The following is a quick overview of the 2022 Never Summer snowboards lineup.
First I will take a look at any new boards for the 2021-22 season, followed by any old 2020-21 boards that won't be getting a 2022 model.
Then I'll place each board into the categories where I see them fitting best.
New 2022 Never Summer Snowboards
The new boards for 2021-22 are:
Exiting 2021 Never Summer Snowboards
The 2021 boards that aren't returning with a 2022 model:
All 2022 Never Summer Snowboards by Category
Below I have categorized Never Summer's 2021-22 lineup. This is according to the categories here at SnowboardingProfiles.com and not necessarily the same as how Never Summer might label them.
Of course these are only broad categories as every board is different, but this is a rough guide.
NEVER SUMMER BEGINNER SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
NEVER SUMMER PARK/FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
NEVER SUMMER ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
NEVER SUMMER AGGRESSIVE ALL-MTN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
NEVER SUMMER ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
NEVER SUMMER AGGRESSIVE ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARDS
Men's
NEVER SUMMER FREERIDE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
NEVER SUMMER POWDER & SHORT/WIDE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
NEVER SUMMER SPLIT BOARDS
Men's
Women's
NEVER SUMMER YOUTH SNOWBOARDS
Summary
So there you have the 2022 Never Summer snowboards.
In with the New
As is Never Summer's style, there have been some significant changes to the lineup, even in a year where changes have been limited with a lot of brands, due to Covid-19.
They have released more new camber profiles (after releasing their new Shock Wave Camber for some of the boards in their 2021 lineup) - the Triple Camber found on the new Proto FR and the directional hybrid camber (which they are calling Traditional Camber) they have on their Hammer (though this was a late 2021 release technically).
Whilst the Hammer's profile is nothing out of the ordinary in the industry, the Triple Camber looks pretty unique.
Along with the Proto FR and Hammer, they have also introduced 4 new split boards - 3 men's and 1 women's, plus a new kids board (which essentially just merges the Starlet and Bantam from last season).
Out with the Old
The biggest surprise this season isn't the additions, but the subtractions. The Westbound looks to be no longer! With the West surprisingly dropping out a couple of years back, this was quite surprising - but Never Summer are no strangers to making surprises.
The Dipstick, Shade, Chairman and Heritage also part ways - though these less surprisingly as their seemed to be limited availability for 2021 models.
2 of the existing split boards made way, but with 4 more coming in, there is now one more men's split board and one more women's splitboard compared with their 2021 lineup.
A total of 7 new boards coming in and 9 models exiting.
The overall focus of the line seems to have shifted more to the freeride end of the spectrum than in the past, with an increase in split models also. Still a good number of freestyle options, but proportionally less than their used to be.
Name changes
The Ripsaw changed it's name from Ripsaw to Ripper and gets a small 0.5" (12.5mm setback) but otherwise is the same board (apart from the graphic of course. Ditto for the Shaper Twin changing to simply "Shaper" (the Shaper also now has just a 153, 156 and 159 - dropping the 151 and 161 it had for the 2021 model).
Other changes
The following also changed:
- Proto Ultra gaining a 160
- Proto Synthesis drops sizes 149, 154X and 163X
- Harpoon drops 142
- Proto Slinger drops 146, 151 & 159
- Big Gun drops 157, 161 & 174
- Swift dropping the 152 and 167
- Snowtrooper dropping the 162
- Peacemaker dropping the 158
- East dropping the 165
Not much in terms of tweaking any of the existing boards, but quite a lot of size cuts.
As per usual I will publish any reviews for Never Summer boards I've tested recently throughout the year. For all of Snowboarding Profiles' Never Summer reviews check out the link at the button below.
Hey Nate,
I’m hoping you could provide some guidance on a board upgrade. I’m currently riding a Rossignol Frenemy 144 (that I chose with your help a couple of seasons ago!), and my riding preferences are basically identical to Zoe’s below, except I occasionally ride on east coast ice. I really want a board that offers confidence when carving at speed. My specs: 5’3″, 130lb, size 6.5 boot.
Have you had a chance to ride this season’s Never Summer Proto FR? I recently rode next season’s Never Summer Lady FR in 147, and it was a blast! Didn’t have a chance to try it out on powder or in trees, though. It has the same triple camber profile as the Proto FR. I’m debating between picking up a used Lady West (never ridden) or waiting for the Lady FR with the triple camber, but I don’t know how big of a difference there will be between the two different profiles.
I’m also considering the Yes Hel Yes that you recommended to Zoe, but I won’t have a chance to try it either before buying. How would you compare the two, and is there anything else you’d recommend considering? It looks like the Lady West board (don’t have stats for the Lady FR) has a more appropriate waist width at both 147 and 149 than the Hel Yes at 146.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi CJ
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden the Proto FR yet unfortunately (hoping to get on the 2023 model soon, but haven’t as of now). But given you’re experience with it, I think the Lady FR is probably your best bet – nothing beats experience. And in terms of powder, I think the Lady FR should be at least decent. Probably not quite as floaty as the Lady West, because there is more camber in the profile on the FR. But it still has that 5mm taper, setback stance, longer nose than tail, etc – so it’s still going to be decent. Also, versus the men’s Proto FR, it’s slightly different in it’s camber profile and looks to have a bit more difference between nose, so that likely helps in powder.
