_REVIEWS2010-2011_BOARDS

Snowboard Review: 10-11 Never Summer Infinity

Location: Mammoth, CA

Snow Conditions: Mixture of soft packed groomers to choppy powder to some new snow.

Setup: I rode the Never Summer Infinity with my Union bastardized bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.

Size: 151cm.

First Impression: Still remains that all mountain women’s board that you can take anywhere.

Weight: average.

Flex: Right in the middle of the road for flex, overall medium flex and despite riding a smaller size the flex still holds up on the 151cm.  Torsionally softer between the bindings and longitudinally stiffer from the nose to tail.  It can handle the mountain, park to powder and you’ll be able to ride it all no problem.  The stiffer nose lets it handle charging and riding through the chop while the softer tail gives you butter playfulness.  The Infinity features RC technology which is reverse camber, rocker and camber, rocker between the feet and camber just outside of the bindings.

Turning: The infinity handles the mountain from the longer drawn out S turns that take up a whole run to short quick responsive turns, it can handle both depending how you want it.  On the hardpacked runs, it’ll grip the snow and in the powder the reverse camber will help float (although the 151 was definitely on the smaller size for me).  The vario grip holds an edge when you need some grip on hardpacked conditions but it won’t be overly grippy.

Stable: Despite the smaller size I didn’t encounter any problems freeriding and handling the groomers, at higher speeds definitely having a bigger size for me would have helped but for just cruising, it was an easy ride down the mountain.  In some powder, I noticed the smaller size but when it came to playing around, the size was a lot of fun in the smaller version than I’d normally ride.  Typically I ride the 156 Infinity, so 5cm’s shorter in powder wouldn’t be ideal for me.

Pop: The infinity is a fun women’s board when it comes to being able to cruise but also have a good sweet spot for pop and ollie’ing on the mountain.  The medium flex with a softer tail makes it fun to butter and press on the mountain with good snap for bringing it back around.

Switch: I didn’t encounter any problems with going into switch riding.  No adjustment and no weirdness on how it handled.

Overall Impression: The infinity is the women’s SL and takes the mountain by storm for those wanting one board to handle it all.  You can play in the powder or in the park on it, or just cruise around.  It’s an easy ride to adjust to but will push you when you want it.  Just as the flex is middle of the road, the infinity is that middle of the mountain board for everything a woman could want.  It’s not as stiff or aggressive as the lotus and it’s not as soft and freestyle as the pandora.  It’s the one quiver board.

Shay’s Honesty Box: The Infinity is always that board I can get on and just feel comfortable on from the first turn.  It’s not a aggressive board but it’s not insanely easy.  It’s a good in between for the mountain and that rider looking for a board to handle it all.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Never Summer Infinity or shop their full line of Never Summer snowboards

On Snow Photo

[singlepic id=10436 w=500 h=281 float=]

Never Summer Infinity description (click on it to pull it up)

infinity

Review Disclosure: This board was given to me by Never Summer Snowboards.

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    January 4, 2011 at 7:56 am

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  • Nate
    January 4, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    NS for the win!

    We have a 145 Infinity left in stock! Free shipping, phone orders welcome 970 353 5000!

  • Robyn
    January 8, 2011 at 11:10 am

    I can’t find anywhere whether it’s directional, almost twin, or true twin… I’m assuming because you said transition to switch was easy that it’s at least almost twin, but it would be nice to know for sure?

  • gags
    January 9, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    Robyn it is a “directional twin” I know…just like jumbo shrimp or any other oxymoron, but the flex is twin and sidecut is set back 1/2″ on the material and the stance is set approx 1/4″ behind that

  • Caitlin
    January 22, 2011 at 9:48 am

    Shay,

    I’m looking for a new board. I currently ride an 154 ’07 Burton Lux and it’s ok…but I’ve recently been moving into more advance riding and was looking for something that could move with me. I’m currently debating between the Never Summer Lotus and the Infinity and I was going to ask which one you would recommend. I’ve started doing some hiking and more backcountry, but I also like to do jumps and occasional park ride, but my main focus is definitely on the powder. I’m 5’9″ and 135lbs. Any recommendations?

