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Review 2014 Never Summer Proto HD

118K views 301 replies 81 participants last post by  dreampow 
#1 · (Edited)
About me

I mostly ride in Nagano although I make trips to various spots around Japan throughout the winter.
I am 6ft tall and weigh 175lbs (78kilos) in my birthday suit. I wear size 11 boots. I consider myself an advanced rider and this year I started doing some professional guide work, mostly just learning from and helping the experienced guide who I am working with.
I spend most of my time free riding in powder and trees and this is where I am most comfortable. I ride with a strong freestyle element and look to get little spins and grabs off natural hits. Since last year I have started getting into the park a little more.

This is where I ride the most, Nozawa Onsen in Nagano.









2014 Never Summer Proto HD


The Proto HD used in this review was given to me by Never Summer for product testing and improvement as well as for the review itself.

I rode the 157 with 2013 restricted cartel bindings. I rode the board on a number of trips and in pretty much all possible snow conditions.


To me this is the closest to a quiver of 1 board I have ridden. Park, pipe, carving, ground tricks, powder, steeps, tree runs, simply put this board does everything very well.

I have been riding the 2012 Proto CT since last year and stepping onto this I immediately noticed some differences.

1) More pop. The 2012 is poppy, but I was boosting higher and feeling the board snap up into the air more aggressively. Really satisfying and gives that little bit more time to tweak out the grab. You can get solid air time of little transitions and features around the mountain.
The only downside of this pop is that with a very bumpy icy surface the board tends to send you up in the air off the bumps and bounce you around a little. Still I only experienced this in extremely bad conditions with a very uneven surface (ice debris).






2) Smoother at speed on hard pack. Definitely less chatter in the tip and tail at speed and an all round smoother feel, that will be due to the HD or harmonic dampers which are a new tech that aims to lessen tip and tail chatter while keeping the lively feeling under foot. I like it and its not just a gimmick, there is a genuine difference when riding the 2014 Proto HD and the 2012 CT back to back.

3) Easier to press and ollie. This is the new profile at work. The new profile is hard to describe in words, when laid flat next to each other what I noticed is the 2014 has slightly less rocker so the tip and tail are closer to the ground and the camber section seems to end a touch earlier. This creates a more solid platform for ollies and presses.

Those are the main differences I noticed from the 2012 model. All in all I really liked the 2012 and the new board is quite familiar with some significant improvements.

As with all the Never Summer decks I have ridden the build quality and durability is excellent, it holds up extremely well to bumps with trees and rocks compared to the other boards I have ridden. Its a light board just like the 2012.

I rode some 4 kilometer long stretches of 50~60cm deep pow on this board. I would say the pow performance is just like the 2012, very very good for such an all round board. It floats better than the 2012 at low speeds thanks to the new low profile tips which don't push against the snow as much and tend to glide over the snow better. Of course this board requires more work than a more pow specific deck, but its nice to be able to throw a 180 and stay afloat switch. For me the board has good enough float that I wouldn't bother with a pow specific deck unless there is more than 30cm of fresh. I used to ride everything on posi camber and compared to that this board floats with ease.


In one area I had to do a long traverse below which is a nasty drop onto rocks. Absolutely solid grip and I felt planted and locked in to the surface. The grip on ice is right there when you need it but its not intrusive when you don't.

In the park board slides on tables were dialed from the start, 180's and 3's were easy and smooth to throw and land. This board loves to spin and I find I can throw 3's all over the mountain off little hips into the powder at the edge of the pistes.
The pop that I already mentioned is key here. I landed my biggest most stylish tweaked out mutes, stales and methods ever. I really think this is a stand out feature and it felt like the board was popping up into that tucked position where I can choose my grab at ease and have plenty of time to get set up to land.





Carving is smooth and predictable regular or switch, long or short carves. The camber zone locks in when up on edge and with good technique you can carve very aggressively. For the jack of all trades that the Proto HD is it does superbly in this department. It is smoother than the 2012 which is noticeable when the surface is a bit chopped up. As I mentioned earlier it does bounce up when there is uneven ice or debris.

As with the 2012 you get lots of feedback from the snow, the 2014 is a touch more damp in my opinion, but I prefer that since I take it through some quite serious terrain. I wouldn't like to see it get any damper though.
I would say that if you ride somewhere where conditions are regularly icy and bumpy get a damper board than this, especially if you want to ride at speed in those conditions. In general it handles speed very well, better than the 2012 Proto CT, but if you live to ride at over 50mph and carve up the piste there are much better tools for the job.

What I would change about this board
More camber please. I like the amount of rocker, just right IMO, but more camber in the two camber zones would provide still more pop and energy in a carve.
If there is a way to make the boards hold their prime snap for longer I would like to see it implemented here. I didn't feel this was worse than the other 10 brands or so I have ridden in terms of loosing snap, still longer lasting snap has to be a bonus for any rider. Premium boards like this represent a serious bundle of cash for most riders and should be made to last as long as possible, R and D to prolong longevity further would be most welcome.

