Never Summer Proto Type Two 2016-2020 Snowboard Review

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Never Summer Proto Type Two 2020 - 2016 Review by The Good Ride

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The Never Summer Proto Type Two is the continuation of the Proto with more camber and an Asymmetrical sidecut. So with the current line, the Proto-Type II is a step up in flex to the Funslinger for those that want a more mountain friendly asymmetrical twin and a more camber healthy version of the Warlock. We love this board and I (Biesty) own one as it’s a favorite that we use to compare against other boards. That being said, it often gets overprescribed so if you like to set your board back in powder then there are better options. If you always ride centered and like to ride switch a lot then this is a great call.

Other than a minor change to the topsheet, very little has changed with the 2020 Never Summer Proto Type Two so the 2018 review still stands.  I’m still riding and loving my 157.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  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 This Review Happened:  We borrowed one model 157 for an extended demo and then returned it.  We liked the second 157 demo board they sent soo much the second time we asked to keep it (we only do this with our favorites).

Size: 157, 155x and 158x
Days:  20+ and probably more if you are reading this in winter.
Conditions: Pretty much every condition out there from pretty hard snow to about 1 foot of powder.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs), Zobel (Size 11.5, 6’ 180lbs, Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Tim, Jack, Grant (Size 11 6’ 160lbs)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Burton SLX, Burton Rover, Burton AMB, Ride RFL
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles,  Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Superpro, Burton Genesis, Burton Genesis X, Burton Cartel, Union Force, Union Contact, Union Contact Pro and a few others
Set Up: Centered (always as it’s an asymmetrical twin) 15 front -15 back.  12 front and -12 back. 21.75″, 22, 22.5″ and 23″ wide

Approximate Weight: Doesn’t feel heavy but a little on the heavy side of normal. It feels really well constructed.

Sizing: The 157 worked great for our smaller boot guys all under size 10 and the X’s were a great fit for our 11 ish riders. If you are in the 12 plus size range then best to go with the bigger sizes like the 164x if they fit your weight and height well.

Flex/Buttering: Great flex. It flexes more in the middle than the tip/tail.  It’s not as soft as the Funslinger and a good bump up flex wise (especially in the middle) but it is still more playful than the Ripsaw.  The extra camber in the tip and tail snap out of a butter or press really well too.

On Snow Feel: There is a definite bump in terms of stability compared to the Proto and it’s closer to some hybrid camber boards when one footing or flat basing.  It can still be loose in the harder snow like we encountered getting off the chair but it’s much better with the Ripsaw Camber Profile.  It’s the kind of board that wants you to treat the whole mountain like a park and rides switch a lot. Also being an Asymmetrical board it prefers riders with a centered duck stance so don’t get it if you like to set it back and ride 18 front 0 back.  It really likes stance symmetry for the asymmetry to work. Even with the extra camber, the Type Two can still easily skid a turn and it’s not in any way unforgiving.

Turn Initiation: Really quick and borderline snappy edge to edge and it’s a board that’s fun to make quick turns with.  It’s still fun making slower and wider turns.

Turning Experience/Carving: What an improvement.  Soo much more fun to carve than the proto and you can really feel the Never Summer Type Two’s extra camber hold and power out of the turn way better than the Old Proto. If you like to carve switch and regular then this is a great choice. The Asymmetry of sidecut also makes it very satisfying when it comes to anything from quick/short radius to wide radius turns are good times.

Powder: Not ideal for directional powder riding and not really a board you can set back much or at all.  Also because of the Asymmetrical side cuts, it’s best to keep it centered and duck at all times in order for it to turn better.   I’d much rather be on the West for setting it back and getting a more directional float.  It’s a better board for that. This is the biggest differentiation between the West and the Proto Type II.  So if you are going to set your stance back in powder the West is definitely the call.  If you ride switch a lot in powder and don’t set your board back then you will enjoy the Proto Type II as it floats pretty well when the stance is centered.

Speed:  Same dampness as the Proto but with more stability so it works really well riding the mountain.  It’s a nice in between board from the Funslinger and the Ripsaw for speed and it’s much better on the mountain than the Funslinger.

Uneven Terrain: Never Summers boards handle uneven terrain just right.  They really know how to make a board work well in bumpy crappy all day resort riding snow.

Edge Hold: Same great grip as the old Proto did that can handle all the conditions you want to ride in. It’s not great in ice but who wants to ride in ice anyways.

Switch: Going to an Asymmetrical Twin means it’s actually more symmetrical for how you ride the board so it’s even better riding switch than the Proto.

Jibbing: Not a strong jibber but very doable. I’d rather be on the Funslinger and love how the middle bends around the feature.  The Proto Type II wasn’t perfect but it’s ok if you aren’t getting too technical there.

Pipe: I would love to lap the pipe with this board and that extra camber and more stability will make it a little better than the Proto going from wall to wall. After a few runs, I knew I was at home in the 16-18 foot pipe just like I was with the Old Proto only that extra camber helps it drive better from wall to wall. The only thing I could ask for is a little extra grip for that mid-winter solid ice pipe but other than that it’s practically perfect for riders of all levels.

Jumps: Nice pop and love the extra camber.  Never summer boards can feel rubbery damp and like they won’t pop until you actually Ollie.  Then you realize it’s got lots of pop. It’s the kind of board that can handle most kickers the average jump enthusiast will hit from small to pretty big.

All in all the Ripsaw Camber profile and the Asymmetrical sidecut make for a much better all around ride than the Proto.  I’m glad the Never Summer Type Two came out this year because this would have been the last year that the Proto would have been a favorite.

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