It seems that I can’t escape the fate that becomes me.  I’ve always loved the Black Snowboard of Death from Capita, and I was especially stoked on this years 10th anniversary edition model.   Capita made a change or two to the longest running board in their lineup to celebrate 10 awesome years of cranking out eye popping designs, and quality boards.  I’ve waited a while to actually write this review, because I really wanted to get some time in on this beast before chatting about it.  Having spent quite a bit of time on the board in various conditions, I feel it’s finally time to chat..   So shall we begin?

Capita Black Snowboard of Death

Capita Black Snowboard of Death

 

 
The BSOD has a reputation of being a hard charging, snow slashing stick.  While it still retains that reputation, Capita has clearly made some changes to the board that change the ride from previous generations.   The first thing I noticed looking at the board, was the addition of Death Grip, which is another contact point placed in between the bindings to enable better edge hold.  I’m assuming this was added in response to the Flat Kick design incorporated into the BSOD for the 10 year anniversary edition.  Traditionally the BSOD has been a camber machine, that is up until this year.  The board still has positive camber between the bindings, but this model has the flat kick reverse camber out near tip and tail.

 

Black Snowboard of Death

 

 

I rode the BSOD with Rome Targa bindings (L/XL) and size 12 Vans Cirro boots. The redesign of the BSOD lends itself to a slightly softer feeling board, although don’t think this board is a noodle, because it’s still a stiffer board.  It’s just not as stiff as previous models have been in the past.   I like this change as it lends itself to really playing with the board more.   The “Death Grip” works as advertised, and is noticeable when really railing a turn with this beast.  The BSOD holds an edge without issue, and follows through and out of the arc quite nicely.  I believe the Flat Kick makes the BSOD slightly more poppy this year, which makes hitting kickers a bit more fun with more of a spring like feeling.    The one thing I haven’t yet mentioned is the hard charging aspect of this board.  I guess summing it up, the BSOD hauls ass, and is stable at speeds.  It follows it’s fall line perfectly, and if you point it, and engage, the board just goes.  The BSOD isn’t the dampest deck I’ve ridden this season, and some chop could be felt under foot, but nothing horrible.   As far as riding switch, hrmm, well the BSOD has a directional design, and that of course is felt when you engage the board for switch riding.  It will do it, but it doesn’t feel natural.  The BSOD isn’t a park board, so don’t try to Jib with it, unless you really like to be at a disadvantage, as the flex pattern and shape don’t lend themselves to such activities.

 

BSOD Top Sheet

 

 

It’s worth mentioning that the BSOD is the longest standing deck in the Capita Lineup, and for the Anniversary Edition, they brought back the Merchant Skull on the base.   The overall design of the board graphically is well done.  The topsheet has intricate graphic pieces interwoven through out, and looks slick when the sun hits the topsheet.     Capita didn’t have a specific wide version of the BSOD so I picked up the 165 size, which has a 26.2 waist.  I didn’t really encounter any issues with toe/heel drag on the board with the size 12 Vans boots.

 

Merchant Skull

Generally speaking, I’ve been a fan of the Black Snowboard of Death series for a while now.  I’ve ridden multiple versions of this board, and found the latest incarnation to be different, but in a good way.  The BSOD is still a hard charging freeride board, with an ever so slightly more playful nature due to the flat kick.  I feel the board is slightly softer this year, most likely a result of the added flat kick tech. The death grip was an interesting addition, and works as advertised without being quite as grabby as Lib’s Magna Traction.  While there wasn’t an actual wide designation for any model in this seasons lineup, the 165 does have the 26.2 waist fitting those size 12 boots I’ve been wearing most of the season, allowing us bigger riders to still get out and destroy some terrain with this board.  Capita put a lot of thought into the 10 year Anniversary model, whether it’s the addition of Flat Kick, or Death Grip, or the graphics and attention to details, the board looks and rides great.

SPECS:

165  (26.2 Waist)

162 (25.9 Waist)

159 (25.6 Waist)

156 (25.3 Waist)

Suggested Retail: $548.99

Pricing: $466+ currently

More information is available over at  CAPITA

*Disclaimer:  I purchased this board with my own funds*