  • aze
    January 24, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Great review.. i am really interested in this board but i dont kno if it will fit me, my shoe size is 10.. do you think it would work if i got the board in the mid 150 range? I was thinling of getting the sl but i dont want a super heavy stiff board that would be hard for me ti control..

  • Shay
    January 24, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Caitlin, if you ride powder and do more backcountry than parks I’d go with the lotus over the infinity. Infinity is more all mountain freestyle while the lotus is more freeride/pow and charges better.

    Aze, what’s your weight and riding style/experience? Also what board were you riding before this?

  • Penelope
    January 25, 2011 at 8:44 am

    Hi – I’m debating between the Infinity,or something more playful like either the Pandora or the GNU B-Nice. I’m a pretty confident rider and like doing tricks and jumps, but not so much in the park as just goofing around. I like to ride fast and do trees so length is also an issue (I keep hearing that for rocker boards you ride a shorter length but many of them start at 145 and I’m 5’1″ and weigh 115 so it’s hard to think that’s not too long) – any advice?

  • aze
    January 27, 2011 at 11:10 am

    shay, i weigh 170..and i am a beginner. I put a deposit on a 155 SL at a shop, i can swap it for something else though. I put my boot/binding on a 156 Infinity and it looked like it barely fit…I was also told i could try the EVO, i jus need help deciding.

  • aze
    January 27, 2011 at 11:11 am

    also i only plan on doing freeride when i get better..

  • Kim
    January 27, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Hi Shay — I got to take an Infinity out for a test drive and LOVED it, but I’m wondering how it compares to the GNU B-Pro. I’m intermediate/advanced and looking for something that can handle speed with minimal chatter but be fun on the occasional trip to the park. Also, I’m 5’4 115 lbs currently riding a 143. I demo’d both the 145 and the 151 and am leaning towards a longer board [I sometimes feel like the 143 is a little small and I like the stability of a bigger board], so I’m thinking the 147, but I don’t want to get it and then regret getting a bigger board. Thoughts? Thanks for your help, your site rocks!

  • Shay
    February 2, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Penelope, you can go shorter with rocker but depends on you. If you don’t plan to ride park, i’d stick to the infinity over the pandora or b-nice. What size do you normally ride?

    Aze, you’ll be fine on the SL. The size fits you but it might be long for learning on. Maybe do the 153?

    Kim, the B-pro is a bit wider and stiffer than the infinity, it’ll be more stable than the infinity as well. The lotus and B-pro are on the same level for women’s freeride boards. Both charge. 143 is small for your weight, 147 to 151 would be good for your riding style.

  • Toni
    February 18, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Hi Shay,
    I checked out the Infinity as you suggested and I noticed that its meant for beginner to intermediate and I am intermediate/advanced. Will I have room to grow? I ride powder, groomers and looking to get back into the trees and the harder black runs. I’m 145 lbs and 5′ 4″” I currently ride a 149 08/09 Salomon Ivy and I recently bought a 2011 Arbor Cadence in a 147 but my concern is its too parkish for what I want so I am thinking about returning it and getting something else. I’m looking to advance my snowboarding to where I used to be (speed and trees) before my snowboarding accident and need some confidence to get there and beyond. Do you think the infinity will deliver?

  • Shay
    February 18, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Toni,

    Infinity is more all-mountain freestyle than anything else. Cadence is more park orientated so if you don’t plan to ride anything in park, it might not suit you. You could look at the NS lotus for speed and trees, stiffer and more aggressive than the infinity.

  • Toni
    February 18, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Hi Shay,
    Thanks for getting back to me. I ended up getting the Infinity as your review as well as several other reviews ranked this board very highly. I’m headed up to Mammoth next week and with all the pow the montain just got would you suggest leaving the bindings in the center or offset them towards the back? With my ivy I moved them back a touch but thats a regular cambered board and I noticed that the Infinity is rockered and cambered.

