Never Summer SL - 2011
Never Summer claim the SL is their all-mountain, do everything dominator. They’re not wrong. Enough damping to eradicate any of those unwanted vibrations you get when the snow’s hard and crusty, a rocker/camber hybrid profile that makes carving a dream and backcountry riding effortless and a powerful but manageable flex that rewards aggressive riders with great edge hold and plenty of pop. The Never Summer SL is a great snowboard for riders who want to ride everything and anything as long as there’s plenty of carving to be had.
Manufacturer's Description:
An extremely agile, high performance freestyle board that does it all, the SL is not only versatile, but offers powerful edge to edge response and maintains a forgiving tip and tail. If you want a board that excels in the park, on groomers, or on backcountry kickers, this is it.
Recommended for park riding.
Recommended for halfpipe riding.
Recommended for freeride riding.
High cost $
Available in Wide.
Rocker Construction.
Directional Twin Shape.
Year: 2011
Available Lengths (cm):
151, 153, 155, 158, 161, 164
Riding Style: All Mountain
Specifications:
RC rocker / camber profile
STS Pretensioned Fiberglass
BI-Lite Fiberglass
Carbon VXR Laminate Technology
NS Custom Flightcore
RDS 2 Damping System
Sintered P-tex Sidewall
Durasurf Sintered 4501 base
P-tex Tip and Tail Protection
Full Wrap Metal Edge
3 year warranty
Similar boards: Burton Feelgood Flying-V - 2011 Burton Sherlock - 2011 Nitro Shadow - 2011 Atomic Alibi Renu - 2011
Snowboard Review:
The SL is Never Summer’s all-mountain snowboard aimed at the rider who is looking at boards like the Burton Custom or Atomic Alibi, a snowboard to lay waste to everything from park to powder. It has a directional twin shape, biaxial glass, extensive carbon reinforcement and more damping than a bouncy castle.
Like other NS boards the SL uses RC technology, rocker between the bindings and camber at the nose and tail. The result of this match made in heaven is a softer longitudinal flex between the bindings and a stiffer and super poppy nose and tail. For intermediate riders raising the nose and tail off the snow means the SL is very stable when it’s kept on a flat base and ridden down all types of snow conditions, despite using a slightly firmer than moderate torsional flex, the SL initiates carves quite easily and on an edge the SL was extremely capable. Personally, I really enjoyed the way the board’s sidecut worked well with the softer rocker area between the bindings, I felt I could really work the SL into hard carves… and then there’s a reminder that you’ve got camber in the tail as it pops you out. The feel is almost identical to that of the NS Raptor, just a little less powerful. The softer waist also means it’s remarkably easy to work the fairly firm flexing SL into tight turns on steep terrain. When you open up the SL the ride is smooth and refined, there is no snowboard manufacturer on the planet that does damping quite like Never Summer, the SL rides like a Rolls Royce Phantom on air suspension. Another great thing about the SL is the crazy float it packs, there’s no need to put all of your weight on the back of the board or set your stance back, it just seems to work in the pow.. freeriding is something the SL just eats up.
On the freestyle front, the SL was fine off kickers, as I mentioned earlier, there is plenty of carbon reinforcement in the nose and tail, so you’ve got a nice helping of pop. Carving into spins was predictable, but for those with less experience I think the SL has too much grip, so there’s no way you’ll be able to cheat and slide frontside spins off transitions. Another observation was that riding switch was a bit of an oddity on the SL. I felt that the toe edge and particularly my front foot (my rear foot when riding regular) toe edge was dragging a bit which made the ride pretty twitchy, I’d be interested to know if anybody else has found this? Unfortunately I didn’t get to ride the SL in the pipe, but I’m certain it would smoke it. If you want to ride rails, short of the odd board slide and box press the SL is probably too stiff to work, I’d look at the Evo if rails are your bag.
If you’re a confident intermediate or advanced snowboarder who enjoys carving hard on groomers, getting expressive in the powder and hitting booters of all shapes and sizes in the park and off piste, you should check out the SL. The SL feels quite like the Custom flying V which is no surprise as they use similar technology. Comparing the two, the SL needs a stronger / heavier rider to get the most from it, but the damping means it’s a more refined ride at high speed and on sketchy snow. Choose the SL if you want to ride everything but freeriding is your main-stay and the Burton Custom Flying V if pipe and booters are your bag.
Posted by Rich Ewbank in • Never Summer
User Snowboard Reviews
Want some advice, or have a question about the Never Summer SL snowboard, or whether it is right for you? DON'T POST HERE! Head over to our snowboard forums and our community will be happy to help.
