[Editor’s Note: This K2 Mindbender 96C review was published in 2023 and has been updated. There is no difference between the 23/24 models, and the 24/25 models aside from graphics.]
Extra Mindbending.
The K2 Mindbender collection ushered within the new period of freeride skis after they first launched in 2019. The bones have at all times been a flexible form, with some fashions that includes metallic (the Ti) and a few with softer, energetic carbon (the C). Since then, K2 has solely refined and diversified the road to supply a full choice. Every waist width class affords both a stiffer, chargier possibility or a extra playful, energetic possibility. By making the Tis a bit extra punchy for agency snow and stability, it allowed K2 to develop the carbon-focused fashions and double down on their playful, freeride taste. In our K2 Mindbender 96C evaluation, we break down the way it differs from the unique fan-favorite K2 Mindbender 99Ti, and what skier this Mindbender most accurately fits.
We had a number of staffers hop on the brand new Mindbender 96C throughout our Powder7 Ski Take a look at at Loveland Ski Space, so we’ve included their notes beneath. From comparatively new skiers to specialists, it was spectacular how this ski appealed to a number of skier sorts. However extra on that later.
K2 Mindbender 96C Overview: Subject Notes
The Mindbender collection returns with the complete Ti collection unchanged after updates final 12 months (extra tail rocker for elevated maneuverability, but additionally extra metallic on the contact factors for higher stability). This 12 months, the C collection expands to a redesigned Mindbender 116C and 106C, together with a model new 96C. The ladies have loved a ladies-specific Mindbender 106C for just a few years now, however this new model hosts new options and is now supplied in longer sizes and a “males’s” artwork. All constructions are unisex, with girls’s variations being completely different in artwork alone.
So what’s up with the brand new fashions? K2 added a layer of “uni-directional flax”, which has supreme dampening skills and a extra sustainable manufacturing, whereas remaining very light-weight. There’s additionally a brand new mould; with deeper tip rocker, considerably extra tail rocker and tweaked form. K2 retains the carbon spectral braid that was featured on previous Mindbender Cs. The orientation of the carbon fibers is braided in several orientations, designed to extend torsional rigidity underfoot (the place you want it) and preserve issues softer within the tip and tail for larger playfulness.
At 5’8″ and 130lbs, I rode the K2 Mindbender 96C within the 172cm size. That’s usually proper about the place I need to be for all-mountain snowboarding. The 178cm would have supplied extra stability at velocity, however most likely would really feel a contact unwieldy in Winter Park Mary Jane bumps which can be as tall as your head, or tight Eldora bushes (the place I do most of my day-to-day snowboarding). However extra on that beneath.
Groomers
Whereas 96mm underfoot is perhaps slightly huge for a “carving” ski, you wouldn’t essentially realize it ripping on the Mindbender 96C. It’s fast, simple to roll over on edge, and steady. That’s what a carving ski is, proper?
Okay, there are a few extra variations. And also you most likely gained’t buy this ski as your “carving” devoted ski for bulletproof morning ice at 60 mph. However, contemplating its meant use as a playful all-mountain ski, it definitely rips turns with the most effective of them. The flip initiation is clean, and the sting maintain is dependable and predictable. The ski doesn’t need to slide out beneath you—even on agency or icy patches—and holds a flip properly. And, the development does job of dampening the journey. I believed the ski was a lot supportive for the form of carving I do. Not race degree by any means, however I might ski as quick as I wished with associates.
Definitely, in comparison with the Blizzard Rustler 9 or Nordica Enforcer 94, the Mindbender 96C options deeper rocker and a softer building. That lends itself to a bit extra chatter at prime velocity on agency snow and fewer energy. However, if that’s your velocity, that’s what the Mindbender 99Ti is for. You’ll get extra help at velocity and better edge angles, with an analogous, versatile form.
Contemplating how playful the Mindbender 96C is, it balances efficiency on path very properly. For those who prioritize taking snappy, quick turns, reasonably than charging down the mountain at prime velocity, you’ll have a enjoyable time carving on the 96C.
Hannah: I immediately felt the all-mountain versatility, and thought it was fairly confidence-inspiring on edge even when slightly icy. It held up properly on the windblown groomers in direction of the top of the day at Loveland, and the ski felt fairly planted and playful.
Jonathan: I believed the Mindbender 96C appears like it may be pushed fairly onerous on a groomer/on edge, and feels torsionally supportive. I by no means felt like I used to be going to scrub out on carves.
Bumps and Timber
As anticipated, the bumps and bushes have been a blast on these skis. The Mindbender turned shortly and felt extraordinarily responsive. It has the right quantity of liveliness for bumps and bushes, not overly loaded up with vitality. It additionally goes from completely different snow circumstances easily. From delicate and edgeable chalk to scraped off large bumps, the Mindbender absorbs these vibrations with out passing them as much as you. It makes navigating these half sunny/half shady bump traces as simple as falling off a log.
