Shape, Profile and Sidecut

CAPiTA classify the Mega Merc as an all-mountain freeride board, which is fair enough, but don’t think for a second you’ll be excluded from park laps. The flex is symmetrical, there’s no taper and the outline is twin, so despite a bit of extra volume in the nose, for the most part you’ll find it rides much like a true twin.

When you’re riding as fast as you will on this bullet train you’ll need to be able to stay in control. Aside from the internal makeup, CAPiTA have equipped the Mega Merc with their Death Grip inverted sidecut. An extra point of traction to keep you steady when the conditions are sketchy and you’re clinging on for dear life.

We mentioned the pop and, of course, any board that Arthur Longo chooses to ride has to have bucketloads. Positive camber runs out past the inserts and blends into early rise rocker. It’s a drum that has been banged to death, but camrock is the ultimate profile for those looking for the best of both worlds blend of versatility.

“The flex is symmetrical, there’s no taper and the outline is twin, so despite a bit of extra volume in the nose, for the most part you’ll find it rides much like a true twin”

Construction and Materials

For a super high-end offering, the barrier of entry for the Mega Merc is surprisingly attainable. It sits just above mid stiff, but with some serious additives to ensure it’s as reactive as pretty much anything on the market.

Laying eyes on the Mega Merc you can see the 3D shaping on the topsheet. So, what does this Megatron-esque aesthetic actually achieve? Well, aside from looking gnarly as all hell, these are actually thermopolymer channels milled into the core. They work to shave weight (remember we said this is suuuuper lightweight?) and to allow the board to flex underfoot in a way that favours mega pop (Arthur Longo’s favourite, remember?).

This winter, the base – which was already turbo-quick – has been improved further still, thanks to CAPiTA making use of the kind of materials usually only familiar to nerdy boardercross types. It’s been christened the ‘Mega Drive’ base, presumably because it’ll whip you along faster than Sonic The Hedgehog at the Black Friday sale.

“Those who do take the plunge will find an extra special snowboard that is begging to go faster, further and higher”

Roundup

CAPiTA has never made ordinary snowboards, and they’ve thrown the whole kitchen sink at the Mega Merc. Is it for everyone? Nope, the price alone ensures it’ll only find its way into the hands of the most committed riders, but boy, oh boy, those who do take the plunge will find an extra special snowboard that is begging to go faster, further and higher.

Pros:

• For a supercharged snowboard, it’s not insanely stiff and unmanageable
• One of the fastest snowboards we tried this season

Cons:

• All this NASA level tech don’t come cheap

“Mega fun, not mega stiff! I’ll admit, I thought this might be another one of those ultra/super/uber/plus iterations of a classic snowboard, where it gets painted black and laced with carbon only to loose all of its DNA in the pursuit of “gnarliness”. I was only half right. The black paint job looks sick, but the character of this one remains pure Mercury. Only… better.

It’s guilding the lily, for sure, but it makes a lot of sense for the right rider with the right budget. Snowboards are bit like cars – very few of us need the optional extras like the sunroof, leather suite, or chrome alloys. You’ll get from A-to-B just the same with or without them. But the Mega Merc is different, it’s the same daily driver you know and love in the Mercury, only this one has a more efficient enginge, a smoother gear box transmission, and some seriously sexy body work to boot.

Yes, it looks intimidating. And yes, it has the chops to seriously push your riding. But it’s still fun! There’s a lot of personality packed into it, and a shape and flex pattern that keeps the door open for freestyle and more creative takes on riding the mountain. What else would you expect though? It’s everyone’s favourite frenchman’s board of choice, after all.”

Buy the CAPiTA Mega Merc: £715 at Blue Tomato UK 

Buy the CAPiTA Mega Merc: €800 at Blue Tomato EU