Hello and welcome to my Never Summer Harpoon snowboard review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Harpoon as a mellow freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Harpoon a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other mellow freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Never Summer Harpoon
Price: $629
Style: Mellow Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium (5/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (6/10)
Rating Score: 85.4/100
Compared to other Men’s Mellow Freeride Boards
Out of the 33 men’s mellow freeride snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Harpoon’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Harpoon's specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Mellow Freeride |
Price: | $629 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Directional Hybrid Rocker- Never Summer's "Fusion Rocker Camber" |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Setback (not sure what it is on effective edge but setback 60mm overall on board) |
Base: | Sintered 5501 |
Weight: | Felt Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
148 | 259 | n/a | n/a |
152 | 261 | n/a | n/a |
156 | 262 | n/a | n/a |
159 | 264 | n/a | n/a |
Who is the Harpoon Most Suited To?
The Harpoon is a great option for anyone looking for a directional board, well suited to riding powder, but want more of a medium flex, than a stiff flex. And want more of a surfy feel than a carvy feel.
Not for a beginner but certainly doable for an intermediate rider. Making this also a great freeride option for intermediate riders who aren't ready for or simply don't want a stiff/technical freeride board.
The Harpoon in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Harpoon is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Never Summer Harpoon 2021, 156cm (262mm waist width)
Date: February 29, 2020
Conditions: Cloudy with some blue sky and sun at times. Perfect visibility.
Quite cold at -4°C (24.8°F) and was supposed to be -11°C (12.2°F) with wind chill, but didn't feel as cold as that.
20cm (8") of fresh snow overnight, so plenty of fresh to test in. Conditions were awesome on and off groomer.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 545mm (21.5″)
Stance Setback: Setback 60mm overall on board (not sure about on effective edge, Never Summer doesn't publish that)
Width at Inserts: 277mm (10.9") at front insert and 270mm (10.6") at back insert
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Salomon Lo-Fi
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Damp or Chattery?
More damp than chattery, but just on the damp side of the scale.
Smooth or Snappy?
Smoother than it is snappy but pretty close to the middle of the scale.
Powder
Really fun in powder. A major strength of this board. And the specs back it up too. Tapered, wide, directional, setback and with a good amount of rocker in the profile.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Good on a carve. It has a smooth carving feeling, rather than a sharp feeling, but can lay it down pretty well. Not an epic carver, but very good nonetheless.
Turning: A nice consistent smooth turn, but nothing overly exciting.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Middle of the road in terms of maneuverability at slow speeds. It's not a tank, but it's not ultra nimble either. It's a wider board, so that usually stops it from being super agile, unless it's really short to make up for it.
Skidded Turns: Easy enough to skid turns on. Not beginner easy, but pretty easy.
Speed
Not an out and out bomber - and you wouldn't expect that with the flex. But it's pretty stable at decent amounts of speed.
Uneven Terrain
It's pretty good without being amazing. For weaving through tight bumps it's middle of the road - not overly nimble for that. Absorbs crud and bumps pretty well though, without crushing it.
Let's Break up this Text with a Video
Jumps
It's OK for jumps without being exciting.
Pop: Not a whole heap there. Certainly not as much as the Proto Synthesis I rode before it.
Approach: Good on approach. Stable enough for faster approaches and OK for trickier approaches.
Landing: Good. Nice wide platform to land on. Not a stomper but a good mix of solid yet forgiving.
Side-hits: Not ideal. Not amazing for trickier approaches and not a heap of pop.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Good for small jumps and OK for larger jumps, but probably best suited to medium.
Switch
Not ideal. This board is quite directional.
Spins
Not hard but also not easy to whip the spin around and not a heap of pop and not ideal for landing or setting up switch. Not terrible, but not great either.
Butters
There's some butterability in there. Not ultra buttery, but not unbutterable either.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.5 | 27/30 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 7/10 |
TREES/BUMPS | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
SWITCH | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.4/100 |
Overall, the Harpoon is a good option for those looking for a surfier feeling board that feels best in powder, but is still good for carving up the groomers too.
A good softer flexing freeride option that would work well for intermediate riders looking to get into freeriding or those that just wanting a softer flexing directional board and sees a fair bit of powder.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Harpoon, 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 mellow freeride snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Harpoon compares to other mellow freeride snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hi Nate
I’m 5’11 185 pounds and wear a 10.5 boot looking at getting this for a tree/pow board currently riding the snowtrooper in a 156 do you think I should get the 152 or 156 thanks
Hi Blake
Thanks for your message.
