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.
Hello Nate,
Currently I have a Lib Tech TRICE PRO and I would like to change. I have some doubts between the Capita Mega Merc and the Capita Black Snowboard of Death. In your opinion what is it the best choice comparing the T Rice?
Thanks
Nuno
Hi Nuno
Between the Mega Merc and BSOD, it would depend somewhat on what you were wanting to ride, though both aren’t world’s apart or anything. Some differences to note:
– Mega Merc, in my experience felt a little stiffer than the BSOD
– I would say the BSOD is a little better in powder and the Mega Merc a little better for big carves. I preferred the BSOD a little for jumps and the Mega Merc a a little better for riding switch – otherwise performance fairly similar
Could be that sizing could be deciding factor too, depending on your specs.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate, awesome review as always! So I am considering picking up next years meg merc (cause of the black top sheet) I’ve been riding about 5 years now and my style is mostly all mountain/freeride. I’m not really into park or jumps, just mostly going fast and carving. I rode my buddies super DOA and loved it, would you say both boards are similar? Right now i ride a orca, proto type 2 and a dancehaul, do you think it would take a lot of adjusting getting on the mega merc??
Hi Juju
Thanks for your message.
It would take some adjustment compared to your other boards, particularly the Dancehaul (haven’t ridden it but hear it’s quite mellow?) and PT2. I found the Orca relatively stiff, so you’ve already got that stiffer board you’re riding. The camber profile will feel different and take some adjusting, but it’s similar to the Super DOA in terms of camber profile (not the same but similar), so I think you’d get used to it fairly quickly. The Super DOA and Mega Merc aren’t super similar, but they’re not worlds apart either.
The Mega Merc is stiffer and that’s one of the bigger differences in feel. Whilst Capita rates them 6 and 6.5 respectively, I felt them more at 6.5 and 8, so I think there’s a bigger difference there. The Mega Merc is a damper, smoother ride than the Super DOA. The Super DOA a little more snappy. Then there’s some obvious differences, like the Mega Merc being a little wider and being more directional.
Performance-wise:
– The Super DOA does better for jumps, is a little easier to ride at slower speeds, is better for riding switch, spins, and a little easier to butter with
– The Mega Merc can do bigger carves, is more stable at speed and better in powder
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
HI Nate,
Thanks for your exceptional reviews. Very comprehensive and informative. Your passion for the ride shines through. I found that by using your review as a primary and adding two shorter supplemental reviews I can triangulate and get the next best thing to actually riding the board myself. So great job! And thank you!
My question: I find myself working my way back to a camber-dominant board. I’ve learned I don’t love the squirrely effect a rocker-dominant board has at hard charging speeds. I do love the nimbleness of them on cat tracks and picking my way through trees, but sacrificing the stability when dumping into a bowl or using the mountain as my race track is a high price to pay. So with that I found myself gravitating to the Mercury or Mega Merc. What is your experience with trying to pick the sweet spot of nimbleness and high-speed stability? Can it be accomplished by selecting a cambered board, but going with a slightly shorter one? Say moving from a 157 to a 155? Is that adjustment noticeable? I’m 6′-0″, 165, boot size: 9.5. Advanced rider. What’s the magic formula, Nate?
Hi Justin
Thanks for your message.
I like your tactic of triangulating like that! Very cool.
I’m not sure there’s a magic formula, but to some extent what you’re saying works. A cambered board will always feel more stable at speed, all else being equal (important to note all else being equal because a really soft cambered board versus a really stiff rocker board – the rocker board will likely still be more stable) than a fully rockered board – and the same is true, but to a lesser extent if you compare a full camber board to a hybrid rocker and then still true, but even more subtle if you compare a mostly camber, hybrid camber board to a hybrid rocker board. Again, all else being equal is important here.
Also true is that a stiffer board, all else being equal, will be more stable at speed. But then you’ve got to take into account that a rockered board or hybrid rocker will typically, all else equal, be able to turn a little quicker, particularly at slower speeds, with that pivot point between the feet – and also that a softer board will turn easier/quicker at slower speeds versus a stiffer board, all else being equal. At higher speeds, the quickness of turns of a stiffer or more cambered board evens out.
And of course a longer board, all else being equal, will also be more stable at speed and a shorter board better at making short sharp turns.
So there’s a bit of compromise with everything. That said, I would guess, based on experience that between a camber dominant board versus a rocker dominant board, the difference in stability at speed would be such that you could ride the camber version at least 2-3cm shorter and still have better stability at speed and you would gain back the lost agility – maybe not all of it but to a great enough extent that it’s worth doing, if a more stable feeling is what you’re prioritizing – and then you get the added benefit of that feeling of spring out of a turn and the extra pop that tends to come with camber.