The skis additionally felt surprisingly predictable. The marginally directional form helps preserve issues glued to the road you’re on the lookout for. Oddly, it felt paying homage to the DPS Kaizen 100. The Mindbender is softer and extra keen to bend to the snow in entrance of it than the stiffer Kaizen. However, each supply clean flip initiation and precision. In comparison with a extra actually twin-tipped ski (just like the up to date K2 Reckoner collection or Faction Studio) that desires to pivot, slash, and improvise extra, the Mindbender nonetheless needs to select a line and comply with it (with out requiring an excellent excessive degree of dedication). You will get the ski sideways, it simply takes slightly extra effort. Suppose, drifty and sliding, reasonably than slashing and pivoting.
In comparison with the 99Ti, the 96C is expectedly simpler to flick round and faster to get on edge in a good spot. You’ll additionally discover a bit extra vitality out of the 96C.
Jonathan: Very energetic and snappy! Felt gentle and fast within the bumps, however the tail was nonetheless supportive and exact with out feeling overly demanding or punishing.
Carter: I really like carbon skis in bumps and bushes. These have been tremendous poppy. I’ve been working towards my jumps and this ski did half the work for me. Being in my second season, I really like a ski that’s simple to ski.
Blended Snow and Powder
In actually untracked delicate snow, the K2 Mindbender 96C floats fairly properly for its dimension. The softer building and tip design enable the ski to get on prime of the snow shortly. Its elevated tail rocker helps maneuver even when slowed down in softer snow, serving to you keep standing up than needing to lean again for maneuverability. Most of us on the store would argue that for the occasional delicate snow day (so lengthy it’s not Alaska-deep), a mid-90mm underfoot ski will get you the place you’ll want to be. In fact, it gained’t float in addition to its wider siblings, the 106C, and definitely not the extra powder-specific 116C.
As for blended or chopped up snow, the softer building and wider taper lends the ski to skipping round uneven snow piles reasonably than driving by way of them. As we famous on path, the dearth of metallic provides you much less energy for driving straight by way of difficult snow down the autumn line. That’s not a foul factor—it’s only a completely different type. A method many can get together with. The give attention to excessive maneuverability permits you to decide and select your method by way of the snow, serving to you discover the nice snow patches and keep away from the dangerous ones. On the identical time, the ski stays composed, even in these more durable snow circumstances. That damp and steady building does some heavy lifting in uneven snow.
Robust, aggressive skiers might want one thing stiffer (just like the 99Ti different), however extra cautious/much less aggressive riders will recognize the extent of composure and dampness in a ski this maneuverable.
For those who ski in deeper, extra variable snow circumstances so much, the 106C might be one to have a look at. We had loads of staffers discover the identical liveliness and quickness within the 106C.
Jonathan: Definitely not a variable circumstances charger, however if you happen to prioritize a fast, energetic really feel in your off-piste ski, and need a fairly supportive flex sample to match it, it is a nice possibility.
Draw back?
We’ve talked about it slightly all through this evaluation, however the Mindbender 96C isn’t essentially the most highly effective or circumstances crushing journey as another skis within the mid-90s all-mountain class. The Mindbender 99Ti delivers extra energy in an analogous form, however even that mannequin gained’t blast by way of crud the identical method the much less rockered and stiffer Volkl Mantra or Blizzard Enforcer will. These skis additionally flip the dial up by way of how a lot enter you’ll want to ski it with, and are considerably much less playful.
I discovered the tip to get deflected at instances whereas snowboarding in blended snow, however by no means a lot it felt distracting. The midfoot of the ski may be very predictable. However if you need a ski that stays very glued to the snow, you would possibly discover the Mindbender 96C missing in some stability.
Backside Line
All the Mindbender collection is one which I feel loads of people can get together with. Every mannequin hosts a lot versatility in every’s use case. Positive, the Tis are slightly chargier and the Cs are extra playful. However, they each deal with variable (and excellent) circumstances with poise and composure. They’re responsive, however not overly hooky. All in all, I feel you’d be hard-pressed to discover a ski lineup that exemplifies “all-mountain freeride” greater than the Mindbender collection.
The Mindbender 96C would possibly simply be essentially the most versatile of the versatile. It’s predictable and trust-worthy in all snow circumstances, energetic and fast turning, floats within the deeper stuff and lays a carve down on the paths. You don’t have to fret about pondering “am I on the suitable ski for snowboarding this line, in these circumstances?” You possibly can belief that the ski will carry out. The truth that our testers throughout so many expertise ranges and kinds got here again with comparable “stoke scores” on this ski says so much about who its for. It’s for any skier on the lookout for time.
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