Positives
- 2026 Model Has Set Back Inserts / Better Directional Pow Float
- 26 Model Is Much Easier To Butter
- Great Pop / Stability With Less Catch
- Excellent Hard Snow Board
- Exceptional Carver For A Twin
- Very Versatile Aggressive All Mountain Ride
Negatives
- Wish it Came In More Than Just Mid / Wide Sizes
- Can Be Technical / Catchy / Hard To Manage With Smaller Boots
Summary
The 2026 Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra, like the Proto Type 3, now has set back inserts and much better directional float. It’s also a good bit softer in the nose and tail but still has the same flex between the feet. It makes this ride so recommendable as a one board quiver. This is an excellent, very recommendable mid wide board for people with 10+ boots or an excellent carving board for people with 9ish boots like myself. And while I do prefer the Proto T3’s quicker turn initiation for all day riding, this was hands down my favorite on clean, perfect groomers.Where To Buy
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Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Store
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| Riding Style | All Mountain |
| Riding Level | Intermediate - Expert |
| Fits Boot size (US) | 8-10, 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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Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
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An In Depth Breakdown of How The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra Rides Review by The Good Ride
How The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra Was Tested:
I borrowed the Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 157
Days: 8+
Conditions: Everything from hard snow, to good mid winter snow to pow to varied spring conditions. I had this all season and got to compare it to a lot of different boards. Many but not all were similar.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-195lbs). I’ve tested and compared 800+ boards and close to 1,000 if you count different versions of the same Model over the years.
Davey (Size 12, 240lbs, 6’4”)
Boots: Nitro Team TLS
Insoles: Footprint Kingfoam Orthotic Elite
Bindings: Union Force
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Skyline Fuse 3L Jacket, Skyline Fuse Light 3L Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Skyline Faze Pant
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 +18/-3 (setback inserts), +15/-15. Close to Reference on groomers and Set all the way back in powder.
Similar Boards We Like (but not the same):
Ride Algorythm, Ride Shadowban, Salomon Highpath, Yes Standard Uninc, Jones Rally Cat, Cardiff Crane, Cardiff Lynx, United Shapes Horizon
Ethics Statement
I was not paid to do this review, and it comes from an honest, objective perspective with no brand oversight. If this review helped, we’d appreciate it if you support objective content by:
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Construction / Durability / Weight
The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra, like all Never Summer boards is super well built. The topsheet is very durable and so is the whole board but it’s not heavy as a result. It actually borders on being light. (We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores, there is no consistency in a board’s weight)
Sizing
The size 157, for a carver, was amazing but as an all-day ride it was hard to control this edge to edge as the conditions got more uneven, it got a little fatiguing. If I just want to open it up on clean groomers, this is amazing. For me personally, I wouldn’t want to size down though to a 54 and I definitely wouldn’t want to size up.
For me personally, if I wanted a one board quiver, I’d prefer the Never Summer Proto T3 because it much better fits my boot size, weight, and height (listed above) in all conditions, all day.
Never Summer is pretty liberal with their boot sizes but can sometimes be a little conservative with their recommended weight. They make boards that can handle a lot of weight.
The Good Ride’s Conservative / Safe Recommendation
Sizing is all about balancing what fits your boot size (most important), weight (second most important) and height (third most important) for how you like to ride. If it’s too wide and it’s hard to turn but too narrow and you might boot out which often slams you into the ground.
154: 9.5-10.5 or 7-8 for carving
157: 10-11 or 8-9 for carving
160: 10.5-11.5 or 8.5-9.5 for carving
163: 11-12 or 9-10 for carving
There are often up to 2 or 3 sizes that will work for your specs. Size down for more control and size up for more speed/stability/carving power. Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. If it comes down to boot size or weight, I would ensure it fits your boot first and then your weight a close second.
Shape / Set Back On Board vs. Sidecut
The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra is a true twin. You’re centered on side cut, but if you have full size discs and you want to set it all the way back on a powder day, you can get 2.75 inches back from center of board at a 22.25-inch stance. That really ups this board’s versatility from just being an aggressive mountain freestyle twin to truly an all-mountain board for those who like to ride centered on groomers and set back in powder, or even screw around riding this set back on groomers. It’s not that bad either.
Camber / On Snow Feel
The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra has recurve triple camber which is a great take on hybrid camber. You have camber between the feet that is taller and goes a little further past the inserts than the Proto Type 3 but still has some early rise before the nose tail. There are some passive bends that don’t touch all the way back down. It gives almost the same pop and all conditions stability of full camber but is still much more forgiving.
So if you are a 10-12 boot this is great for intermediates to experts but it’s best for advanced expert riders if you are riding below a size 10.
If you want something more forgiving though, the Proto T3 that replaced the Proto Synthesis is going to have a little more forgiving camber profile with a little less height, a little less aggressive feel, and easier flex. That might be the better choice. If you’re an intermediate or even a committed beginner willing to take some lumps, go that way.
I do wish the Proto Type 3 had this camber height and length instead of the more mellow camber.
