Hello and welcome to my Capita Navigator snowboard review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Navigator as a surfy-freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Navigator a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other surfy-freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita Navigator 2021
Price: $449
Style: Surfy Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium (5.5/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (6/10)
Rating Score: 90.0/100
Compared to other Men’s Surfy Freeride Boards.
* note that the "surfy freeride" category is a new category here at Snowboarding Profiles - and represents freeride boards that are in that softer flex range - 6.5/10 or less. They're not necessarily "surfy" feeling boards as such - but "slightly softer flexing freeride" just didn't have the same ring as a category name!"
Out of the 28 men’s freeride snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Navigator’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Navigator's specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Surfy Freeride |
Price: | $449 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium-Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Setback 25mm |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Light |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
147 | 241 | 90-140 | 40-63 |
151 | 245 | 110-160 | 59-73 |
155 | 252 | 130-190 | 59-86 |
158 | 256 | 150-200 | 68-90 |
161 | 260 | 160-210 | 72-95 |
164 | 264 | 170-220+ | 77-100+ |
Who is the Navigator Most Suited To?
The Navigator is best suited to anyone looking for a directional ride that does well in powder and trees, but can also open out on the groomers when you need to and someone that wants something more mid-flex.
Also great for those looking for a freeride board on a budget.
Not for a beginner, but intermediate and up riders should be fine with this.
The Navigator in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Navigator is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Capita Navigator, 158cm (256mm waist width)
Note that the Navigator has different colors for different sizes - 147 (yellow), 151 (red), 155 (white), 158 (blue), 161 (green) and 164 (black). The image at the top of this post is the 151. I rode the 158.
Date: February 25, 2020
Conditions: Lightly snowing picked up to moderate during testing. Some fresh over the prvious 48 hours too. Around 15cm I think.
Visibly wasn't bad though. Not 100% but 80-85%
-3°C (26.6°F) with wind. Feels about that. Cold but certainly not bone chilling cold
Off groomer some decent powder pockets in places. On groomer soft packed and quite cruddy
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Setback 25mm (1")
Width at Inserts: 267mm (10.51") at front insert and 265mm (10.43")*
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Salomon Lo-Fi
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2680g (5lbs 15oz)
Weight per cm: 16.96 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.36 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of around 80 boards that I've weighed in 2019, 2020 & 2021 models. The Navigator is amongst the lightest boards I've weighed! Capita boards are typically light. On snow it felt light too.
Damp or Chattery?
A little on the chattery side of the scale. Not ultra chattery, but felt the chatter a little more than average.
Smooth or Snappy?
More smooth than snappy but only just smooth side of center of scale
Powder
Felt so nice to ride in powder! And that's no big surprise, given the setback, the long nose and short tail, good amount of taper and rocker in the nose. That and a moderately wider than average overall platform.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Good on a carve, and with the new camber profile (now directional hybrid camber, whereas it was directional flat to rocker in 2020 and previous models) it now has that bit more of a spring to it.
Turning: Turns are pretty effortless on the Navigator and it's got a turning feeling that's not super surfy, but it's also not super precise, it's just in that middle ground.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Nice and maneuverable in slower speeds. Easy and quick getting from edge to edge, even when riding slow.
Skidded Turns: Skidding turns is doable on this board. It's pretty forgiving for when you get lazy. It's not beginner board skiddy, but pretty skidable.
Speed
Better stability at speed than I was expecting. It's not like the fastest most stable board I've ever ridden at speed. But it's above average.
Uneven Terrain
You can feel the chatter a little in crud - kind of comes with the territory of such a light board. But maneuvering in the crud and making adjustments as you go is awesome.
And really good for weaving through bumpy terrain - really enjoyed this board in the trees.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
It's not a specialist jump board by any means, but it's OK - and there's a bit more pop in there now too, with the new camber profile.
Pop: Decent pop without being epic.
Approach: A good mix of stable but nimble.
Landing: Solid on landings. Not a stomper, but solid enough.
Side-hits: Pretty good without being epic.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Fine for any size, but probably medium is the sweet spot.
Switch
Not well suited to riding switch, but doable for short amounts of time.
Spins
Not great for landing/taking off switch, but otherwise the spin comes around OK. Though does feel a little off balance with that long wide nose vs small tail.
Butters
Not bad to butter. Not super buttery, but not super hard to butter either. I'd say 3.5/5.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.5 | 27/30 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 4.5 | 18/20 |
TURNING | 4.0 | 16/20 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 8/10 |
JUMPS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
SWITCH | 2.0 | 2/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90/100 |
The Navigator is a lightweight board that handles uneven terrain very well and performs at it's best when in powder or between the trees, but can also lay a decent carve and bomb pretty well.
Well suited to anyone looking for a freeride type board, but one that is easier on the wallet and softer in flex.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Navigator, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other freeride snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Navigator compares to other surfy freeride snowboards, then check out the next link.
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