![](https://thegoodride.com/wp-content/themes/TheGoodRide-Theme/img/favorite-mtn-freestyle.png)
Positives
- Great Pop With Less Catch
- Excellent Carver For A Twin
- Solid Grip
- Nice Base Glide
- Very Stiff/Aggressive For A Twin
Negatives
- Not for Setting Your Stance Back In Pow
- Very Stiff/Aggressive For A Twin
Summary
The 2025 Never Summer Proto Ultra has the same shape but a new camber profile that really changes the ride. They are calling it Camber in 2025, but in 2024, they called it Re-Curve Tripple Camber. It's very different from their Fusion Tripple Camber, and it was so much fun to turn I didn't want to send it back.Where To Buy
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Riding Style | All Mountain Freestyle |
Riding Level | Advanced - Expert |
Fits Boot size (US) | 10-12 |
Manufactured in | USA by Never Summer |
Shape | True Twin |
Camber Profile | Hybrid Camber |
Stance | Centered |
Approx. Weight | Feels Normal |
Split | No |
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On Snow Feel | |
Turn Initiation | |
Skidded Turns |
Flex | |
Buttering | |
Edge Hold |
Where To Buy
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Never Summer Proto Ultra - How it rides and who it is for Review by The Good Ride
A Detailed Breakdown Of How the Never Summer Proto Ultra 2025 Rides And Who It Is For
![2025 Never Summer Proto Ultra Review - The Good Ride](https://thegoodride.com/assets/Never-Summer-Proto-Ultra-Review-The-Good-Ride-300x169.jpg)
How It Was Tested:
I liked the Never Summer Proto Ultra so much that I asked to keep it (only do this with favorites).
Size: 157
Days: 5, but many more coming
Conditions: Mostly good to very good conditions but a few hard snow and uneven snow days
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs). I’ve tested and compared 800+ boards.
Boots: Ride Deadbolt
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak, Skyline Fuse Jacket
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Bib, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bib, Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant
Helmet: Smith Method, Smith Scout
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,
James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Stance Angles +15/-15. Close to Reference.
Similar Boards We Like (but not the same):
Never Summer Photosynthesis, Yes Greats, Stone Message, Lib Tech Box Knife, Yes Basic, Ride TwinPig,
Approximate Weight
The 157 Never Summer Proto Ultra felt pretty normal and bordering a touch on the light side(We don’t put in the exact weight because, with wood cores, there is no consistency in a board’s weight)
Sizing
The Never Summer Proto Ultra doesn’t feel as wide as some mid-wides but it wasn’t super easy to turn/control in all conditions. It was medium edge to edge for size 9’s but if I had 10-11’s this would be medium/fast edge to edge.
Sizing is all about balancing what fits your boot size and your weight for how you like to ride. If your boot is too wide, you can’t turn it; if it’s too narrow, you get the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag. Your weight is a close second to boot size because it determines how the board will feel under your foot. Height comes in a distant 3rd. Some prefer control, so matching the boot size is the priority. Others prefer dampness over control and like to size up.
Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards.
154: 9.5-10.5 or 8-9 for harder carving
157: 10-11 or 8.5-9.5 for harder carving
160: 10.5-11.5
Never Summer doesn’t really have a recommended weight range but they can handle heavier riders better than most brands. I would focus on what best fits your boot size and only size up if you are on the heavier side.
Shape
The Proto Ultra seems to be a true twin in shape and it has a very centered feel on snow.
Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level
This camber profile on the Never Summer Proto Ultra is very different from their other camber profiles. It is camber-dominant, with passive bends that never touch the snow. It gives the camber more pop for its length while still having room for early rise before the nose/tail. It’s stable like a camber but doesn’t have the catch of a camber. It’s best for Advanced to Expert riders, and I found a slight de-tune near the tip/tail really helped. A strong intermediate willing to take some lumps could go for this, too, but it’s pretty stiff.