  • Toni
    February 19, 2011 at 11:54 am

    Hi Shay, I ended up buying the NS infinity and I’m headed to Mammoth this upcoming week. With all the freshy fresh the mountian just received should I move the binding back like I had to do with my Salomon Ivy or leave the bindings in the center since the Infinity has RC technology?

  • Shay
    February 19, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    Toni, I’d suggest both actually. You could leave it in the center to see how you like it with the rc technology and if you feel it’s not enough, then move it back. Sweet on coming to Mammoth for the snow!

  • Leona
    February 23, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    Hi Shay –

    This is my second season boarding and am interested in getting the Infinity because I want an All Mountain board that I can grow into, it seems like the best choice…the problem I have is I have only ridden guys boards so far…I recently rode a 156 DC BDR…my height is 5’10 and I weigh about 180 my shoe size is 11 so I am not sure what size I should do…am I better off with a guys board or am I ok to switch to a girls board and would I be better off with a 156 or 154? Thanks for your help, it is so hard to make a decision.

  • Leona
    February 26, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Hi –

    I thought I would add an additional question…I am concerned the NS Infinity is too narrow for my feet but really am torn…I really want to get a girls hybrid rocker my friend really likes the GNU B-Pro C2 BTX but I am thinking it is too aggressive of a board for me being that it is my second season…thoughts?

    Thanks,
    Leona

  • Shay
    February 26, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    Hey Leona,

    Definitely your specs mean you could ride a men’s board and not have to worry about the board being too narrow. You say your shoe size is 11, what’s your boot size? Are you wearing men’s or women’s boots? Also it’s your second season but what’s your riding style and ability level so far, are you linking turns comfortably?

  • Leona
    February 26, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    Hi

    I have size 11 womens boots…I would say my level is getting towards intermediate…I can link turns but am still doing wide turns on steep runs…I am thinking I want a girls board but am open…

    Thanks
    Leona

  • Leona
    February 26, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    Oh and I would only do mountain stuff…probably never the park…

    Thanks

  • Shay
    February 28, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Leona,

    Definitely you might have an issue on the women’s boards with your boot size but you could easily ride a men’s board. The SL is a all mountain mens board from NS (women’s infinity but a tad stiffer and wider) and would be a good option for you. If you liked the DC you rode, you could always stick with that.

  • Leona
    February 28, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    Thanks for the input…I went ahead and got the SL…super excited to give it a go in Tellluride!

  • Toni
    March 2, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    Hi Shay. I took the NS Infinity up to Mammoth 2/24- 2/27th and I friking LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!!!!! It handled so well in all the freshy fresh that Mammoth received over the weekend. I can’t thank you enough for suggesting this board! Now I just gotta sell my Salomon Ivy. Thanks again!

  • Lisa
    March 8, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    Hi shay, Thanks for all your reviews! They are really great! I am trying to decide between the infinity and the burton feelgood flying v. Of the two which is more stable and handles better in hardpack and choppy stuff. I ldon’t ride park but I like to ride trees and moguls a lot so I figured an all mountain freestyle board would be best for me. Do you agree or do you think a freeride board would be better? Thanks again!

  • Krista
    March 9, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    Hi Shay,

    I’m thinking about getting the NS Infinity. I’m 5’2” and weigh about 110 lbs. Do you think I’d be okay with a 147cm board? I am a beginner and I don’t plan on park riding either if that makes a difference.

    Thanks for your help!

  • Shay
    March 10, 2011 at 8:27 am

    Leona, sweet have fun!

    Toni, Awesome you loved it! Sooo great to hear!

    Lisa, comparable boards for sure. Both all mountain and can handle charging. If you are riding more freeride, you’d definitely have more stability on a women’s freeride board.

  • Shay
    March 10, 2011 at 8:28 am

    Krista, Yeah you’d be fine on the 147cm, it’d be a good size to grow into and develop with. Plus the board would last you a while.

