Board Exam: 2012/2013 Never Summer Evo Snowboard Review

What the Rep Said: The twin freestyle board of the line. Rocker and camber (RC) Technology for the best of both worlds and Vario Power Grip sidecuts to hold an edge.

First Impressions: Average weight underfoot. I'm actually on a 2012 board, but the 2013 is the same construction with an updated graphic. 

My phone ate the photo of this board, so I stole one from the Never Summer website.

Stats/Setup: I'm 6'1" and about 162 pounds as of this demo. I rode the Never Summer Evo 154 with Salomon Dialogue boots (men's 9.5) and Union Force SL bindings at Mt. Bachelor. 

Conditions: Soft groomers and boot-top powder off the groom.

The Ride: I don't ride many park boards, so this is certainly the softest board I've ever ridden. I agree with Never Summer's assessment of a 4 out of 10 flex rating (10 being dresser drawer, 1 being wet t-shirt). With the addition of the press flex core, this lends itself to the usual array of easy buttering.

NS added carbon V laminates at tip and tail to help with ollie pop. It's not as poppy as camber, but can still snap when needed. This also provides some stability on landings. I was wishing for a bigger board on some landings and also at higher speeds.

A 154 wasn't the best choice for me in powder. I was leaning back hard. This is not a pow-specific board and it doesn't have a particularly wide nose. That said, if you get caught in a storm during your park day, just set the bindings back as far as you can and the rocker part of the RC tech will help out a little.

I couldn't find any rails on this demo day. 

Bottom Line: This board is more for a rider who wants a 75% park, 25% all-mountain board. If I had park-specific board in my quiver I'd probably want the pop and stability of camber. 

Similar Boards: Nitro Team Gullwing