Edge Hold
The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra’s multi radius side cut combined with these passive bends in camber just grips like it’s full-on Magne-Traction. It’s special because it doesn’t grab in soft snow like full Magne-Traction does. So if you live on the East Coast or an area that’s uncommonly hard, but want to ride out west too this is a great choice for you.
Flex Personality
The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra is definitely stiffer than the Proto T3 by a good bit, and there’s a lot more pop / energy to it. Not that the regular Proto Type 3 is not poppy but this is on another level.
Even though it’s a stiff flex between the feet, it’s not as hard to access this pop on snow. For 2026 the tip / tail is thinner and flexes easier but the carbon mapping spreads out all over the nose / tail vs just an X on last year’s Proto Ultra to retain the pop it had vs. last years ride.
Buttering, Ollies & Getting Air
Like I said above the new softer nose / tail allows you to butter a lot easier than past years. I could slow down and butter with this thing no problem. It’s a nice change up and the new carbon mapping gives a little snap back which isn’t common for hybrid camber boards.
When it comes to ollies, these passive bends along with the stiffer core and carbon load up this camber profile a lot more than you would think. It’s got full camber pop and this thing just launches.
If you like getting air this can handle anything you can find on the mountain or park but it’s not cranky with smaller side hits around the mountain if it’s sized right. It’s well beyond my ability level and far beyond my insurance policy.
Switch / Park
This rides switch very well, especially when set up on reference. And it’s a true twin, so of course it would. If you’re somebody like me riding this more as a drag-free carver with size nine boots, this won’t be that fun in the pipe even though it has good grip. The Proto T3 for me is much better there. But if you’re a mid wide rider, like a ten and a half and you’re riding in the pipe, this will be great. So everything but jibs, this is great on.
Uneven Snow
When you take this new Proto T3 Ultra’s flex personality into uneven snow, this is definitely a step up in terms of chatter absorption from the regular Proto T3. This could handle hard micro bumpy snow like a champ. The edge stays quiet, and then when you get into uneven snow and chunder, yeah, the old one’s a little better. But this is close enough to where I won’t complain.
Turning / Carving
Of course, the Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra did not initiate a turn pretty quick for me. It was medium, and that’s pretty good for what this is. When I got this on edge, I could weight my turn anyway I want. Front foot, center foot or back foot weighted turns just light up with this. The spring out of the turn is exceptional. It has so much pop and drive and it’s one of the best do anything twin’s for carving I’ve tried.
It’s such a fun board for people who want a harder carving twin (not a Donek or anything like that though) that they can now set back in powder. And what I like about this is I could circle carve this, not as easy as the narrower Proto T3 with a similar side cut, but across the groomer carves were great. Down the line carves were great. The turning experience is pretty balanced and doesn’t frown on any kind of radius turn you want to make.
Speed
I thought this deeper entry point might make this board feel a little hooky with more medium radius turns and longer drawn-out down the line turns, but I didn’t feel it. Even with longer drawn-out turns that are starting to become like a straight line where you really pick up a lot of speed for a sustained amount of time, this handled it no problem. While the nose and tail did chatter a little more than the old Proto Ultra with recurve, it’s still incredibly fast for a twin.
Base Glide
Base glide is great. It had a really easy glide to it and the wax retention is really good. I never waxed this the whole time I got it, and it’s still holding the wax pretty well and we’re already into summer.
Powder
When it comes to powder, having these blower inserts, what they call it, I call them setback inserts, it’s exceptional. Sure, you have to have full-size disc or hybrid mini discs that can fit 40 mil apart inserts. And if you do, you’re in for a good time because you’re way further back on board. It gives very easy directional flow, especially combined with this early rise before the nose in the same amount in the tail.
If you want to ride this centered and throw it around mountain freestyle-wise, you can as well. It’s going to have decent float. I thought this was very good in powder. It didn’t quite compete against the Benchmark that was better, easier, has a lot more rocker and a little bit more setback on board. But man, this was so good and so was the Proto T3 even though it was narrower and didn’t have as much float.
The 157 versus 157, because this is wider, it did an amazing job and it’s so much better than the old Proto Synthesis and all the other products before it because none of them had setback inserts. So very cool to see.
Final Thoughts
So overall, this is an amazing board. I truly enjoyed it. I don’t know what to do with it though recommendation wise, because most riders will probably appreciate the regular Never Summer Proto T3 over the Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra. But if you’re more of a mid wide rider and you want a stiffer board, and you live to carve, but you love twins, and you like to set it back in powder or ride center in powder, sometimes you’ve got your choice.
Now this is an excellent board. It’s the best Never Summer Proto Ultra I’ve ever tried, and I’ve tried almost all of them.
Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra Past Reviews
2025 Never Summer Proto Ultra Review
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.
2025 Never Summer Proto Ultra
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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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 Never Summer Proto Ultra 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 T3 Ultra Specs
Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra Images
We try to get as many images of the Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra, but forgive us if they're not all there.
2026
2025
2023
2022
Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra User Reviews
Where To Buy
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Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
Blauer Board Shop
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More stores to buy from:
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
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