The Never Summer Proto Synthesis is a higher-end all-mountain true twin freestyle snowboard built on a hybrid rocker dominant profile. This board was built for intermediate to advanced riders who want an easy to ride board that can handle all types of conditions exceptionally well and has a massive amount of energy and pop while still feeling like a noticeably damp, smooth ride.
The Proto Synthesis has been a staple in the Never Summer lineup since 2020, and for 2025, it has earned a total upgrade with the amount of carbon built into the board.
It’s worth noting, Never Summer has discontinued this board and released a more powerful, upgraded version called the Never Summer Proto Type 3. Read our full review of the Never Summer Proto T3 to learn if its right for you.
Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2025
Summary of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis Review
Board Reviewed: 155 Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2025
Price of Board: $559.99
How the Price Compares to Others:
The Never Summer Proto Synthesis costs $33.40 more than the average snowboard price of $526.59.
Our Rating Score: 4.3 out of 5
How the Never Summer Proto Synthesis Ranks Against Others:
The Never Summer Proto Synthesis ranks 20th out of the 35 boards we reviewed in the all mountain category.
The Never Summer Proto Synthesis ranks 18th out of the 27 boards we reviewed in the all mountain category.
This is an excellent all mountain board that will do all you need it to do at your local resort.
Its highlights are its edge hold, versatility, pop, dampness, and higher-end feel, while its main low light is that it’s a bit expensive, and there are other comparable boards available for a little less of a price tag.
So Why Get This Board?
The main reason someone would get the Never Summer Proto Synthesis is for its versatility to go anywhere and do anything, as well as all of the technical features that give it added pop, precision, and dampness.
Additionally, the Proto Synthesis is built on a hybrid rocker profile that allows it to carve exceptionally well while still feeling easy to ride. It’s the type of board that levels you up because you feel confident on it.
If you’re looking for an all mountain freestyle board that will improve your riding by a few points, then this is it.
This board offers an exceptional level of stability that will give you the confidence to push your limits and charge harder than you have before.
What’s New for the 2025 Never Summer Proto Synthesis Snowboard?
The most significant change for this year is a massive carbon upgrade to its core. Never Summer now added more carbon into this board than in any other board in their lineup.
The new layout of the carbon placement is called the Recluse Carbon Max technology. That means that the Never Summer team placed carbon fiber directly beneath the topsheet and above the base, creating a highly responsive, lightweight board that turns easily without compromising control.
Here’s a diagram showing where the new carbon was placed in the board.
The main difference between this and other boards that are loaded with carbon fiber is how damp the Proto Synthesis is. Never Summer also put a focus in dampening this board, too. Altogether, the Never Summer Proto Synthesis is an energetic, smooth riding board.
Pros of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
Its Versatility in All Conditions
This board’s main highlight is its versatility to ride all over your favorite resort. It carves well while still having enough pop and power for jumping and being pressable enough to help you balance on rail features in the park.
Thanks to its hybrid Rocker Camber profile (Never Summer previously called this profile the Shock Wave Camber), which features a short rocker section between the feet and large camber zones underfoot, the board offers the easy to ride benefits of a rocker dominant board with the power, pop, and precision of camber dominant board. The end result is a board that is easy to carve with, offering the float and skate-like feel of a rocker board, combined with the responsiveness and pop of a camber board.
Here is a diagram that gives you an idea of what the Proto Synthesis’ Rocker Camber profile looks like.
Its Explosive Level of Pop
This is a board that has an explosive level of pop. Never Summer put more carbon into this board than any other board in their lineup. The result is a board that has a spring-loaded level of massive pop. You feel it as it springs in and out of turns and launches you an extra eight inches of jumps.
All in all, if you crave pop, this is the board for you.
It’s Edge Hold
The Proto Synthesis is great at holding an edge on icy terrain. Never Summer gave this board its Power Grip Sidecut. This means that they used a combination of straight, deep, and shallow angles which work together to create five additional contact points in the edge of this snowboard. These additional contant points improve the level of grip and carving precision you feel as you ride. They offer a similar level of grip that’s comparable to Lib Tech or Gnu’s Magne Traction.
Here’s a closer look at the sidecut.
And here is a diagram that shows you how the varied angles.
Its Lightweight Carbon Construction
Never Summer used more carbon fiber in this board than any other board in their lineup.
The carbon used in this board gives it its snappy response, makes it durable, and helps to make it lighter. Additionally, it helps with the energy transfer performance with its flex pattern and offers a precise, controlled feel while riding.
Its Dampening System
While this board has enough carbon to launch you into orbit, the Never Summer Proto Synthesis also has an advanced elastomeric rubber dampening system (its “Rubber Dampening System 2”), which offers an incredibly smooth and stable feeling ride.