It shares the same camber profile as the Never Summer Cougar, and I hope to see this spread throughout their line. I like this better than any other camber profile they have had since I started riding Never Summer in the mid-2000s.
Flex Personality
I could not get the Never Summer Proto Ultra to flex well in the studio, but luckily, it was a little easier on snow with the leverage points where the rocker starts in the tip/tail. It’s not easy to butter but it’s doable if you are a stronger rider.
I thought the Proto Ultra would be hard to ollie, but it turned out to be pretty easy to access this pop, given its stiffness. There is lots of pop, too.
Uneven Snow
What I love about Never Summer is they give you a nice balance of pop and dampness/chatter absorption. The Never Summer Proto Ultra is no exception here. This is a great all day ride in any kind of uneven snow.
Edge Hold
I found that the Fusion Tripple Camber version gripped a little better with that mellow camber between the feet but the Never Summer Proto Ultra 2025 is no slouch either and I like everything else about how this board rides.
Speed
You can point it with this twin. It’s got the soul and flex of a freeride board in a twin shape. Very fast for sure.
Base Glide
My pics are horrible of the base and it’s right after Nick rode it in the park so it looks like shit. Let me assure you that the Never Summer Proto Ultra has that same upper tier glide that most NS boards have.
Turning Experience/Carving
This is why you buy the Never Summer Proto Ultra. It just carves soo hard and it’s improved exponentially over the previous model with it’s tripple camber. I got soo much drive and spring out of the turn. It’s a great board for those that want to carve regular and switch. I really like this mid/wide width for super hard carving for size 9’s and it’s not too much of a compromise for turning in tight spots.
I felt this sidecut radius to be pretty balanced but a touch on the turny side.
Powder
If you like to set your board back on powder days, don’t get the Never Summer Proto Ultra. Get the Cougar instead. It’s a much better board for that. As you can see this is made for riding switch in pow just as much as you ride regular and it’s not bad but not amazing either. I bet NS will market this as an “All Mountain” board but without the set back for directional pow riding it’s hard for me to agree. I wish they gave this set back inserts like they did on the Peace maker and it would make it much more recommendable for those that want a one board quiver.
Switch/Jumps/Pipe/Jibs
Nick struggled riding the Never Summer Proto Ultra on jibs but liked getting air with it. So did I but on a much smaller scale. If you like to go big in the park or on the mountain this is a great board for getting air.
I didn’t get to ride this in pipe but I’m usually not into mid/wide boards like this. If I was a 10-11 this would be exceptional though.
Final Thoughts
This new camber profile is exceptional and transformed the Never Summer Proto Ultra into a hard carving machine that it was when it had the Shockwave Camber profile 2 years ago. I think the 2025 has the same spring out of a turn but witth much more staibility. I’m writing this in summer but can’t wait to take this out next season when the groomers are good and work on switch carves.
Ethics Statement: This review has zero brand oversight. This is our best effort at an honest, objective review to help you, the consumer.
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Never Summer Proto Ultra Past Reviews
2023-2024 Proto Ultra Review
The Never Summer Proto Ultra 2023 kept the shape/specs of the 2022 but changed the camber profile. It really mellowed out the ride. That isn’t good or bad but just different.
How This Review Happened:
Borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 157
Days: 2
Conditions: Pretty good mixed spring conditions. Hard, firm but fun, soft and a touch messy
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Burton AK Tech Glove,
Similar Boards (but not the same): Never Summer Protosynthesis, Yes Greats, Stone Message, Prior Wildcard, Marhar Darkside, Lib Tech Box Knife, Capita Outerspace Living, Yes Basic, Stone Message, Rossignol Jibsaw, Yes Jackpot, Never Summer Protoslinger, Ride TwinPig,
Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +15/-15. Centered.
How It Was Tested
Each day I rode the Never Summer Proto Ultra I rode the Proto Synthesis and Proto Slinger just to see how they all compared. I put way more time in with the Ultra each day though to get used to Tripple Camber.