Conclusion

All round this is a super versatile deck. The new extended transition profile is an improvement on traditional R/C in my opinion. Its more stable when carving on hard pack and gives you a better platform for ollies and presses. The new profile also gives better float because the low profile tips don't push against the snow as much, they glide over it. The Proto HD is super playful and fun, but with the right technique very capable of shredding technical terrain. This is the board I would choose to ride in most conditions. If there has been a big dump I will be on a powder deck, but it would have to be 30cm or more to tempt me off this board.
I personally prefer not to change out boards in the middle of a day, I like to shred some steep and deep tree runs and maybe do some top to bottom carving runs as well as some passes through the park. I don't like to ride a deck thats too specialized because it limits what I can do that day. With this board I can do everything and do it very well.
 
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#223 ·
Depends on the mountain but me personally, like dreampow I'd choose the 154 ...

On Whistler I felt I could use a beefier board but how often do I ride whistler in mid thigh deep powder. Not often.

It didn't blast through crud and push mounds like I wished it would (cobra was a little better here) but when piste was smooth it was remarkably quiet when I pointed it and hauled a little ass. But on the crud I felt it get bounced around a little but that's what you expect.

Pop is pretty good. Now I want to get on a cambered poppy board to compare :laugh:
 
#227 ·
Still spending most of my days on this board, Yesterday was with 30~40cm of saweet pow on a hardish base layer. Just so much fun, floated me well, super agile.

Solid on piste although its loosened up a bit, its still stiff enough for most of what I like to do.

On the steepest sections I could use a little more stiffness, but then you loose out on the ability to play around.

All in all a very good all round board.

Since I have been riding a proto as my main board for 3 years now I was thinking about trading it in for something else, but just enjoying it too much still.

I will just have to keep this and add to my quiver, sales are starting to kick in:thumbsup:.
 
#228 ·
I went snowboarding today in what passes for snow in the lower mainland (wow, what a crappy season) and I took my new Proto HD. I can't do any kind of full-on review because I haven't really pushed the board, but I have some first impressions.

I'm comparing the Proto HD (157) to my 2010 Heritage (160). First thing is that the Proto is significantly lighter. Lifting them both up onto the roof rack, I could definitely tell which one I was lifting. The Proto is flexier and has more pop, but then the Heritage is a bit of a tank. In icy/crusty conditions I find the Heritage holds an edge just a little bit better than the Proto.

I hope eventually to be able to try this thing out on some actual snow. :mad:
 
#229 ·
dreampow,

When you ride the board in powder, do you set back your stance or keep it centered?

Did you change the base or side edge bevels? I think NS ships all their boards with a 0/0 bevel. I currently ride with a 1/1 degree bevel. Do you think I would notice a difference riding on hard pack?

Thanks for the great review!
 
#231 ·
I set back if its deeper and I need to (usually in the gondola on the way up after 1 run and I feel I need a little more float).

I prefer riding the board centered so that I am properly lined up with the side cut. In pow its fine setback, but on the groomers its less than ideal especially if you ride switch a lot which I do.

My last trip out was 30~40cm of pow on a hardish base and I rode it centered and floated fine.

As In have said before on deep days I reach for something more pow specific.

I didn't change the bevel and I don't think its needed, they make it that way for a reason. It carves well on hadpack. As with pow its not a board made specifically for carving so its not like a Kesler, but I find it rips just fine.

I did do a basic tip and tail detune past the contact points.
 
#235 ·
Sorry, another sizing question..

I'm 6'3", 195 with a size 13 boot. I'm set on the HDX but don't know if I should go with the 160 or 163. I have a 10 year old GNU Riders Choice 162 now, but it's been long over due for an upgrade. I ride mostly groomed trails and occasionally hit the park. I'm looking for a playful board that can handle anything on the mountain. I'm leaning towards the 160, thoughts??
 
#236 ·
I think 163 would be way more board than you need if you're looking for something playful. I think you should be deciding between the 158 and the 160. Personally, I'd recommend the 158.

I've been on a 160 hd for some of this season, and I wish I got the 157. I spent a lot of time on the proto ct last season and I loved it except for the chatter at speed. This season, with the hd being a bit stiffer, I should have stayed with 157.. but I kind of downplayed how much stiffer it would be and sized up. Still a fun board, but not as much fun as my ct despite the hd have more pop.

With all of this said, if anyone wants to trade (or buy) a 160 hd for a 157 hd send me a PM. My board is in great shape, I don't care if you're is beat up as long as it's nothing serious.
 
#238 ·
Just took the board out again after an unimpressive experience in Whistler and Stevens Pass. It was snowing cats and dogs when I went so I set the board back. Helped with pow but on the trails I didn't like it all, even with fresh snow falling on the trails.

Was going to sell it and get a Happy Hour, in a quest for pop. Decided to take it out again and had a great day on it at Bear Mountain. Snow was firm in the morning so I really felt that rocker in the middle. Threw me off slightly since I've been riding flat recently (K2 WWW). Just for about half a run. Adjusted and once the snow was softer didn't even notice anymore.

That base is really good. On steeps it won't make a lick of difference but on the flats it kept going and going and going. I didn't even wax it so it had 4 days on it. Can't comment on amount of pop, but but will say the flatter portions help with ollies as compared to the Cobra/SL/Evo (damn I'm a NS whore).

