Construction and Materials

The internal makeup of the BYNDMDLS Whatever is pretty similar to the original, but there are a few key differences that up the ante. The carbon stringers running through the centre of the board extend past the rear insert pack, stiffening up the tail for more explosive pop and power through the tail end of carves.

Dual Super Tubes run parallel through the edges of the board, these hollow carbon inserts cut down on weight while making sure you get extra precision and power out to your edges. Bataleon counterbalances these by using a biax laminate lay up, allowing the torsional flex to be slightly more mellow and playful. You still get a powerful ride, but one that’s not going to buck you off if you’re taking it easy or recovering from last night’s aprés. It’s not their fastest base, but it’ll still let you bump the needle.

“A touch stiffer, a smidge poppier, slightly more performance oriented but still at heart it’s the go anywhere, do anything snowboard we’ve loved since its debut”

Roundup

The ever elusive quiver killer, one board to do it all. Sure it can be fun having a collection of weird and wonderful shapes to suit every condition and terrain, but it’s a damn sight easier to transport just one. Whatever the conditions, whatever the terrain, whatever you fancy riding, you’re onto a winner here.

Pros:

• About as versatile as a snowboard comes – especially on the piste/powder end of the spectrum
• Additional setback inserts up its game in the deeper snow

Cons:

• Triple Base can take some getting used to initially, especially if you’re used to riding traditional full camber

SHOP ALL SNOWBOARDS ON

“It’s impressive just how versatile this thing feels, given that it looks completely out of sorts from an all-mountain deck whichever angle you look at it from. But that Whatever seems to have proven itself for any most jobs on the mountain, and the slight bump up in spec and stiffness for the Beyond Medals collab is exactly the kind of thing I wanted to see for this year.

The ends of the board remain playful, the triple base remains as forgiving and fluid as always, but the slighlty stiffer mid section will give more experienced riders that extra bit of confidence when you step up your intent on the mountain.

It’s still a long way off the top spec boards through. Which is kind of why I like it. Bataleon at at their best when their best when they’re focussing on fun – and that’s exactly wat this thing is about!”

“Designed by Tor Lundstrom, the Beyond Medals Whatever features a more responsive flex pattern designed to take on park and backcountry situations with equal competence. The outline is directional but everything that touches the snow is twin so don’t worry about dropping in or landing switch; this board can handle it all. Tor and the Beyond Medals crew went for a party inspired graphic this season to match the Bahamas aesthetic of their new film. We have been working with Tor and the Beyond Medals crew for almost a decade helping bring their vision to life both on the screen and on the snow.”