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Never Summer's...what's the story??

33K views 190 replies 64 participants last post by  ETM 
#1 ·
I hate to even ask the question, because I don't want to offend anyone...or accuse anyone of anything. But, there is a TON of talk around here about how awesome Never Summer boards are. It also seems that some of the members around here are pretty hooked in with NS. So, my question is this....are they really that great or are there a lot of people around here getting hooked up by NS or a combination of both??
 
#2 ·
This forum has a MASSIVE bias towards Neversummer. There are some members who will steer people towards everything else though, which is nice.

I'm almost embarrassed that I ride NS... seems like such a cliche. I'm waiting for someone to ask if i'm on sbf.com just cos i've got an evo.

Not baggin em, but i'd like to try something else when i get the chance
 
#3 ·
The longer you lurk the more you will learn that this forum is like a Never Summer circle jerk. Apparently a few of the members on here are friends with a NS rep who is also on here and are always testing their boards. I would never buy one and their boards never seem to change, same boring ass graphics every year.
 
#6 ·
I would never buy one and their boards never seem to change, same boring ass graphics every year.
The graphics may not change much, but maybe the tech does :dunno: Graphics are no reason to avoid a certain board or board company. I get the impression NS makes really good quality boards (ok, I know they're overhyped on this forum). They're a bit too pricey for me at this point, but I actually LIKE their graphics. So there :p
 
#5 ·
Before when I was using a Rome board, I didn't understand the hype of a Never Summer either. My local shop gave me a great deal on a Revolver and the moment I strapped into my Revolver I understood every bit of hype, the perfect combination of flex and response is amazing. The east got a 21 inch dump back in December, and I went out not expecting much out of a park board but the float I had in powder was something else. There was no problem staying up and the board destroys everything from ice to powder to the parks. My only recommendation is to try one before you buy one, a couple of my friends have tried it and they either love the board or hate it.
 
#8 ·
I give big respects a smaller American company like NS, even though I've never ridden one of their boards. I have a friend who works for Flow, he used to work for Ride, until they downsized and moved stuff to China. Similar to what K2 did, in order to survive in the ski biz. By the way, he has his own 10k lbs. Press. surprising what one can make with their own hands...
 
#11 ·
I bought my first NS board 4yrs ago after a recommendation from a friend. They've all been so sick so I've owned so many since then, but at the same time I've also owned 20+ Bataleons/Lib/Gnus/Arbor/Ride/K2/Nitro boards during the same period of time. They've become very popular on SBF for good reason, and I think it's a great thing. I'm starting to see a few more on the hill but still pretty few and far between, and much more rare than Burton, Lib/Gnu, Capita, etc... around here. What some of you haters need to realize that this forum represents a small percentage of the snowboarding community as a whole, and so when people on here find great products, they end up sharing that insight. Local shops like SnoCon & Evo only started carrying NS in their stores a year or two ago, only started carrying Bataleon like 3yrs ago, etc...
 
#12 ·
There is a lot of NS love on this forum but there is also very little hating on other brands. There is no fanboy hate like you find with the Android/Iphone or Playstation/Xbox. The fact is that recommending a NS is damn near idiot proof. It may not be the best board but every board they make is damn good and worth the money.
 
#13 ·
I think it is a serendipity of the general age of the user group here and the NS target segment. I get the sense that the posters are older than some of the other forums out there. So then let's review:

1. They hit a market segment that seems to be ignored (older dedicated riders with regular jobs who are perhaps less "rad") The graphics imo are hit and miss. I personally love their big mountain graphics and 2012 raptor/ 2013 infinity. However they are all very understated, which matches the segment well.

2. While they don't have crazy top end prices, the avg price of the line is up there. Not likely to be purchased by kids/casual riders.

3. More of a boutique brand, especially in Canada. Check mark on the image factor. Compounded by point #2 above. This is independent of the product of itself, but would be something that this market segment would be willing to spend extra money on.

4. It actually is pretty damp ride (older crowd/maybe bad knees) and durable (I rammed my raptor into a big ass rock and nothing happened beside some edge sharpening.) All qualities that would cement it in the minds of the target segment.

