Mike Hardaker testing Never Summer Proto Snowboard in the Backcountry | Photo Mountain Weekly News
The Never Summer Proto Type Two is the most lively, fun, surfy, poppy hippie loving snowboard I have ever ridden and it makes me uber proud that this snowboard was handmade in Denver, Colorado and even pressed by Sasso (a snowboarder).
When you buy a board from NS you’re supporting snowboarding and more importantly snowboarders as the company is still owned by brothers Tracy and Tim, and from the top down the entire crew shreds.
Twin Tip Snowboard
You might be wondering why I’m riding a twin tip freestyle board in pow? Well because it’s about as rad as it gets, and don’t be fooled it works!
Anyone that straps into a Never Summer Proto Type Two will become a better snowboarder. Do you really need to even keep reading?
If you like to and I hate to borrow the term from another brand “surf the earth” this is the snowboard you will want to buy. Top to bottom Never Summer’s Type Two can handle any terrain the mountain throws your way from the steeps to the deep and everything in between.
After a week of testing in the Tetons, I have yet to find any terrain or conditions that this board did not allow me to have 100% confidence and some in my riding. I found myself picking of technical exposed lines sending cliffs and searching out every single piece of powder that mountain had to offer. This is a snowboard that was designed to simply have fun.
I don’t ride park anymore so I can’t tell you how it works there but I would assume if It can land solid off big cliffs in the backcountry and hold an edge on steeps groomed park kickers and pipe sessions should be a breeze. This board makes me want to spend more time riding resorts. And I never thought that would happen again.
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Poppy Poplar
There is something about the Proto’s over the years that has remained the same, insane pop thanks to the hybrid poplar/birch core material. I set this board up in the back seat (as I am always riding pow) and it takes little to zero effort to load the tail. I felt like my dog leaping from patch of snow to patch of snow. It was like I had reunited with my favorite board, favorite terrain and favorite mountain. However, all this was new to me yet I just felt like the board and I was always in tune.
Even spinning on this board felt easy, my 3’s became 5’s and so on. Once the board gets loaded up it’s going to release some serious energy.
Never Summer Ripsaw Profile
Clearly as seen above in the video above it’s obvious that Never Summer’s Type Two performs well in deep snow. Wondering why? You can thank the tried and true Never Summer Ripsaw profile found on this board.
Last year I heard feedback that the Never Summer Funslinger was too soft? You might want to lose some weight, but all kidding aside I actually felt the Ripsaw was a bit too stiff for my everyday style of riding. So when Never Summer decided to take the best of both of these boards and plop them together, I can say without a doubt the Type Two will be the only snowboard you will ever want to ride again.
Type Two is actually an asymmetrical twin shape, so yeah it can go anywhere you want to take it. Another new piece of tech on the 2017 Never Summer Type Two is a sweet looking nylon top sheet, hopefully. I did notice snow still sticking to the sparkly pentagram at the top of the board, but whatever I’m calling this a powder board and it should be covered in snow anyways.
Last but not least for anyone that likes to carve you will want to take this board out on some groomers. It’s nearly impossible to make the Type Two washout, put it on an edge and it will stay there until your ready to shift your weight to the opposite side. This is effortless snowboarding 101.
Overall Impression
For a solid board, the Never Summer Proto Type Two is the perfect blend of tried and true camber for stability and the effortless float found in rockered boards. I never had to force this snowboard to go where I wanted it to. After a week of resorts laps and backcountry runs I have found my new daily driver (move over Funslinger) as this board really held its own in big technical terrain. And for that Never Summer will surely sell a ton of these.
This is what Vince Sanders of Never Summers Product Development team had to say “Rocker between the feet and camber extending out to the ends of the board is the most versatile design for snowboarding overall”. And I could not agree more.
The Never Summer Proto Type Two ($654.99) will sell out if you snowboard you really ought to consider adding this board to your quiver. Or better yet get rid of most of your other boards as this tech combines everything I love about snowboarding into a nice neat looking package.
