One of those brands that has earned a cult following, I think that Never Summer snowboards have earned their good reputation. They aren’t cheap boards, but they have a very high build quality, which goes with the saying – you get what you pay for.
There are a few new models and changes in some of the key models this year, as well as a bunch of new Drag Free (DF) super wide models of boards, for those with really big feet.
Never Summer Camber Profiles
Out of all the major snowboard brands, Never Summer stick to their hybrid profiles, and make just a few variations. Never Summer boards have a very specific feel, and even their softest boards have strong edge hold, with a feel that is very similar to Magne-Traction.
The idea of all their versions of hybrid camber is that you get 3 major contact points, rather than the 2 main points on a traditional camber board.
Original Rocker Camber
Rocker between your feet, with a smaller camber section outside the feet towards the nose and tail of the board. A more mellow ride, that still gives good edge hold.
Ripsaw Rocker Camber
A smaller rocker section between your feet compared to the Original Rocker Camber profile, and much longer and more aggressive camber sections on the nose and tail. Boards with this profile have a bit more pop, edge hold and stability.
Fusion Rocker Camber
Used mainly on their directional/freeride and powder boards, this profile has Ripsaw in the back, Original in the front and a big flat transition area.
Base Materials
Most brands have two main types of bases: cheaper slower extruded bases that are normally featured on entry level beginner and jib boards, and faster sintered bases on their higher end boards.
Never Summer only use sintered on their boards, in two levels: 4501 and 5501. It is easier to think of this as a better and best seeing that they don’t use extruded.
Sintered 4501
A high density sintered base, that keeps you moving quickly
Sintered 5501
Extra fast, with some graphite added.
One extra thing to take note of about the bases, in almost all models they will come with different colour versions of the bases, they might be reversed or even different colours from what the pictures show.
Wide models
X versions – eg Never Summer Proto Type Two X are the wide versions, which have a wider waist width and are suitable for riders with size 11 or bigger boots.
Never Summer 2020 Snowboards
West Bound
The West Bound is a medium stiff all-mountain board, that has just a little bit of taper, and the Fusion Rocker Camber profile. This is one of the models that come in regular X wide sizes, as well as the super wide DF versions that have a waist width up to the crazy 284mm.
- Fusion Rocker Camber
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Recluse Web Carbon Layup
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-Tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-Tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details on the West Bound (all versions) here.
Dipstick
A new one this year, the Dipstick is a medium soft flexing true twin park board, that has the Original Rocker Camber profile. If you want a soft board that you can press easily, this would be it.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Power Strip Carbon
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-Tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- Press Flex Wood Core
- FDS Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf Sintered 5501 Base
- P-Tex Tip/Tail Protection
Read some more about the Dipstick.
East
Another new board, the East is a wide carver, that is very stiff and has a huge effective edge. It would be the only hybrid “race board” that I know off the top of my head.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Extended Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
- Chairman Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-Tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 1+ Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Isospeed NHS 7816 Race Grade Base
- Harmonix Tip/Tail Damper
Get some more details on the East here.
Peacemaker
The Peacemakers is one of the more interesting freestyle twin boards – it has the Ripsaw profile, so just the shorter rocker section between your feet and bigger camber out towards the nose and tail. The flex is soft between the bindings, so that presses and buttering are easy, but the nose and tail are much stiffer, so that you have more pop, and easier landings. On top of that there is one set of inserts set much further back, so you can put your bindings all the way back if you get a surprise powder day.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- Press Flex Wood Core
- FDS Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf Sintered 4501 Base
- P-Tex Tip/Tail Protection
- Blower Stance Inserts
Get some more details here.
Heritage
The Heritage is the return of one of their classic all-mountain boards. With the standard Original Rocker Camber Profile, a medium stiff flex with the classic style of graphics. The Heritage is also one of the models that have the a super wide Drag Free model, with the monstrous 285mm waist width. Perfect if you have size 15 boots!
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 1 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details on the Heritage.
Shaper Twin
Maybe not what you would expect Chris Corning to ride as a slopestyle board, the Shaper Twin has a the Fusion profile, so a flat nose, little bit of cambner, rocker between the feet and aggressive camber in the tail. There is also 10mm of taper, which means that the tail is 10mm narrower than the nose. Normally those sort of features wouldn’t be so common to see for people who ride huge features and plenty of switch, but it must work.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Read more about the Shaper Twin here.
Swift
The basis for the whole Shaper series of boards, the Swift was made to be a powder board, that turned out to work just as well in other terrain. It has a very big 20mm of taper, a medium/stiff flex (that felt quite stiff in the tail to me). Although it looks like a pretty specific shape, it definitely could be the one board you end up using for everything.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 1 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Sabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- Aluminum Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details from my review of the Swift.
Insta/Gator
Just like there are the wide X versions, super wide DF versions, there are also LT, which is the light versions that are shorter boards, with narrower waist widths for lighter riders with smaller boots. The Insta/Gator has a couple of options for those riders, in a 138 and a 142.
