K2 is back in the game with their new lightweight alpine ski boots which were well received this winter.
For next winter 19/20 K2 have developed the new Mindbender range, solid free-rando boots that let you tour the backcountry and that perform on the downhill.
K2’s old Pinnacle 130 did not leave us with a good memory. A heavy boot that did not have a true 130 alpine flex, the Pinnacle was uncomfortable, lacked precision and had buckles that sometimes buckled under the load.
K2 thoroughly updated their freeride and touring skis last season, and it was time for the boots to get some attention.
K2 Mindbender 130: what's new?
First impressions confirm that K2 have done their homework. The K2 MINDBENDER 130 is excellent and weighs only 1675g in 26.5 MP, comes with a metatarsal width of 98mm for precise power transfer, a 130 flex and 50° of cuff rotation in walk mode. In descent mode the cuff has a choice of 12° or 17° forward flex for those wanting a more alpine position or more restrained touring stance. K2 have used 3 different polymers in the Mindbender 130 shell. It’s amazing just how easy foot entry and exit is for an overlap shell design, thanks to the use of a softer PU along the border of the shell opening.
Entry and exit are child's play, even in very cold conditions where plastics can harden and make things difficult.
K2 mindbender 130: so how does it ski?
K2 have used Pebax for the cuff which provides a very good lateral stiffness, and if the frontal flex does not quite match that of the Lange XT Free 130 or the Dalbello Lupo Factory, it remains very pleasant, and pretty progressive for an overlap boot.
K2 have given the Mindbender 130 excellent high quality buckles and the additional welcome surprise is that they are screwed and not riveted.
The walk/ski lever is oversized and also very easy to use, reminding us of that of the Atomic Hawx XTD130.
We’ve never had a single service issue with the Atomic’s mechanism and expect that K2’s will be equally robust.
Sometimes it’s best to design simple effective mechanisms knowing that they’ll get a lot of punishment.
Cuff mobility in walk mode is 50°, which is good without being exceptional for a modern free rando boot. We liked the powerstrap with a cord to unlock, this was very convenient to use.
The liner offers a good balance between comfort and support, with softer materials where the cuff flexes in walk mode and harder foam used on the support zones for downhill precision and durability.
The Mindbender is a joy to use, easy to enter and exit, with buckles that are easy to adjust, the Powerstrap with cord and well designed ski/walk lever.
The box toe is quite large and the notional 98mm metatarsal width seems closer to 99/100mm, K2 wanting to provide both precision and comfort for all day long use.
Test the new model of K2 MINDBENDER 130 2020
MINDBENDER FREE-RANDO boots 2020
It’s clear that K2’s Mindbender 130 will be one of the top free-rando boots next winter.
A well designed boot with a beautiful construction, very well thought out details, and a look that matches it’s performance.
Test the new MINDBENDER FREE-RANDO boots 2020. for the adventures of glaciers in good condition. If you want more advice please get in touch, the friendly and experienced Telemark Pyrenees team is here to help!
