dreampow

Have some more time on this board now so I thought I'd update.

Firstly the powder performance is way better than I thought. I have been in up to 1 meter of fresh and as long as its not too flat the board floats with ease.

I did set back a little that day but even so I was able to ride switch a little in the powder and do 180s and powder butters.

I am 175lbs and I ride the 157. Definitely way more float than my old 161 posi camber with a full setback. Also way more float than my old 2011 ride highlife (158). No sore back leg at the end of a full day in powder.

Because its not the dampest board you get lots of feedback which is a bonus in the powder.

On some of the steeper slopes (40 degrees is the most I have been on) you feel the lack of rigidity and a little more stiffness would be ideal.

Especially on chopped up bumpy steeps you would rather be on a stiffer damper deck.

Still holds up well and you just have to ride with good control and technique when you get going fast on bumpy steeps.

Fortunately most of the conditions I ride are not bumpy and on smooth hard pack or powder it carves and turns extremely well.

Super easy to press and spin with and very playful all around.

Had a few knocks and the board especially the top sheet is proving to be bulletproof.

Really enjoying the board a lot and would like to try out more NS boards, especially the heritage.

Richie67

Cheers for the update bud.

Could be taking up employment in Japan next winter and just purchased a Proto, was definately expecting to buy a powder specific deck if I head to Japan but its good to know if funds are a bit tight its not a necessity!

dreampow

Depends where you ride. I ride in Nagano and because the terrain is a little steeper I would say you can get by on the proto, maybe the occasional silly deep day where it will struggle.

If we are talkin hokkaido with flatter terrain and deeper snow I would say you want a proper pow deck. Hakkoda as well.

If you have the means a pow deck is the way to go but if you know how to ride pow and if you are not a big heavy guy the proto does very well indeed.

I ride lots of pow and regularly blow past guys on their fish tails (mostly aussies) on my proto.
Rider will always be more important than the board. I aslo know the runs at my regular resort and that helps a lot too.

Richie67

Sweet cheers! Who am I kiddin, I always jump at the chance to add to my gear.. i'll definately be buying a pow stick

Yea almost certain the work will be around the Nagano area, I'll be interested to hear what the Japanese based boarders have to say about that area compared to say Hokkaido. No need to rush though, probably 8 months before I have to look into it!

dreampow

Interested to hear about that summit, have my eye on one of those badboys.

Enjoy those face shots.

Snowboard_Otaku

thought the SL is the does everything board in the never summer line ? regardless good review and I love my proto.... second season with it now and still loving how it rides

onthefence

I was also under the impression that the SL > Proto, in terms of versatility and quiver-killer-whatever etc

dreampow

The proto has the same stiffness rating as the SL, although the SL is a little damper and has a slight setback. These features may give the SL a slight edge for carving.

Also the proto has the bullet proof carbonium top sheet and is lighter.

Finally the proto has the blunted tips so its better for spins and has a slightly longer effective edge.

I have ridden both and they are pretty close IMO. Both very versatile boards that do most things very well.

The size you choose makes a big difference too. If I rode the 154 it would be more park, but the 157 is perfect for all mountain at my weight (for my preferences).

dreampow

日本人ですか？

おたく？

linvillegorge

I'm probably selling my Evo and my Heritage to go with the Proto. I have a 158 Evo and a 162 Heritage. I love the playfulness of the Evo and the bomberness of the Heritage, I'm just no longer able to ride enough to rationalize having both of them.

If I had to pick one, I'd go with the Evo. I love how nimble it is in the trees and just how soft and fun it is. It can bomb almost as well as the Heritage once you learn to trust it. That's why I'm going Proto. I'm confident that it'll be able to hang in there when I want to bomb while also being able to butter and play when I want to do that.

I have a dedicated pow stick that I'm gonna hang onto.

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