5. RC shape and vario works good in big mountain conditions. A lot of users here are from out west or take big mountain trips.

6. Carbonium is "cool" (see point 2&3)

Combine all of these with actual rep representation and you got a perfect storm of fanboism. :yahoo:
 
#14 · (Edited)
I was actually getting ready to buy a Never Summer until I went to a demo they had at Keystone. I loved the idea of supporting a local company. Two things changed my mind. The first guy I dealt with was really cool. He took the time to explain their boards to me and got me set up for a demo. When I came back from a few runs, it totally changed. The people there were ignorant A$$holes. They acted like they were above everybody else. They were treating other people who where there like dirt. Rolling eyes, ignoring and treating them like there were stupid. It really turned me off to how they could be acting like that.

The second reason is a shirt one of the guys was wearing. All of the employees were wearing a NS shirt except one. He was wearing a shirt that was religion bashing. Now I have no issues with people wearing any shirt, but wear it where it is appropriate. While he was there, he is acting as an ambassador to the company. That tells me that the company condones that type of views because he was representing Never Summer.

I tried to contact NS to talk to them about my experience--I got the runaround and no results. If a company is going to treat potential customers like dirt, I will not support them. When people ask me about a good board company they should look into, I tell them about the people at NS and everyone of them have ended up not buying a NS. I continue to share my experience and find more people agree than not.

There are plenty of companies that make great boards, so it comes down to how well they treat other people and customers. At this point, I will never buy a NS solely on the ethics of their company.

My opinion anyway :huh:
 
#15 ·
I was actually getting ready to buy a Never Summer until I went to a demo they had at Keystone. I loved the idea of supporting a local company. Two things changed my mind. The first guy I dealt with was really cool. He took the time to explain their boards to me and got me set up for a demo. When I came back from a a few runs, it totally changed. The people there were ignorant A$$holes. They acted like they were above everybody else. They were treating other people who where there like dirt. Rolling eyes, ignoring and treating them like there were stupid. It really turned me off to how they could be acting like that.

The second reason is a shirt one of the guys was wearing. All of the employees were wearing a NS shirt except one. He was wearing a shirt that was religion bashing. Now I have no issues with people wearing any shirt, but wear it where it is appropriate. While he was there, he is acting as an ambassador to the company. That tells me that the company condones that type of views because he was representing Never Summer.

I tried to contact NS to talk to them about my experience--I got the runaround and no results. If a company is going to treat potential customers like dirt, I will not support them. When people ask me about a good board company they should look into, I tell them about the people at NS and everyone of them have ended up not buying a NS. I continue to share my experience and find more people agree with than not.

There are plenty of companies that make great boards, so it comes down to how well they treat other people and customers. At this point, I will never buy a NS solely on the ethics of their company.

My opinion anyway :huh:
So what company did you go with and why? Just curious if you interacted with reps from that company and how it went.
 
#17 ·
I think you raise a right point here, sometime to much NS . But I own several NS boards. I think I went through a lot of stuff before stop at this branch. I had Burton, Lib Tech, Gnu, K2, Plamer .

Don't like NS graphic, but their stuff is dead right just like people review here.
Their quality is top notch, haven't found anything close to them except high-end Burton board. The price is pretty decent for compare with other . All of that may explain why there are too much NS. Still looking for something different ..., but for now I stuck with it.
 
#18 ·
I don't understand some of you guys. A brand makes it big and saturates the market and you guys complain they aren't core or are too much of a big business. Yes, I'm talking about Burton.

Then you complain about the small guys not being more popular.

And now you're complaining about a small American brand becoming popular on an Internet forum?

You guys just can't be pleased can you?

Here's my personal background on my stance with NS. I worked for a retailer for the past 3 years. I have access to a ton of boards. I have demoed more than I can count. I get discounts on all of these boards. I get rewards at work which I can use to get free boards. Yet, I now mainly ride NS. Not because I get boards from them (like I stated, I can get boards easily from most major brands), but because I like their product and business model too.

