Board: Capita Defenders of Awesome
Size: 156
Camber Option: Hybrid FK. Camber 5cm’s past the inserts, into a flat zone, and then a very micro reverse camber zone before the upkick in the tips.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 22.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 T1 DB Size 10
My Weight: 170lbs
Resort: Breckenridge
Conditions: Overcast skies, temps in the mid 3’s, about 2 inches of fresh snow on top of perfectly groomed corduroy, and zero wind with decent visibility.
Flex: There’s middle of the road all-mountain flex, then there’s stiffer middle of the road all-mountain flex. This board is the latter. Between the feet and out past the inserts is the stiffest portion of the board. This is where it gets its stability and drive. Then just before the tips is a tiny sweet spot (where the micro reverse camber zone is) that gives more flexibility. The torsional give of this deck is very minimal which makes you have to work to carve with it. Over all this isn’t a flex for those with weak knee and chicken legs.
Stability: Between the camber profile and flexibility the board is stable. It’s damp to an extent but still lively where it needs to be. Basically this board isn’t a slouch you can charge with it and not worry but you want to stay on your game because it can buck you.
Ollies: Much like traditional camber you have to preload the tail to get the snap you want. Knowing this, prepare yourself to use the board to get the desired snap you want. This will help you boost over rollers, slow signs, and probably ski patrol if they’re in your way.
Pop On Jumps: Are you a powerhouse rider that wants to send big jumps? Good because this is the board for you. The pop off lips on this deck is unparalleled in the other boards we’ve ridden from Capita thus far. This is a jumpers dream. It snaps off the lip after absorbing the tranny with power and finesse.
Butterability: As mentioned this isn’t a board for the weak legged. You have to man handle butters on this board. The tip shape is great for having a stable area to press on, but that means fuckall if you aren’t bringing your A game.
Jibbing: Go fast, put all your effort into flexing the board, and hopefully it looks good. Much like buttering you have to man handle this board on rails. It’s not for someone that is going to be lazy, you have to put the effort into it to get the desired effect.
Carving: Do you like laying hard carves? Do you find yourself driving your back forearm into the ground like a rudder? Do you just like making people look at you as you get low to the ground and leave pencil thing lines? If you answered yes to any or all of these then you’ll like this board. It rips turns aggressively. This is once again due to the flex pattern of the board. You can’t be lazy if you want to drive this board.
Rider in Mind: The aggressive all mountain freestyle guy that will do it all and will do it with power.
Personal Thoughts: I know when a board isn’t for me. This board isn’t for me, it’s too powerful for my personal style. That’s not a bad thing, but knowing that I know if I rode this everyday my knees would be destroyed. The camber profile rides very similar to that of traditional camber. This board might be listed as defending awesome, but what it defends is the tradition of hard charging freestyle boards that can do it all.
Comparable Snowboards: Interior Plain Project Honalee, Ride Burnout, Endeavor BOD
Support your local snowboard shop buy locally. Find a shop here.
This snowboard was loaned to us for review by Capita Snowboards marketing department.
*Disclaimer this board did not change drastically for 2018 so we carried the 2017 review over.
28 Comments
Hey, coming off an Outsiders in a 152 and needed some extra length and pop. I weigh 160 lbs and want it for an all mountain resort ride, I hit trees, powder, rails, jumps, side hits. Im unsure whether the 154 or 156 is going to be better for me.
Bump up to the 54 it won’t be as drastic as the 56.
Thanks man, looking forward to boosting with this thing!
Hey man, how is it compared to a Pat Moore Pro (pretty similar to Outsiders)? Whats easier to press? Thanks dude!
The Moore is stiffer and more aggressive.
Hi! I’m a 25-30 days a year Tremblant-area rider. Been riding for 30 years and never ridden anything but full camber. I still charge pretty hard- hit all but the biggest features in the park . I’m looking for something I can do all that on but wanna try something a little different and more playful than my Rome Agent (great board though!) Is the DOA what I’m looking for (also very interested in the Mercury and YES greats and Typo) Thanks you rule!
