodge

“Apparently, this is a jib board, but I honestly think it still holds up all over the mountain. It’s not soft and lifeless like your average board for jibbing rails or taking to the streets, there’s still a lot of like underfoot and enough camber to feel some rebound out of turns.

“Apparently, this is a jib board, but I honestly think it still holds up all over the mountain”

It’s stiff enough underfoot for setting up well on kickers and with a nose and tail that are forgiving enough for butters and presses. What more do you want from a park and jib board?”

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Rob McCreathWhitelines

“Disclaimer – I’m not a park rat, and I took the Global Warmer out in about 30cm of fresh snow, bumpy, powdery pistes, and not a kicker or rail in sight.

So, probably not ideal conditions for testing Bataleon’s beloved jib stick, but here’s what I learned:

Even the minimal side-base uplift of the Jib 3BT and Sidekick still helps in powder – there’s no way a short, conventional camber profile would have stayed up like the G.W did.

It’s snappy. When I hear that a board is a jib stick I immediately think it’s going to be lifeless and soft, whereas this board manages to bend the rules a little. The nose and tail are still really forgiving and easy press on, but the power you’ll feel under and in between your feet will give you the confidence to take the Global Warmer to the whole mountain and the bigger jump lines. It’s really stable and bites back when you show it a little aggression.

“For more confident rail riders, this board’s a no-brainer. It’s built for taking to the bigger features”

Triple Base needs to be waxed. A lot. The side-bases had dried up quite a lot by the time I got to test this one which might be worth taking into account. Especially if you’re the kind of rider who thrashes your board to the ground and rarely shows it any TLC. You might find yourself snagging up on the run-ins when setting up for a spin or feeling a little sluggish over the boxes. Then again, if you keep it waxed up, it’ll keep gliding like a dream.

For more confident rail riders, this board’s a no-brainer. It’s built for taking to the bigger features. For everyone else, it might surprise you at just how accessible it is for riding the rest of the mountain.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Dan Wilsonsnowfit.co.uk

“I got to ride this towards the end of the season in pure bluebird, and slaying slushy warm laps in the park with the Global Warmer was so much fun. With its softer flex you get immense freedom and playfulness without it feeling sloppy, which is perfect for those flatland tricks and butters. Yet it never felt unstable or out of control when pushing for some speed.

“With its softer flex you get immense freedom and playfulness without it feeling sloppy”

Using Bataleon’s signature Twin 3BT profile it offers that loose jib feel and a wide centre base for landing kickers and side hits. You can really make the whole mountain your playground, finding fun in every bump and hit along your ride.

In the Global Warmer you get a board that will offer something to riders of all abilities. It really does build confidence and help you push to that next level.”

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