Hello and welcome to my Capita Mega Merc review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Mega Merc as an aggressive all-mountain snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Mega Merc a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other aggressive all-mountain snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita Mega Merc 2022
Price: $749
Style: Aggressive All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Stiff (8/10)
Rating Score: 86.0/100
Compared to other Men’s Aggressive All-Mountain Boards
Out of the 16 men’s aggressive all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Mega Merc’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Mega Merc’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Aggressive All-Mountain |
Price: | $749 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Chattery/Damp: |  |
Smooth/Snappy: |  |
Playful/Aggressive: |  |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Setback 12.5mm (0.5") |
Base: | Sintered (Capita's "Hyperdrive" base) |
Weight: | Felt normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (CM) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
153 | 253 | 100-160 | 45-72 |
155 | 255 | 120-180 | 54-81 |
157 | 257 | 130-190 | 59-86 |
159 | 259 | 140-200 | 63-90 |
161 | 261 | 160-220+ | 72-99+ |
Who is the Mega Merc Most Suited To?
The Mega Merc is best suited to advanced riders who like to ride aggressive and who need a board that can handle speed and can lay down a big carve, but that can also hold its own in powder.
A one board quiver for those that ride aggressively and don't believe in riding casual. Or the bomber in a quiver, if you have other boards for cruising or park or powder.
Definitely not for the beginner and not even an intermediate rider. You want to be advanced on this board and preferably relatively strong.
The Mega Merc in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Mega Merc is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Capita Mega Merc 2022, 157cm (257mm waist width)
Date: February 25, 2021
Conditions: Mostly overcast with patches of blue. Quite a cold wind.
Temp was -3°C (27°F) and -10°C (14°F) with wind chill factor.
24 snow: 15cm (6")
7 day snow: 41cm (16")
On groomer: Soft and smooth for the most part! Did get a little cruddy later in the day but for the most part very friendly fun conditions.
Off groomer: Plenty of fresh snow. Was really nice off groomer - soft and whilst not super deep, enough of a layer to be really fun.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 555mm (22″)
Stance Setback: 12.5mm (0.5")
Width at Inserts: 265mm (10.43") at front insert and 267mm (10.51") at back insert.
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Tactical ADV
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2770grams (6lbs 2oz)
Weight per cm: 17.64 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.43 grams/cm*
*based on a sample size of around 100 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021 *& 2022 models. The Mega Merc, typical of Capita, is significantly lighter than average. Felt normal on snow. I think the main reason it doesn't feel as light on snow as it weighs is how stiff, damp and smooth it feels. Snappier, softer boards tend to feel a little lighter on snow.
Powder
Really decent in powder. Was great to get this board in some pow - all be it not waist deep, but decent amount.
It's got some rocker in the nose and overall a directional shape with a small setback, which helps, but it's not hugely setback and it's not tapered or anything - and the nose isn't massively longer than the tail or anything. So it's not going to be the world's best floater when it gets really deep, but above average in powder for sure.
Carving & Turning
Carving: It's a beast and like all beasts it likes to carve. And do it at considerable pace. Prefers to be on edge and really laying into a good carve more than anything.
Turning: You've got to put in the effort to get this thing to turn. It's not a complete tank, but you've got to put the work in - it's not effortless to turn. And it prefers turning when at speed - and longer turns at speed, versus short sharp turns at slower speeds.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Not super nimble at slow speeds. Again, it's not a complete tank, but you've got to muscle it a bit to get it to turn sharply when riding slow. Once it gets into powder though, it's easier to maneuver a little sharper, when riding slower.
Skids: Pretty punishing of skidded turns. You don't want to get too lazy on this board. You've got to take control of it and purposefully ride it. When you do, you get rewarded. When you don't you get punished.
Speed
You can confidentially bomb on this thing. Just really open it out and go. Feels really stable. Definitely prefers fast over slow. Comes to life and feels most at home when at speed.