Based purely on specs, I would be leaning 156. For your specs, I would put your “standard all-mountain length” at around 160. With the Harpoon being a little wider than normal for 10.5s, sizing down is a good idea. But I wouldn’t size down as much as 8cm – as it’s not ultra wide for your boot size or anything. That said, the 152 isn’t completely out of range if you’re really looking to get that quick edge-to-edge for trees. I would typically ride this shorter than your all-mountain size, and given you’ve got the 156 Snowtrooper that would point to the 152 – but I think the 156 is on the small side for you for the Snowtrooper. But if you don’t feel like the 156 Snowtrooper is small for you, then that would point more towards the 152 Harpoon.
Note that whilst the 152 would certainly be better for quick edge to edge in trees, it wouldn’t float as well in pow as the 156 would.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I ride Yes Hel Yes 149 for past 6 years and noticed on the PNW powder day, once it’s chudder that that board that it’s really hard to ride. Maybe it’s due to extra weight during pandemic or board has seen over 200 days now. How would NS W Harpoon 144 ride compared to Hel Yes? I’m debating about whether I should get a newer Hel Yes in same size or 152 but would hate to lose how nimble it is in the trees vs trying the Harpoon.
Thanks!
Hi Nance
Thanks for your message.
Two quite different boards. But the Harpoon is more designed for floating over powder – so should do better in that respect, even if the powder’s tracked. Expect the Harpoon to feel a little softer in terms of flex. Though, given that you’ve had 200 days on the Hel Yes, it’s probably become just as soft. In terms of maneuverability – the Harpoon is a wider board, which can decrease it’s maneuverability – however, since you’re looking to size down from 149 to the 144 with the Harpoon (the kind of board you do size down for, as it sounds like you’ve already picked up on) – that should counter the effect of reduced agility that you’d get from the extra width.
Note that the Harpoon won’t be (IMO) as good for riding at speed, for riding switch or for anything freestyle – jumps, butters etc. But will be better for powder.
In terms of sizing, would be happy to give my opinion on those sizes, would just need your height, weight and boot size. If you could also give me a bit more idea on your riding style – sounds like you like to ride powder and trees – anything else you can describe would be helpful (aggressive or more playful, like speed or more moderate, park or freestyle of any sort, carving etc). Given you’ve done a good bit of riding, I take it your ability level would be advanced, but let me know if I’m wrong there.
Thanks Nate! I’m 5’4, 150lbs (I’m heavier now than when I first got the Hel Yes…) and boot size W6 -> 23.5. I heard that NS boards has smaller waist width. Other board I have been thinking about was the Lady West but noticed they’re discontinuing that next season for lady FR or perhaps getting another Hel Yes in 149 or 152. I’ll like to still keep riding my current Hel Yes…
Yes I definitely like powder and trees but I mostly in the resorts so I’m stuck with what I could find when I’m up there. No park, jumps, jibs. Would love to be able to carve more and getting those nice flowy lines down steeper terrain when it isn’t powder. I’ll find myself off-piste more if it isn’t too steep and there’s fresh snow.
Hi Nance
Thanks for your message.
Yeah some Never Summer boards are narrower at the waist. The Harpoon is an exception, being a short/wide board, that’s designed to be ridden shorter but wider. I think around that 149/150 range is good for you as a standard all-mountain size. So for the Harpoon, sizing to 144 makes sense. It’s not something that’s going to give you more for speed and carving than your 149 Hel Yes, IMO. But it will be better for powder and crud, IMO. So as an additional board to your quiver, I think it makes sense. It compliments your existing board without being too much the same.
The Lady West would also certainly suit what you’re describing – and is a narrower option. For you I’d go 149 if you went Lady West – which is a decent amount narrower than your current 149 Hel Yes. Also better in powder than the Hel Yes, but also better than the Harpoon when it comes to speed and carving, IMO. The Lady West is still a different enough board to compliment the Hel Yes, but would probably be a more suitable option if you were looking to replace the Hel Yes as well. Still different enough to the Hel Yes, but not as different as the Harpoon is, if that makes sense. In terms of nimbleness I don’t think you’d loose any nimbleness form the Hel Yes 149 to the Lady West 149 – and potentially even slightly more nimble given it’s narrower. The Harpoon is harder to estimate how nimble you’ll find it. It’s a bit more of a guess as to how the sizing down in length will make up for the extra width. I would say that 6cm less in length is enough to keep it as nimble as the 149 Hel Yes though. You’re right that they are discounting the Lady West, so you’d have to find a 2022 model or earlier somewhere. Never Summer have a habit of discontinuing really good boards! The Lady FR is quite a different board – stiffer, more aggressive to give a quick description. If you think you like the sound of that it could be an option. But my instinct based on what you’re describing is that it might be a bit too stiff/aggressive.