I've been anti-hype on other products like the Skate Banana and Union bindings. It's really not about that. I got curious about NS boards and was offered to test them out. After doing so, I understood why they are so popular. Very solid boards and easily competes with the big name brands out there. I honestly like their RC better than others.

They aren't perfect, no one is... but you can't knock them for making quality snowboards. If you don't like it, then don't ride it. It's silly to sit there and talk other people out of buying an NS just because it's "hyped" around here. It's silly to turn people away with reasons like "their graphics suck."

How about some actual feedback on the qualities you dislike about the performance of their boards? Because you know what? That "rep" you mentioned as well as testers on here will read your critique. And that critique just might cause NS to change up their tech.

They've already changed their graphics countless times because of feedback from this very forum. I mean come on, they created an entirely new board based mostly on Snowolf's feedback on the Heritage.

What company will come into a small Internet forum to do that?
 
#19 · (Edited)
Brands get hyped because they're the shit, that's the bottom line so get use to it. NS has their shit together and they're getting hyped for a reason. You think they're hyped now? Wait until next years boards hit the market. Their tech is getting better every year.

I've been anti-hype on other products like the Skate Banana and Union bindings.
It's funny you say that because Union went through the same thing you're seeing with Never Summer now (I agree the skate banana rides like a $10 whore). I got on Unions 6 years ago and hyped the shit out of them because they're solid. Within 2 years BA and Nivek make it their personal Jihad to take the brand down. NS better be ready for the same shit.

In my experience with NS so far...pretty legit.
 
#35 ·
So, I get the impression this is a continually talked about touchy subject?? I'm new to the forum and didn't know, but I am actually glad I asked the question. I think I get it now. There have been some valid points made here I think. Hopefully other newbies looking into NS will check out this post too, just so they can make an educated purchase.

I got an Infinity a few weeks ago based almost solely on the information found on this forum. I still haven't decided if its all that or not. It could be. Someone above pointed out that this forum only represents a small percentage of riders out there and that those people are naturally going to talk up the things they love. I think this might be the crux of it all. When the average Joe goes online looking to see what peoples general views of boards are, they end up here...at least I did. And I assumed that everybody had to love NS because everyone on this forum did. When in reality there really isn't a lot of hype (good or bad) outside this forum over NS boards, at least that I could find. So, do I think this forum represents how the majority of boarders feel about NS? I don't think so. But do I think that this forum does represent how some really well informed and experienced guys honestly feel about NS? I think so.

I don't have any problems AT ALL with people loving stuff and saying so. Please do! And, I have to agree that within all the NS love here, I can't say I've heard any hate thrown out about other boards, brands etc.

It is unfortunate that so much back and forth goes on that doesn't really have anything to do with the actual function of the boards though. That kind of stuff shouldn't persuade buyers one way OR the other, but unfortunately, it does.

So far, all I have realized with my Infinity is that I have to fundamentally change the way I ride on it. Which, IMO isn't the worst thing since I'm a sloppy rider that could really use some improved technique. I guess I'll decide whether Im a NS lover or hater after a few more days of riding.
 
#42 ·
Ok I am bailing out now, this has taken a different turn to what the guy posted intended. Sorry for being apart of it.

But this is not about a companies or person religious views. Its how a company/business portrays itself. You think Disney would let an employee get interviewed on tv wearing a shirt with a picture of a woman getting raped on it? No, because by that guy working for Disney and representing them for the interview would be in appropriate. But wearing that shirt at a night club would be no issue. I don't get why that is such a hard idea to understand.

And even if the Mervin logo was on the board, it wouldn't have stopped me from buying it. This is being twisted from what I was trying to say.
 
#48 ·
I think the NS story here on SBF has two parts. For those that have been around for awhile, you will remember 4 years ago with NS was the first company to push hybrid Camber/Rocker/Camber while most of the big companies where still on the straight rocker craze. Back then I think the hype was legitimetly about the tech and how much better it rode than many of the other now defunct rockers. Without that initial inovation NS wouldn't be where it was today, no matter how many boards they sent to members here.

