Never Summer Shapeshifter Snowboard Review

An updated version of the Shaper Twin. Sort of a twin, but sort of a directional board, a weird mix.

[@JasonAnthony-g7z]

Hey Mate, first off great reviews. Very informative, balanced and objective. Came across your Mercury review after I unexpectedly received one as a Christmas gift last month. It was a total surprise since I didn’t hint at needing a new board let alone a Capita (I have always ridden Never Summer). So my dilemma is keeping it or returning it for a NS triple camber like the easy rider or shape shifter. I know you are partial to the Mercury and you have also done plenty of never summer reviews. You know that never summer kind of ride and feel. Was hoping you can help me in my decision. How would you compare the Mercury to the Easy rider and shape shifter? I am a directional rider who rides all mountain except for park. Thanks in advance!

[@SnowboardRobot]

Both the Easy Rider and the Mercury are pretty safe choices you can't really go wrong with. Although the shape is interesting on the Shapeshifter, the edge hold and overall feel of the Easy Rider makes it the winner, even with the true twin shape. If you want to stick with a bit more of the classic "camber" feel then the Mercury will be a good change. I guess it depends if you want to stick the the Never Summer feel you know, but upgrading to the Triple Camber is pretty nice.

[@hybridstringer]

@@SnowboardRobot Thanks for the reply and feedback! Now, I have a decision to make. As far as volume shifted boards go, curious to know if you got your sights on the Yes Hybrid for an upcoming review? The boys over at the GoodRide seem to love it even over the NS harpoon (Another board I had my eye on based on your review). Anyway, thanks for all the great content you put out there for the SB community. Keep it up!

[@guilhermeferla9179]

Hey, great review! Out of curiosity, what are your binding angles?

[@SnowboardRobot]

They are pretty much always +12 and -9

[@JBthe3rd]

WYA bro? Doing any reviews this season? 👀🍿

[@SnowboardRobot]

A couple are coming! I rode a few this season, but only filmed for the Never Summer Valhalla and the Supermatic bindings. I rode the Dancehaul Pro, Nitro Dinghy, GNU Banked Country, Capita Outerspace so I will put them on the site soon

[@websterbrandcoaching9724]

Directional, baby, all day long. I like the twin tip shape and that's good enough! I like stiffer tails to pop.

[@paulcahill1660]

Did you notice any difference in ride between the 2024 Shapeshifter and the 2023 Shaper?

[@SnowboardRobot]

Not really, I think that it is just the shape of the nose and tail that changed, but if there is any other differences I didn't notice them.

[@rhoads0098]

Just curious, what highback angle are your Cartels? ex F3, F4.5, F5, etc

[@SnowboardRobot]

No extra forward lean on the highbacks at all, and no highback rotation as I have pretty neutral angles.

[@sbespn3820]

Did you like the Shapeshifter or Easy Rider more?

[@SnowboardRobot]

I like the Easy Rider more, I was really impressed with the amount of edge hold that the new profile had.

[@dylanharvey2918]

Is this board volume shifted?

[@SnowboardRobot]

Yeah a little bit, it isn't super wide though, so no major need to size down too much.

[@dylanharvey2918]

@@SnowboardRobot bet. Size 12 boot perfect? I just put some money down on this board. Worth it?

[@SnowboardRobot]

@@dylanharvey2918 yeah 12s will be fine, the board is pretty versatile

[@rollingedges9469]

I see neverstable riders at Loveland all the time, just doing skidded run's, no edge gripped line's and bombing to ride the lift again. I don't get the hype.

[@SnowboardRobot]

They are quite fun - though they are a love or hate type of ride. For some reason there are plenty of people that don't like them, but without having ridden them for some reason? I think people are assuming because they are a hybrid that they will ride like a loose 2008 skate banana.

[@ODBracer]

@@SnowboardRobot how does their hybrid rocker compare to others like a libtech c2? Any noticeable differences in ride?

[@SnowboardRobot]

Overall sort of similar, good edge hold with minimal work to get it. For some reason when my weight is centred I find never summers to be a bit more stable, but I don't know why that is. One of the new ones with triple camber are a giant step better as well.

[@SugmaDLigmaNutz]

You have to know how to ride them.