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PTO Review
We skied them. Here's how they stack up.
These snowboards span 2 categories (Park, All-Mountain Freestyle). Scores reflect each snowboard's intended use — direct comparison across all dimensions may be misleading.
Ultrafear — riders who actually hit rails and boxes and want camber under them rather than a rockered noodle. D.O.A. — riders who want one board that does 90% of everything well. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all boards on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | Ultrafear | D.O.A. |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 2 | 7🏆 |
| Park | 8🏆 | 8🏆 |
| Playfulness | 8 | 9🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 5 | 7🏆 |
| Stability | 3 | 6🏆 |
| Powder | 1 | 4🏆 |
Riders who actually hit rails and boxes and want camber under them rather than a rockered noodle. The current-generation tester puts the case himself: 'This is a great jib board... you want some camber, you want that extra pop... Ollie's easy into a more technical Jib.' Riders who keep destroying park boards: the cork band is edge armor, and CAPiTA calls the SuperDrive ADV base more durable when jibbing. Riders who ride switch as much as regular - centered true twin, zero taper, zero setback. Butter and press riders. Riders on small-to-medium jumps and side hits. Riders who want the D.O.A.'s core, glass and camber for $50 less and do not need its edge hold or its glide. And US 10.5 and up: you want a Wide, style 21040401 - we stock the 157W.
Riders who want the soft, forgiving jib noodle this board's reputation promises: it is the wrong board, and CAPiTA's own numbers say so. It is Twin 5.5, the same as the D.O.A., while the Pathfinder is Twin 4 and the Indoor Survival Twin 4.5. Big-jump and booter riders: three tests across three generations of the board draw the ceiling in the same place, and the pre-reshape scored test found that 'for higher speed approaches to large jumps, it's not as good'. Anyone whose home hill is ice or firm snow: a rider who had ridden both said flatly that it 'doesn't carve as well in ice as the DOA does', and there is no Death Grip and no blend zone in the sidecut to argue back. Riders who want speed: the current-generation tester calls it 'a slow-speed board for the jib park', and CAPiTA's own catalog ranks this base below the D.O.A.'s for glide. Powder riders: taper is zero, setback is zero, and powder is the worst mark on every sheet - one tester wrote 'In terms of Pow, no thank you.' Riders over roughly 190 lb, and anyone who wants a twin longer than 157. First-time snowboarders: there is camber underfoot, and the current-generation tester notes 'It's not that easy to skid your turns' - CAPiTA points the new rider at the Pathfinder, not here. And anyone with a US 10.5 boot being handed a standard 153, 155 or 157: CAPiTA caps those lengths at a US 10, and the length number will not protect you.
Riders who want one board that does 90% of everything well. Park riders who also rip groomers. Side hit hunters. All-mountain freestyle riders who value pop and versatility.
Beginners — the camber profile demands some technique. Deep powder devotees. Riders who want a dedicated freeride or carving board.
The Ultrafear is best for riders who actually hit rails and boxes and want camber under them rather than a rockered noodle. The D.O.A. is best for riders who want one board that does 90% of everything well. park riders who also rip groomers. side hit hunters. The right choice depends on your primary terrain, ability level, and riding style.
The CAPiTA D.O.A. scores highest in Stability at 6/10, making it the strongest all-mountain option. It handles groomers, chop, and variable conditions without losing composure, so it's the best single-snowboard choice for riders who want one board for the whole mountain.
The CAPiTA D.O.A. leads in Carving with a PTO score of 7/10. Its edge grip on hard snow and groomed runs is the strongest in this comparison.
The CAPiTA D.O.A. is the most forgiving option with a Forgiveness score of 7/10. It doesn't punish imperfect technique, making it the easiest snowboard to progress on among these.
Not sure? Ask us.