Hello and welcome to my Capita The Equalizer snowboard review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Equalizer as a freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Equalizer a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other women's freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita The Equalizer 2024
Price: $549 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride (bordering on all-mountain)
Flex Rating: Medium (5.5/10)
Flex Feel: Medium(7/10)
Rating Score: 86.1/100
Compared to other Women’s Freeride Boards
Of the 21 current model women's all-mountain snowboards that we tested:
❄️ The Equalizer ranked 5th= out of 21
Overview of the Equalizer’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Equalizer’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
STYLE:
FREERIDE
PRICE:
$549 - BUYING OPTIONS
$549 - BUYING OPTIONS
Ability Level:
flex:
feel:
DAMPNESS:
SMOOTH /SNAPPY:
Playful /aggressive:
Edge-hold:
camber profile:
HYBRID CAMBER
HYBRID CAMBer - Capita's "Resort V2" profile
SHAPE:
setback stance:
SETBACK 0.8" (20mm)
BASE:
Sintered | Capita's "Quantum Drive™ Base"
weight:
Felt normal
Camber Height:
5mm
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
142 | 229 | 90-140 | 41-64 |
146 | 235 | 100-150 | 45-68 |
150 | 241 | 110-170 | 50-77 |
154 | 247 | 120-190+ | 55-86+ |
Who is the Equalizer Most Suited To?
The Equalizer is best suited to someone looking for a one-board quiver, but one that's on the more freeride end of the spectrum and one that strikes a balance between being able to lock in an edge on a carve, but still easy to slash turns on as well.
Not for beginners. Suitable for intermediate and up.
THE Equalizer IN MORE DETAIL
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Equalizer is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Capita Equalizer 2024, 150cm (241mm waist width)
Date: March 20, 2023
Conditions
Overcast to start. But higher cloud. 85-90% visibility. Towards the end of the day there was some rain.
Temperature was around 2°C (36°F) - and -2°C (19°F) with wind chill in morning and 1°C (34°F) (and -2°C (19°F) with wind) in the afternoon. SE winds morning and afternoon at 10kph (6 mph) morning and 5kph (3 mph) in the afternoon.
24 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
48 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 4" (11cm)
On groomer: Soft packed and bordering on slushy. But not ultra slow or sticky or anything. Got a touch slushier towards the end of the day, but not by much. Was pretty consistent.
Off groomer: Decent enough. Borderline slushy but not quite. Not ideal but OK.
Set Up
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 20″ (510mm)
Stance Setback: Setback 0.8" (20mm)
Width at Front Insert: 9.8" (249.5mm)
Width at Back Insert: 9.9" (251mm)
Weight: 5lbs 12oz (2620grams)
Weight per cm: 17.47 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 17.38 grams/cm*
* based on just over 40 women's boards that I've weighed in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models. The Equalizer is pretty much bang on average on the scales and felt normal on snow too.
Tester: Meira
Rider Height: 5'4 (163cm)
Rider Weight: 130lbs (58kg)
Rider Boot Size: US Women's 8 (Burton Limelite)
Bindings Used: Union Milan
Powder
No powder to test in on the day but based on specs, feel and past experience with the board in powder, it should be a good board in powder. While the taper is only very subtle, it has a bit of setback, plus the nose is longer than the tail and there's rocker in the profile, all helping it to do well in powder.
Carving
Good locked-in feeling when carving.
Turning
Ease of Turns/Slashing: While you can lock in carves, it's still nice and easy to slash turns and easy to initiate turns. Strikes a nice balance between being able to carve well and slash turn well.
Maneuverability at slow speeds (nimbleness): I found it nimble at slow speeds and easy to control at slow speeds.
Catchiness: There is a nice uncatchy feeling to this board. Able to vary turn shapes and spins without worrying about catching an edge.
Speed
Very stable at speed and the board feels fast. Glides through turns nicely at speed.
Uneven Terrain
Crud: The Equalizer felt semi-stable riding through crud but with a slight amount of getting thrown around. Was easy to correct when getting thrown off your line.
Trees/Bumps: That nimbleness at slow speeds helps to make it good for weaving through tress and does well rolling over rollers. Would do well with powder in trees too, IMO.
Jumps
Good height and power from pop off jumps.
Pop: It's not super easy to access the Equalizer's pop (not super hard either, but takes some effort), but when you do put the effort in, it has some really good pop.
Approach: A good mix of being stable but also easy to make speed checks and line adjustments.
Landing: Was good for stomping landings but not super forgiving if slightly off when landing.
Side-hits: Good powerful pop off side-hits and decently easy to set up.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Sweet spot would be medium jumps but should handle any size of jump well.
Switch
Good transitions in and out of switch riding. Feels good riding switch, but a little different to normal riding direction.