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Hey I have a ptt and taking it to Japan soon. Do you set the bindings all the way back for powder? Does this affect the way it rides groomers ?
How does it perform centered in powder?
Hey Mike, how does the type two float in powder. Almost every review I read states it doesn’t float well at all. I’m sure other boards are better suited, but I love the playfulness of my Proto HD and can’t decide between the TT and the West. I don’t run park, big jumps or anything, more all mtn, and the West is probably better suited, but I like the ease of turning, edge to edge with my proto and the ASYM in the TT. Tough call as I imagine the west is a bit stiffer, but probably floats much better in pow than TT.
Michael,
Thanks for the question. Whoever is saying this board doesn’t float in powder clearly doesn’t snowboard much. Let the photos and videos do the talking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywzREVRQ-s0
Board is freaking epic. I was on a 157, I ride a 159 or 161 in split. So do down size and rip overhead powder? Watch this video above. We make sure to show the gear we use in use. The asym makes turning a breeze. I ride light and surfy. The West is actually too much board for me personally. Best bet would be to demo a Type Two for a day, most likely 1 lap will do the trick.
Again I’m laughing about the not floating well part? jokers..
Hi Mike,
I was wondering after watching and reading your review if you could suggest a sizing for the Never Summer Proto Type Two please?
I am 5’4 and weigh 145 lbs. I wear 7-7.5US mens snowboard boots.
And, does this snowboard ride bigger?
Thanks.
Hey Brady, Thanks for checking out the review. What size boards have you been riding in the past?
Sorry for the late reply Mike.
I’ve only owned the K2 Party Platter in a 143cm since it had volume shift I was able to size down 7-10cm.
I know, not much help. Sorry.
in keeping with the freestyle friendly theme you will dig this board. NS already used Fun in the Funslinger but this could easily have been called the same thing. I was able to downsize this snowboard 4-5cm
Sorry for the late reply Mike.
I currently ride the K2 Party Platter 143.
Hey guys i am riding 161 neversummer system 2009 and really enjoing it.
Now would like to swith to somethig more freestyle ..what would you recommend size 161 cobra maybe?
Hey Mike!
I was lucky enough to demo the Proto Type Two this past weekend. One guy told me it was a men’s board and the other said women’s. Lol So I’m wondering if you might know if the 145 would actually be a men’s or women’s board? If it’s a men’s board, any clue what a comparable women’s board would be? I, like you, absolutely, hands down LOOOOOOVED this board!!! I love to play in the park, nothing too big, and carve the mountain all day! I’m from the east coast and this board held a great edge on any icy terrain I encountered! I’m also a snowboard instructor and would love to recommend this board, but first I need to know if I rode a women’s or men’s board! Lol Thanks!!! =)
Di,
Stoked on the Type Two nice! That board is currently available in the following sizes: 154 157 155X, For 145 this season Never Summer has the Infinity. We reviewed it a couple seasons back whats rad about this deck is it can handle everything you throw at it, sort of like the Type Two!! Where abouts you riding?
Hey Mike,
Curious what your height and weight is in relation to the board size you ride.
Thanks!
I’m 5’11 145 soaking wet 🙂 I ran the 157 and it was epic!
Hi there,
How does this thing handle hard pack and groomers sit hits etc?
Cheers
hardpack? No clue… You on the east coast 🙂 Check the video for how this did on groomers. Amazing edge hold. Best board i have used top to bottom..
In your picture with the two boards beside each other. What board is on the left beside the TYPE TWO?
Crip,
Thats the Never Summer Raptor. Stiffer big mountain charger. Some clips of Darren from AUS riding it here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuM1j9kC-J8
The Proto Type Two looks sick. What size were you riding in the vid?
I was rocking the 157, normally I ride a 159 solid and 161 when I split. The snow was deep this board is magic
Go Red team! Looks like sick testing days
I will happily come film you at Baldface oneday 🙂 thanks for the comment G