It's a perfect flex right now, Fingers crossed it doesn't soften up to be less than what I want it to be ... All in all, fun fun board. Now I'm thinking of keeping it. But man I want to try a Happy Hour! :laugh:
 
#243 ·
Has anybody out there actually changed sizes between 155 HDX and the 158 HDX (or 154 -157 HD)? to be able to report on the difference? I'm currently riding a 157 K2 board.
Thinking of downsizing with the 155 HDX which would give me the same w.w of 261mm but be a bit more manoeuvrable, spins into and out of jibs, which I want, but I need stability for ripping (old K2 is camber), didn't really want to upsize (even though its just 1cm) but also 264mm w.w which will make it a little slower in response, but thats no problem for boot size as I have quite a bit of overhang at the moment with 261.

Looking at NS sizing guide on evo I am just outside the weight range of the 155 (130-180) at about 185lbs it fits better on the 158 (140-190).

So thats all the info, I know some comments saying its only 1 inch and thats true, may seem insignificant, but I'm sure your missus would notice an extra inch on her next ride?
Has anyone up or downsized their Proto and how did it effect stability, manoeuvrability and flex, in real life terms? I think the 158 is the right board for me but I'm trying to justify the 155. Thanks.
 
#245 ·
OP Dream,

i have been doing my thinking lately and really looking to get into a more all mountain freestyle board. Give me your honest opinion in my thinking. I am headed out to Jackson Hole, WY in a few weeks and this is where my mind is.

I am 6' 1" , 205lbs and currently ride a Arbor Blacklist 157 for my resort cruising/park riding. This board is just too short for the deep stuff for me, so last year i picked up a Salomon Powder Snake for whistler heliboarding trips. I think my stance was all messed up because i did not feel too comfortable on it. I ride a very wide park stance. That's why.

I really was looking at the NS Proto HD X or the NS Revolver but the revolver looks less like a all mountain and more park focused. Reading these reviews, would it make sense for me to pick up a proto hd 160 or something similar for my rocky mountain resort riding, or because i have a powder specific board, should i just deal with what i have and not pickup a 160? My powder board is a 163 btw
 
#246 ·
Personally I would say ride the powder snake some more and see if you get more comfortable on it. A 163 is still pretty short for your weight as a powder board. Also when you ride pow shorten your stance a little (if you ride a wide stance for park) and setback, that should help a lot.

I have been riding a 166 in deep pow this year and I am 170lbs at the moment. Its not too long for my liking and it gives me insane float.

If you find you still don't like the powder snake I might try to sell or trade it for a bigger pow deck.

The proto HDX 160 will not float a whole lot more than your 157 blacklist, a little more yes but it won't change the game.

I really like the proto and no doubt it floats well for what it is, but its not a pow deck. Its a very solid all mountain twin that does well in pow just like the blacklist. 3cm won't add that much in float.

To sum up if you like your blacklist keep it for park. If you want to add a proper pow deck think something bigger than 165 at your weight.

If you want to add a bigger all mountain deck that does better in pow I would say get the 163 proto HDX or maybe even a heritage X 163.

Its all personal preference, I like my 157 proto for most types of riding at 170lbs. If I weighed much more it would be much too soft for any thing but park (for my tastes).
 
#255 ·
I ride a duck stance 12 on the backfoot and 15 on the front, my Japanese coach had me ride 6 and 15 for a while but I didn't feel as comfortable so I went back, I ride switch on intermediate slopes at a solid speed and in mellow trees with pow. I can ride advanced stuff switch if the snow surface is very good and there are few people around (not often).

I usually ride a 57cm stance width, but I couldn't get that on this board as my reflex bindings won't allow forward and lateral adjustment at the same time. I think its more like a 59 stance on this deck. Its not ideal for spinning but I think a wide stance helps with grip especially with the R/C profile on NS decks, you can really pressure the camber zones with the wide stance.
 
#253 · (Edited)
Hey guys,

You've sold me on the Proto HD and now I'm just trying to figure out what size board to go for. My stats are as follows:

Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 160 lbs (nekkid)

I'm torn between the 154 and 157. I mostly do resorts (groomers, off-piste and some pow if I'm lucky). I'm really looking to expand free-style wise and just want to have fun with this board anywhere in the mountain.

Any advice?
 
#257 ·
Quick review on my 158 Proto HDX with Flux DS bindings and Nike Lunarendor boots. Started riding seriously this year so I'm still a "beginner."

The board is fast, even on factory wax. It's a million times faster than any rental POS I've ridden. It's light too. Really light. I noticed that it went edge to edge pretty quickly and at speeds I felt a confidence I didn't have on rentals.

It's a different feeling than I'm used to. You engage an edge and it does it's thing, but if you are a pussy with it then the board doesn't really like that and will sometimes wash out on ice. That's probably technic and not the board.

Bindings were great and felt awesome. Boots broke in nicely and I forgot I was wearing them. I had no inserts in the nikes.

I'm 6'1 and 190lbs witha size 12 boot.
 
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