Uneven Terrain
Crud: Completely crushes through any crud in it's path. Doesn't get bucked around, which in some ways is a little surprising, given how light the board is, but it's just so damp and rather stiff, that it doesn't get thrown off. If it did get bucked around it wouldn't be super easy to adjust with, but it doesn't - so long as you don't try to navigate it too hesitantly - in that case you're liable to catch an edge or more liable to get bucked around, and then it's just going to be hard work. This board is better utilized smashing through it.
Bumps: It's an effort to weave between bumps, especially if you try to do it at slower speeds. Also doesn't hug bumps that well when going over. Better to blast it over and get some air - which doesn't always work out, depending on what's on the other side of the bump! So can be hard work in trees, if it's not powder full trees. In powdered trees, it's fine.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
It's stiffer than I prefer for jumps, just because you've got to really load it up to get pop and also it's less forgiving of errors on landings, but it's OK. More suited if you like to go bigger. I prefer the regular Mercury for jumps.
Pop: Good pop when you load it up. But not easy to access - you've got to put it in to get it out.
Approach: Super stable on approach - so if you've got a smooth fast approach works well. But not so good for speed checking or when you need a bit more easy maneuverability, such as trickier approaches to some side hits.
Landing: Stomps them, when you stomp them! But if you're landing isn't perfect or if you hit the knuckle or something, it's not forgiving of errors and you can pay for it.
Side-hits: I like a board that's quite agile, to find those trickier approaches and also one that has easy to extract pop. And where those landings are a little rugged, it's nice to have a bit more forgiveness. So I wasn't a big fan of it for side hits. Fine for easy to approach side hits, with nice landings.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Most suited to big jumps where you need a nice stable landing platform.
Switch
It's pretty good for switch. It's directional, but not super directional by any means. Feels fairly similar riding it switch. Since it's not a super forgiving board, if you're switch game isn't that tight, then it might be harder to ride switch for you than an easier to ride board.
Spins
Pretty easy to get the spin around - and I'd say that lightness really helps there. But setup isn't super easy and pop is good but harder to extract. So overall not great for small spins but would be better for bigger tricks.
Butters
It's not easy to press the nose and tail of this board. It's 2/5 at best - not a lot of give in there. If you're really strong or a heavier rider it might be easier, but then you'd likely be on a longer size, so yeah, not easy to butter.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING/TURNS | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
SPEED | 4.5 | 18/20 |
JUMPS | 3.0 | 9/15 |
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.0 | 6/10 |
PIPE | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.0/100 |
The Mega Merc is a beast! I could stop there, as I think that's an apt enough description.
It loves to bomb and loves to carve. It's not the biggest fan of riding slow, but it is pretty good in powder. A good one board quiver option for a more aggressive, advanced rider - or part of a quiver as your more aggressive bomber.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Mega Merc, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
- US
- UK/EUROPE
If you want to check out some other aggressive all-mountain snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Mega Merc compares to other aggressive all-mountain snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hey There! Thanks for the review. Quick question about sizing. I am 6’1″ 175-180lbs (pretty similar to your stats) and a size 10 or 10.5 boot. I noticed you rode the 157 for your review. I recently bought a Mega Merc 159 and am wondering if you think I should return it for a 157? I am downsizing from a rather large TRice Pro 161.5 from a few years back. I upsized that board because I felt like my 2008 TRS 159 felt too small.
Based on Capita’s sizing guide and other guides around the internet I went with 159 but am now wondering if I should have gone a bit smaller.
Hi Nick
I found the 157 the sweet spot for me for the regular Mercury (after having ridden both the 155 and 159). So the Mega Merc 157 made sense for me, and I think it was spot on for me. But given you’re coming from a 161.5 T Rice Pro and given you found the 159 TRS too small, I think the 159 should work well for you. The TRS will feel smaller size for size than the Mega Merc for sure, so the 157 probably feels as big or even slightly bigger than the TRS 159, but might not feel that much bigger.