hello Nate
i m a happy owner of a ns synthesis. great board.
also have a jones flagship. happy too, but thinking about replace it by the harpoon.
synthesis works for slopes, park. works for me in hard to icy conditions and for those days i m in company of skiers on the slopes (going fast 😅)
so what i m looking for is a dedicated pow board, for all kinds of pow (open terrain, trees and also when it s already full of tracks from other persons) and may also for those slush days.
do you think it s a two-board-quiver which makes sense? harpoon/synthesis
and also asking about size and flex. if i m right, you rated the harpoon 156 stiffer than 158 synthesis?
i have synthesis x160, 5“9 and 210 (hope to get down to 190). thinking about harpoon 158? size 11 boots, so the width is no problem, good to handle. and then the 158 harpoon should be same stiffness/a touch stiffer than the synthesis? while 156 may feel a bit too soft?
keep going with your site. like a lot your work and opinion 👍
Hi Rafael
Thanks for your message.
I think that makes sense as a two board quiver. And yeah, I found the 156 Harpoon marginally stiffer than the 158 Synthesis. Fairly close, but the Harpoon 156 just that little bit stiffer. So yeah, I would agree that if you’re riding the 160X PS, then the 159 Harpoon should be very similar flex-wise, maybe a touch stiffer, like I found it. And yeah, the 156 Harpoon would likely feel a little softer than the 160X PS. Because you have 11s, and assuming you want to keep the flex similar or just a touch stiffer than the PS, then I think the 159 would be a good size for you. Even if you drop to 190 it should still work fine. It’s not overly wide for your boots, so there’s not a big need to size down or anything. If you had 10s or less, I’d be seriously considering the 156, but I think 159 is the right call, particularly if it’s going to be pow dedicated.
Hope this helps with your decision
hey Nate
yeah, for sure this does help 🙂
so i m watching out if i can find a good deal of a last years Harpoon.
was unsure about size, cause it’s a board to size down; which i finaly do as i rode now a flagship 162 as powboard. and your arguments why the size 159 fits me well are good 😉
thanks and shred on
ps: have a burton cartel with malavita highback’s binding and burton ion boots. so all that together should do a great set-up for all conditions. if i can get the harpoon i may leave another comment. looking forward to 🙂
You’re very welcome Rafael. And yeah, if you do get the Harpoon, let me know how you get on, for sure.
Hi Nate!
We’ve been talking in the Navigator comments regarding my weapon of choice. I’ve tried One Hitter few more times and realize that it’s really not something I want and I’m leaning towards Rocker-hybrid board.
That’s actually brought me to the Harpoon and rised the same questions: 148 or 152?
Want to have it as a do-it-all board and freeride will be focused on trees and maneuvrability style, so I’m more into 148 size.
My specs and your recommendations: 5’8, 132 lbs, size 9 boot,
“I would put your standard “all-mountain” size at 150-151. If you’re looking to go more freeride/powder oriented, then you can increase that range to like 151-154, kind of thing, unless you’re riding a lot of trees”
What’d you say?
Thank you once again for valuable advice, appreciate your snowboard devotion))
Hi Pavel
Yeah, given how you want to use it and also given the width of it, I would go to the 148 for sure. 152 would be quite big for you, once you take the width into account. If it was a narrower width, then I’d say more like 152, but given the width you want to size this one down.
Hi Nate,
I’m thinking about adding a NS Harpoon to my quiver to complement my full camber boards. Especially for off piste and some powder. It would be my first freeride board so I thought I’d go a little softer.
Since you rode both how do you compare the Harpoon to the West Bound? Is the volume shift thing that big of a deal? Speed is not my first priority but quicker turns.
I guess the Arbor Single also fits into that category but maybe less nimble because of camber? How similar are those two?
I’m 5’10” and 175lbs size 9.5 boot. Looking at 152 Harpoon, 157 West Bound and 152 Arbor Single.
Thx
Hi Jonas
Thanks for your message.