Today with most companies employing some type of hybrid camber/rocker combination, the advantages of NS are maybe not as pronounced and its more about build/aesthetics/tech/dampness and to some extent hype. I often see threads where NS is suggested for people for no particular reason, when I don't think its actually the easiest hybrid rocker to learn on, RCR feels a lot different than CRC or variations and yet people will say things along the lines of it being the best board ever! when each person's preference may vary.

I have tried quite a few lifted contact point technologies now from TBT, full rocker, RCR, and CRC of various companies and find I like CRC the best so I generally ride NS RC Tech/GNU C2 BTX. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks however and you have to sift through the answers because most people haven't ridden enough boards to really provide a good answer. I think this is where some of the NS hype is getting out of hand and why there is starting to be some anti-hype backlash when other companies make boards that ride similarly now. 4 years ago that just wasn't the case.
 
#52 ·
NS is a great American Company and they make great boards if you like dampness and durability. I think the RC is just OK though, not a big fan actually. My last two NS boards are both Heritages, one a traditional camber from 2007 and the other a RC version circa 2010 I think. I like the RC version in Powder but that is about it. For groomers its just not stable enough for my liking and doesn't "hook up" and carve like I am use to since I started riding many many moons ago. I found myself going back to the camber Heritage unless it was dumping the last two years.

So.....

This year I picked up a BSOD and I love it. Not sure if its b/c I have ridden NS exclusively 6 years or so but it is so nice to be back on a lively and not too damp board. Yeah, the BSOD gets bucked around in chop but its so damn fun to ride and fooking carves down the hill like an addict looking for a fix. Total one track mind and that is to just fkin point it and hold on. I love it. It made me realize that unless I need float for powder I do not like rocker between my feet at all, the BSOD has camber just past inserts where it then goes basically flat until the FK at the tips.....great set up for my preferred style of riding.

It also has lots more pop compared the NS boards, is lighter, and has a faster base imo. So I haven't touched my NS boards the whole year since I got the BSOD and probably won't. They may be for sale soon unless I keep the RC version for Pow days.

Opinions are like assholes everyone has one so my advice it to take all (including mine) with a grain of salt and decide for yourself which boards you like. Ride as many as you can and if you were like me and were stuck on a particular brand for years switch it up, sometime the grass is greener.
 
#54 ·
wow i just ordered my new board yesterday 163cm never summer cobra x, didn't realize sbf is a never summer heaven lol

i was going to get a custom x 162cm after demoing it like last week, but then choose on this one

lol i don't really know why, but I read so many positive reviews on never summer's R&C profile, and no not on this site just on the internet. and custom x was 650 and regular camber and cobra x was 50 dollars less so I went with NS, also lurking the internet for NS boards, you won't hear anything bad about'em
 
#55 ·
Well, one stipulation about receiving free boards to keep and review...

NS emphasizes we provide genuine feedback. They have already proven that they listen to critique.

And from what I recall, NS was already well hyped on these forums before they started giving out boards to review to existing members here.

Sure, getting a product for free might cause a person to be biased. I can only speak for myself here...

I can't emphasize enough that I have ample opportunity to get free boards or at least at a deep discount. I genuinely love NS boards. Just so happens its hyped here and now I'm a part of it. I don't care though. It's not like I'm going into threads about other boards and recommending NS's line without merit.

Besides, what about other riders who pay for NS boards? Wouldn't there be a backlash of how the boards don't live up to the hype if they weren't good?

But I guess no one is really arguing whether or not they are good boards. Just about hype...

Yup, NS is hyped here. It's been that way long before the reviewers.


Sent from Verticalsports.com Free App
 
#61 ·
I've owned boards from Burton, Ride, Option, Signal, K2 and Neversummer. I kinda wanted a Lib Tech board but everyone had one where I ride so I went with Never Summer, wound up loving the board.

Until I got the Evo I thought I would never find a board I liked more than my 09 Burton Supermodel. after burton went with the ICS I ditched them, I'm not paying an extra 100 bucks for bindings that don't feel like they're going to fall off.

The rest were fine as well.. I really don't think it matters, just enjoy the damn mountain! I've never found a board I couldn't have fun on.. :D
 
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