CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027 Review
Miquel
Author
Miquel
Author
Behind The Pines board review
CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027 Review: Tested in Hochfügen
For 2027, CAPiTA has not radically changed the board. The shape, construction and overall character remain familiar. Based on our test in Hochfügen, it may feel slightly easier to ride than the 2025 and 2026 versions, but this is still a technical snowboard aimed primarily at advanced riders.
Tested by our snowboard crew
In January 2026, we travelled to Hochfügen for the Shop 1st Try convention, where we had the opportunity to test the new CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027 Snowboard.
The Kazu Pro is a board we always look forward to riding. We have followed Kazu Kokubo’s snowboarding for years, and his pro model has consistently reflected the same powerful, technical and terrain-driven approach that defines his riding.
For 2027, CAPiTA has not radically changed the board. The shape, construction and overall character remain familiar. Based on our test in Hochfügen, it may feel slightly easier to ride than the 2025 and 2026 versions, but this is still a technical snowboard aimed primarily at advanced riders.
Who is Kazu Kokubo?
Kazu Kokubo is a Japanese professional snowboarder known for his smooth style, powerful turns and ability to ride technical mountain terrain with remarkable control.
His career has spanned competition snowboarding, major film projects and freeride lines across some of the world’s most demanding terrain. What makes Kazu stand out is not only the difficulty of the terrain he rides, but how natural and composed his riding looks while doing it.
That approach is clearly reflected in his CAPiTA pro model. Rather than creating a soft or forgiving all-mountain board, the Kazu Kokubo Pro is designed for speed, precision and committed riding across natural terrain.
It has become one of the most recognisable directional models in the CAPiTA snowboard collection.
The CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027
The CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027 is a high-performance directional snowboard built for advanced all-mountain and freeride riding.
It combines a longer nose, a shorter tail and a directional camber profile. This gives the board float in softer snow while maintaining the edge hold, support and stability needed for fast riding on piste.
The board feels most at home on steep groomers, natural side hits, powder fields and technical terrain. It can be ridden across the entire mountain, but its character is clearly more focused and demanding than that of a conventional, forgiving all-mountain snowboard.
Panda Hover Core™
The lightweight wood core gives the board a lively and responsive feel while maintaining enough strength and support for aggressive riding.
CarbonFlax™ Amplifiers
CarbonFlax reinforcements add response and energy while helping the board remain composed through variable and uneven snow.
HolySheet™ fiberglass
The fiberglass configuration supports the board’s directional flex and provides accurate power transfer from the rider to the edges.
HyperDrive™ ADV XT Base
The fast sintered base is built to carry speed across groomers, flatter terrain and long traverses.
Directional camber profile
Camber through the main section of the board creates grip, stability and energy. The extended directional nose improves float and makes the board easier to guide through softer snow.
guide to choosing a snowboard
For more information about snowboard profiles, shapes and construction, read our .
For more information about snowboard profiles, shapes and construction, read our guide to choosing a snowboard.
Testing the 2027 Kazu Pro in Hochfügen
We tested the board in January 2026 during the Shop 1st Try convention in Hochfügen. These test events give us the opportunity to ride upcoming snowboard models in real mountain conditions before the new season begins.
The conditions allowed us to test the Kazu Pro across firm pistes, variable snow and softer sections around the mountain. Because we had already ridden earlier versions of the board, we could also compare the 2027 model directly with the 2025 and 2026 editions.
First impressions
The overall character of the 2027 Kazu Pro remains very familiar. It still feels direct, powerful and precise, particularly once the board is moving at speed.
Compared with the 2025 and 2026 versions, the new model may feel slightly easier to access. Turn initiation feels a little smoother, and the board seems marginally less demanding during slower transitions.
The difference is subtle rather than dramatic. The 2027 model has not suddenly become a soft or forgiving snowboard. It still expects confident rider input, good edge control and an active riding style.
Once the board is placed on edge, it feels stable and composed. It encourages the rider to complete each turn properly and rewards strong pressure through the front foot.
Carving and firm snow
On firm pistes, the Kazu Pro feels accurate and dependable. The camber profile creates strong edge engagement, while the directional flex gives the board enough support to hold longer, faster turns.
The board does not feel nervous when the speed increases. It settles into the turn and remains stable, even when the snow becomes harder or less consistent.
The tail provides a strong platform when exiting a carve. There is enough energy to accelerate into the next turn, but the board does not feel overly aggressive or unpredictable.