Approximate Weight
The Never Summer Proto Ultra is a little wider than the other Proto’s so it felt a little heavier but it is still pretty normal in weight for it’s surface area. (We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores there is no consistency in a boards weight)
Sizing
The Never Summer Proto Ultra is mostly a mid/wide but it can also be used as a drag free solution for people like me with size 9 boots. It felt a little wide for me but I was surprised at how well I was turning a 26.2cm waist with a pretty wide nose/tail. The 157 felt fine for my 185lbs and I think NS is one of the better brands out there for heavier riders.
Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. You can of course go bigger or smaller but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
154: 9.5-10
157: 10-10.5
160: 10.5-11
163- 11-11.5
Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level
The Never Summer Proto Ultra has a true twin shape that is very similar to the Proto Synthesis but more in a mid/wide profile.
What makes this a lot different from the Proto Synthesis is the Tripple Camber Tech. It has camber between the inserts, rocker after the inserts and then a camber that doesn’t come all the way back down before the tip/tail. Then there is a little early rise before the nose/tail. Lots of bends happening here. This profile is not as stable as true hybrid camber that goes well past the bindings but it is much more stable than Shockwave and Ripsaw (other hybrid rocker profiles in the NS Line). What that means is it tracks easier one footing and flat basing. In the past, Triple Camber felt more technical and locked in. This time around the Never Summer Proto Ultra felt less locked in and more on par with the other camber profiles in their line. Despite the stiff flex, it is easy to skid a turn for intermediates.
Flex Personality
The new Camber profile makes the 2023 Never Summer Proto Ultra easier to butter than last year with their Shock Wave camber. The pop is a little less though vs. the 2022 but it is a little easier to access. Don’t get me wrong. This is still medium-stiff.
Speed
The Never Summer Proto Ultra tracks better but I felt like the 2022 model was a little more damp. Again that might just be the camber profile.
The base glide is really good but NS always does an excellent job with their bases.
Edge Hold
There is a little bit more grip than the 2022 Shock Wave. That camber between the feet helps to provide a little extra grip than their Ripsaw and Shockwave camber profiles. There is a minor disruption but it is very mellow
Turning Experience/Carving
The 2022 Never Summer Proto Ultra was an absolute carving beast that provided as much or more spring out of the turn than most full camber rides. Not mellow full camber either but boards with a healthy bow of full old school camber. The new Tripple Camber 2023 Never Summer Proto Ultra isn’t as good as the 2022 but it is far from being boring. You can still rail out a really hard carve. The overall turning experience is a little on the turny side but it is very balanced.
Powder
The Never Summer Proto Ultra is good for a true twin if you ride centered but it is pretty weak if you like to set it back. I wish they put in set back inserts like they do with the Shaper Twin and did with the Peace Maker. That would really round out the ride for directional powder riders. As it stands now you can only get 1.125” back from center of board at a 22.5” stance width. That is pretty weak. So get this if you don’t plan to set it back or plan to get a better directional powder floater.
Switch/Pipe/Jumps
The only board I like better switch is the Proto Slinger due to its asymmetry. Very good going either direction. This is a great pipe board for mid-wide boot riders. It is very stable taking off and landing jumps of any size as well.
Conclusion
So you loose a little carving power and pop but you get more stability. On top of that you get a board that butters a little easier and feels a little more well-rounded. So some will be stoked on this and others will prefer the 2022 model.
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.
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2022 Review
Turn Ons/Swipe Right: Stiff, fast, hard carving aggressive all mountain twin.
Turn Offs/Swipe Left: Not easy to butter. Mid/Wide only.
Summary
The Never Summer Proto Ultra has a stiff freeride flex in a twin shape. It makes for a very hard carving, damp, hard charging ride.
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.
