Never Summer Proto Swift DT (Directional Twin) Review Info:
Size: 156 (mid-wide)
MSRP: $739
Bindings: Union Ultra (Medium)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV 9.5
Stance: approximately 22.5″
Rider Height: 5’9″
Rider Weight: 175
Key Features:
- Type: All Mountain, Freeride, Powder
- Shape: Directional Twin
- Profile: Triple Camber Recurve
- Flex: 5
- Damp: 6
- Width: Mid-wide
- Mounting Pattern: 2×4
- Sidewall Type: UHMW
- Core: Superlight Wood Core
- Laminates: Swift Precision Stitched Carbon Matrix, Bi-Lite Fiberglass, STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass
- Topsheet: Co-Extruded Polymer
- Base: Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base
- Stance Setback: 83 millimeters
- Ability Level: All
Review
I was so stoked to get on the 2026–2027 Never Summer Proto Swift DT, and after several days riding it in February and March here in Colorado, it quickly became one of those boards that I looked forward to riding. I was able to put it through mostly spring-like conditions, along with a few inches of fresh snow on one of my days, and the Proto Swift DT handled everything I threw at it.
First off, this board is a beauty. The topsheet has that clean mountain aesthetic you expect from Never Summer, while the base keeps things minimal with subtle hints of blue around the Eagle and “Swift” cutouts. It’s a great-looking board without going overboard with the graphics, and I think Never Summer nailed the overall look.
The Proto Swift DT is a directional twin with a slight taper and early rise in the nose, but it still feels very balanced underfoot. I rode the 156, which has a 25.9 cm waist, and for my height and weight, the mid-wide platform was exactly what I wanted. The board has a mid flex rating of 5 and a damp rating of 6, which I think is a great combination for an all-mountain board(it feels like a Proto). It’s energetic and playful without feeling twitchy, and the damping does a great job of keeping the ride smooth when conditions get rough.
The Triple Camber Recurve profile is really the star of the show. You get the energy and edge hold you’d expect from a cambered board, but with a more forgiving and versatile feel that makes it easy to ride all day. The board feels locked in when you’re carving but still has plenty of playfulness when you’re cruising around the mountain. Whether you’re riding groomers, popping off side hits, riding through the park, or heading into softer snow, the Proto Swift DT feels comfortable and predictable.
For me, the park performance was awesome. I felt dialed in from the first lap. The 156 is wide enough to give me a solid platform without feeling akward, and the balanced directional-twin shape makes it easy to ride switch. Rails and jumps were both fun, and the board has enough pop and response to get creative without feeling like you’re fighting it. This is one of those boards where you can spend the morning riding park laps and then head straight out onto the mountain without feeling like you’re gonna have to go swap it out. Yes, you’d expect this from NS, but always want to call it out.
Once you get onto the groomers, the Proto Swift DT really shows how versatile it is. Short turns are quick and fun, but you can also open it up and lay down longer, drawn-out eurocarves. The Triple Camber Recurve gives you plenty of edge hold, and I felt confident pushing the board harder when I wanted to. It has enough damping to smooth things out while still giving you that energetic feeling that makes carving fun.
Then there is the reason “Swift” is in the name: powder. I only had a few inches of fresh snow to work with on my test days, but the Proto Swift DT handled it with ease. The slight taper, early-rise nose, and Never Summer’s stance options give you plenty of float(there wasn’t enough snow for me to test out a different stance than my centered one). The board is incredibly easy to ride in fresh snow, and I always felt comfortable and in control. For a few inches of fresh, this thing is a blast.
If you’re buying this specifically as a powder board, I’d probably size up from the 156 for the deepest days. But that’s also what makes the Proto Swift DT so appealing: you don’t have to sacrifice the rest of the mountain just to get good powder performance.
Underneath all of this is a pretty impressive construction. Never Summer uses a Superlight Wood Core, Bi-Lite and STS Pre-tensioned Fiberglass, their Swift Precision Stitched Carbon Matrix and Swift Carbon Fiber Mapping, along with RDS 2 damping and a Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base. The carbon construction adds energy and response without turning the board into something overly stiff or demanding.
At $739 MSRP, the Proto Swift DT isn’t an inexpensive board, but you’re getting a board that can legitimately cover a lot of ground. It’s an all-mountain, freeride, powder and freestyle board rolled into one, and after riding it in a variety of conditions, I think that’s exactly where this board shines.
Overall Impressions
It Rips!!! I was really pleased with how versatile the Never Summer Proto Swift DT is. It’s playful enough for the park, stable and damp enough to charge groomers, has excellent edge hold for carving, and floats surprisingly well when you find some fresh snow(which I really didn’t have much of). The 156 with its 25.9 cm waist was a perfect fit for me, but if you’re looking for a dedicated powder setup, I’d consider sizing up.
I’d recommend the Proto Swift DT to upper intermediate through advanced riders looking for one board that can do almost everything. If you like the idea of a Swift but want something that can spend as much time in the park and ripping groomers as it does chasing powder, the Proto Swift DT is a fantastic all-mountain option. It’s a board that gives you the confidence to ride the entire mountain and the versatility to make the most of whatever conditions you get that day.
| Price: |  (4.6 / 5) |
| Performance: |  (4.8 / 5) |
| Design: | (4.8 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (4.7 / 5) |