The Never Summer Shaper Twin snowboard delivers a unique riding experience, blending the maneuverability of a twin-length board with the power and float of a directional design. This isn't your average twin; a 10mm taper and directional profile create a surprisingly versatile all-mountain performer. Its hybrid rocker/camber profile, with a more pronounced camber in the tail, provides exceptional edge hold and responsiveness without the harshness of a full camber board. This, combined with a medium flex and sintered base, results in a smooth, catch-free ride across varied snow conditions.The Shaper Twin's adaptability extends beyond its shape. An extra set of inserts allows for a setback stance, perfect for conquering powder. While maintaining stability at speed requires centered weight, the board offers impressive grip, especially mid-turn, and is surprisingly forgiving. Whether you're carving groomed runs or navigating fresh powder, the Shaper Twin's blend of performance and ease of use makes it a top choice for riders seeking a versatile and fun all-around snowboard.
Pros And Cons
- Twin length with taper and directional profile for smoother turns and natural feel
- Hybrid profile with rocker between the feet for catch-free feel and strong edge hold
- Extra set of inserts for powder riding
- Good grip even in hard snow
- Solid feel at speed
- Decent ollies
- Fun all-arounder
- Tail felt stiffer than nose, making spins more noticeable
- Requires bindings with a 4x4 mounting pattern
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Unique Design and Features
The Never Summer Shaper Twin boasts a unique design that sets it apart. It's a twin-length board, meaning the distance from the inserts to the nose and tail are equal. However, it incorporates a 10-millimeter taper, with the nose being wider than the tail. This, combined with a directional profile, provides a blend of maneuverability and float in deeper snow.
This unusual combination of features results in a surprisingly smooth turning experience. The tapered shape facilitates more natural turns, while the directional profile helps the tail sink and the nose float in powder. This makes it adaptable to various snow conditions.
Hybrid Profile and Mounting Options
Like many Never Summer boards, the Shaper Twin features a hybrid profile with rocker between the feet and camber underfoot. However, the camber is more pronounced in the tail and less so in the nose. This contributes to the board's unique directional feel and responsiveness.
Adding to its versatility, the Shaper Twin includes an extra set of inserts positioned further back, allowing for a setback stance ideal for powder riding. This adaptability is a significant advantage, making it suitable for a wide range of riding styles and conditions.
Performance and Ride Feel
The Shaper Twin offers a medium flex, complemented by carbon and a sintered base. It maintains the characteristic Never Summer ride feel: catch-free and easy on flat surfaces, yet providing strong edge hold when initiating turns.
The board delivers excellent grip, even on hardpack snow, particularly mid-turn. This grip is achieved without the same level of effort required on a traditional camber board, making it more forgiving and easier to control.
Ollie and Spin Performance
While the overall feel is solid at speed, maintaining centered weight is crucial for optimal stability. The tail exhibits a noticeably stiffer flex than the nose.
Ollying is relatively easy, and even spins are manageable. The stiffer tail contributes to the upward push during spins, though the reviewer suggests this might be due to their less natural spin direction.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Never Summer Shaper Twin is a versatile and fun all-around snowboard. The blend of directional features on a twin-length board creates an enjoyable riding experience suitable for various conditions. Its ability to handle powder effectively, thanks to the setback mounting option, further enhances its appeal.
While the reviewer also enjoyed the Harpoon, the Shaper Twin is an excellent choice if you desire a less extreme shape but still want a board capable of handling various terrain and conditions. It provides a good balance of performance and versatility, making it a worthwhile purchase.