You are supposed to ride the Insta/Gator down quite a bit from your normal board, because it still has a large surface area, and a lot (12mm) of taper. With the Fusion camber you have plenty of float if the snow gets deep, with stability and pop from the Ripsaw camber on your back foot.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details here.
Maverix
Another in the Shaper set, that is vaguely similar to the Insta/Gator, the Maverix has even more taper at 17mm, and is designed to ride everywhere, with a surfy and damp feel.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 1 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-Tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more info on the Maverix.
Big Gun
Like you would expect from the name, the Big Gun comes in big sizes, and has tons of surface area for easy float in super deep snow. At the smallest size it still has a 265mm waist width, so it won’t matter if you have big boots, toe and heel drag will be minimal if you get it at all. Made for big guys, who want big boards and ride hard and fast.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 1 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details at this link.
Proto Type Two
Based on a combination between the Ripsaw and Funslinger, it ends up being an medium flexing, twin, all-mountain asymmetrical board. The Ripsaw camber gives it pop, good edge hold and the asym design means your heelside turns grip and hold easily with a natural feel.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi_lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- Perforated Rocker Pad
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- Harmonic Tip/Tail Damper
Get some more details here
Funslinger
The soft park asym board, it is easy to press, but still not a noodle. The Ripsaw camber gives it some pop back, and the edge hold is solid.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon VXR Laminate Technology
- Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite FIberglass
- Press Flex Wood Core
- FDS Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf Sintered 4501 Base
- Harmonic Tip/Tail Damper
Get some more details on the Funslinger here.
Snowtrooper
Back to the all-mountain style boards, the Snowtrooper has the classic Original Rocker Camber profile, and just a slightly setback stance. An easy choice for someone who is going to be riding a bit of everything and needs a board that won’t limit them.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon VXR Laminate Technology
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperSlight Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details on all versions of the Snowtrooper here.
Ripsaw
A decent notch up from the Snowtrooper, the Ripsaw has a stiffer flex, more aggressive Ripsaw camber (what a surprise) in a twin shape. A better choice for riders who want to ride a bit harder, and make the board work for them.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon VXR Laminate Technology
- Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- +/- 45 Fiberglass Laminate
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperSlight Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 4501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details here.
Lady West
The West was a pretty popular board for men, so a womens version was made. It has a little bit of taper (5mm), carbon all over the place and the Fusion Camber profile.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Recluse Web Carbon Layup
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details here.
Shade
A new womens freestyle twin board, with a soft flex and the Original Rocker Camber profile.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon VXR Laminate Technology
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- FDS Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Find out more about the Shade through this link.
Womens Proto Type Two
The ride everything, asym twin with Ripsaw profile. It’s popular for a good reason.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- Perforated Rocker Pad
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- Harmonic Tip/Tail Damper
Find out more on the Women’s Proto Type Two.
Infinity
A mid flexing, all mountain board, that has extra carbon to keep it responsive, and the Original Rocker Camber profile.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon VXR Laminate Technology
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf Sintered 4501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details here.
Atom Split
Lightweight, medium stiff split with a little taper, and a slightly modified Ripsaw profile to make it more friendly when you are skinning back up the hill.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Touring Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS Pixie Dust Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Inner/Outer Sidewall
- Durasruf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
- Phantom Hercules Hooks
West Bound Split
Fusion Rocker Camber profile, mid-stiff flex and just a touch of taper, at a price that is a bit easier to deal with than the Atom. Still comes in the regular and wide (X) versions.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Recluse Web Carbon Layup
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS Pixie Dust Wood Core
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Inner/Outer Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
- Phantom Hercules Hooks
Get some more details on this split version.
Swift Split
All the benefits of the Swift when you are riding down, made much easier to get back up again. The early rise nose, with 20mm of taper and the shorter tail will make it much floatier and surfier on the way down.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Fusion Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Are
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Early Rise Nose
- STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Bi-Lite FIberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- RDS 1+ Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- Aluminium Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more information on the Swift here.
Mini Proto
A scaled down Proto, though it looks the same as the adults Proto Type Two, there are a few differences. No asym on this one, and the slightly tamer Original Rocker Camber rather than the Ripsaw.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Carbon Max Laminate Technology
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Extended Transition Area
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- Perforated Rocker Pad
- RDS 2 Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details here.
Bantam
A very soft flex and the Original Rocker Camber make the Bantam a easy and fun board to progress on.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- Press Flex Wood Core
- FDS Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall
- Durasurf Sintered 4501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details on the Bantam here.
Starlet
Another soft, easy to ride kids board.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- Press Flex Wood Core
- FDS Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tex Sideall
- Durasurf Sintered 4501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Get some more details here.
Shredder
Even smaller again, the Shredder starts at the tiny 80cm and has a super soft flex, to get the youngest kids started.
- Coextruded Polymer Topsheet
- Original Rocker Camber Profile
- Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Nose/Tail
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- Press Flex Wood Core
- FDS Damping System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Sintered P-Tec Sidewall
- Durasurf Sintered 4501 Base
- P-tex Tip/Tail Protection
Read some more about the Shredder here.
Find the best price on the Never Summer 2020 Snowboards Overview