Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2021 Review
A big upgrade from the Proto Type Two, the Never Summer Proto Synthesis has a far more aggressive Shock Wave camber profile which I loved.
The original Proto had a decent upgrade to the Proto Type Two, which gave it the asymmetrical shape and more aggressive Ripsaw camber profile. The next step up is the Synthesis, which has a bigger step up in the camber profile, and a few extra features added in the core.
Features of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2021
- Shockwave Rocker Camber
- Twin Shape
- Medium Flex
- NS SuperLight Wood Core
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass
- STS Pre-Tensioned Fiberglass
- Recluse Web Carbon Layup
- RDS 2 Damping
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Surasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- Co-Extruded Polymer Topsheet
- Vario Power Grip Sidecut
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewalls
- Low Profile Nose and Tail
- Perforated Rocker Pad
- Extended Transition Area
Sizes available:
There are plenty of sizes available in the Proto Synthesis, which is a good indication of how popular they think it will be. Like all Never Summer boards, if it has an X in the name, that means it is the wide model, which likely has a waist width of 260mm or wider to handle bigger boots. For the guys with really big boots, there are also a couple of DF or Drag Free models which have a huge waist width of 280mm of bigger, so that you can still carve hard with monster boots.
- 149cm
- 152cm
- 155cm
- 158cm
- 161cm
- 154cm x
- 157cm x
- 160cm x
- 163cm x
- 159cm df
- 162cm df
How the proto synthesis Rides
Board size: 155cm
Boots: Salomon Launch Boa 27.5
Bindings: Burton Cartel
This review is based me riding the 2021 Proto Synthesis, with my regular bindings set up to +12 and -9, with a stance width of around 22 inches.
I weigh 72kg/160lbs, and am 6 foot tall.
Camber Profile
Compared to the other profiles that Never Summer have, this one has longer or stretched out camber sections, for more pop and stability. I did find it quite stable for a hybrid board, and it felt like it has less rocker, or at least is toned down quite a lot.
Flex and Pop
Although any hybrid board with rocker between your feet will never be able to match the pop of a traditional camber board, as far as hybrids do this is is very good.
Comparing to the other hybrid profiles that Never Summers have, the new Shockwave camber has the most camber, as well as the longest “sections” of camber.
Being longer and more exaggerated than the others, it pushes back a bit harder, so it isn’t hard to get a good ollie from the board.
Although they rate it as only having a medium flex, to me it felt medium stiff, especially when I compared it to the Proto Slinger riding it right after.
Edge Hold
The edge hold is always very good on Never Summer boards, no matter what the hybrid profile it has they always do a very good lob. Though comparing the Shockwave camber is much better than the Original and even the Ripsaw options. It still has a smooth entry and exit to the turns, but it grips so hard and pushes you through a turn very aggressively (if you ride it hard).
It only takes a few turns to get used to it, and after a few runs I was making the hardest turns at the highest speed I had on questionable snow with no fear – it held through everything.
Float
Although I was able to ride the Proto Synthesis in some soft snow, it wasn’t deep enough to get a realistic idea of how it would float in powder.
Speed
The sintered bases of Never Summers are always decent, and I had no problem riding very fast on this board, which was a combination of the fast base and stable feel of the Shockwave profile.
Pros:
- Great hybrid profile
- Amazing edge hold
- Solid feel for a hybrid
Cons
- High price
Overall
If you have ridden a Never Summer board and liked how it felt, then this might be a good option. For me, who likes traditional camber boards much more than any hybrid – this is a very good in between step. It takes the already solid edge hold of Never Summers, and takes it up a big notch, in a board that can easily handle very quick riding.
Similar boards:
Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2021 Technical Specs
| Length (cm) | Effective Edge (cm) | Nose/Tail | Waist Width (mm) | Sidecut (m) |
| 149 | 115.3 | 29.5 | 248 | Vario 7134 |
| 152 | 117.6 | 30.0 | 252 | Vario 7237 |
| 155 | 119.8 | 30.2 | 254 | Vario 7426 |
| 158 | 122.6 | 30.3 | 255 | Vario 7664 |
| 161 | 125.4 | 30.4 | 256 | Vario 7816 |
| 154x | 118.4 | 30.9 | 261 | Vario 7342 |
| 157x | 121.1 | 31.0 | 263 | Vario 7639 |
| 160x | 123.6 | 31.2 | 265 | Vario 7857 |
| 163x | 126.5 | 31.3 | 266 | Vario 8075 |
| 159df | 121.0 | 32.9 | 280 | Vario 7638 |
| 162df | 124.0 | 33.0 | 281 | Vario 7826 |
Hi, which would you say is the most poppy, between the Proto Synthesis, the Jones Mountain Twin and the Capita Mercury?
I would say that the Mercury had the most pop, followed closely by the Mountain Twin, then the Proto Synthesis with much less pop than the other two, just because it is still rocker between the feet.
Hi,
How this would compare to Capita Mercury as a daily board?
Thanks
Both are good options that would handle all kinds of riding quite well, but there is still quite a big difference in how they ride.
Overall the Mercury will ride a bit more like a regular camber board (stable, fast and poppy) while the Proto has a looser overall feel from the rocker in between your feet. Though the Proto has excellent edge hold, the downside is it doesn’t have anywhere near the pop of the Mercury.
Hi,
Which board is the better daily in your opinion between the Proto Synthesis and the Jones Mountain Twin?
Thanks!
Both tick all the boxes for a good all mountain board – good stiffness, edge hold and a fast base – though I would choose the Mountain Twin, just for the reason that I prefer the feel of camber (between the feet) over the hybrid feel.
If I didn’t care much about jumps, and was willing to trade off a little bit of pop, then the excellent edge hold of the Proto Synthesis can make it a board that is a lot of fun just to ride fast and turn.
Hello,
Thanks for the review. I am deciding between The NS Proto Synthesis DF and the Bataleon Stallion. I’m 235lbs w/ a 15 boot and need a wider board. I think I am leaning towards the NS. I live in New England and ride in all conditions from ice to powder. Which do you think is the better daily board?
Thanks
Hmm, that is a tough one – both boards are so different. Unless you know that you really like the looser Bataleon feel, I think that overall the NS will be the better choice. The grip (with less effort needed) that the Proto Synthesis will give you on ice will be hard to beat, and leaning slightly back will give you a bit of float in powder, but not tons. Either way both boards take some getting used to, but I think you will be best off with the Never Summer.