The Evil Twin is Bataleon's flagship twin, and Bataleon builds it for the park and the side hits around the mountain.
It is also the board that best shows off Bataleon's signature base shape, which riders either love or don't. This review covers how it rides, where that base helps and who should pick something else.
What It Is: A Camber Twin With a Twist
The Evil Twin is a true twin. The nose and tail match, and the stance is centered. The profile is camber, and Bataleon rates the flex at 5 out of 10.
The twist is the base. Bataleon raises the base slightly at the edges near the tip and tail, while the center stays flat across the board. The idea is simple: the edges near the contact points sit a little higher, so they catch less, while the middle of the board still grips. Bataleon also adds 3D-shaped tips and tails that lift the edges at the ends of the board.
The core is a light poplar and paulownia blend. Bataleon adds carbon stringers for pop, a single tube down the middle of the board for extra spring, triaxial fiberglass for response and urethane sidewalls to soak up vibration. The base is sintered. Sizes run from 151 to 159, plus two wide sizes.
On the Snow: Playful, Not a Noodle
Owners describe the Evil Twin as very playful with a nice flex. One owner said it sits in the soft middle of the road, but it is not a complete noodle by any means. That balance is the board's appeal.
In the park, the medium flex makes presses and butters easy. The camber and carbon give it enough pop for jumps. On the rest of the mountain, owners say it still carves.
Where It Excels
The Evil Twin is at its best as a park board that doesn't fall apart outside the park. It suits riders who spend much of their day on rails, boxes and side hits, but who still want to carve the groomers between laps.
Riders who already ride the whole mountain with confidence and want to learn freestyle also like it. It is soft enough to learn on and firm enough to trust.
Bataleon also sells a premium Evil Twin+ for about $700. One owner of the plus version called it a hell of a board.
Where It Falls Short
The lifted base edges are not for everyone. One owner of the Bataleon Whatever, which uses the same base shape, said it made them less confident on jibs and caused them to wash out. Another rider called the base a headache and suggested a board with a traditional base and a 5 out of 10 flex instead.
Owners also say the Evil Twin works better as a park board or second board than as a one-board quiver. One rider who owns both suggested the Bataleon Goliath as the better choice if you only want one board, and the Evil Twin if you mostly ride park.
And at about $590, it costs more than many park twins.
The Lifted Base Debate
You'll find this argument in most Bataleon threads. Here's the take from owners. Riders who like the lifted edges say the board feels less catchy and more forgiving on features and landings. Riders who don't like it say the board feels loose and less precise, especially on rails.
If you have never ridden a Bataleon, try to demo one first. If that isn't possible, know that owners who like it say it still carves well.
Pro tip: Bataleon sizes are specific to its own weight charts. Check the chart before you choose a length, especially if you are near the top of a size range.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Evil Twin if you are an intermediate or advanced rider who spends real time in the park and wants a playful twin that still carves. It suits riders who like a less catchy feel on features.
Look elsewhere if you want one board for everything, or if you prefer the precise feel of a traditional base.
Alternatives
The Bataleon Whatever is a similar twin from Bataleon with the same base shape and a slightly different feel. Read our full Bataleon Whatever review.
The CAPiTA DOA is a hybrid camber twin with a traditional base and more all-mountain range. Read our full CAPiTA DOA review.
The CAPiTA Spring Break Resort Twin is a playful, surfy twin for riders who want fun over pure park performance. Read our full CAPiTA Spring Break Resort Twin review.
Verdict
The Bataleon Evil Twin is a playful, poppy park twin that still carves when you leave the park. The lifted base edges make it less catchy, but some riders never get used to them. If you ride park and like a forgiving feel, it is one of the best twins you can buy.
