Hello and welcome to my Never Summer Funslinger review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Funslinger as a freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Dipstick a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freestyle snowboards.
NOTE: The 2020 model was the last model of the Funslinger. It has been replaced by the Proto Slinger
Overall Rating
Board: Never Summer Funslinger 2020
Price: $539
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Soft
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)
Rating Score: 90.7/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Boards
Out of the 38 Men’s Freestyle snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Funslinger’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Funslinger’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $539 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Rocker Never Summer's Ripsaw Rocker |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
146 | 245 | 105-155 | 48-70 |
149 | 247 | 110-160 | 50-73 |
151 | 248 | 115-165 | 52-75 |
153 | 250 | 120-170 | 54-77 |
156 | 253 | 125-175 | 57-80 |
159 | 255 | 135-185 | 61-84 |
154X | 258 | 125-175 | 57-80 |
157X | 262 | 130-180 | 59-82 |
160X | 264 | 155-205 | 70-93 |
Who is the Funslinger Most Suited To?
The Funslinger is best for those wanting to spend a fair bit of time in the park and/or finding natural hits to play on. It's a little more aggressive than something like the Dipstick but it's still playful enough.
Just a little too much camber there to be beginner friendly but certainly fine for low end intermediate. And great for advanced riders looking for a freestyle oriented deck.
The Funslinger in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Funslinger is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Never Summer Funslinger 2020, 156cm (253mm waist width)
Date: April 13, 2019
Conditions: Snowing! A little dust on crust off piste in places but some really good fresh powder spots in other spots. On groomer good, getting a little cruddy later in the day.
Cold for mid-April. Around 20°F (-7°C), with wind chill. Visibility not perfect but not terrible either.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 550mm (21.7″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 263mm (10.35")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 185lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Vans Aura
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Powder
Not the kind of board I would get for riding powder. Sure any board can ride powder - and you could always set it back on deep days - but even setback, the Funslinger is still going to be an effort in deep powder. Fine for an inch or so, but otherwise not ideal.
Carving & Turning
For it's flex, you can get a decent carve out of this board. There's a good amount of camber there - so that really helps in this respect.
Regular turns are fun, quick and snappy. You can certainly skid a turn on it too. It's not quite as easy to skid turns on as the Never Summer Dipstick, for example, but still pretty easy.
Speed
It gets a bit wobbly when you get up to decent speeds, but that's certainly expected of a board of this flex. Gives you a little more at speed vs the Dipstick.
Uneven Terrain
Decent in bumpy terrain - really nimble for weaving through and forgiving going over. Doesn't monster through crud, but it's not super exhausting in crud either.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
Wow! That's all I can say with this board and jumps. Gosh darn was this thing fun! Certainly a small to medium jumper mostly, but larger jumps doable.
Pop: Plenty of pop - and really easily accessible pop too. Very little loading up required.
Approach: Nice and nimble for trickier approaches and solid enough up to certain speeds. Best for small to medium.
Landing: Again best for small to medium - solid enough landing platform that certainly has enough forgiveness too.
Side-hits: So fun for sidehits. Good, easy pop and nice and nimble for tricker approaches.
Switch
I find asymmetrical twins to be the most comfortable riding switch - and the Funslinger is no exception.
Spins
Awesome for spins. As good as it gets taking off and landing switch, great pop and easy to get the spin around.
Jibbing
Really good on a jib. I'm not the world's best jibber, I'll be the first to admit, but I felt comfortable on this board on jibs.
Butters
Ultra buttery. This board has a great ability of being super buttery, but at the same time be nice and poppy.
Changes from the 2019 Model
As far as I can tell the 2020 model is the same as the 2019 model - apart from a new top sheet I think (and the graphic of course). Which has been the same for a couple of years.
Changes from the 2018 Model
The 2018 and 2019 models are virtually the same, as far as I can tell, except for the graphic.
Changes from the 2017 Model
The 2018 and 2017 model are virtually the same board – only the graphics have changed.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
JUMPS | 4.5 | 18/20 |
JIBBING | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SWITCH | 5.0 | 15/15 |
BUTTERING | 5.0 | 10/10 |
SPINS | 4.5 | 9/10 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
POWDER | 2.0 | 2/5 |
CARVING/TURNS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
SPEED | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
PIPE | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.7/100 |
Overall, the Funslinger is a super fun board to ride. It's not a bomber, but it gives a bit more for carving than you would expect. Don't get me started about jumping and spinning on this board. Holy! It was mean. A fun sharp, snappy overall ride.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Funslinger, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Funslinger compares to other freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hello and welcome to my Never Summer Funslinger review.
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Funslinger is capable of.
When it comes to switch the Funslinger is about as good as it gets. And that’s no surprise given it’s asymmetrical twin shape and centered stance.
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