Although it can make shorter turns, the Kazu Pro feels best when given space. Open pistes, long carving turns and faster descents suit the board’s character particularly well.
Powder and softer snow
The directional outline gives the Kazu Pro good natural float. The longer nose helps the board rise through softer snow, while the shorter tail makes it easier to steer and release the turn.
It does not feel like a specialist powder board. There is still plenty of effective edge and support underfoot, making it useful on days when the snow changes between fresh powder, tracked sections and firm pistes.
The board allows the rider to maintain a relatively centred position in softer snow. There is less need to force weight heavily onto the back foot than on a conventional twin-shaped snowboard.
Variable and technical terrain
The Kazu Pro feels especially convincing when the terrain becomes steeper or more technical.
It gives the rider clear feedback and responds quickly to changes in pressure. That makes it easier to adjust a line, control speed or move around obstacles when the terrain becomes less predictable.
The board remains lively rather than heavily damped. You can still feel what is happening underneath it, but there is enough stability to prevent the ride from becoming nervous through chopped-up or inconsistent snow.
Its relatively lightweight construction also helps when making faster changes of direction. Despite its powerful feel, the Kazu Pro is not slow or difficult to move underneath the rider.
Is the 2027 Kazu Pro easier to ride?
Compared with the 2025 and 2026 versions, we found the 2027 Kazu Pro slightly easier to ride.
The difference mainly comes through during turn initiation and lower-speed riding. The board appears to enter a turn more smoothly, making it marginally more manageable when the terrain becomes tighter or when the rider is not travelling at full speed.
However, it is important not to overstate this change.
The 2027 Kazu Pro remains an advanced snowboard. It still has a technical, directional character and requires solid fundamentals. Riders need to be comfortable applying pressure through the edges, controlling speed on steeper terrain and adapting their position as conditions change.
It is more approachable than some earlier Kazu models, but it is not designed as a progression board for beginners or cautious intermediate riders.
Who is it for?
We recommend the Kazu Pro 2027 for advanced and expert riders who:
It is less suitable for beginners, relaxed riders or snowboarders looking for a soft and playful freestyle board.
Strong intermediate riders may be able to progress onto the Kazu Pro, but they should already be confident on steeper pistes and comfortable riding at speed. Most developing riders will progress more easily on a less demanding model from our wider snowboard collection.
- Prefer directional all-mountain and freeride riding
- Enjoy riding fast on open pistes
- Want strong edge hold on firm snow
- Need enough float for powder and softer conditions
- Ride steep, technical or variable terrain
- Prefer precision and feedback over maximum forgiveness
- Want one technical board for changing mountain conditions
How does it compare with the 2025 and 2026 versions?
The 2027 Kazu Pro has not changed significantly compared with the previous two versions.
The shape, construction and intended riding style remain largely the same. Riders familiar with the 2025 or 2026 model will immediately recognise the stable, directional and responsive character of the board.
The main difference we noticed was a slightly more accessible feel. The 2027 version appears a little easier to guide into a turn, particularly at lower speeds.
This does not change the board’s core identity. It remains a technical freeride snowboard designed for experienced riders. Think of it as a small refinement rather than a complete redesign.
Our verdict
After testing the CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027 at the Shop 1st Try convention in Hochfügen, our conclusion is that CAPiTA has stayed close to an already successful formula.
The board remains quick, stable and highly responsive. It provides dependable edge hold on firm snow, good float in softer conditions and enough precision for technical mountain terrain.
The 2027 edition may be slightly easier to ride than the 2025 and 2026 models, but it still requires commitment and experience. This is not a board that does all the work for the rider. It performs best when ridden actively and with confidence.
That focused character is also what makes it appealing. The Kazu Pro does not try to become a soft, universal snowboard for every ability level. It is designed for advanced riders who want a technical platform that remains stable when the speed and terrain become more demanding.
For an experienced rider looking for one directional snowboard for carving, freeriding, powder and technical Alpine terrain, the CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027 remains a very strong choice.
Shop the CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027
View the available sizes, specifications and construction details for the CAPiTA Kazu Kokubo Pro 2027 Snowboard.
Not sure whether the Kazu Pro suits your ability, boot size and preferred terrain? Use our Snowboard Finder to find a model that matches your riding.
You can also read our snowboard size guide, explore all CAPiTA snowboards, or visit Behind The Pines in Amsterdam for personal advice from our snowboard crew.