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CAPiTA Defenders Of Awesome 2017-2018 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £370 / €429
  • Sizes:148, 150, 152, 154, 155W, 156, 158, 158W, 160, 161W
  • Flex: 5.5
  • Profile: Hybrid Camber
  • Shape: True Twin
  • capitasnowboarding.com

UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2018/2019 CAPiTA Defenders Of Awesome here

File this one under ‘modern classic’. With its (usually) eye-catching graphics and highly positive word of mouth, the CAPiTA Defenders Of Awesome has long been a staple in any resort. It’s a true do-it-all quiver killer that can handle everything with aplomb.

“It’s a true do-it-all quiver killer that can handle everything with aplomb”

The CAPiTA Defenders Of Awesome has a mostly-camber profile, albeit one that has short flat sections at either side of your feet. This means that you still get plenty of pop, rebound and grip, but it’s less likely that you’ll catch your edge. There’s also more of a platform for dialling in presses, and added pow float should the snow gods be kind.

The DOA is also as tough as old boots, with Kevlar-reinforced sidewalls and two carbon beams running almost from end to end. Sections of beech wood in the core further add to the overall strength, so there’s no need to hold back. While it’s not so stiff that you can’t get spontaneous, it’s stable even at the highest speeds.

If you’re really into charging around at Mach 10, the new ‘Superdrive’ sintered base will be to your liking. There’s still a bit of playfulness to the DOA, however, thanks to the biax fibreglass that’s a bit easier to manipulate than the triax alternative.

“The DOA is as tough as old boots, with Kevlar-reinforced sidewalls and two carbon beams running almost from end to end”

The graphics are more muted than they’ve been for the last few years, so fans of the classic DOA look may be a little miffed, but it’s horses for courses at the end of the day. What’s not up for debate is the quality of the image – and thanks to CAPiTA’s unique process, the way the topsheet is bonded to the rest of the board leaves it lighter as well as better looking.

That’s just one example of the clever tech found at CAPiTA’s own factory/R&D centre, the Mothership, and the CAPiTA Defenders Of Awesome has put it all to excellent use. It’s already cemented its status as a winning all-rounder, so if you’re in the market for one of those, bets don’t come much safer.

Tester’s Verdict

Sam McMahon – whitelines.com

“After years of testing, this is still one of my favourite all-mountain boards, simply because it’s one of the few that really does work brilliantly everywhere you take it.

“It’s one of the few that really does work brilliantly everywhere you take it”

Pow: no problem – the early rise reverse camber in the nose does a lot of the work for you, and lets you cruise in slush. Park: the camber help digs in trenches up the kicker, but it’s just flexible enough that it doesn’t punish you for mistakes.

Its whole vibe is this weird balance between power and playfulness, as comfortable straight-lining or hitting the pipe as it is buttering off side hits.

No wonder, then, that it’s still a favourite with seasonnaires. If you were going to have one board to do everything for six months, this would be in my top two. It looks mean – and it can be – but its bark and bite are both pretty fun!”

Trade Secrets

Kevin Backstrom – Team Rider, CAPiTA

The CAPiTA DOA is my go-to weapon. I ride that board pretty much all season.

It works for everything I need, from the Laax park to Japan pow. It’s a fun, playful board that can master anything; cruising down the piste doing butters or hitting jumps in the park.

If I could only choose one board for the whole season it would definitely be this one! And not only because the graphics are always on point.

Let the healing begin!

As usual, CAPiTA's Defenders Of Awesome features some of the most eye-catching graphics of the year.

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