It’s rare to find an all mountain freestyle twin that offers such a damp feel. Usually, the nose and tail chatter around as you ride over bumpy, icy terrain, and I felt very minimal chatter with the Proto Synthesis. This board’s dampening system felt like it reduced 70% of the noise I tend to feel as I ride the choppy terrain I get to ride here on the East Coast.
Here’s a diagram of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis dampening system. The blue sections show where the elastomeric rubber was added to the board.
One additional benefit is that these blue rubber sections give the board an additional level of shock absorption as you land jumps.
Its Textured Topsheet
If you like to use a stomp pad, you won’t need to with the Proto Synthesis. Its top sheet is textured, which allows your boot to grip to it more easily as you skate over to the lift.
Its Three Year Warranty
This board was hand-built in Colorado and offers a limited 3-year warranty that covers defects in its materials and quality. The warranty doesn’t cover the typical breaking from impacts, misuse, or neglect, though.
- It does not cover damage caused by impact, misuse, abuse, or neglect.
Cons of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
Price
This board is just under $700. That’s around 27% more than other boards in the all mountain freestyle category. It puts the board right on par with a board from Burton or some of the other “Pro,” “Super,” or “Plus” higher-end boards that have come out.
With that said, this is a board for someone who believes in the saying, “You get what you pay for.” The Proto Synthesis feels like a premium higher-end board.
The Profile Isn’t for Everyone
Some riders will prefer a traditional camber board.
Even though the rocker camber profile of this board holds an edge like a knife, they will prefer a board with one single camber arc over they hybrid profile the Proto Synthesis comes in.
My Rating of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
| Considerations | Rating Out 5 | Score Out of 100 | Weight / Importance to Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resort Riding / Versatility | 5.00 | 100 | 10 |
| Pop / Power | 4.50 | 90 | 10 |
| Powder | 3.75 | 75 | 5 |
| Carving / Turns | 3.75 | 75 | 10 |
| Responsiveness | 4.50 | 90 | 10 |
| Speed | 4.00 | 80 | 10 |
| Ice / Poor Conditions | 4.25 | 85 | 10 |
| Switch | 5.00 | 100 | 5 |
| Jibs | 3.50 | 70 | 5 |
| Jumps | 4.25 | 85 | 10 |
| Dampness | 4.25 | 85 | 5 |
| Buttering | 4.00 | 80 | 5 |
| Fun to ride | 5.00 | 100 | 5 |
| Weighted Score | 4.3 | 86 | 100 |
Our Rating: 
86 out of a possible 100 or 4.3 out of a possible 5 review score for the Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2025.
Video Summary
Here is a quick one-minute video summary of me riding the Proto Synthesis and mentioning a few of it’s benefits.
@boardoftheworld Quick review of the 2025 Never Summer Proto Synthesis. It is an all mountain board that's, stable, damp, forgiving, and has a ton of pop for launching off jumps.
Photos of the New 2025 Never Summer Proto Synthesis Snowboard
Who is the Never Summer Proto Synthesis the Right Board For?
The Never Summer Proto Synthesis is a high-performance all-mountain twin board that is ideal for intermediate to advanced riders looking for a board that offers versatility, response, and precision. Its exceptional edge hold, pop, and damp feel offer a smooth and responsive ride, while its premium construction and durability might justify its higher price point.
This board is for the rider who believes you get what you pay for in terms of durability.
Actual Feel of Flex
The board itself is labeled as a 6 out of 10 flex, and I found that to be very close to being accurate. It feels slightly over a medium flex at a 5.5 out of 10. Both its longitudinal flex (from tip to tail) and torsional flex (from toe to heel) feel about the same. Altogether, it is a stable board that is still very pressable and simple to butter with.
Bindings to Pair With the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
I rode this board with my Union Ultra Bindings. It paired well. However, I wish I brought my Union Force bindings for a bit more response.
Go with the Ultra if you’ll be in the park often with your Proto Synthesis. Otherwise, go with the Union Force. The Force’s flex and versatility match the Never Summer Proto Synthesis very well.
Sizes Available Of Proto Synthesis
This board is available in the following sizes:
152cm, 155cm, 158cm, 157cm X (Wide),159cm DF (Really Wide), 161cm, 160cm X (Wide), 163cm X (Wide)
Never Summer offers two types of wide boards: X and DF.
X designates a standard wide board, while DF indicates an exceptionally wide board designed for maximum drag reduction.
What About Smaller Women’s Sizes of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis?
This board is also available in women’s sizes too. The women’s version is available in 139cm, 142cm, 145cm, 148cm, and 151cm.
The only difference between the men’s and women’s Proto Synthesis is the graphics and smaller sizes it is available in.
Kids’ Sizes of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
Never Summer also makes this board in a few kids’ sizes as well under the name “Mini Proto Synthesis.” The Mini version is available in 137, 140, and 144cm.
