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PTO Review
We skied them. Here's how they stack up.
These snowboards span 2 categories (Freeride, All-Mountain). Scores reflect each snowboard's intended use — direct comparison across all dimensions may be misleading.
Hovercraft 2.0 — riders who plan the season around deep days and want float geometry graded at the top rather than a compromise. Mercury — riders who want a one-board quiver that excels at carving and all-mountain riding but can still hit park features. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all boards on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | Hovercraft 2.0 | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 6 | 9🏆 |
| Park | 3 | 6🏆 |
| Playfulness | 8🏆 | 7 |
| Forgiveness | 7🏆 | 6 |
| Stability | 5 | 7🏆 |
| Powder | 9🏆 | 5 |
Riders who plan the season around deep days and want float geometry graded at the top rather than a compromise. It fits someone whose natural turn is long and sweeping, who is comfortable on a medium 3/5 flex, and who treats a recycled core as a reason to buy rather than a marketing footnote — while still wanting enough edge bite that the traverse out and the chopped snow home are not a punishment.
Park and switch riders — Freestyle 4/10 on a deep-tapered directional outline; a true twin is the right category. Riders wanting a genuinely stiff charger: it is 3/5 with no stringer, whatever the "all-conditions charger" tagline says. Hardpack carvers chasing short, quick turns, because this is the widest turning radius in our Jones order. Mostly-groomer riders who rarely see deep snow — an All-Mountain 8 board like the Stratos or Frontier 2.0 spends the money better. And anyone who needs a wide deck: Jones publishes no W size for this board.
Riders who want a one-board quiver that excels at carving and all-mountain riding but can still hit park features. Speed lovers who want edge hold and stability.
Beginners still learning to link turns. Dedicated park/jib riders — too stiff and directional. Deep powder specialists.
The Hovercraft 2.0 is best for riders who plan the season around deep days and want float geometry graded at the top rather than a compromise. The Mercury is best for riders who want a one-board quiver that excels at carving and all-mountain riding but can still hit park features. The right choice depends on your primary terrain, ability level, and riding style.
The CAPiTA Mercury scores highest in Stability at 7/10, 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 Mercury leads in Carving with a PTO score of 9/10. Its edge grip on hard snow and groomed runs is the strongest in this comparison.
The Jones Hovercraft 2.0 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.