For my style of riding, I like the 157 TRS, so my instinct is that the 159 will be the best bet for you.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thanks for all your reviews. Curious your thoughts on this in 157 for me? 5’9″ 175 lbs, size 9 boot, advanced rider (in my 30s, with 20 years of riding). I am coming from a traditional camber, Rome 154 (pretty stiff) that I bought when I was shorter and lighter. I was only able to find the Mega Merc 157 in stock. I am leaning towards this board (first board purchase in ~10 years) from your review and others. Would the 157 length vs 155 really cut back on the maneuverability in trees and on tight trails?
I mostly ride out east (not necessarily icy/hard conditions as we get plenty of snow, though sometimes slow from man made snow), but then take trips out west every year to CO/UT. Looking for something lighter that can better handle higher speeds and carving (some glades too) in any conditions, with some fun popping rollers and side hits thrown in, but also will not be lost on a powder day (not looking to have a dedicated powder board or rent out west). This seems to fit the bill for a one board fits all charging and carving type, which is my main focus now.
Also, how important is it to add new bindings? I am not opposed to buying new, but my current ones are in fine shape and were top of the line Burton 10 years or so ago. I am sure tech has changed?
Thanks!
Hi Ryan
Thanks for your message.
I think 157 is doable for your specs and what you’re describing. If it was a little narrower, I’d say 157 would be perfect and wouldn’t even be debating the 155. But it is wider than average for a regular width board and with 9’s, I think the 155 is within range, but the 157 is still an option. I rode the 157 and I think that was just right for me (my specs 6’0″, 175lbs, size 10). I previously rode the 155 Mercury (regular Mercury) and I felt that was just slightly too small. I also rode the 159 Mercury previously and that felt too big. So 157 for the Merc and Mega Merc are just right for me. Weight and boot size are the most important factors (as well as riding level and how you like to ride), so I could certainly see 157 working well for you.
Between the 155 and 157, the 157 will be harder to maneuver at slower speeds. And it’s not really the kind of board that’s easy to ride at slow speeds in the first place. I didn’t find it a tank at slow speeds, but it really prefers speed. So 155 would be better when you’re in trees and, IMO, a little better for popping rollers, sidehits etc. But the 157 will give you more stability at speed (not that I think the 155 would lack in that area, with this board) and better float in powder. Just better for bombing and hard carving, IMO.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Nice to finally read another review of this new board. I snagged a 157 from REI that I can return if I don’t like it, but it sounds like a 155 would be better suited to someone 5’8″, size 9 booth, 165 lbs? I’ve been riding for 25 years, but I really only like to bomb groomers at my age. Is this going to be way too much board for me, or a better alternative than a true freeride board that would be even more stiff and less forgiving? Also thinking about the YES Typo. Thanks!
Hi Chris
If you’re only really bombing groomers and aren’t doing too much at slower speeds, it could be doable. I think I’d still prefer to see you go 155 for it though. I think that’s the better size and should still be plenty stable enough for your specs – but just with a little more maneuverability and forgiveness.
The Typo isn’t quite at the other end of the spectrum, but it’s a long way away from the Mega Merc on the spectrum of aggressive to playful, if that makes sense. The Typo is a much more playful, easy going board – a lot softer, by my feel and just really easy going. Not going to give you heaps of stability when really bombing. It’s not terrible, but it’s not a bomber. But super easy to ride, easy to maneuver at slow speeds and super quick edge to edge. I think if you’re really bombing a lot, then it’s probably a bit too soft/playful. But if you’re worried about the Mega Merc being too aggressive/unforgiving, then there are a lot of options that are in between the Typo and Mega Merc. The regular Mercury being one of them.
But yeah, again, if you liked to really bomb, then I think you should really like it, but better in the 155, IMO.