Categorical Performance Notes for the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
All-Mountain Riding
Everything I needed it to do at the resort, it did it well.
If you want to carve black trails, it will support you. If you want to hit jumps, rollers, and side hits, it’s got enough pop to launch you. If you want to butter or press, it’s got you covered thanks to its mid-flex and rocker-dominant profile. Simply put, it can do anything you need it to.
Carving
This board carved well in all of the conditions I got to ride it in (six inches of fresh snow and total East Coast hardpack).
Overall, it felt very simple to carve with boar that offered a stable and smooth ride. It was noticeably damper than most other mid-flexing all mountain freestyle decks. The rocker dominant profile allowed for easy turn initiation and a seamless transition between both my toe and heelside carves.
Types of Turns
In terms of the types of turns this board makes, it’s strong suit is in the shorter to medium carves. It allows for nimble steering and it would hold up in tree runs if you wanted to. At the same time, it is capable of the occasional wide aggressive turn, it’s primarily designed for casual resort riders looking to elevate their carving and freestyle game, and not the hardcore carver looking to Eurocarve.
Edge hold
The edge hold in this board felt noticeably strong to me. There were times when I slipped out of my heelside carves. However, it was more from me getting used to the Rocker Camber profile than the level of edge hold this board offers. Once you get used to turning with this board, it locks into a carve.
Riding Switch
Riding the switch felt a little easier with this board. The rocker profile with the Power Grip Sidecut made it feel easy to improve my switch carving. It’s symmetrical, so if you want to ride it in either stance, it’s got you.
Jumping
Jumping is another highlighted performance area for the Never Summer Proto Synthesis. The 2025 version of the board was upgraded to include enough carbon to consider this a high-tech springboard. It will launch you without you needing to put that much energy into loading it up.
It’s right at home, with small to medium jumps. The occasional large jump will work, too. However, its rocker profile doesn’t offer that stiff, stable tail to help you if you land a bit backseat.
Re: The Additional Edge Hold Can Be Unforgiving On Landings
The board’s unique sidecut and profile work together to increase its level of edge hold. However, this can feel like both a gift and a curse when it comes to landing your jumps. It’s a gift because it can prevent you from reverting or washing out on your spins. You simply land and then dig your edge in to ride away clean. However, its curse is that it can also feel a little unforgiving at times when you’re trying to land slightly off-axis.
Here’s a nice picture of me right as I am catching an edge on a landing.
Jibbing
Jibbing is not a highlight for this board, but it does a two things very well that help it with jibbing more than some other all mountain boards.
Its Rocker Profile -It’s a medium flexing board that feels easier than usual to nose press because of its rocker profile already having the nose and tail curving upward. When you’re trying to press or butter, this curvature helps you from needing to fight the board’s flex. You simply lean forward or backward, and you’re pressing.
Its Massive Pop Off Rails – The Proto Synthesis has so much pop that it launches you out of features with so much energy that it makes doing tricks off of rails feel easier to do. The pop and rebounding energy you get back from the Proto Synthesis is the board’s strength when it comes to jibbing.
Now, if you jib more than you carve, is it the best jib board? No way. For jib boards, you benefit from the board itself being soft enough to mold around the rail you are jibbing. This board does that decently enough for someone who rides the park occasionally. However, you’ll want a softer, more jib-focused board if you hit rails often.
The Never Summer Proto Slinger vs the Proto Synthesis
If you like to jib more than you carve, check out the Never Summer Proto Slinger.
The Proto Slinger feels a lot like the Proto Synthesis; it has less carving power and more flex, which helps for pressing into rails. It’s like a softer, more jib-focused Proto Synthesis.
Buttering
The profile and torsional flex work together in the Proto Synthesis to allow you to butter this board easily. It’s nice because normally, you’d want a soft board to butter with, and this one still offers stability. It isn’t an overly soft noodle.
Powder
While the Proto Synthesis isn’t a powder-focused board, it floats well enough to hold its own in powder.
The Proto Synthesis’ main benefit for powder is in its hybrid rocker profile that works to continually keep the nose of the board up and out of the snow allowing it to float better than a camber all mountain freestyle board.
When I rode Proto Synthesis, there were six inches of fresh powder in the morning, and the board had no issues floating through the softer snow. With that said, it’s still a twin board with a centered stance, so it has its limits when it comes to powder. If you are riding in deep snow often, I suggest a more directional powder-specific board over this one.
Weight of the Board
The board’s weight is one area that surprised me. The board felt lighter than I was expecting while still offering Never Summer’s traditional, durable, sturdy feel. The lightweight nature of the Proto Synthesis is a benefit of the complete carbon upgrade it received for 2025.
Speed & the Base
The Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base was noticeably fast in all of the conditions I rode it in. It felt like it offered an above average level of speed.