For hitting big park features yeah the DOA is solid. You have some great choices in your list. I’d toss out the Rome National as another to look at.
Thanks for mentioning the National- sounds good too. Think I’m tempted by the Uninc- probably wait for your review before I decide. The mercury’s setback scares me when I only get 5 or 6 legit pow days a year. Thanks for the reviews-Ill by from on of your links when I do. Keep it up!
I wouldn’t fear that setback. It’s not even noticeable.
Well I guess it’ll be the mercury ( i’ll trust you on the setback being no big deal) or new uninc, then the typo if I can’t get my hands on either of those. Thanks! The DOA just sounds a little less fun and versatile….
Is there any changes in the 2019 DOA?
Yes, there’s some new material used which from what Kevin could ascertain is the same stuff they’ve been using but a different brand name to it.
Hi there,
great review.
I have a 2013 Jones Mountain Twin 157 and I am thinking of taking a 2019 Capita DOA 156.
What would be the main differences between those 2 boards? I am 41 years old and the the term “agressive” scares me a little. I ride 80% on groomers, 15% park, 5% pow.
Thanks
JT
Well one is old and the other isn’t, so there’s that. Core profiling, sidecut, construction, manufacturer, flex, etc. etc.
Thanks for the feedback, technology has really changed in 5 years for boards?
Hi man,
Thanks for the advice, i bought the box knife, and i need your help again :), i also want the capita doa but i have long boards, i am 5’5” and 135 lbs, also a shoe size of 8.5, what doa would you recommend 148 or 150 for an all mountain board?
50
Hey Angry.
5,11 175 pounds
I bought a 157 Mercury on your suggestion last year and if fucking rips.
Love it. Got some Union Ultra FC’s on it
Coming from park boards at 154 and having ridden shorter boards for a long time.
I’m looking to grab a 154 slightly less stiff board and put some flexier bindings on it ( Katana or 390 ) for when I’m teaching my kids how to ride and for the park. But still wanna rip Euro turns at high speed.
Do you think the DOA in 154 would fill the void for this function, or would be too similar to Mercury , even at shorter length and with fleecy bindings?
Cheers mate!
Too similar. I’d say look at the Outerspace Living instead if you’re going the Capita route.
Oh, by park , mostly jibs, medium jumps.
Also high speed butters a must.
My freestyle boards must be able to lay trenches at high speed or I won’t ride them.
Also considering a 154 Villain or Assasin
Hi. Awesome review! I’m looking at getting the DOA this year. I’m 5’6 150-160lbs. Size 8 boots. Mostly riding groomers and bowls. Looking to get into hitting more jumps this year. Thanks!
What size would you recommend? I’ve been told it is ok to size down because of my height. I’ve heard the suggested weight is more for liability and if you’re hitting massive jumps or huge drop ins. I was under the impression the listed recommended rider weight is what range is necessary to have the board respond how the designers intended. Thanks
Whomever told you that is a fucking moron. Weight over height every day of the week.
Haha. Exactly. I picked up the 154. Union Strata bindings and Burton Swath boots. Going to be a big change from my 156 Palmer classic and k2 clickers lmfao.
Angry I am looking for a hard carving all mountain cambered deck to round out the 3 bord quiver, already have the noodle and the pow board. I was considering DOA or Arbor westmark camber. I like to carve, butter, side hits and rally bank slalom. This board will replace a beat down burton custom. Do you have a favorite between them?
Westmark all day.
I am 5′ 9″ weigh 180 lb and wear a size 9 to 9.5 boot. I ride about 6 days a year (for 15 yrs, I’m 30 now). I want to improve my switch riding and learn to spin and butter. Looking to get my first board. I have ordered a 2021 DOA 154 cm but I am not sure if the 156 cm would be a better fit. Any advice?
RIDE MORE.