In terms of sizing, I think you’re spot on with those sizes, given that you’re more concerned with quick turns than speed. Note that I rode the West Bound in the 157 and the Harpoon in the 156, so this is based on those sizings.
I found the Westbound (WB) more nimble than the Harpoon, but because of that sizing difference, I think you’d probably find the Harpoon 152 a good bit more nimble than I found the 156 and quite probably more nimble than the 157 Westbound.
WB a little stiffer – 7/10 versus 6/10 on the Harpoon. Note that in the 152, the Harpoon would likely feel another little bit softer than that.
I found the Harpoon better for speed, even comparing 157 vs 156, so that would be even more apparent in the 152, but since that’s not a big part of your decision, that shouldn’t matter.
In general, going 152 Harpoon versus 156, you’re likely to feel it softer, more maneuverable, not as stable at speed and not as good in terms of float in powder. But should still float well in powder in that size, for your specs.
The Single differs in a few ways. It’s probably a similar flex (I rode the single in 152 and felt 5/10 to me) but it’s quite a bit wider – and like you say, is camber dominant, versus the Harpoon, which is more rocker dominant (but still some camber). So a different feel, but the Single is still not a locked in full camber feel – but more stable than the looser feeling Harpoon.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
Thank you so much. Great stuff as always 🙂
I’m really leaning towards the Harpoon or Single now. Would love to try a short wide. Which did you find better for trees, maneuvering around bumps and moguls? More effort needed with the Single?
I’m wondering if the Single can do everything as well as the Harpoon but with the benefit of camber in case things get icy.
Cheers
Hi Jonas
I preferred the Single for all those things. But again, I rode the Single in the 152 and the Harpoon in the 156. I suspect the Harpoon would be a little more maneuverable for bumps, trees, etc in the 152 versus the Single 152. The Single wasn’t something I felt required a lot of effort to get turning fast, like some, but just found the turn initiation felt a little delayed, if that makes sense. I find that with a lot of really wide boards. But sometimes I find it physically hard to initiate that turn and get that delayed feeling. On the single, it wasn’t hard to get it to change edges – but it just didn’t happen instantly.
Hey! I am looking at getting this board or the gnu gremlin for powder days in the northern Rocky Mountains. Would you recommend one over the other? And do you know which size would work best for me? I am 6’0”, 175 lbs, size 12 boot. I’ve been riding a 156cm twin for years.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Reagan
Thanks for your message.
I think it kind of depends on the feel you’d like. In terms of feel, the Harpoon has a slightly looser/more surfy feel, versus a more precise feel on the Gremlin. You’re going to notice that difference a lot more when on hard pack/groomers than in powder, but it depends on what you want in that search for powder. Gremlin better in hard/icy conditions, in my experience. Harpoon not terrible in those conditions, but Gremlin better.
For powder, I’d say the Harpoon slightly over the Gremlin, but not much in it – both very good in powder.
Size-wise, is quite tricky. Both boards are short/wide, but they’re not super wide, so they’re kind of in between regular shape and short/wide. With 12s, they aren’t going to be wide for you. The 152s will be too small – as they won’t be wide enough. So I think the question is between the 155 and 158 for the Gremlin and the 156 and 159 for the Harpoon. Even in those sizes, they’re probably a bit narrow for 12s. The 156 Harpoon is 270mm at the back insert on the 156 and the Gremlin is around 271mm at the back insert. With 12s, I’d try to go a little wider than that. Which brings in the 158 Gremlin and 159 Harpoon. For these types of boards, it’s getting a bit long for your specs, but I think it’s the only way you’d fit width-wise, without boot drag. But that depends on a few things like binding angles, how low profile your boots are and whether you’ve experienced boot drag before on previous boards. If you could let me know the make model and year (if known) of your current board and whether or not you’ve had any boot drag issues on it (or even better if you could measure it at the inserts – to do this it’s taken from the base of the board from outside of metal edge to outside of metal edge, and the measurement should be made at the inserts – the center of where your bindings are mounted).
If we can get you on the 156/155 I think those would be the best options, if we can manage it width-wise.
Hope this helps
I am 4’11” and have been riding the Nitro Fate 144 for a few years. I am interested in the Never Summer Harpoon 142. Do you think it will be too big for my profile? I’m not likely to find a board with enough power smaller than that.
Hi Beth
Thanks for your message.
