Never Summer Proto Slinger

Features of the Never Summer Proto Slinger

• Shockwave Rocker Camber
• Asymmetrical Shape
• Twin
• Press Flex Core
• Bi-Lite Fiberglass
• STS Pre-tensioned Fiberflass
• Carbon VXR Laminate
• FDS Damping System
• Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilisers
• Durasurf Sintered 4501
• Co-Extruded Polymer Topsheet
• Vario Power Grip Sidecut
• Sintered P-Tex Sidewalls
• Low Profile Nose and Tail
• Harmonic Nose and Tail Dampers
• Extended Transition Area

Sizes available:

• 146cm
• 149cm
• 151cm
• 153cm
• 156cm
• 159cm
• 154cm x
• 157cm x
• 160cm x

How it Rides

Board size: 156

Boots: Salomon Launch Boa 27.5

Bindings: Burton Cartel

This review is based on riding the 2021 Proto Slinger, set up with my bindings at +12 degrees on the front foot, and negative 9 on the back, with a stance width of around 22 inches. Snow conditions were pretty good, with firm groomers and a little bit of fresh snow in the trees.

I have ridden the Proto Type Two and the Funslinger which I liked, so I was keep to see what they would be like when they were combined.

Camber Profile

I had been riding the Proto Synthesis before testing this board, and really likes the upgraded Shockwave profile compared to the older Ripsaw profile. It gave the board a more solid feel, especially at high speed.

Flex and Pop

Although it has a 4/10 flex rating, it never feel too soft. I would say that this would be a more fun flex for most riders, enough that you could press it without much effort, but still with enough strength to push back nicely for an ollie.

Edge Hold

The edge hold on Never Summers with Shockwave is really good, and made just a little nicer with the asymmetrical sidecut. Turns start out very easily, and grip aggressively in the middle of a turn. It feels like you can start a turn at any speed and push the edge hard into the snow, and it seems to grip without any problems at all.

Float

I didn’t get to ride the Proto Slinger in any deep snow, though I wouldn’t expect too much from a twin shaped board like this – though that is just guessing.

Speed

The sintered base didn’t give me any problems with speed, I never noticed feeling like it was slowing me down.

Pros:

• Great edge hold
• Very fun to turn
• Useful medium flex

Cons

• Possibly the ugliest board I have ever seen.

Overall

Although it keeps a lot of the feel of the Proto Synthesis, it is a little easier to ride, so if you aren’t as experienced, or want a board that is a bit more fun and forgiving, this might be a good option. It still turns like crazy, grips hard and won’t make you nervous riding on hardpacked snow or ice.

In my opinion it looks terrible, Never Summer graphics are always polarizing but I think they will struggle to get people interested in the board, just because of how it looks – which is too bad, because it rides very well.

Similar boards:

• Never Summer Proto Synthesis
• Never Summer Proto Type Two
• Never Summer Funslinger