This was a long winded way (I tend to get carried away and geek out on these things!) to say yeah, I think you can find a pretty good sweet spot by going more camber dominant and sizing down a little, IF the goal is to have a more stable feel underfoot. But it’s not a perfect storm or anything, because there’s always that compromize going on.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate – so i’ve been riding the same board for the past 10-15 years (Dc mlf iikkaa 154) and i think its time to upgrade. I really like its playful, maneuverable flex (probably has softened after all these years) but its not as fast or as poppy as id like anymore. Im 5.8, 140lbs and been riding for 20+ years but just 5-7 days a year. Mostly groomers so would like a board that is fun on piste (fast edge to edge, stable on blacks, bump hugger, maneuverable, butterable, good with sidehits) but i ride a little of everything really (pow usually not that deep, rails/boxes, small kickers). I’ve narrowed my list down to: capita mercury (was going for mega merc but then read this review), ride algorythm, lib trs and jones mountain twin. Also i was watching the olympics today and su yimings board (Burton Family Tree 3D Daily Driver Camber) looked really fun. Which do you recommend? Doesnt have to be one of those, im open to suggestions. Thanks
Hi HT
Thanks for your message.
Su Yiming was unreal (in both slopestyle and big air)! But very surprised he was riding the Daily Driver for that kind of riding. But then again, can’t say I’ve ever done anything that extreme in snowboarding!
For us mere human’s… it could work for what you’re describing, but for things like rails/boxes, buttering etc it’s one that’s going to be more difficult to tame. Again, it’s nothing super stiff or hard to ride or anything, but does take some effort to butter and whilst it’s not a tank to turn or anything, it’s not super nimble either – though that would also depend on sizing.
I haven’t ridden the Algorythm, but I like the TRS or Mountain Twin for what you’re describing. Mercury would also work, but it’s just a little less easy to maneuver at slower speeds than those other two, in my experience.
Between the TRS and MT, I think it depends on whether you want to have a little bit of powder performance (MT) or if you are happy with less powder performance and gain a little in terms of jumps, switch and spins. The TRS would be fine, like any board, in shallow powder, but not great when it gets deeper.
If you’d like my opinion on sizing happy to give it – would just need your boot size as well.
Hope this helps
Thank you Nate! Very very helpful. Im probably going to get a dedicated pow board at some point so i may go with the trs for all mountaIn. I try to go fast on piste (30-40mph sustained speed), i assume the trs wont have any issues right? Besides the ones i listed, are there any other boards you would consider (for example i had the dc ply and capita outerspace living in my longlist but crossed them out after reading some reviews). Final question, do you agree with burton genesis (other options are bent metal transfer and union falcor) bindings and photon boots? Thanks again!
Hi HT
TRS not an out and out bomber or anything, but shouldn’t have any issues for those speeds, IMO.
I think the Genesis and Photon would be a good match to the TRS. I haven’t ridden the Transfer since like the 2017 model, so I’m not sure if they’ve changed, but when I rode them they felt a little softer than medium, so might be a bit soft for the TRS and what you’re describing. The Falcor would be on the stiffer side for the TRS. Doable though – but they would be the stiffest that I would put on the TRS – a small possibility that the board will start to feel a little twitchy with the Falcor, but I think they should be just in range to not feel too twitchy.
Hi Nate,
Thanks for the review.
I’m in my 40s, snowboarding for 12 years, 6”/165lbs/10.5.
Riding style, all mountain “just having fun”, not a freestyle not a freeride, powder when possible, no parks.
Currently one the Capita Mercury 53 which fills a bit short for me.
Looking for a new do it all fun board which can speed when I want to and go slow when I’m tired (lol)…
Was thinking about the Capita Mega Merc.
Will you recommend? What size should fit?
Hi Eran
Thanks for your message.
The Mega Merc is quite an aggressive board. For what you’re describing, I think you could go with something a little less aggressive. It will give you everything you want for when you want to ride fast, but it’s harder work when you want to go slow, IMO. I would check out the following:
>>My Top 10 All Mountain Snowboards
And I’d probably even skip the Niche Story and Capita Mercury from that list for what you’re describing. Though given you have the Mercury, if you find it fun riding slow, then it could still be an option. Though keep in mind that a longer size will be more suited to riding fast versus slow as well.
Generally speaking, I would say to go with something around 155-157 for your specs and how you describe your riding.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate,
I was leaning to the Jones MT., do you think it could fit?
Only concern is it’s behavior on icy slope, can you advice?
For my size (10.5 boot) and riding style, would you recommend the 157 or 156W?
Regards,
Eran.
Hi Eran
Yeah, I think the Mountain Twin would work well for what you’re describing. For icy conditions it’s pretty good in my experience. It’s not like the best board I’ve ridden in ice, but it’s not bad either. I would say 4/5 for icy conditions. As good as the Mega Merc, IMO.
Size-wise, I would go with the 157. With 10.5s it should be wide enough – it’s wider than it looks at the inserts, so you don’t need to go to the wide, IMO.
Hi Nate,
I bought the 157 and have the burton malavita size M with burton ion size 10.
Im 170 lbs and 5’11 in height. Im wondering if it is too small .
I havent changed my board in a really long time and in that sense im a newb but have been riding mainly on the alps. My previous board was a ride machete 158 from 2010 which was one of the best at its time for allmountain freestyle.
Please let me know what you think.
Hi Greg
Thanks for your message.
For this board and your specs, I think 157 is spot on. You could ride a 159, but with this board being a little wider than average, I think 157 is just right. If you’re going to be just bombing all day, you could go up to the 159, but otherwise, I’d stick with 157. I’ve got similar specs and the 157 felt just right for me – and riding the Mercury (non Mega), I found the 155 too small, the 159 too big. The 157 just right.
Hope this helps
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.