Huge Dilemma - Never Summer SL vs Proto - Snowboarding Forum

NoobBoarder · 01-19-2012, 11:53 AM

So I spent approximately 5 hours reading reviews and threads/opinions, but I still can't figure this one out.

I'm an intermediate rider who's looking for a board that is stable at high speed, and can hold a carve in all conditions well. I do 50% groomers/50% park. Not really riding much powder/backcountry.

In the park, I do 70% jumps, the rest are rails or boxes.

I feel like the Proto would be better since it's more park oriented than SL.

But I can get the 2012 SL now for 400$, yet the Proto would cost 540$.

I'd also like to start doing presses.

Can someone give some quick advice?

Thanks

jpb3 · 01-19-2012, 11:59 AM

There is no dilemma here man, get the Proto for the type of riding you describe. The SL has a slight set-back, the proto is a twin. If you park, get the proto.

d15 · 01-19-2012, 01:21 PM

I had the exact same problem. I couldn't decide between a SL or Proto. But because I'm a more all mountain and freeride person, I would've chosen the SL.

Now that the Cobra is coming out next year, I can totally skip the Proto and wait for the Cobra to come out, which is perfect for me.

NoobBoarder · 01-19-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d15

I had the exact same problem. I couldn't decide between a SL or Proto. But because I'm a more all mountain and freeride person, I would've chosen the SL.

Now that the Cobra is coming out next year, I can totally skip the Proto and wait for the Cobra to come out, which is perfect for me.

Oh cool.

Any info or links about the Cobra? How does it differ from the SL or Proto.

buddhafist24 · 01-19-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoobBoarder

Oh cool.

Any info or links about the Cobra? How does it differ from the SL or Proto.

Check out this thread. A lot of cool info on 2013 gear and talks about the Cobra.

http://www.snowboardingforum.com/boa...-thread-6.html

d15 · 01-19-2012, 01:53 PM

The Proto is a top end, twin tipped freestyle board with Carbonium tech.

The Cobra is a more freeride like (all mountain) board with Carbonium tech. The difference between the Cobra and Heritage (which is also a Carbonium big mountain freestyle board) is that the Cobra has a different shape profile, is blunted, and setback a bit.

Supposedly the Cobra is the most highest level all mountain board NS has made so far.

dantech · 01-19-2012, 05:58 PM

They both have similar rides. The dampness of the SL is definately more apparent and cuts through chop a little bit better, it just has a tiny tiny bit more of an all mountain feel. The proto you can feel a little bit more of what's underfoot and still does great all over the mountain.

Sounds like for your riding style the proto is more up your alley.

earl_je · 01-19-2012, 06:19 PM

Get the Proto for the type of riding you do.

ArmyOfSkittles · 01-22-2012, 03:09 PM

proto all day long. i see SLs on the mountain quite frequently, they all tell me they wish they got the proto

ive yet to see another proto on the mountain yet this year! stick it with some malavita bindings and you have a ride built to shred that will last! my friends ride burton and lib, we've all gone the same amount of days, hit the same jumps and same rails, shredded the same trails and mine still looks brand new. cant same the same about the others, especially my friends burton

01-19-2012, 11:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
NoobBoarder Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 30	Huge Dilemma - Never Summer SL vs Proto So I spent approximately 5 hours reading reviews and threads/opinions, but I still can't figure this one out. I'm an intermediate rider who's looking for a board that is stable at high speed, and can hold a carve in all conditions well. I do 50% groomers/50% park. Not really riding much powder/backcountry. In the park, I do 70% jumps, the rest are rails or boxes. I feel like the Proto would be better since it's more park oriented than SL. But I can get the 2012 SL now for 400$, yet the Proto would cost 540$. I'd also like to start doing presses. Can someone give some quick advice? Thanks

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01-19-2012, 11:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
jpb3 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: dubV Posts: 255	There is no dilemma here man, get the Proto for the type of riding you describe. The SL has a slight set-back, the proto is a twin. If you park, get the proto.

01-19-2012, 01:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
d15 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 180	I had the exact same problem. I couldn't decide between a SL or Proto. But because I'm a more all mountain and freeride person, I would've chosen the SL. Now that the Cobra is coming out next year, I can totally skip the Proto and wait for the Cobra to come out, which is perfect for me.

01-19-2012, 01:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
d15 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 180	The Proto is a top end, twin tipped freestyle board with Carbonium tech. The Cobra is a more freeride like (all mountain) board with Carbonium tech. The difference between the Cobra and Heritage (which is also a Carbonium big mountain freestyle board) is that the Cobra has a different shape profile, is blunted, and setback a bit. Supposedly the Cobra is the most highest level all mountain board NS has made so far.

01-19-2012, 05:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
dantech Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 54	They both have similar rides. The dampness of the SL is definately more apparent and cuts through chop a little bit better, it just has a tiny tiny bit more of an all mountain feel. The proto you can feel a little bit more of what's underfoot and still does great all over the mountain. Sounds like for your riding style the proto is more up your alley.

01-19-2012, 06:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
earl_je Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Keystone, CO Posts: 824	Get the Proto for the type of riding you do.

01-22-2012, 03:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
ArmyOfSkittles Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 44	proto all day long. i see SLs on the mountain quite frequently, they all tell me they wish they got the proto ive yet to see another proto on the mountain yet this year! stick it with some malavita bindings and you have a ride built to shred that will last! my friends ride burton and lib, we've all gone the same amount of days, hit the same jumps and same rails, shredded the same trails and mine still looks brand new. cant same the same about the others, especially my friends burton