Butters
While the board isn't super stiff overall, the tip and tail aren't easy to press. You've got to put your weight right over them to get them to press.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 20/25 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 16/20 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.0 | 8/10 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 3.5 | 7/10 |
TREES/BUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
SWITCH | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.1/100 |
The Equalizer is a versatile board that can do a bit of everything. It's a little more freeride oriented, but isn't a typical aggressive freeride board. While you can get in some deep aggressive carves on it, you can also ride it more casually.
It's also good in trees and does well on jumps and not bad for riding switch even, for a more directional board.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Equalizer, 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 the Equalizer to other women's freeride snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hello! We appreciate your reviews ^_^
I find myself in the following situation: I am 170 cm tall, weigh 59 kg, and I purchased the Capita Equalizer 154 cm snowboard. Now I have concerns that it might not be as maneuverable, and perhaps I should have bought the 150 cm version. My riding skill level is intermediate-advanced. I primarily ride on groomed trails with occasional off-piste riding near the trails. Would it be advisable to consider exchanging it for the 150 cm board, or would it not be worth it?
Thank you for your guidance.
Hi Irada
Thanks for your message.
Yeah, IMO, the 154 is too big for you. I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 148 for your specs. So, I would actually be debating between the 146 and 150. If you wanted to err smaller, the 146 is in range, but the 150 would work too, if you wanted to err longer. It will depend on a couple of things, which will be better suited to you, IMO.
Firstly, if you like to ride quite fast with a stable feeling and want to have better float in powder, then I’d err longer – going to the 150. Also, if you are used to riding boards around or longer than 150, then that would also lean me more towards the 150.
If you prefer to ride more mellow, slowly, in trees, short/sharp turns, slashing turns more so than carving and/or like to butter, ollie etc, then I’d err smaller to the 146.
Also your foot size should be taken into account. i.e. if you have smaller feet, then it might make more sense to size to the 146. If you could let me know your boot size as well, that would help too. If you have bigger feet it also could be the case that the 146 is too narrow, so would want to take that into account as well.
But yeah, I think it’s worth exchanging the 154, for sure.
Hope this helps with your decision
I’m grateful for that!!
I also want to let you know that I don’t prefer freestyle at all.
my foot size is 8 US (DC boa LOTUS)
I stepped on the scale and my weight with all the equipment is 62 kg =)) maybe this will somehow improve the situation LOL
Please, can you tell me what difficulties await me with a size of 154 cm? Unfortunately, I purchased the board this year and do not yet have the opportunity to change it to a smaller size, I will have to ride it for this season =(
Hi Irada
Weight recommendations are based on weight without gear, unfortunately. Having lots of gear might help very subtly, but it’s not going to increase the amount of force you can exert by anything significant, IMO. If you’re quite strong/athletic, then that would help in terms of being able to perform better on a bigger board than you typically would at your weight, but if you do get the chance to change it, I would.
The 150 would be fine. The 146, would be doable (and width-wise, I think you’d get on it OK, but I probably wouldn’t go much narrower than that). Even if you’re not doing freestyle stuff, if you prefer to ride more mellow/slow and like trees and/or short/sharp turns, then the 146 might be your best bet. But if you want more stability at speed and float in powder, the 150 is a good option.
The 154, particularly when you take into account length and width, is likely to feel big. It won’t be unrideable I wouldn’t think. But it’s probably going to take more energy to ride and not as optimal, IMO. Turning will take more effort both because of the width and length. This will be felt mostly when riding slower. When you get more speed under it will likely start to feel more agile. It will be more difficult to stop quickly on and will likely feel stiffer than the 6/10 flex we rated it as. So being stiffer and bigger it’s more likely to fatigue your legs quicker (but bonus is it will make help to make you stronger and fitter and when you do get on a smaller board, it will feel much easier in comparison).
Does this board go faster than Hel Yes? I tried an older Pro in 146 today and it was super fast compared to my old 149 that I’m curious about this Equalizer now. How do they compare?
Hi HelYes
Thanks for your message. We never tested the Jess Kimura Pro, but have always found Capita boards to be pretty fast – and The Equalizer has an upgraded base over the old Pro, so I can’t imagine it would feel slower. But can’t say based on anything first hand, having not tested the Jess Kimura Pro.
Would it be really different from the Hel Yes? Next year’s Equalizer is going to have resort V2 profile instead of alpine V1 in 2023.
Hi HelYes
I would say the new Resort V2 Profile is closer to the Hel Yes’ camber profile vs the Alpine V1 was but whilst the camber profile is more double ender than it used to be, the board is still overall more directional than the Hel Yes. It has a directional flex pattern, is setback a little more on effective edge and the difference between nose and tail length is bigger. Plus certainly different feel between Capita and YES boards in general, so there’s certainly enough difference that it would be noticeable if you rode them one after the other. That said, they’re not world’s apart. Camber profile now very similar and flex also very similar. We tested the ’24 model and should have the review updated some time in September.
Hi Nate!
