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Never Summer SnowTrooper

46K views 81 replies 35 participants last post by  ThatShopKid 
#1 ·
Has anyone demoed one of these? How does it compare to the Cobra? Has it changed much from the SL?
Thanks in advance
 
#2 ·
Yeah I have sorry for the late response I don’t look here to much. It is like the SL but with longer camber zones so you can get more pop from the board. I used a 160 and a 154 the 154 was great with 8 inches of new snow. Only problem was it did get tossed around being a small size so that is why I went with a 160 also. The 160 was point and go not chairman point and go but more like a f1. If I was to get the trooper I would get a 156-158 being 185 lbs and it would be a perfect all mtn board for me. It was like they sprinkled a little more fairy crack on the board and made it what I wish the SL was last year.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Just got a Snowtrooper X 164 today (I'm a bigger dude, 6'2" 230, sz 13's) and for the money I couldn't be happier (got one the "limited graphic" decks from Christy Sports).
Yeah, I haven't even ridden it for real yet, but I rode the Legacy 163 last year and can just tell this thing is a measurable upgrade; the newer ripsaw shape just makes the board feel lighter, and the extended camber (from hopping around on the rug lol) seems to have noticeably more pop. I can't wait to ride this thing; for about $360ish, I'll be riding a 2015 board with the latest tech. Yeah, camo is played out, but who cares about graphics anyway. I'm pretty sure I scored the best deal I'll see, as I'd probably have ended up with the $500 "more marketable graphic" version anyways... It's the same do-it-all SL/Legacy, just way better!

That said, the insert-spacing as far as stance-width options puzzles me a bit? That's maybe the only thing I'm not 100% psyched about... Usually on a board of this length the insert-pattern allows for a stance out to 25" or so when maxed out (which usually puts me right where I like to be, around 23.75ish using the next-to-last holes at each end), but with the inserts on this board the max is 24.5", so I'm pretty much going to have to ride it as a twin, or try out a wider-than-I'd-like 24.5" stance due to my bindings (Burton Cartels, which don't allow for width adjustment). FWIW...

P.S. - FYI, in case anyone is wondering, I contacted Never Summer and asked if riding a Snowtrooper as a "twin" (or, not "as-intended") would make it ride squirrly or f'ed-up and they said: "No, we set-up the sidecut to to eliminate any error with binding positioning." (Think they mean something to do with the Vario-Grip-ness or something...) What I actually wanted to know, and asked again, was whether the inserts were centered to the sidecut, or, if the board is just a twin with a set-back insert-pattern (which is how the SL/Legacy boards were), or just a little more technical description (i.e. twin/directional shape?, twin/directional flex?)..? They're cool, I'm sure they'll get back soon...
 
#7 · (Edited)
Damn, that sucks (but makes me glad I pulled the trigger when I did)!

Anyway, heard back from the Never Summer peeps, and can share some info on a couple things (as far as differences w/ the Snowtrooper vs the SL/Legacy boards):

The Snowtrooper is a "twinish" slightly-directional profile/shape, not a true twin shape, and also it's a directional flex w/ a slightly stiffer tail (this is different than the SL/Legacy boards, which were pretty much a twin w/ just set-back insert patterns, and twin-shape, twin-flex).

This makes sense to me, as though I had read that the new shape came from the Ripsaw, now after having one in-person (and hopping around a bunch on it in my living room lol), and looking at the thing, it actually looks like it's got more like the Cobra's shape, not the Ripsaw's... The tail is the slightest bit more blunted than the nose, and looking at the rise of the the tips, the nose comes up a slight bit higher than the tail.

EDIT: This was confirmed by NS, according to them the Snowtrooper shape is more similar to the Cobra's, directional, but not nearly as directional as the Heritage or Chairman, saying "It is a slight difference (from being a true twin), so you won't really be able to feel it much if you centered your bindings". Also, Cobra is their regular RC, the Snowtrooper is the EXRC w/ the low-profile tips like the Proto boards.

So IMHO: Cobra + Proto - Carbonium = Snowtrooper.