Never Summer Proto Ultra Review- How it rides and who it is for
How This Review Happened:
Borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size:154
Days: 3
Conditions: Good Spring Conditions
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom TDF Infuse 3L Gore-Tex Jacket, Burton Banshee Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Guide Glove, Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Burton AK Tech Glove, CG Habitats Glove, CG Habitats Work Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt, Drop Cascade Glove, Drop Web Glove,
Similar Boards (but not the same): Never Summer Protosynthesis, Yes Greats, Stone Message, Marhar Darkside,
Set-Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +15/-15. Close to Reference and Centered.
How It Was Tested
I took the Never Summer Proto Ultra out with the NS Tripple Camber Twin and then realized they weren’t that similar. Then I compared it to the Stone Graham. Another stiff but full Camber Twin. All boards had the Union Atlas on em.
Approximate Weight
The Never Summer Proto Ultra feels pretty normal weight wise.
(We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores there is no consistency in a boards weight)
Sizing
The Mid/Wide sizing of the Never Summer Proto Ultra was not ideal for my size 9 boots but despite that I had a really fun time on the 154. Even the weight was fine for my 185-190 lbs.
Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. You can of course go bigger or smaller but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
154: 9.5-10.5
157: 10-11
160: 10.5-11.5
Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level
The Never Summer Proto Ultra is a true twin so it has a very centered ride.
The camber profile is called Shockwave. There is a mellow short rocker between the feet that quickly transitions to two very healthy bow’s of camber. This is a step up from Ripsaw. It has the pop and drive that is equal to a full on camber board but at the same time has a feel underfoot somewhere between hybrid rocker and camber. The Never Summer Proto Ultra doesn’t feel as locked in as triple camber rides like the Tripple Camber Twin or Proto Fr but it does feel more stable than ripsaw. It is only a touch auto spinny in hard snow when one footing or flat basing.
This is not super easy to skid a turn compared to other hybrid rocker boards but felt a bit more forgiving compared to Tripple Camber or Directional Camber like the Proto Fr or Hammer.
Flex Personality
The Never Summer Proto Ultra has the stiff flex of a freeride board in the shape of a twin. It was not easy to butter. It isn’t easy to pop for a board with rocker in the middle. That being said it popped pretty hard when I put in the effort.
It is a very damp ride for a stiff 154. It didn’t feel dead or lacking pop which is a very hard thing to do at this flex. This does incredibly well in all conditions for a board this stiff. It handles uneven snow very well.
Speed/Base Glide
This little mid/wide 154 can bomb and I felt like it was capable of higher speeds than I cared to discover. The tip/tail barely chattered.
The base glide of the Never Summer Proto Ultra is very good. Even when the base got dry it had good glide in spring conditions that can be grabby and slow.
Edge Hold
So strangely enough I had better edge hold from the Tripple Camber Twin. That I would be comfortable committing to the edge in hard snow. I would be a little more tentative with the Never Summer Proto Ultra in the same conditions but it still does a very good job.
Turn Initiation
So my perspective of riding a mid/wide with a size 9 boot would not be a fair way to rate this. It was medium to me but to the right size boot like a 10 or 10.5 it would be medium/fast.
Turning Experience/Carving
What a fun board to turn. I got so much spring out of the turn with all kinds of turns. The twin shape of the Never Summer Proto Ultra didn’t need your knees to send pressure out to the tip/tail to keep it from washing. There is soo much camber you can lean back or forward into it with your knees together and really get it to carve hard.
Powder
I got no powder but this seems better than a camber twin but not a board I’d like to be on in powder. I prefer floaty directional twins or really set back directional rides.
Switch/Pipe/Jumps
When riding switch the Never Summer Proto Ultra was great either way. I had fun making old man turns through the pipe and can feel the potential for going super big when it comes to kickers.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed the Never Summer Proto Ultra. I enjoy the Proto Synthesis a little better just because it can carve hard but is still mellow enough to play around and butter with. It also comes in a width better suited for my boot size. If you want an aggressive but not too unforgiving stiff carvy twin this is an excellent choice.
Never Summer Proto Ultra Specs
Never Summer Proto Ultra Images
Never Summer Proto Ultra User Reviews
Where To Buy
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More stores to buy from:
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