Expert Review: Never Summer Shaper Twin Snowboard · 2022


All photos courtesy of Erik Patterson
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard, which I purchased with my own money in August of 2020.
My take
I believe the Never Summer Shaper Twin is one of the best all-mountain carving boards for intermediate riders on the market. I love the ease of turning and playful pop it delivers.
About the snowboard I own
- Model: 2020 Never Summer Shaper Twin
- Size: 153cm
About me
- Height: 5’9”
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Experience: 12 years of snowboarding
Test conditions
- When I bought these: August 2020
- Days tested: 100
- Mount position: Centered
- Boots: 2023 Ride Lasso
- Boot Size: 9
- Bindings: 2020 Union Contact Pro
- Where I’ve used it: Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho
- Terrain: Powder, groomers, park
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was on the hunt for a daily driver or quiver killer. Something that I could get a decent float on those rare, heavy-pow days, but still have fun with and be manageable all over the rest of the mountain.
Why I chose this gear
I’ve been a huge fan of Never Summer snowboards ever since I stopped by their facility in the Denver area. Seeing the people that make the boards and the company’s entire process drove home my feeling of supporting the industry. The Shaper Twin had a great design, grippy topsheet, and checked the boxes for the type of riding I like to do on a daily basis. There were few boards that tickled my fancy at the time, like The Capita DoA and Ride Warpig, but the Never Summer Shaper Twin edged them out.
What I love about it
- Edge hold: This board has a fantastic edge hold. The unique Fusion Rocker shape and volume-shifted size helps lay down pencil carves on groomers.
- Turns: Turns are snappy and predictable on the corduroy, which helps me feel like I’m in control through every ride.
- Groomers: The Shaper Twin loves groomers. I’m able to maintain good speeds and stay locked into edges through diamond-difficulty groomers.
- Powder: The Shaper Twin offers great float for a “non-powder” snowboard. Setting my bindings back helps keep that wide nose afloat without having to put too much strain on my legs.
- Trees: This board is a solid ride in the trees thanks to the volume-shifted shape. I sized down to the 153cm option and I can sneak through the tight spots that others can’t.
- Park: While not a true park board, the Shaper Twin can hold its own when sending it over booters or exploring the rail park. I’ve sent it over 40 footers in the park with cush landings and can stay steady on a box or rail through all my board slides.
- Durability: I’ve certainly put the board through all conditions, and the base holds up great. There has been some scarring on the top sheet from other visitors running their edges over my board, but those are easily remedied. The carbonite topsheet texture helps hide some of the smaller nicks and scratches.
- Weight: This board doesn’t feel heavy at all. Never Summer claims it’s in the normal weight range: not too light, not too heavy. Being pretty light underfoot makes it easy to manage through all terrain, and it doesn’t feel like it bogs me down through the day.
- Switch riding: I feel confident riding switch with the Shaper Twin, but the board is a directional twin and prefers to be pointing forward.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Speed: While the Shaper Twin holds speed well, the Fusion Rocker shape and mid-flex (Never Summer claims 6/10) doesn’t help when trying to aggressively point it down the mountain.
- Stability: The Shaper Twin is a mid-flex, mid-damp board, so it tends to chatter on firmer terrain and certainly does not like being in moguls.
- Moguls: With this board, I’d say avoid the moguls and stick to the fun parts of the resort.
Favorite moment with this gear
The Never Summer Shaper Twin has given me the opportunity to grow my skills—especially my carving. I’ve gained loads of confidence due to the predictability of the board, and it’s helped me learn to dig in and lay into those carves rather than backing off and braking. I’m all smiles when I can lock in a pencil-thin trench on a groomer.
Value for the money vs. other options
Never Summer is definitely a premium brand, and the pricing lines up with the value of the board. Comparable boards would be the Ride Algorhythm, Salomon Assassin, or Lib Tech TRS C3. I find that Never Summer’s unique shape with the early rise and tail, textured top sheet, full wraparound edge, and overall build quality gave me good reason to choose this board over the other options in the similar directional twin category.
Final verdict
I will always be a huge fan, and I recommend the Never Summer Shaper Twin for anyone’s quiver. This is a do-all, all-mountain, fun and playful board.
Never Summer Shaper Twin Snowboard · 2022
- We price match
- Returnable