  • jpink
    March 14, 2011 at 7:45 am

    Shay,

    First off, thanks for all of your awesome reviews. I had been riding a 2000 Gnu Barrett Christy for the past 11 seasons, and hadn’t been keeping up with all of the new board technology, so I was pretty overwhelmed with all the choices for a new board this season. I narrowed it down to the NS Lotus, NS Infinity or Gnu B-Pro, and ended up with a 147 NS Infinity mostly due to late season availability.

    After a week in Colorado, I have to say, I’m super happy with the Infinity! I don’t know if it was the rocker or the switch to a +/- stance or the snow conditions (P/PP), but I was able to spend almost half my time riding switch, which was impossible before. Catching an edge on the flats became a problem of the past. My only quibble was that I had a little difficulty laying out really hard carves on my heel side edge. I’m not sure if that was the rocker, me getting used to the board, or just my skills, but I found the board kind of slipping off the edge before digging in again. It was a blast speeding down the steep groomers, and held up like a dream in the crusty mashed potato crud in the bowls. All in all, I have to say I’m super pleased with this board, and I can’t wait to spend some more time on it.

    Just wanted to share the stoke!

  • Shay
    March 14, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    jpink, thanks glad you like them! Awesome on getting a new board! Definitely going from your old B-pro to the infinity will take some adjustment to how it rides. Also you could adjust your forward lean if you really aren’t engaging the heel edge. Or make sure the bindings are centered from toe to heel, they could be more toeside heavy. But yeah keep shredding and enjoy!

    Also since you live in Colorado, there’s a lot of demo days there so you can try out other boards like the B-pro and Lotus in the future to see how you like them.

  • jpink
    March 17, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    Yeah, your reviews are very thorough, and I feel like I’m getting an honest opinion from someone who knows their stuff. I’ll try adjusting the forward lean a little. Good tip!

    I wish I still lived in Colorado, alas I was only out there for a week, but what a week it was. I’ll try to demo the B-Pro next year. Definitely not planning on keeping the Infinity as my only board for the next decade, but it should last me at least a few years.

  • peggy
    March 31, 2011 at 4:32 am

    Hi Shay,

    I am 5’6 130lbs and wearing a size 8 mens salomon f20 boots. what size do you recommend i should get for infinity?

  • peggy
    March 31, 2011 at 4:33 am

    ^by the way i dont intend to ride in the park at all. it will be mostly used on groomers

  • Shay
    March 31, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    jpink, let me know how it goes. Hopefully it gets fixed for you!

    Peggy, 151cm would suit your weight, you could go bigger to the 154cm but 151 would suit your weight best.

  • Courtney
    June 16, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    I just finished my second year of snowboarding and going onto the 3rd. I’ve rented boards all the time and never owned my own board. I realized that I like shorter and lighter weigh boards. I’m 5’8″ and I weigh 155. I like the 151 lengths which suits me best. I just am caught up about what kind of board I want. I plan to learn tricks on the rails and do park on the upcoming season but I also like to shred the mountain on the intermediate slopes. I don’t like black diamonds, I don’t like going that fast but I like the speed on the intermediates. Which board would be best? I like a lot of flex and less stiffness. I wouldn’t mind a guys board but I know those are usually heavier. I was thinking of the never summer infinity but I hear they are on the heavier side. Any suggestions on a board for me?

  • Shay
    June 23, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    Courtney, Definitely time to invest in your own board that will be a lot better than a rental board. If you feel more comfortable on the 151cm then go for it. I wouldn’t recommend a guys board for your riding level unless your boot size requires it. Never Summer’s are the same weight as other brands unless you are comparing to much lighter designed boards. The Infinity is a good all around board for considering. What mountain do you ride and what’s your boot size?