It held its speed in the flatter sections, and I didn’t have any trouble gaining speed when I needed to. Overall, I’d rate its speed capabilities at an 8 out of 10. It’s a fast board that feels stable and damp underfoot, perfect for aggressive riding.
One neat feature about the base is that you can see the wood veneers of the Proto Synthesis right through it. Here’s a close up of what that looks like.
Specs of the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
| Size (cm) | Waist Width (cm) | Effective Edge (cm) | Sidecut | Nose/Tail Width (cm) | Setback Stance (mm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 25.2 | 117.6 | Vario 724 | 30 | 0 | 120-160 |
| 155 | 25.4 | 119.8 | Vario 743 | 30.2 | 0 | 120-161 |
| 158 | 25.5 | 122.6 | Vario 766 | 30.3 | 0 | 150-200 |
| 161 | 25.6 | 125.4 | 782 | 30.4 | 0 | 150-200 |
| 157X | 26.3 | 121.1 | Vario 764 | 31 | 0 | 150-200 |
| 160X | 26.5 | 123.6 | Vario 786 | 31.2 | 0 | 150 -200 |
| 163X | 26.6 | 126.5 | Vario 807 | 31.2 | 0 | 150-220 |
| 159DF | 28 | 121 | Vario 764 | 32.9 | 0 | 150-220 |
Review Wrap-Up: Is the Never Summer Proto Synthesis Worth It?
Yes, if you’re looking for a high-performance all mountain freestyle board that does a little bit of every riding well, then you should check this board out. It’s got the stability, playfulness, and explosive pop that any mountain freestyle rider craves.
The only downside is that it might be out of the price range for some of you. If that’s the case, join Never Summer’s email list, and keep an eye out for their annual blem sale. You can often find some of last season’s boards at a discounted price.
Where to Buy the Never Summer Proto Synthesis
You can get the new 2025 Proto Synthesis from Blauer board shop here or from Buckman’s here. I also see a few 2024 Proto Synthesis boards on sale at Tactics here.
Never Summer Proto Synthesis 2025
About the Reviewer
Rider Name: Steve Weber
Field Test Notes: I rode the 2025 Never Summer Proto Synthesis at the EWSRA on snow demo in Stratton VT on January 31st 2024.
Rider Experience Level: Intermediate to advanced – I’ve been riding for over 15 years. However, I lean more freestyle than freeride (I prefer hitting jumps and rails over making the perfect turn) .
Rider’s Preferred Terrain: The park with small to medium sized features
Home Mountains: Big Boulder, Jack Frost, Montage – North Eastern Pennsylvania (Lots of east coast ice.)
Size / Model: The board I reviewed was a 2025 Never Summer Proto Synthesis size 155cm.
Rider Weight: 142lbs
Days Rode this Deck: 250+ I wrote this review after riding this deck for a season and a half.
I rode the 2025 version for one day at a demo event in Stratton, Vt.
Bindings Used: The 2024 Union Ultra
Photos From the Review
Related Reviews
Steve Weber is the passionate snowboarder, skateboarder, and author behind Board of the World. He understands that most gear reviews focus on having the perfect snow conditions, but his testing methodology is different. Living in Pennsylvania, Steve describes exactly how a board performs when the conditions aren’t perfect. His reviews cover performance on ice, hardpack, and flat-out brick conditions. In other words, he reviews boards for the conditions that East Coast riders actually face.
Bringing 27 years of East Coast snowboarding and 21 years of skateboarding experience, Steve is a 42-year-old intermediate park rider. His recommendations are informed by decades of battling icy conditions, ensuring every review accounts for the board’s performance on the roughest of terrain.
For the last five years, Steve has poured his passion into writing in-depth, unbiased reviews that help riders make informed decisions about the gear they’ll use. He also works part-time at a snowboard shop in Northeastern Pennsylvania, which gives him a direct line to learning about the new gear tech months in advance. When he’s not writing reviews, Steve is often found riding at Montage Mountain and testing out new boards.
Steve’s goal with Board of the World is simple: to help every reader find the right gear so they can have fun outside from the first time they use it.
Hi Steve,
First of all thank you for your review.
I used to ride board with single camber. With the small rocker in the middle of the protosynthesis, will it be comparatively difficult to carve than a board with single camber? Or the shockwave cam-rock-cam design will hold edge like a board with single camber so it won’t wash out during carving?
Thanks, MH! The best advice would be to try it first to see if you could get used to it, or just stick to having a camber section between your feet. I too am used to riding boards with one single traditional camber arc. It’s all we had when I learned to snowboard, so for carving purposes, my feet still prefer it.
With that said, I had no issues washing out on this board. To me, it felt precise while still feeling easy to control. It’s the type of board you get used to riding quickly.