Loving these reviews and answers. Currently going a deep dive trying to purchase a new board. I learned on a 152 Gnu B Pro, then got the 145 Salomon Pillow Talk (which I’m looking to replace). I’m 5’8″ and about 72kg size 8.5 boot. I found I wasn’t getting a lot of float in the pillow talk. I recently purchased the Capita Birds of a Feather and absolutely love this board and it’s now my daily ride. I’m located in the Rockies in Canada and looking to get a board that will do better in powder but still able to ride the resort / groomed runs. I would say I’m high Intermediate dabbling in advanced. Wanting a board for those powder fields, bowls, tree runs but get back to the base of a resort on a groomer.
I was debating between the Capita Equalizer 150 and the Gnu Barrett 149.
Thanks!
Hi Alyssa
Thanks for your message.
I think both would work well for what you’re describing. Neither would likely be better than the Pillow Talk in powder size-for-size, but given you’re looking at them in longer sizes than your Pillow Talk, you should get better float in either of them. Size-wise, I would even consider the Barrett in the 152, to give you even better float, given this will be your powder day board. That won’t make it as good for tree runs, but I think for your specs, it would still work fine in trees. For the Equalizer, 154 is a possibility, but probably getting a bit long, given that you’re looking to ride trees still. But I think you’d still get a bit more float out of the 150 vs the 145 Pillow Talk.
Given that you like the BOAF so much, I would be leaning Equalizer. But if you wanted more contrast in your quiver, then the Barrett is a little more of a contrast to the BOAF. But that said, the Equalizer is still definitely a different enough board to have in the same quiver as the BOAF. Could you also let me know the size of your BOAF, to get a better idea of what your quiver would look like with one of these boards in it.
Thanks Nate! My BOAF is a 148.
Hi Alyssa
Yeah I would be leaning 152 for the Barrett. I’d still probably not go as far as 154 on the Equalizer, so I’d stick with 150 if you went with that one. I’d say you’ll get better powder performance out of the 152 Barrett vs the 150 Equalizer – and given that this is going to compliment your BOAF, I would be leaning towards that. However, the Equalizer does represent the safer bet, given how much you like your BOAF.
Thanks! What about the Salomon HPS – ANNIE BOULANGER
??
I bought the 150 Capita Equalizer and had a great day today to test it out. We got about 20-30cm of spring pow! I was definitely not floating in any pow. So I definitely want something more pow friendly
Hi Alyssa
We haven’t tested the Annie Boulanger so can’t say first hand but on paper it’s very likely to float better than the Equalizer in powder. It looks to be a more powder specific board. I recently rode the HPS Wolle Nyvelt Fish and whilst I didn’t have any real powder to test in, I had some left over pockets and could tell it would be sick in powder. It’s not the same as the Annie Boulanger but similar
Hello Nate,
I am an advanced rider, generally I’m looking for a board that I can feel comfortable going fast on a track (I want to develop my skills on black pest)
on the other hand, I also like to spend time in the park, doing little tricks( I would like to get better at bigger tricks )
I would appreciate any and all feedback😊
Currently looking at:
Capita equalizer
Nitro fate
Jones twin sister
Hi Vaya
Thanks for your message.
We haven’t tested the Fate, so can’t say from experience for that one, but I think the Equalizer and Twin Sister would would be a good bet for what you’re describing, striking a good balance between being good at speed but also something you can ride in the park. The Twin Sister is going to be a little better for riding switch and a little better in icier conditions, with the Equalizer a little better in powder, but both are really good boards and suitable for what you’re describing, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
Love your reviews! Looking for some input on the following:
Mostly like to ride trees but would want it to hold up in icy conditions for groomer days and steeps. I like to go fast but only if I feel my edge control is secure enough. Riding all mountain/park boards at the moment and they just aren’t holding up with some of the tougher terrain 😅
I would appreciate any and all feedback, tysm!
Currently looking at:
– Capita Equalizer
– Jones Flagship
-Jones Hovercraft
– Burton Family Tree Story Board
Hi Brittany
Thanks for your message. Please see my response to your other message on the Top 5 freeride post.
Hello Nate,
I’m looking for a soft all mountain bored for my girlfriend. We ride the east coast trees and bumps. She is an intermediate rider, 5’6″ 135ish with a 23″ stance. I got her a lady west for Christmas but the stiffness isn’t ideal for the tight trees and bumps out here. I was looking at the yes hello in 149 or 152 but the set back on board is very little. Could you recommend something?
Hi Josh
Thanks for your message.
Depends on how much softer you wanted to go.
The Equalizer could certainly work – it’s not super soft, but it’s certainly softer than the Lady West (6/10 on the Equalizer vs 7/10 on Lady West).
If you wanted to go softer than that, then the K2 Dreamsicle and Salomon Wonder would be worth checking out. Size-wise, based on height/weight specs, I wouldn’t go longer than 149 – between 146 and 149 would be what I’d look at. And given that she’s riding tight trees and bumps, I’d be erring on the smaller side. For the Equalizer, I think 146. For the other 2, 149 Dreamsicle and 148 Wonder. But if you could also let me know her boot size, that would help to confirm sizing.
Hope this helps