Since Never Summer brought the Proto CT to their line-up you may wonder where it fits in amongst Evo and SL – surely, for one brand, the all-mountain freestyle range is getting a little crowded? If you’re at a loss as to which one to go for, we’ve tried to break down the differences between these three boards and show how, in fact, they’re all aimed at three different riders.
SL vs. Proto
When I say the SL is best for everything, I realise this is a bit of a cop-out; but in terms of creating a ‘quiver killer’ ride Never Summer have achieved their goal with the SL, and then some. It’s clearly not the park and jib king that the Evo is, so the main comparison here is between the Proto and the SL – both all mountain machines, both perform all the snowboard roles well.
So which should you buy?
The SL is best for:
- Those who are not into jibbing. You’ll hit the park, but rails and boxes are not really your thing, you prefer to ride on actual snow.
- On-piste carvers. No, it’s not an all-out freeride speed machine, but it will rail a turn at speed and grip on hardpack like an F1 car in a corner
- Versatility. Given its extra damping, the SL deals well with a wider range of conditions than the other two boards. Cutting through chop, carving on hardpack and surfing through pow, the SL deals with this in its stride; while providing a more stable ride than the Proto.
- Me. I want one board, I don’t go in the park too often (but I still want something that can perform when I do), and I ride all over the mountain, from powder to piste and everything in between.
- Jumping – If you’re all about big air, then go for the Proto. The combination of increased stiffness and the same damping as the Evo means you can easily rescue a too-slow run in with a huge ollie.
- You have a more freestyle slant to your riding than simply carving down a piste. The Proto butters, jumps and jibs better than the SL, thanks to its reduced damping. It’s also easier to throw around due to the blunt shape, which reduces the weight at the tip and tail, making it easier to spin in the air.
- Riding switch. The true twin shape of the Proto compared to the SL’s directional twin construction, means landing backwards will feel a little more natural.
- Durability. The Proto CT is the only board of the three with Never Summer’s awesome Carbonium topsheet. Essentially, the thing is pretty much scratch proof. Having said that, Never Summers in general are fairly indestructible; but the ‘CT will stay looking nice for longer. This is the main reason for that extra £25 over the SL and Evo.
Proto vs Evo:
- Love the park, but it’s not a complete boarding experience for you. You want to do other stuff too, especially hitting natural features that you come across while riding the whole mountain.
- Would rather hit kickers than grind rails. Simple as that. Both can do both, but the Proto jumps better and the Evo jibs better.
Exactly what I’m looking for!!
Awesome review!!!
I will just go get the Proto.
Thank you for this summary, it was very helpful!
I’m still interested in both the sl and the proto, though
For the test ride, which sizes would you recommend to me (65kg, 170cm, size of shoe 10)?
Many thanks in advance!
Hi Luke –
I would try the 158 SL, (and 157 Proto) but you could get away with going slightly smaller; so give the 155 SL a try too.
ok, thank you!
Hi!!!
Im 77Kg(170lbs), 185 cm(6´ 10) and 12 US.
This will be my 3th seasson on snow and i looking the legacy o the Proto X, with my early intermediat level, wich of this two do you recommend to me?
Hi MaX,
Without knowing what kind of riding you prefer, this is a bit of a difficult question. Height and weight generally only affect what SIZE board you should ride.
If you’re a freestyle rider looking for something you can use all over, get the Proto. If you’re a do-everything rider looking for something that will also work in the park, get the SL
Sorry…!!!
What I like best is groomers, off-piste(black runs with some powder) and runs through the trees …never hit the park…
Just play arround y hit some naturals jumps.
Other board that i´m looking is the attack banana, but de proto and the banana are out of stock…
Thanks fo the advise!!!!!
If you never ride park, I would look at the Legacy – but try the Heritage too. The Heritage is a bit stiffer, would do well in powder as well as piste.
THANKS!!!!!!!
About the Heritage, i´m afraid of it´s too stiff and a bit too unforgiven for my level (3th seasson) and run into the trees and hit naturals jumps…
What do you think???
hi i’m 5’11 around 12 stone and size 10 boot and ride a 162 custom. last week i tried a friends 156 skate bannana and loved it.i love to ride powder but due to luck euro resorts in recent years have only delivered good piste and for this the skb was more fun. i’ve decided on a new ns board can’t decide between the proto or evo or length (154-157) for piste tricks general hooning straight airs in the park(up to reds)?
It really depends on how aggressive a rider you are. I prefer a stiff board, and I’ve only done three full seasons – but I’m not really into park.
If you think the Heritage is too stiff for you, then go for the Legacy. I would also look to next years new addition to the Never Summer lineup: The Cobra. NS say it’s a bigger brother of the Proto, a more all-mountain ride than the ‘CT.
But my advice to you is, go and test them. NS do plenty of board tests at various resorts. Turn up, try out the Proto CTX, the Heritage, the Legacy and the Cobra and base your decision on that.