Never Summer Proto Synthesis Review

The Never Summer Proto Synthesis pretty much defines the all-mountain-freestyle category as we see it. It's good at pretty much everything except for powder. 

While it may not quite have the same energetic personality as some of Never Summer's newer models, it's still a really reliable board that shouldn't let you down anywhere that's not deep powder. 

In this review, I will take a look at the Proto Synthesis as an all-mountain-freestyle snowboard.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Proto Synthesis a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other all-mountain-freestyle snowboards.

Overall Rating

Board: Never Summer Proto Synthesis

Price: $699

Style: All-Mountain-Freestyle

Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)

Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 84.3/100

Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain-Freestyle Boards

Overview of the Proto Synthesis’ Specs

Check out the tables for the Proto Synthesis’s specs and available sizes.

Who is the Proto Synthesis Most Suited To?

The Proto Synthesis is best suited to someone looking for a do-it-all board, but not need it to be good in powder - either because they very really see powder, choose not to ride powder or have another board for powder. 

It's especially well suited to those who want the above, but also want a reasonable amount of dampness, which isn't often in this type of board. Still nothing super damp, but damper than the average in this category. 

Could definitely work as a one-board quiver, as mentioned above, but works best, IMO, in a two or more board quiver. In a two-board quiver, this would board would be very well completed with a powder specialist or powder oriented freeride board. 

In a three-board-quiver, you might add a softer flexing park board to that powder board. 

Not for beginners, but it's not a super challenging ride, so intermediate riders should be fine with it, IMO. 

TEST/REVIEW DetailS FOR THE Proto Synthesis

O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Proto Synthesis is capable of.

Demo Info

Board: Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2024, 158cm (255mm waist width)

Date: February 26, 2024

Powder

There were a few small powder pockets around but nothing to write home about. But based on feel and specs of the PS, it's not going to be great in powder. It's a centered true twin that's got a little rocker in the profile, but not that much.

Carving

It felt really good on a carve. I feel like it's one of the better carving twins. Good for moderately high speed carves (though does have a limit) and slower speed carves too. And tight radius and long radius carves both felt good and were easy to achieve. 

Turning

Ease of Turning/Slashing: It's not the easiest board going around to initiate turns on, but it's also nothing that's too difficult either. Pretty average here. 

Maneuverability at slow speeds: Agile enough at slow speeds without being lightning edge-to-edge or anything.

Catchiness: I noticed a bit of a catchy feel in the tail for quick slow speed turns, but that was the only time I noticed it. Otherwise felt un-catchy.

Speed

It's not a monster bomber or anything, but it handled decently high speeds without feeling too unstable. And had decent speed overall. Did have it's limits though.  

Uneven Terrain

Crud/Chunder: Again, I'd say average. It doesn't get bucked around super easily and it's not overly chattery. But it certainly wasn't invincible to being thrown off it's line and wasn't ultra damp - though damper than most boards in this category.

Trees/Bumps: It's decent enough, without being anything too special. Decent edge-to-edge speed and fairly easy to turn. Wouldn't be great in powder in trees though.

Jumps

Overall really solid jumper. 

Pop: It's pop is fairly easy to extract and the total pop, when you really wind it up is above average too. 

Approach: Really good mix of being stable but easy enough to make adjustments/speed checks without it throwing off your line/rhythm.

Landing: Nice solid landings and that extra bit of dampness that you get from it, over other boards in this category, was nice on a landing. Was also forgiving of errors and was easy to make any necessary adjustments and speed checks after landing. 

Side-hits: Really fun for side hits. 

Small jumps/Big jumps: I'd say medium to large are is where it's at its best.

Switch

Felt good riding in switch - and transitions were decent, though not as easy as some other boards. 

Spins

Nice even feel in the air. Good for setups and landings in both switch and normal stance. Doesn't over spin and pretty easy to finish spin on ground as well, when you under-rotate.  

Jibbing

OK without being great. Not my favorite for jibs, but if you're an experienced jibber, this should be fine, but not something that I feel would inspire a heap of creativity. 

Butters

It's got a nice balance of being fairly easy to press the tip and tail, but not so easy that you can easily over-flex it. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.

The Proto Synthesis is still a really good all-rounder (bar powder) but I feel like others in Never Summer's lineup have surpassed it. It's stayed still for a while and after re-testing it, it didn't feel as exciting as it did in the past. 

But it's still a really solid all-round ride and particularly good for someone who's looking for an all-mountain-freestyle board with a bit more dampness than the average.