If you are looking for a snowboard that can handle any terrain and condition, you might want to check out the Never Summer Triple Camber Proto FR board. This board is the latest addition to the Proto series, which is known for its all-mountain freestyle performance. The Proto FR stands for "freeride", and it is designed to offer more stability, speed, and float than its predecessors. In this review, I will share my personal experience with the Proto FR board, and how it compares to other snowboards in the market. I will also cover the following criteria:
1. Build Material
The Proto FR board is made of high-quality materials that ensure durability and performance. The core is composed of NS SuperLight Wood, which is a blend of hardwood and softwood that reduces weight and increases strength. The core is also reinforced with Carbon Max Laminate Technology, which adds carbon fiber to strategic areas for more power and pop. The base is made of Durasurf XT Sintered 5501, which is a fast and durable material that absorbs wax well. The top sheet is made of Co-Extruded Polymer, which is a scratch-resistant and eco-friendly material that protects the board from damage.
2. Shape and Design
The Proto FR board has a directional twin shape, which means that it has a slightly longer nose than tail, but it can still be ridden switch. This shape gives the board more float in powder, but also allows for freestyle maneuvers. The board also has a tapered sidecut, which means that the width of the board decreases from the nose to the tail. This creates a narrower tail that sinks in powder, and a wider nose that lifts up. The tapered sidecut also improves edge hold and turn initiation. The board has a low-profile nose and tail, which reduces drag and increases speed.
3. Flex
The Proto FR board has a medium-stiff flex, which means that it is responsive and stable, but also playful and forgiving. The board has a flex rating of 7 out of 10, which is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders who want to tackle any terrain. The board has a consistent flex throughout, which makes it easy to control and predictable. The board also has a slight rocker in the nose and tail, which adds some extra pop and float.
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4. Camber
The Proto FR board features the Triple Camber Profile, which is a unique and innovative camber design that combines three different types of camber in one board. The Triple Camber Profile consists of:
Micro Camber: This is a small amount of camber under the feet, which provides edge control, stability, and pop.
Low Profile Camber: This is a larger amount of camber between the feet, which adds more power, grip, and response.
Rocker Camber: This is a rocker zone in the nose and tail, which enhances float, maneuverability, and forgiveness.
The Triple Camber Profile gives the board the best of both worlds: the benefits of camber without the drawbacks of rocker.
5. Torsion
The Proto FR board has a high torsional stiffness, which means that it resists twisting along its length. This makes the board more responsive and precise when turning and carving. The board also has a Vario Power Grip Sidecut, which is a multi-radius sidecut that creates more contact points along the edge for better grip and control. The Vario Power Grip Sidecut works well with the Triple Camber Profile to create a smooth and powerful ride.
6. Float
The Proto FR board has excellent float in powder, thanks to its shape, design, and camber profile. The directional twin shape with a tapered sidecut gives the board more lift in the nose and more sink in the tail. The low-profile nose and tail reduce drag and increase speed. The rocker camber in the nose and tail add some extra buoyancy and maneuverability. The Triple Camber Profile also helps to distribute the weight evenly across the board for more balance and stability.
7. Technical Specs and Extra Features
The Proto FR board comes in four sizes: 152 cm, 155 cm, 158 cm, and 161 cm. The board has a waist width of 25 cm for all sizes, except for the 161 cm which has a waist width of 25.4 cm. The board has a stance range of 48 cm to 63 cm for all sizes, except for the 152 cm which has a stance range of 46 cm to 61 cm. The board has a setback of -0.75 inches for all sizes.
Some of the extra features that the Proto FR board offers are:
RDS 2 Damping System: This is a system that reduces vibrations and increases stability by adding thin rubber layers along the edge, under the bindings, and in the nose and tail.
Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers: These are rubber pads that are placed under the bindings to absorb shock and reduce foot fatigue.
Harmonic Tip/Tail Damper: These are rubber inserts that are placed in the tip and tail to reduce chatter and enhance stability.
P-Tex Tip/Tail Protection: These are plastic caps that are placed on the tip and tail to protect the board from impact and abrasion.
8. On-Track Behavior
The Proto FR board is a versatile and high-performance snowboard that can handle any terrain and condition. The board is fast, stable, and responsive on groomers, thanks to its camber profile, sidecut, and damping system. The board is also fun, playful, and forgiving on park features, thanks to its flex, rocker, and shape. The board is also amazing, smooth, and effortless on powder, thanks to its design, camber profile, and shape. The board is easy to ride and control, but also challenging and rewarding for advanced riders who want to push their limits.
Pros and Cons
The Proto FR board has many pros and few cons. Some of the pros are:
Versatile: The board can handle any terrain and condition with ease.
Innovative: The board features the Triple Camber Profile, which is a unique and innovative camber design that combines three different types of camber in one board.
Durable: The board is made of high-quality materials that ensure durability and performance.
Smooth: The board has a smooth and powerful ride, thanks to its camber profile, sidecut, and damping system.
Some of the cons are:
Expensive: The board is on the higher end of the price range for snowboards.
Heavy: The board is slightly heavier than some other snowboards, due to its materials and features.
Here are some of the most relevant features of the Proto FR board:
Directional twin shape with a tapered sidecut
Triple Camber Profile
Medium-stiff flex
Vario Power Grip Sidecut
RDS 2 Damping System
Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
Harmonic Tip/Tail Damper
Conclusion
The Never Summer Triple Camber Proto FR board is a versatile and high-performance snowboard that can handle any terrain and condition. The board features the Triple Camber Profile, which is a unique and innovative camber design that combines three different types of camber in one board. The board also has a directional twin shape with a tapered sidecut, a medium-stiff flex, a Vario Power Grip Sidecut, and a RDS 2 Damping System. The board is fast, stable, responsive, fun, playful, forgiving, amazing, smooth, and effortless to ride. The board is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders who want to tackle any terrain. If you are looking for a snowboard that can do it all, you might want to check out the Never Summer Triple Camber Proto FR board.