Never Summer Proto Type Two

Never Summer Proto Type Two 2017 Review

The Never Summer Proto Type Two is a new model for 2017, which is based on a combination of the older Proto, the Funslinger and the Ripsaw.

[tabs type=”tabs”]
[tab title=”Description” active=”true”]

Features of the Never Summer Proto Type Two 2017

  • TruGrit Topsheet
  • Carbon Max Laminate Technology
  • Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
    The Ripsaw profile has the same feel as the original Rocker Camber design, but has more aggresssive camber sections, so you get better edge hold and more pop.
    never summer ripsaw rocker camber
  • Extended Transition Area
    A larger transition area (flat section) that helps for easy turn initiation (starting a turn) and helps the float in powder.
  • Vario Power Grip Sidecut
    There are a few different radiuses, which are combined to give the board extra contact points, so you get better edge hold. Out towards the nose and tail, there are deep radius sections, which change to shallow radius sections, then to a straight section in the middle of the board.
    never summer vario power grip sidecut
  • Low Profile Tip/Tail
    Low profile (thinner) tip and tail keep the highest amount of board touching the snow – which helps for float, pop for ollies and nollies and gives you more stability when your landings aren’t perfect, while keeping the weight down.
  • STS Pre-Tensioned Fiberglass
    Never Summers description – The world’s best snowboard fiberglass, period. Our STS Pre-Tensioned Fiberglass is an advanced, pre-hardened, pre-tensioned, layered laminate that has added elastomer stringers, between the 9 degree and 0 degree glasss fibers (the length of the effective edge). This produces a stronger bond between the individual glass laminates giving our snowboards unmatched strength, edge hold and performance.
  • Bi-Lite Fiberglass
    This has some of the strength features of the STS fiberglass, but is much lighter.
  • NS SuperLight Wood Core
    The core is made from sustainable Hybrid Poplar wood, that is combined with Birch hardwood.
  • Perforated Rocker Pad
  • RDS 2 Damping System
    There are three narrower laminated damping layers, that are made to get a combination of vibration, absorbtion and stability. It is made to get a nice mix of stability for freeriding, and liveliness for freestyle riding.
  • Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
    Under the bindings are areas that are made to absorb vibration, keep the board stable at speed and help reduce foot fatigue (by getting rid of vibrations).
  • Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
    P-Tex sidewalls have the advantage of being able to handle colder temperatures compared to ABS sidewalls, that can crack.
  • Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
    The base material used on the higher end Never Summer boards, which is fast and durable, and has added graphite.
  • Harmonic Tip/Tail Damper
    These are made to try and remove small vibrations in the nose and tail, which help to keep the board stable when you are riding fast, but without removing the pop of the board.

Sizes Available:

  • 152
  • 154
  • 157
  • 160
  • 153X Wide
  • 155X Wide
  • 158X Wide
  • 161X Wide
  • 164X Wide

Like all of the Never Summer range, any models with “X” in the name means that they are the wide versions of the original.

How the Never Summer Proto Type Two rides

I rode the a 157cm Type Two, with ThirtyTwo Tm-Two boots, and Flux TT Bindings.

I had a 22.5″ stance with the bindings set at +12 and -9.

The snow on the day I rode the Proto was a combination of soft and very hardpacked groomers, with firm snow in the trees.

Flex & Camber Profile

Although Never Summer rate the Proto Type Two as having a mid flex, it felt quite stiff to me, especially in the nose and tail of the board. Not over stiff or aggressive, but still a big step up in stiffness from other Never Summer boards I have ridden.

It now has the Ripsaw Rocker Camber profile, which has a pretty aggressive rocker section in between your feet, with camber sections under the bindings and out towards the nose and tail of the board.

Shape

One of my favorite things about the Proto Type Two is the asymmetrical shape. Basically the sidecut on the heelside edge is smaller (tighter) because it is harder to put weight over your heels compared to your toeside edge.

As well as being an asym board, it is also a twin shaped board, so it rides exactly the same in switch as is does in regular.

Speed

The Ripsaw profile and the medium flex kept a very stable feel to the Proto even at high speed on hardpacked snow.

There is the familiar Never Summer feel to the turns, where you can easily feel (and hear) the grip that comes from the board. Entry and exits of turns are smooth and consistent.

Although the asym shape is not a super noticeable feature, it just makes turning – and switching edges feel very smooth and natural. I predict that more and more boards will be asymmetrical soon.

Pop

There it lots of pop in the Proto, the stiff feeling nose and tail make it easy to get big ollies and nollies from the board, and landing bigger jumps are no problem, even if you land tail heavy.

Overall

Overall the Proto Type Two is a very good all round board. It felt very stable at high speed, but it still has enough flex that you can press and butter without a huge amount of effort.

The edge hold is great on this board (same with all the Never Summer boards I have ridden) and the edge to edge feel is very smooth.

The downside would be the higher cost, but you get what you pay for.

Pros

  • Solid Feel
  • Good Pop
  • Asymmetrical shape (smooth turns/edge to edge)

Cons

  • Higher price

Seeing that the Proto Type Two is new this year, all the shops are selling it for the standard $570. You might think that you could save some money and get last seasons (or older) Proto, but there are a few differences (except for a bit of the name). The older Proto has the different (less aggressive) Rocker Camber Profile, and doesn’t have an asymmetrical sidecut.

[/tab]
[tab title=”Technical Specs”]

Size Waist Edge Sidecut (Toe / Heel) Tip / Tail
152 24.8 117 Vario 725 / 690 29.7
154 25.0 119 Vario 742 / 705 29.9
157 25.2 122 Vario 765 / 727 30.1
160 25.4 124 Vario 788 / 749 30.2
153X Wide 25.9 117 Vario 725 / 690 30.6
155X Wide 26.1 119 Vario 742 / 705 31.0
158X Wide 26.3 122 Vario 764 / 726 31.2
161X Wide 26.5 124 Vario 787 / 748 31.3
164X Wide 26.7 127 Vario 806 / 766 31.5

[/tab]

[tab title=”Pictures”]

A photo posted by Daniel Bryan (@db_forshort) on

A photo posted by Daniel Bryan (@db_forshort) on

[/tab]

[tab title=”Video”]

[/tab]
[/tabs]

Find the best price on the Never Summer Proto Type Two

Find the Never Summer Proto Type Two

Leave a Comment