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Snowboards

Never Summer West Bound 2019-2020 Snowboard Review

  • Sizes: 153, 155, 157, 158W, 160, 161W, 163, 165W, 168W
  • Flex: 6
  • Profile: Hybrid Rocker
  • Shape: Asymmetric Twin
  • Price: £599 / €699
  • BUY FROM SURFDOME

New for this season, the West Bound is an upgraded version of the Never Summer West board. Minor tweaks have been made to Never Summer’s legendary West board giving it a bit more pop and stability than before.

In this upgraded version of the West, the ripsaw rocker camber profile has been changed for a fusion rocker camber. Basically what this means is that the aggressive true twin shaped camber-rocker-camber profile has been replaced by a slightly more mellow one. The West Bound has a directional shape, with a slight taper, less camber and more rocker.

“The power grip sidecuts give the board multiple contact points, which enhances the edge hold”

Thanks to the long rocker profile in between the feet, underneath the front foot and the early rise rocker in the nose, you’ll get more float in powder now. Add the slight taper to the mix and you’ll stay afloat better than a rubber duck in bath water. The camber underneath the back foot and partially underneath the front foot makes for a stable ride while giving the board good edge hold – you’ll get the best of both worlds here.

The power grip sidecuts give the board multiple contact points, which enhances the edge hold. A straight section in the middle makes for the broadest contact point of the board when it’s flexed, and when not it makes sure you won’t catch an edge.

Moving towards the ends of the stick, you’ll find a shallower radius followed by a deeper radius, something which allows for quick turns. Carving on this stick will feel effortless, so if you love getting low this board has the potential to be a great sidekick for your next euro-carving mission.

If you’re looking for an all-mountain machine for both powder and carving the Never Summer West Bound is your guy. With good edge hold and a floaty feel, you’ll be able to butter your way on the mountain and beyond.

Tester’s Verdict

Rob McCreathWhitelines

“Loosey goosey baby! Luckily I scored a couple of laps on the West Bound in some cold, smokey, blower conditions. This seems to be where the board excels, although it’s certainly not short of gadgets and quips to handle the pistes and variable conditions.

I’m somewhat a creature of comfort when it comes to picking my snowboards and the one thing I have always steered clear of is any form of rocker in the middle of the board. It doesn’t belong there in my humble and factually correct opinion. As soon as I strapped on I could feel it. Like a stone in my shoe. I guess I’m just not used to it but, in all honesty, I can definitely see the appeal of this kind of camber profile for a lot of riders. It’s incredibly manoeuvrable, just looking out the corner of your eye is enough to make it go that way.

“It’s incredibly manoeuvrable, just looking out the corner of your eye is enough to make it go that way”

In powder, it actually translated to a pretty rad, surfy feeling. I’d have been happy riding a 2×4 that day, the snow was so good, but the West Bound definitely floated, slashed and popped through pockets of powder just like you’d want it too.

For a board that seems to pack as much tech for back on the piste as it did in the powder, I’d be keen to try it again at low tide when the groomers are firing. As a result, I only really tested this board in 50% of its potential. But it scored pretty high there. Check in next year and I’ll update you on the other half.”

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