Never Summer Proto Slinger Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

How it rides and who it is for

How This Review Happened: We borrowed this for an extended demo and don’t want to send it back.
Size: 156
Days: 2
Conditions: Pretty soft not great spring conditions but we were stoked to be out there after being shut down.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles,  F.I.T. Gameghangers Low Profile
Bindings: Union Contact Pro/Union Superpro

Similar Boards (but not the same): Rossignol Jibsaw, Yes Jackpot, Never Summer Funslinger, Ride TwinPig, Signal Park,

Set-Up: 21.5” Wide. 15 front -15 back.  Centered

Suggested Sizing
Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. You can go a little bigger but these are ideal sizes for the board width. Boot sizing is most important, weight is second and height is a distant 3^rd.
146: 7-7.5

149: 7.5-8

151: 8-8.5

153: 8.5-9

156: 9-9.5

159: 9.5-10

154x: 10-10.5

157x: 10.5-11

160x: 11-12

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The new augmented camber profile (called Shock Wave) gives the Never Summer Proto Slinger a little more stability with less rocker and more camber. However, the tip/tail are still off the snow like with ripsaw camber. One thing with NS boards (and all boards really) is the wood cures differently from board to board. One board could have the tip/tail almost touching and be really stable like hybrid camber boards in all conditions. Another could have the tip/tail well off the ground and feel loose autospinny in harder snow. For example my Proto Synthesis I have with the same Shock Wave Camber profile has a tip/tail that almost touches the table where my Proto Synthesis has a tip/tail off the table a good bit. Yes there is more camber but with the tip/tail still not in hard contact with the snow anyone can ride it. It is more stable one footing and flat basing compared to ripsaw camber and even more so compared to Rocker & Camber but it is still not quite stable.

Flex/Pop/Buttering

What can be a little frustrating with the auto-spin/loose feeling with the rocker between the feet is really cool when talking about what this camber profile can do flex wise. The Never Summer Proto Slinger actually has much more energy in the tip/tail from that camber and combined with whatever special sauce they smeared into the wood underneath it pops hard. It also bends really well in the middle of the board so it is really easy to butter without being so easy you will butter onto your ass first try. Never summer has minimal compromise with making the board feel damper than its flex while still being super poppy.

Speed

Not a bomber. Its ok on medium sized runs but it is not a big steep run big mtn board. Its for park first but the Never Summer Proto Slinger isn’t bad out on groomers either.

Uneven Terrain

So great for the flex. Soo great. Never Summer does an amazing job at making their boards fun to ride all day. If you ride all day on a Saturday this is a great choice.

Edge Hold

The Never Summer Proto Slinger has some very subtle disruption throughout the sidecut that usually keeps your edge from sliding out from underneath you if you hit a hard patch.

Turn Initiation

Medium/Fast bordering on medium is how the Never Summer Proto Slinger turns. It turns when you need it to pretty easy but it likes to track straight more than it likes to turn. This is great for approaching park features and landing out of them. This is a pretty cool thing to make happen with an Asym as many we tried are more turny than tracky.

Turning Experience/Carving

So we didn’t have a Funslinger to compare but man this soft little board can carve well for what it is. Yeah if you are someone looking to make more aggressive carves the Proto Synthesis is the call because that stiffer flex will match up better with a mountain freestyle caver but the Never Summer Proto Slinger will be quite fun.

Powder

Size vs. Size, we like the Never Summer Proto Slinger better than the Proto Synthesis because of the extra nose/tail but many will be riding this board a size smaller so it evens back out. It is good for riding centered and it isn’t really made for setting it back.

Conclusion

We really liked the Funslinger so weren’t sure why they dropped it from the line at first. Now we get it. The Never Summer Proto Slinger is just an evolved Funslinger with the same shape/specs and just a newer camber profile. It is still a very recommendable ride and I would love to own a 153 for slow speed buttering/mountain play, riding pipe, hitting small jumps and the occasional easy jib. You know, being a old kiddy park hero like the kid who still hasn’t graduated high school at 21.