The 2023 Bataleon Atom Snowboard Binding Review

Binding Model: Bataleon Atom

Buy it here:
PRFO: https://bit.ly/3EeLrms
Blue Tomato: https://tidd.ly/3Ec7uub
Evo: https://bit.ly/3tbfjd4

Binding Size: M/L

Stance and Angles: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy

Boot Used: K2 Thraxis

Boot Size: 10

Board Used: Telos Mike Ranquet

Rider Weight: 200lbs

Location: Arapahoe Basin

Conditions: Sunny bluebird skies, moderate to high winds, ice, chop, chunder, perfect corduroy, and a little slush for good measure.

Binding Adjustability: The big story with this binding is the fully adjustable asym heel cup so you can lengthen or shorten it to center the boot. Then you have flip tabs on the straps to move them as needed, while the toe strap is on a push pin system to move it as well. With the highback you can rotate it if that’s your thing as well as adjust the forward lean. Finally the toe ramp can be slid forwards or backwards a little bit.

Straps:The Infinity straps are Bataleons take on Aux-Tech which provides a stronger grip around the boot while minimizing material. This helps reduce pinch points and utilizes the boots padding as the cushion. These grip exceptionally well and never slip.

Ratchets: These climb and release well. There’s nothing more to say about it other than they’re a little bigger so for you fat thumbed people you may enjoy it.

Highbacks: The Airback is unique in that it’s got that giant cutout but it’s still really rigid. It doesn’t have a lot of torsional twist to it. The forward lean is built into the highback rotation as well so this removes any excess pieces on the back.

Binding Flex: The overall flex is a little more rigid due to the highback and heel strap but it’s still playful laterally because of the asym wrap chassis. There’s power when you want it but it’s still slightly playful.

Ride: The overall ride is consistently smooth and predictable. It’s damp where it counts yet lively when you need it.

Rider in Mind: All mountain rider that wants a little more rigidity.

Personal Thoughts: This binding while a little more rigid isn’t overly stiff. It’s powerful where you need it but playful where you want it. The highback and heel strap are what really add to the rigidity of this. That’s also where I noticed one issue, the inside of the highback where it attaches to the frame is thicker than say a Rome highback (they share the same chassis) and it pinched my boots. It was enough that I noticed it all day when I would get in or out of the binding.

Comparable Bindings:
Rome Black Label: https://bit.ly/3DQPT9H
Union Falcor: https://bit.ly/3WHvCMq
Burton Cartel X: https://tidd.ly/3Ukplop