If you’re thinking it’s going to be too much, then I would check out the following:
>>My Top 10 All Mountain Snowboards
Or if you wanted something Freeride oriented, but not too stiff, you could also check out:
>>Top 10 Surfy (mellow) Freeride Snowboards
Not everything in those lists will necessarily be suitable, but check out the score breakdown’s to see what you think might suit your riding the most (and then check out the full reviews for more details).
Hope this helps
Thanks for your review on the Mega Merc.
Between the Union Falcor and Atlas, which binding would you choose for the Mega Merc?
I am 215 lbs and my style of riding is mostly freeride/all-mountain and powder. I ride heavy & wet PNW snow at Whistler, Baker, Stevens Pass, Crystal and Snoqualmie.
Hi Mike
Personally I would put the Falcor on the Mega Merc. Mostly because I find the Falcor a stiffer binding and think it’s a better flex match for the Mega Merc. And also I like the more explosive response of the Falcor versus the smoother response of the Atlas. Both would work for sure, and if you think you’d prefer that smoother response over a more explosive response, the Atlas would be OK. But personally I’d go Falcor.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thank you! Have a great 21-22 winter.
You’re very welcome Mike. Hope you have an awesome winter too!
Hey there, I’m coming from a 156 custom x camber and I’m wondering if the 155 or 157 would suit me better? I’m 5’8 160lbs with 8 US mens. I’m a bit worried the camrock profile would make the 155’s edge feel a bit too small, although at 1199 it’s still longer than the 156 custom x.
Thank you and great review as always
Hi Jason
Thanks for your message.
Based purely on your specs, I’d say 155 over 157 for sure. Partly because it’s quite wide for your boots.
Taking into account that you’re riding the 156 Custom X, I’m still leaning 155, but 157 becomes a possibility. When the Custom X changed shape for the 2018 model, they changed the effective edge on the 156 to 1195. Previously it was 1212. Not sure if the effective edge actually got that much shorter or if they just started measuring it differently? I would still say that the Custom X rides a little longer than the Mercury, size-for-size. But that said, the Mercury, particularly compared to the 2017 and prior Custom X’s is a wider board – so I think sizing to 155 still makes sense in this case. But if you wanted to keep the same effective edge feel, my instinct says that the 157 will be more similar to the 156 Custom X.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nate,
Appreciate the response. I have the 2021 custom x for what it’s worth. Would the 2mm of waist width and 3mm in the nose/tail of the 155 & 157 mega merc make that much of a difference in terms of maneuverability? This is a board to potentially replace that board as my daily driver. I love the custom x but would love to have something a little more maneuverable while keeping most of the speed/stability. I know the 157 will be more stable and have more float but would the 155 cause any stability issues at high speeds? I’m assuming the camrock profile would make the edge feel like it’s only the length of the camber profile of the board which is just past the inserts, right?
Thanks again!
Hi Jason
In my experience 2mm/3mm can make a difference. Subtle but still noticeable. But also the shorter length/effective edge also adds maneuverability. For your weight, the 155 should still be stable at speed. I think you would loose a little in terms of stability at speed versus the Custom X, but that’s going to be the case with most boards. My thing with 157 in the Mega Merc is that I don’t know that you’d be gaining anything noticeable in terms of maneuverability. The 157 is Mega Merc is 5mm wider at the waist, 7mm wider at the tip/tail and at the inserts you’re looking at 265mm/267mm (front/back) on the Mega Merc versus roughly 262mm on the Custom X. That’s not an insignificant increase in width, particularly for 8s. Even though the Mega Merc you get something that’s fractionally softer and you get the camrock, I still don’t think it’s going to be a lot, if any, more maneuverable for you, in the 157. Hard to say for sure, but that would be my biggest concern, going to that length.
I wouldn’t say that the camrock makes the edge feel like it’s just the length of the camber profile. Maybe when flat basing or doing pretty casual turns, when you’re not really up on edge all that much, but when you’re properly carving and really laying into turns, you’re still going to get the full effective edge to the contact points on the Mega Merc.