  • Laz
    August 22, 2011 at 3:49 am

    Hi, thanks for the reviews, very helpful. I am interested in the Never Summer Infinity but am a bit confused about the right size. I’m 5’7 and weigh around 115kg. My current board is 146cm but I was thinking of going a bit shorter because of the reverse camber. What size do you think would be best? I will be riding a variety of terrain – heading to Japan for a month in 2012 but will spend most of the rest of the time in Australia (usually very icy or spring conditions). Any advice would be great.
    Thanks!

  • Shay
    August 22, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    Laz, thanks! 115kg=253 pounds according to google. 146cm is really small for your weight and I would go for a bigger size. Are you sure the info you gave me is correct? What’s your boot size?

  • Laz
    August 23, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Sorry! 115 pounds!!!! 150kg. Woops!
    Boot size around 7.5

    Cheers.

  • Laz
    August 23, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    50kg!!!

  • Shay
    August 23, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    Laz, haha was wondering about that! Makes more sense now with your board size and weight. You could definitely ride a shorter board with reverse camber but with a shorter board you’ll lose stability so really depends on what you want out of it.

  • Laz
    August 23, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Thanks Shay. I would say I’m an intermediate rider, have picked up a lot of confidence this past season. I am looking for an all mountain board. I want to be able to go into the park but I wont spend all my time there. I am just starting to ride steeper black runs so would like something that can handle that. I’d also like something that will go ok in the powder (fingers crossed!) in Japan. Do you think the 147 would be better?

  • Shay
    August 23, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    Laz, awesome sounds like a good fit with the NS Infinity. You would be fine on either the 145cm or 147cm with your riding and weight, the 147cm might be a better fit since you plan to ride powder and more steeps in the long run than park riding. Have you checked out the Lotus? That comes in a 146cm and it’s more a freeride specific board.

  • Bex
    August 25, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Hi shay

    Im looking at getting the infinity but not sure what size to get. I’m 5’4 170 pounds and size 8 boot. I’m a beginner/intermediate all mountain but would like to progress to the park.

  • Shay
    August 25, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Bex, if you are learning and plan to ride park more than freeriding I’d go with the 151cm. The 154cm is more your ideal size but if you want easier/park riding then the 151cm.

  • matiasv
    August 28, 2011 at 3:55 am

    Hi Shay,
    first, congratulations… great reviews, love the way they are organized and your honesty.
    Hope you can help me with my dilema, I got a great great deal for an infinity 154. The problem I’t that Im a guy 😉 168cm and 70kg mens boot 9.5.
    Im a beginner-intermidiate rider (can link turns, some easy jumps, etc) that mostly like doing mountain, no park for me… I really have more fun in powder. I started this season, the rental shop usually gives me a 155cm woman nitro.

    Do you think the infiniti would fit me? (Im OK with the graphics, they are not too gay 😉

    Thanks!

  • Shay
    August 28, 2011 at 9:18 pm

    Matiasv, Thanks! Curious why your rental shop gives you women’s boards? Your boot size isn’t small to need a women’s board or narrow board. The Infinity is based off the men’s SL but narrower and softer in flex (built for tinier women) so my biggest concern would be those, your boot size would be a 10.5 women’s which might be too big for the waist width. Honestly I think you might outgrow the infinity pretty quick if you did get it.

  • matiasv
    August 29, 2011 at 2:53 am

    Tks Shay! I will let pass the Infinity, they got a 2011 NS Circuit 155 with the same deep discounts, not the full AllMountain board that I would like, but I only read great things about the circuit.

    The rental question… well, wish I know! I really realized they where giving me a ladys board only a month ago when I started researching to buy my gear. I remember seeing that they give the same kind of boards for the smaller (and clueless) mens.

  • Madeleine
    October 3, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    Hi Shay, awesome review :). I’m trying to find a good board to be my very first! :D. I started last season but only rented gear so im a beginner and can do pretty much all greens, haven’t tried any blue’s yet. I’m 5’3″-4″ and 120 lbs so would a 145 work? I really like this board but I’m wondering if it’s ok for a beginner? Thanks!

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