If you could let me know your weight and boot size. They are more important for sizing than height is. Also if you could describe your riding a little bit. e.g. do you like to ride fast? trees? any freestyle/park? tend to have icy conditions? powder? ride switch much? etc and your ability level – intermediate? advanced?
I’m 4′ 11, weigh 95 lb, boot size is 6.5. I ride mainly on the east coast but get a week out west and hoping to do more next year with the Epic. Love freestyle, love powder, love bombing groomers, trees and like to try the bumps but sadly not that good in them. I don’t ride in the park. I don’t ride switch, but I like to spin. Should learn more for the amount of time I’ve been on a board. I’m not exceptionally fast, but keep up. I’ve been riding for 20 years. I’d say I’m advanced, but I don’t do any tricks! I’m 50:)
Thanks!!
I hope you will see this reply. I am 4’11, 94 lb, boot size 6.5. I love carving, groomers, powder, trees and like to try the bumps. I do not ride in the park or ride switch (just like to spin). I ride mainly in the East and get a week or two out west. I try to find stashes where I can. I don’t ride super fast, but need to keep up. Been riding for 20 years and think I’m advanced. I’m looking at Never Summers because I hear great things and can get a good price.
Hi Beth
Thanks for the extra info.
I think the Harpoon would certainly work for the style your describing. Size-wise, I wouldn’t typically recommended something as big for your specs. But given that you’re used to riding a 144, it’s doable. It is wider than the Fate 144 for sure. So overall it probably does work out to be bigger than the Fate in surface area – and more importantly, it’s very wide for your boot size. That would be my biggest hesitation, rather than the length. I would actually be leaning Lady West 144 for you. Overall it’s a little smaller, and I think it will work better for your boot size – and still a freeride focused board (powder, carving, speed). Typically I’d say go smaller than that but since you’re used to 144, I think that would be a good way to go – and a better size and an overall better option, IMO, based on what you’re describing and your specs.
Hope this helps with your decision
Ok thank you! Anything smaller you would recommend? doesn’t have to be never summer.
Never Summer Proto Synthesis 139? Sorry for the many replies.
Hi Beth
I think that would be a good size and would cover you for most things – but the biggest downside for you would be it’s powder performance. It’s not great in powder. It’s what I call an all-mountain-freestyle board – so if you were more into park/freestyle and less so into powder (or had a separate board for powder), then I think this would be a good choice.
From other brands, some good options include:
– Burton Story Board 142
– Capita The Equalizer 142
– Jones Dream Catcher 142
– Jones Twin Sister 140
All similar lengths to the Harpoon, but narrower, so a smaller size overall. There’s also the Never Summer Infinity 142, but from what your describing, you might be wanting a bit “more” board. The Infinity is quite playful. May not give you enough power or enough stability at speed for what you’re after.
Hey Nate,
Is this board meant to be sized down? As a short, wide board?
6’4” 200lbs 13 boot. Usually ride 161x Proto.
Would size down 156? Or stay close to normal size 159?
Hi Jon
Thanks for your message.
For certain boot sizes, I think sizing down on this board is a good idea, but with 13s, I wouldn’t size down for it. I think the 159 would be the only size that would work for you for this board, IMO.
Hope this helps
Hi would you size down with this board? I’m 5’10” and 190 to 200lbs size 10.5 boot. Advanced riding level. I usually ride 159 to 164 boards and am currently on a 159 westbound. I’m looking at the 159 or 156 in the harpoon. Thanks
Hi Skip
Thanks for your message. Depending on boot size, this is a board that is good to size down a little on, IMO. I was happy on the 156, which is going down a little in length than I would otherwise ride for a freeride. If I bought this board I would buy the 156.
For you, I think the 159 and 156 are both options. I think it depends on how you want to use the board. If you’re looking to use it predominantly in open terrain powder, bowls etc, then I’d look at 159, but if you’re going to be riding trees or bumps a lot, then the 156 probably becomes the better choice.
For reference, my specs when I rode this board: 6’0″, 175lbs, Size 10 boots.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I just bought this board! I see you rode it with Malavitas. Would you suggest that binding for this board? I know they are “freestyle” bindings, but the flex would seem to match. I know it is personal preference, but seeing if you would go stiffer? I’m looking to mainly cruise groomers and hit the back bowls now and then. Thanks!
Hi Brett
Thanks for your message.
Definitely works with Malavitas. I think if I was being picky, I’d ride the Harpoon with slightly stiffer bindings, but the Malavita certainly wouldn’t be a wrong choice for this board, IMO.
Hope this helps