The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of outdoor gear

Capita Kazu Kokubo Pro Review

Built for riding every condition with power and finesse in a playful style.
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Price:  $560 List
Pros:  Manufactured with 100% hydropower, beautiful graphic, playful
Cons:  Back half of the heel side edge feels like it can slightly disengage under certain circumstances
Manufacturer:   CAPiTA
By Isaac Laredo ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Feb 20, 2019
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82
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 10
  • Edging - 25% 8
  • Float in Powder - 20% 8
  • Stability at Speed - 20% 9
  • Playfulness - 20% 8
  • Pop and Jumping - 15% 8

Our Verdict

The Capita Kazu Pro is an eye-catching and great performing board. In our testing, this model was incredibly well rounded. If you're looking for a good turning board, the hybrid profile and width provide enough flex create playful or driven turns. Our testers had no toe or heel drag which can be attributed to its mid-wide waist width and the camber is right where you need it to provide stability when things motion blur in your sight. As showcased in Kazu's video parts this board has great pop. Well, Kazu knows how to pop a snowboard but the Kazu Pro will help us get there.


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award  
Price $560 List$600 List$589.99 at Backcountry$479.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$515.00 at Amazon
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Star Rating
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Pros Manufactured with 100% hydropower, beautiful graphic, playfulFloaty, precise edging, good construction, playfulLightweight, well-made, fun, responsive, user-friendly, made in the USAGreat value, versatile, stable, beautiful graphicGreat value, versatile, nimble, fun
Cons Back half of the heel side edge feels like it can slightly disengage under certain circumstancesTricky to size, unappealing graphicBelow average floatCan slip on hardbackBelow average float in powder
Bottom Line Built for riding every condition with power and finesse in a playful style."That was totally wicked." -The IncrediblesSnowboarding can be hard; help lower the learning curve with this model.Porsche performance at Honda prices.The Fury has everything you need and nothing you don't for the sunny everyday board.
Rating Categories Capita Kazu Kokubo Pro Yes. Optimistic Never Summer Proto Type Two Jones Explorer Nitro Quiver Fury
Edging (25%)
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
9
Float In Powder (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
7
Stability At Speed (20%)
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
7
Playfulness (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
10
10
0
7
10
0
10
Pop And Jumping (15%)
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
8
Specs Capita Kazu Kokubo... Yes. Optimistic Never Summer Proto... Jones Explorer Nitro Quiver Fury
Shape Directional Directional Asymetrical-Twin Directional Asymetrical twin
Camber/Rocker Hybrid- Rocker/Camber Hybrid-Rocker/Camber Hybrid-Rocker/Camber Hybrid-Rocker/Camber Hybrid- Rocker/Camber
Flex Medium Stiff Soft-Medium Medium-Stiff Medium/Stiff
Weight 5.4 (lb) / 86.4 (oz) 6.2 (lb) / 99.2 (oz) 6.2 (lb) / 99.2 (oz) 6.4 (lb) / 102.4 (oz) 6 (lb) / 96 (oz)
Tested Length 157 151 157 159 159
Available Lengths 151, 154, 157, 160 151, 154, 157 152,154,157,160,153X,155X,158X,161X,164X 152,156,158W,159,161W,162,164W 157, 163
Construction Type Sandwich Sandwich Sandwich Sandwich Sandwich
Core Material Wood Carbon-wrapped wood Wood Wood Wood
Waist Width (cm) 25.5 26.6 26.3 26.2 25
Radius (m) 8.4 6.5 7.6 toe/7.3 heel 7.5 9/5.6-7/4.1
Taper(mm) 9 6 0 0 0

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Capita Kazu Pro is one of the companies all mountain freestyle board offerings. Built for your favorite snowboarder's favorite snowboarder this model is supportive and versatile. It can handle anything from small side hits to big lines in AK.

Performance Comparison


Incredible graphics designed by Kazu's tattoo artist.
Incredible graphics designed by Kazu's tattoo artist.

Edging


The Kazu Pro has a medium flex pattern that supports short and long radius turns. Considering the 8.4-meter sidecut, its performance with short radius turns was pleasantly surprising. User-friendly camber allowed for explosive turns at all speeds. When the flex and sidecut were properly engaged, our testers could accelerate out of turns. If we got too far over the nose of this board, we could feel the back half of the heel edge start to disengage. This was an inconsistency in edge engagement that was not felt with other models in the same turn. The wider waist width mitigated toe and heel drag without comprising the board's ability to roll edge to edge. It was nimble enough to move through bumps when riding without feeling like it had to be thrown around. Collectively, this board has a user-friendly edging style that can be driven or ridden relaxed and laidback. The Kazu Pro scored an 8 out of 10 in this metric.

A highspeed heelside supported by the Capita Kazu Pro
A highspeed heelside supported by the Capita Kazu Pro

Float in Powder


This rockered nose of this model kept us floating when others would let us down and tomahawk. It seemed at home in all types of terrain such as trees, open slopes, and natural powder hits. That being said there were others that floated better. The Kazu scored an 8 out of 10 in this metric. We would feel comfortable and have a great time taking it out on any powder day.

The Kazu Pro feels at home in powder.
The Kazu Pro feels at home in powder.

Stability at Speed


Even though this model has a medium flex, its mostly cambered profile made this board feel like a precise bullet at high speeds. We could either be straight lining on the balls of our feet or quickly moving edge to edge. The Capita didn't dominate this field with an 8 out of 10 but had great performance especially given its playfulness.

Playfulness


We found Kazu Pro to be incredibly playful given its edging and stability performance. Our testers enjoyed buttering, turning and slashing around on this well-made board. We were also surprised at its versatility and the number of situations this board excelled in.

Pop and Jumping


The first time our tester hit a jump on the Kazu Pro, he sent it to the depths of the landing. There is plenty of pop in this board. The camber dominant profile produced strong pop that doesn't require significant pre-loading. This model received and 8 out of 10 on this metric.

Zach Weed showcasing all-mountain freestyle on the Capita Kazu Pro.
Zach Weed showcasing all-mountain freestyle on the Capita Kazu Pro.

Best Applications


The Kazu Pro is best suited for riding groomers in those everyday variable conditions, hitting jumps, and accessing the hike-to terrain at your local resort to get first tracks.

Value


There is something to be said about companies that just do things right. This board is produced with 100% hydro-power in Capita factory that is leading the industry in sustainability. This sticker price on the board is $539. When you factor in the performance, quality and unique manufacturing of this board it's a great value.

Conclusion


The Capita Kazu Pro is for the environmental conscious rider who demands performance in every attribute but doesn't like to sacrifice a playful experience.

Other Versions and Accessories


There are wide versions available. We tested the regular version.

Topsheet of the Kazu Pro.
Topsheet of the Kazu Pro.


— Isaac Laredo