I dig it, it's very "twinish" and I can tell it will ride good w/ a centered stance, but at the same time it's got some "directionalish" things going on in there too that might be great for most of us looking to use it all over the mountain as well as in the park (as pretty much no one rides normal/switch 50%/50% of the time).

To me, even with a Cobra-ish shape, seems it's more like a directional Proto than a Cobra; a bit softer, maybe a better all-arounder if more than a few park visits are included in what you think of as "All-Mountain"; it seems to be definitly playful enough for buttering and stuff, but it has the pop to it too.
 
#9 ·
I'm thinking of getting the snow trooper for this season. I've been riding a ns cobra 158 for last two seasons. Looking for a more playful, easier to jump and start working on spins board,that i can still shred all mtn with some powder days thrown in.. This looks like a good candidate.
What size you guys recommend?
I'm 185 lbs proly 195 loaded.
5'11" tall, size 9 2013 burton rulers. Looking at the evo size guide, I'm Not sure if i should get the 162 for weight reasons, or go with the 159 or shorter for more playful reasons.. Looking to put the rome boss 390 bindings on it.
 
#12 ·
Sounds like I had the same internal debate as alot of you. Having owned basically every board in the NS lineup over the past 5yrs, the Cobra has been great but the Proto was top 2 (along with th Heritage in its time). I regret selling the Proto, so have a Snowtrooper on the way. I'll eventually have to get around to selling this Cobra to make room though...
 
#21 ·
it just seems that NS owners act as though NS is the only company out there doing rocker/camber hybrids and some sort of sidecut technology that enhances grip. personally i think their boards are rather sluggish and dead. ive ridden my brothers heritage, a workmates evo and my housemates proto and neither i was particularly happy with. to split hairs between different models in the line with other years seems kind of excessive to not even consider another brand. as nivek said, for the sake of diversity in the quiver, look for something else. there are so many different boards out there that will perform just as well or better. hell i bet half the riders couldnt really tell the difference, nor even have a need for that 3 year warranty they all rave about...

but dont let me turn up a stink on the forums with an argument based purely on personal experience and preferences..
 
#23 ·
Don't get me wrong...I agree with a lot of what you said. It is a wonderful thing to have a quiver full of variety. Unfortunately, I haven't been riding long enough, nor do I have enough money, to currently have an extensive quiver - nor am I able to try out as many different boards as I would like. Which is why I love hearing about people's thoughts on boards. I currently have an NS and previously had a Burton. The Burton was great, but it was a bit on the small size. I'm also looking into picking up a Smokin once I save up some money. I have had my eye on a couple of Rossignol boards as well. Not saying you took it this way, but just to clarify...I wasn't asking to start some sort of argument. I'm genuinely curious to other people's thoughts on their boards - people like different things out of their boards and I like hearing things people liked and things people didn't like. For any brand (but especially the ones I'm looking at atm :D)
 
#25 ·
So a little bit about my history. In the 4 years that I have ridden, I have owned about 15 snowboards. My first year I owned a few Flow boards, second year I bought two Never Summers and a few Ride boards. This last season I bought a Jones board. I usually buy a board ride it for a while and sell it. Kind of like a longer term demo. I have probably tried about 40-50 different boards in those 4 years. Everything from Kessler, APO, Burton, Salomon, Flow, Step Child, Libtech, Gnu, Ride, Never Summer, Jones, DC and probably a few others.

At the end of the day I happen to have kept 4 Never Summers, did I like all of my NS decks? No, hated the Cobra. Sold it for way less than it was worth just to get rid of it. Not a fan of the SL or Heritage either.

I generally don't give much buying advice. If people ask a question about NS I will help out and answer. If I do give buying advice it generally involves other options too. I think people should experiment .. I am just not on some crusade to push it. People have to solicit it first.

At the end of the day there are plenty of board options. But who really cares if people stick to one brand or 10? Some people like to experiment and some people like to have something familiar.

It's odd to me that in the other Board company sections you don't see NS fans bugging everyone to experiment (at least I haven't seen it). Yet any time someone mentions NS, there is always some troll pushing everything else.