In trees, I do tend to find that stiffer boards are more difficult to maneuver at slower speeds and the Lady FR does seem to be stiffer than the Lady West. But you probably got a feel for how agile it is at slower speeds, without going to trees, when on the groomer – so that should give some clue as to how it would perform.
Specs-wise, the 147 (which I think would be your best size) has the same waist and tip/tail width specs as the Lady West – and yeah I agree the width looks better for your boot size versus the Hel Yes.
You can check out the specs for the Lady FR here. And compare to Lady west here and Proto FR here.
Wish I could be more help, based on experience, but given that you’ve ridden the Lady FR and liked it, and that it should go well in powder, I think it’s probably a good option. The only question mark is trees – and I’m not sure there how it would go there.
Hi Nate,
Thank you so much for your site and keeping everything so up to date with the latest, it is such an incredible resource.
I was hoping to ask you for some advice on my next board. I am currently on my first ever board, the Burton Hideaway 18/19, 148.
My stats are female, 5’7. and 125-130 lbs. I’m an intermediate rider in the PNW (Whistler/North Shore mountains) with a preference for all-mountain and freeride (bowls, trees on a pow day), with a keen interest in Ryan Knapton freestyle (so mostly grounded butter tricks). Not into park stuff beyond a few jumps.
I have been looking at the Never Summer Lady West or the Proto Synthesis. The Burton FeelGood (camber or flying V) also look good but may be too stiff/too soft respectively. Do any models jump to your mind that may suit my style and interests? I really respect your opinion and would love to hear it. Thank you!
Hi Zoe
Thanks for your message.
I think the Lady West is probably your best bet, based on everything you’re describing.
I wouldn’t go Feelgood Flying V, just because it’s unlikely to carve well enough to do anything Ryan Knapton style. The Feelgood camber probably going to be a little bit too hard work when you get into the trees and not as good in powder. I think for everything else but powder, the Proto Synthesis would work well for what you’re describing. But I think on balance, I’d be looking at the Lady West.
Something like the YES Hel Yes would also be a great option – and give you a little more in terms of riding switch over the Lady West. Not quite as good in powder as the Lady West, but still a little better in pow than the Proto Synthesis and Feelgood Camber. The Jones Twin Sister also strikes a good balance between everything you’re describing.
In terms of sizing, if you could also let me know your boot size, then I can give you a more accurate opinion on sizing.
Hi Nate,
Thank you so much for the quick and thoughtful reply! I am so pleased to hear that all of the reading I have done on your site has paid off in terms of picking an appropriate board.
I will definitely take a look into the Hel Yes and the Twin Sister. I also wonder if it would be best to get one dedicated carving board and a different board for powder, but I might just have to make that my future 3rd board.
My boot size is US 7/EUR 38. I’m currently using the Ride Hera boots and the Salomon Mirage Bindings. Do you have any ideas on bindings I should look into that would suit this new board? Thank you!
Hi Zoe
For the Lady West, I would look at the 147. Whilst the overall length is similar to your existing board and often people go longer for their second board, I wouldn’t go too much longer than 148 for your specs – unless you were going for something with very little effective edge compared to overall length. In the case of the Lady West 147, you’re looking at actually gaining 2cm of effective edge versus the 148 Hideaway, so it’s not going to be a board that feels shorter than your current board.
For the Hel Yes and Twin Sister I would go 146. Again, you’re still gaining effective edge on your 148 Hideaway and I think they’re the better sizes for those boards for your specs. The 149 for both those boards are doable though , if you really wanted to go a little longer. The 149s certainly wouldn’t be wrong for you, but I would be leaning 146.
Yeah, having a carving board and a powder board is the ideal really, then you don’t have to make any compromises. It does also complicate things sometimes, when your not sure which board to take for the day’s conditions. But when you know it’s a carving day or if you know it’s a pow day and you have those specialized boards, it can be nice for sure.
In terms of bindings, I think the Mirage could handle one of those boards, if you didn’t want to upgrade just yet. Ideally, something a little stiffer than the Mirage, if you wanted to optimize your setup from the getgo. Something in that 6/10 to 7/10 flex range. Some options:
>>Top Women’s All-Mountain Bindings
>>Top Women’s Freeride Bindings
But I wouldn’t say the Mirage are wrong for those boards, so if you wanted to keep them for now and see how they go, then that works too.
Hi Nate,
Thank you so much for your advice once again, you have seriously raised my confidence in determining a board for this season!
I will definitely be picking up a 147 lady west and will try the Mirage bindings for now, and keep a look out for a stiffer binding to upgrade to when a sweet deal comes along.
Please keep up the hard work, your dedication to this page and providing advice to all us commenters does not go unnoticed. You and your website are invaluable!
You’re very welcome Zoe. And thanks for your kind words and for visiting the site! Hope you have an awesome season when the winter rolls around!