Seriously - READ THE ABOVE..., the snowboard forum the best way to get your question seen by all of our community and an answer, rather than just those who happen to view this page.
However, if you have ridden this snowboard and want to share your feedback, then please add your experience below. It helps to add as much detail as possible, e.g board length you used, bindings, rider stats etc.
on July 07, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Rich thanks for the fast answer! I shall buy all the same 164, counting upon an increase of weight by the winter) All the same a board with a bias in freeride as you speak. It is more than efforts and in park will go. It is necessary to wait when the board will go on sale.
on July 20, 2011 at 12:03 AM
I purchased a sl however i do find it quite stiff. im 180 lbs and i bought a 155cm length deck. because im new-ish to the game and id like to get more into the jib/park side of the boarding would i be more suited to a gnu street series (or another similar board type)?
on July 29, 2011 at 03:16 AM
Hi there. I am agonizing over whether to get the SL 158 or 161. I am 5’11” and a touch over 200lbs and have US size 10 feet. I consider myself advanced in all back country and free ride aspects. Will duck into the park for pipe runs and kickers, but not massively skilled in this department. Main focus: powder, trees etc or macking it on groomers and park on crap days. I currently ride a 2004 Burton Custom and can take this into powder but is hard work when very deep (although achievable).
Was initially looking at the Custom Flying V and that led me to the SL. My question - a 158 or a 161? With the RC effect, would an extra 3 cm give a noticable effect when in the powder? Conversely, would a 161 noticably reduce nimbleness when in the trees. Am i splitting hairs?
I know it comes down to personal preference although would be keen to get anyone’s opinion. Given my age and how often i get to the snow these days, this might be the board i retire on so very important!
Also, i won’t have the chance to test ride before i buy as i live in Oz and won’t be riding until February 12.
Many thanks in advance for any advice.
on July 29, 2011 at 10:37 AM
@Sam
No agonising to be done here, the 158 is too small for your height and weight and for riding backcountry. I would advise you go for the 161 it’ll be a better fit. The RC tech will help the board feel nimble in the pow and you’ll have plenty of board for float. Yep 161 is a much better fit.
Rich
on August 01, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Hi Rich - thanks much for the advice. Was leaning that way and now i am 100% on it. Great website - cheers
on August 12, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Sam Even me at 5’10’’ (1m77) and 170pds sometime looking 161 over 158 cause I like to go fast and the SL at 161 have almost the same sidecut as 158 so it should be very manuvarable ....
on August 14, 2011 at 09:39 AM
Hi Francis - its funny, i emailed Never Summer with the same question and they got back to me saying that whilst both sizes would work for my weight and height suit, if i am used to a 158 (the size of my Custom) then i should go for the 158 as might be more nimble and the camber will give it plenty of float anyway. But decided to go with the 161 - it’s got to be even better in deep powder (as and when i am lucky enough to find it!) Cheers
on September 20, 2011 at 07:17 PM
I’m going nuts trying to decide between the 155 SL and the 154 Proto. I want to go fast and hit some smaller jumps for fun but nothing crazy (getting a little older and it hurts more). Maybe powder if I ever get the chance but I’m almost always on groomers. I like to try to get better at switch sometimes too. I want the lightness of the proto but stability of the SL. The design and top sheet of the proto but again, stability of the SL. I’m just under 5’5” and 160lbs and want to keep the board for at least a few seasons. Any advice anyone can give is very much appreciated.
on September 21, 2011 at 08:45 AM
@Seth - Buy the Proto CT, it has all of the stability you’ll need and it will be funner on smaller jumps. There is little sacrifice in carves and with stability, the CT charges. I’ll upload the Video Review of the CT to our Youtube channel this evening for you.
on November 23, 2011 at 04:22 AM
I’m an intermediate/experienced freerider. Stronger/older rider at 5-9, 190lbs. Really enjoy carving down the mountain. Very little park or pipe other then hanging with son and daughter. Had a K2 podium 156 for a few years and rode Lib Tech Travis Rice HP 157 blunt tip last season. Live and ride mostly in the mid Atlantic. Runs are short with lots of carving and play. Barreling down the mountain will only get you to a lift line quicker! Love the feel of the Lit Tech, but felt the board was wide and required “effort” to turn. Felt great pointing this sled straight down with minimal side to side – fast….fast….fast. Looking at the SL as more of a fun carving freeride tool…hopefully more “effortless” on turns and carving.
Question. Should I go with 155 or 158? Based on my weight, I would typically go 158. But board seems to be stiff and the smaller 155 may be a better choice for my region. Your thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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