/rant
 
#28 ·
I picked up a Snow Trooper myself and I'm replacing my old NS SL from 2010. I currently have Union Forces on the SL that I want to replace. I was thinking of getting the new Union Factory bindings for the Snow Trooper. Do you guys think that will be a good combo? I'm looking for a binding that has a stiffer high back than the force.
 
#30 ·
So I ended up grabbing a 162, I was just gonna pull my Ride Capo's off my other board for at least the 1st few times up. I guess Ill see if these bindings are too much, boots are Burton Ions. Was also look at the Factory's and Cartel's. Can't wait for it to start snowing, its getting close.
 
#36 ·
I have a SnowTrooper 159 with ride capos, I think these are perfect for this board. really lets you get the most out of it. This board can really rip with a stiffer binding, and the capos still have enough flex for tweaking out grabs and stuff. Loving this setup atm.
 
#32 ·
Here is a quick review i put up on the good ride the other day.

Ability Level: Intermediate-adv •
Riding Style: Mostly freeride •
Days You Ride A Year: 20-25 •
Strengths: NS durability and dependability •
Weaknesses: None •
6ft 165# size 11 k2 UFO boots

I live in the Northeast which is where I ride mostly and do 1-2 trips a year to Utah and CO. For the previous 150 days I've been riding a NS SL 158. I'm 6ft 165# size 11 k2 UFO boots

I absolutely love my SL. I have total confidence to ride it absolutely anywhere. From east coast ice to 2feet bottomless days out west. So when the Snowtrooper is advertised as a better SL, I had to have it. Picked up a 159 on Black Friday.

I just returned from 4 days in Vail. We have 8inches of new snow overnight, 1-3 the second day, and bluebird groomers day 3&4.

The board has noticeably more pop. Because of this, it feels more fun to jump around and on and actually feels "lighter" on your feet when riding. The board seems easier to spin due to reduced swing weight and is easier to ride switch than the SL. It really feels more stable through late day chop and at speed. It is advertised to float better in powder which I tested thoroughly, but couldnt tell any significant difference between the trooper and the SL. I never had a problem with float on my SL.
I haven't gotten a chance to test it yet in true east coast conditions with ice. I hope the edge hold is the same or better.
I have built so much confidence bombing on my SL. The sidecut is slightly larger on the Snowtrooper than the SL (7.5 on SL 158 to 8.18 on Snowtrooper 159) I'm not sure what effect that will have on edgehold. I had absolutely no problem in Vail.

The matte top sheet is a pretty cool addition.

In conclusion. I think this is a slightly better SL.

I will update the review when i get to ride it a few times on the east coast.
 
#33 ·
Here is a quick review i put up on the good ride the other day.

I haven't gotten a chance to test it yet in true east coast conditions with ice. I hope the edge hold is the same or better.
I have built so much confidence bombing on my SL. The sidecut is slightly larger on the Snowtrooper than the SL (7.5 on SL 158 to 8.18 on Snowtrooper 159) I'm not sure what effect that will have on edgehold. I had absolutely no problem in Vail.

The matte top sheet is a pretty cool addition.

In conclusion. I think this is a slightly better SL.

I will update the review when i get to ride it a few times on the east coast.
I think the edge hold will be about the same. I would be surprised if it is worse. I'm pretty sure they have about the same flex. The main reason I went with the Snowtrooper over the Cobra is that it has less sidecut, 847 on the 162 Snowtrooper compared to 770 on the 161 Cobra. Your new Snowtrooper will be less "turny" than your old SL, which in my book is a good thing. I think that is the main thing you will notice with the different sidecuts in your two boards. I wish I had as many days on mine as you have had, we are just getting tons of rain in Wa state. But I share a lot of your thoughts, it a really well made board thats a lot of fun.
 
#41 ·
I have been riding NS boards for the past 5 years. I count out evenly from the middle. I'm 6ft and (use counting from the middle) the 2nd and 4th holes. This would also be the 3rd and 5th holes if you were counting from the tip and tail. As long as you use the holes evenly front and back you will be fine
 
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