Never Summer has a reputation as one of the best, rider-built snowboard companies. The Never Summer Heritage snowboard is probably the most versatile, all-mountain board in Never Summer's lineup. The board features high-end construction including a Durasurf 4501 sintered base, sintered P-tex sidewall and STS pre-tensioned fiberglass. The 2009 model tested here did not feature Never Summer's reverse camber technology, which is included on later models, so the board will ride slightly differently than newer models on the market. The 2009 Heritage retailed for $519 and the model tested was purchased on sale for $311.
Field Use
The most-advertised feature of the Never Summer Heritage is the deep side cut of the board. The 158 ridden for this review features a side cut radius of 786 centimeters, making it extremely easy to turn. The board turns on a dime and is an excellent option for trees or moguls where you need an extra level of control. Despite the deep side cut, the board also holds its edge well on fast groomers and provides a fast, clean ride. However, if too much pressure is applied to either edge too quickly coming off a jump, for instance, the board has a tendency to wash out, a predictable downside of the side cut. The board is on the stiff side, but light and flexible enough to hit jumps with comfortably. The board also offers ample flotation in deep powder and powers through quite well without having to drastically adjust the bindings back. Of course, keeping enough weight on the back foot and having sufficient slope are still key to making it through two foot drifts, but the board performed well even when it was on the small side for the rider (5 foot 9 inches, 170 pounds).
Pros and Cons
The Heritage is a versatile, all-mountain board that is always ready to pick up and ride. It really excels in places where the utmost control is demanded, such as fast, steep tree runs. While it's a bit stiff, the flex and maneuverability are still ample for some freestyle riding, and the board rides anything from steeps to cruisers with ease. Of course, as is often the case, the versatile nature of this board can also be a negative if you're looking for something more specific. While it's solid and fast on straight lines, it does threaten to wash out and doesn't offer optimal speed and stability. Never Summer boards in general lean on the stiff side and the Heritage is no exception, so it's not the first choice for park and pipe.
Bottom Line
The Never Summer Heritage 158 is an excellent board for the all-mountain rider. It's also forgiving enough to benefit anyone from intermediates to experts. If your snowboarding takes you anywhere from park to pipe to double black speed runs to back country first descents and you're looking to buy one board to ride it all, seriously consider the Heritage. The deep side cut is a love-it-or-leave-it feature that some riders will benefit from and others will hate. A demo would be a wise move to ensure a good fit. Never Summer boards are known for their top quality and durability, and a three-year warranty tells you that the reputation is more than just hype; even if the Heritage isn't the board for you, consider other Never Summer models.
About The Author
Chris Weiss is a freelance writer with seven years' writing and editing experience. He has written travel and outdoor recreation articles for a variety of print and Web publications, including "Rocky Mountain Magazine," "Bomb Snow" and Trails.com. Weiss is also the chief editor of GadgetCrave.com and MotorCrave.com. He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers College.
