NEVER SUMMER · Benchmark Snowboard
Benchmark Snowboard
25/26 season
Colour
Color makeup
Multicolour
Design
Illustration
Expert reviews 2
The Never Summer Benchmark is a versatile all-mountain board that's especially strong in powder. It has the best float in the Never Summer lineup and is forgiving, so it doesn't pick a skill level. In exchange, being loose underfoot makes carving response inconsistent, which takes adaptation.
Base shape (camber)
Hybrid rocker
A hybrid rocker running from a mellow, nearly flat rocker in the centre into an elliptical camber under the front foot and a shorter, higher camber under the back foot. A tapered tail and large nose handle float.
StiffnessHigher means stiffer
A medium flex at 6 out of 10. The flex varies by section — soft through the centre with stiffer nose and tail.
Where it shines
Who it suits
Very forgiving, so any ability level can ride it, and it's still plenty of fun for advanced riders.
Good
- ✓The best powder float in the Never Summer lineup
- ✓Definite pop and spring response
- ✓Good edge grip on hardpack
- ✓Versatility and durability to serve as a one-board quiver
Not so good
- —It feels loose and self-steering underfoot in all conditions
- —Carving with centre or back-foot weighting produces a washy response
- —Jibbing performance is limited for the average rider
- —A variable camber construction makes turn response inconsistent depending on load
The Never Summer Benchmark is an all-mountain performance board with powder float, pop and edge grip in even measure, a versatile deck usable across a wide range from lower intermediates to advanced riders. Using the setback inserts maximises powder performance, and it delivers excellent pop even for heavier riders. That said, the loose feel from the centre rocker and a lack of high-speed straight-line stability are drawbacks, and it needs a riding habit of always keeping a slight edge engaged.
Base shape (camber)
Hybrid rocker
A complex profile: nearly flat mild rocker at the centre transitioning into a mellow elliptical camber through the binding section, followed by slight early rise, with shorter, more aggressive camber toward the tail. It feels loose and auto-spinny, and the centre rocker brings slight instability when running straight.
StiffnessHigher means stiffer
A medium flex overall, but with variation by section. The tail is quite stiff and the nose comparatively soft, the camber sections rigid and the centre between the bindings a little supple. It's a balanced flex that supports both buttering and pop.
Where it shines
Who it suits
Very high forgiveness lets beginners enjoy it without pressure, and it also offers intermediates and advanced riders varied fun — pop, grip, powder float. That said, it requires the habit of always keeping a slight edge angle, so it suits riders with some fundamentals rather than complete beginners.
Good
- ✓Excellent float performance in powder. The combination of setback inserts and a tapered shape provides the best-in-lineup powder float among Never Summer boards
- ✓Delivers excellent pop and rebound, transmitting high pop even to heavier riders. It shows its strength on jumps and transitions
- ✓A multiple-radius sidecut provides excellent edge grip, allowing stable edge hold even on hardpack and icy snow
- ✓An excellent balance of pop and dampness delivers appropriate damping so vibration doesn't reach the joints even on bumpy snow
- ✓Switch riding is relatively easy despite being a tapered directional board
Not so good
- —It has a loose, auto-spinny feel that becomes more pronounced the harder the snow gets. Tracking degrades when flat-basing
- —Front-foot drive is lacking; driving hard off the front foot gives a sense of the tail washing out, and you end up relying on back-foot-centred carving
- —The centre rocker produces slight instability and chatter when running straight at speed
- —It's sensitive to size fit — at boot size 9 the 156 brings some fatigue, and it's optimised for sizes 10 to 10.5
