K2's Mindbender freeride boots, equipped with the hottest new feature of the season, BOA®. Impressions from three guides who used them on the snowy mountains

Why Mindbender is so popular among skaters

The K2 Mindbender boots, highly favored by skiers who prioritize gliding performance, offer both excellent glide and comfortable walking. Now,
models with the BOA® Fit System have been released in flex 130 and 120.

There are many reasons why the Mindbender is popular among skiers, but the biggest factor is the shell construction that does not compromise gliding performance. By using four types of TPU material with different hardness and thickness in different areas, power is transferred to the boot without any loss.

Taking the 130 as an example, the black part is made of the hardest and thickest TPU material, followed by the blue part, which is the next hardest. It's a little hard to see, but the light gray upper part uses a thin and soft TPU material to help with smooth putting on and taking off. The cream-colored upper shell uses Pebax, which is less susceptible to changes in hardness due to cold.
The "Mindbender" is a boot that combines three qualities: quick response, power transfer, lightness, and ease of use.

What are the benefits of using BOA®?

This year, four brands, including K2, have adopted the new BOA® Fit System for ski boots. Of these, only ATOMIC and K2 use the BOA® Fit System in boots with Walk Mode

The BOA® Fit System uses wire laces to tighten the instep and toe area.
Buckle systems, on the other hand, often felt like they were pulling from the big toe to the little toe. In contrast, the BOA® Fit System is characterized by a snug fit that wraps around the entire foot.
The heel conforms better to the heel section of the boot, and the improved heel lock allows for higher power transfer from the boot to the ski, resulting in enhanced delicate edge control.
Furthermore, turning the BOA® dial in the opposite direction loosens the fit, and the ability to make fine adjustments of 0.25 mm per click is remarkable.
Compared to buckle systems, the simple operation of just turning the BOA® dial gives it the advantage of reliable function even in harsh conditions.

Furthermore, in the backcountry, where you repeatedly walk and ski, you have many opportunities to adjust your boots. Since the conditions change each time you visit a new location, it's unlikely that things will go "the same way as always."
Even the smallest things can become a hassle, and if they accumulate, they can lead to minor stress.
For example, when the buckles are covered in snow, the snow that has stuck to them freezes and prevents them from fastening smoothly. Or, while walking, your toes might become too tight and you want to loosen them quickly, or vice versa.
While this might not be a problem in calm weather, the time spent making such adjustments becomes subtly annoying in bad weather.

With the BOA® Fit System, however, it can all be done in one action. When skiing, it fits perfectly, and when walking, it's easy to maintain just the right balance—not too tight, not too loose.

Here, we'll hear from a guide who used the MINDBENDER 130 BOA® last season. We hope to hear from him about the feelings he got from walking and skiing on snowy mountains every day

"The entire lower shell feels like it's being wrapped up," says guide Handa Yuzuru

Profile:
Representative of ZAOC, a guide service focusing on Miyagi Zao and the Southern Tohoku area. He has been skiing and playing in Zao since childhood. In addition to being a professional skier and backcountry guide, he also serves as an advisor for FWT Japan, and continues to pursue aggressive skiing even as he ages.
ZAOC　https://steep.jp/guideclub/zaoc/

"I wore them for about two months, from early March to late April. I tested them on the snow for about 20 days. My initial impression when putting them on wasn't much different from the buckle model, but as I tightened the wire, I felt like my entire lower shell was being enveloped.

Turning the dial moves the wire and tightens it in millimeter increments, making it very easy to fine-tune the tightness. The buckle has one of four tightening positions due to its shape, but BOA® offers incomparable adjustability and a better fit. I really like the feeling of the sides and top of the front of my foot being tightened.
With the buckle type, even when tightened properly, there was always a little bit of play, and I always had the feeling that it wasn't completely tightened even though it was, but I'm freed from that with these.
It's a matter of personal preference, but I really like them."

I frequently open and adjust the second buckle. I especially fully open it when riding the lift at the ski resort, and the one-action system for opening it is very convenient. Switching between hiking up and skiing is equally easy. To be

honest, before I got my hands on the product, I was a little skeptical. But once I actually got it and started using it, I found the wire to be strong, and any dials that came off due to bumps could be easily reattached.
I've been using it for two months now, and I haven't had any problems. It might just be that I'm not used to it, but I think one of its novelties is that it doesn't look like a typical ski boot."

"It saves you the trouble of doing the work and allows you to move around more smoothly," says guide Kazuya Igarashi

Profile:
A former All-Japan Mogul Champion, National Team Olympic Coach, and a successful Everest climb with Yuichiro Miura, among other impressive achievements. Currently based at Kagura Ski Resort, he works as a backcountry guide and mountain guide, particularly sharing the thrill of powder skiing with beginners and intermediate skiers.
Kagura Powder Station　: https://steep.jp/guideclub/kagura-powderstation/

"I wore them for about 100 days over a four-month period, from mid-January to mid-May. One of the biggest differences between the buckle type and the BOA® Fit System is that it takes less effort and work to fasten the buckle

In the backcountry, there are various tasks involved, such as setting up before walking, removing the skins, switching from walk mode to ski mode, and fastening the buckles. With BOA®, you don't need to brush away snow or even ice to ensure the buckles fit properly during these tasks. I wouldn't call it stressful, but the more you use them, the more you appreciate saving time on these tasks.

Also, the ability to tighten the front of the lower shell is just right. With buckles, the tightening position and tightness are predetermined, right? But with the wire system, you can tighten or loosen it by about 0.25mm with a single click of the dial. This allows you to set the fit to just the right level.

Furthermore, I feel an improved ankle hold, and my entire foot feels properly secured. I'm not sure if this is directly related, but I have the impression that my inside foot grips the snow faster when initiating turns.
I've been using them for four months, and I haven't experienced any problems in the field."

"The airtightness has also improved, reducing water intrusion when crossing," says guide Iwao Saeki

Profile:
Born and raised at the foot of Mt. Tateyama, he has been familiar with mountaineering and ski mountaineering since childhood. He competed in the Inter-High School Championships in competitive skiing. He also devoted himself to competitive canoeing, achieving a medal at the National Sports Festival. Currently, he guides backcountry skiing in a wide area from Tateyama to Hakuba and Myoko. He serves on the board of directors of the Japan Mountain Guide Association and is also involved in supporting the younger generation.
Tyrol　https://steep.jp/guideclub/tyrol/

"I used them extensively for about three months, from late December to March. The fit is unlike anything I've ever experienced; the expression 'being enveloped' is truly appropriate. The change from buckles to wires seems to have increased the rigidity in the torsional direction. Also, thanks to the improved airtightness of the lower shell, I feel that less water gets in when crossing rivers.

With buckle boots, you can fasten them with a single touch once you've decided on the position of the fastener, but with BOA®, if you fully open it, it takes a little time to turn the dial to fasten it.
In that case, you need to be careful not to overtighten the BOA® as it will keep tightening indefinitely. However, even taking that into account, the exquisite fit that wraps around the entire foot is wonderful."

The absence of buckles means they don't interfere with the shell's molding process, making them easier to break in and adjust during the molding process. The inner boot also uses BOA®, further enhancing the fit. While the dial is slightly high, you'll get used to it with use.

I used them for most of the season and experienced virtually no problems. Occasionally, during the coldest months, the dial would freeze and become difficult to open, but turning it in the tightening direction once would break the ice, so it wasn't a major issue.

BOA® Lifetime Warranty: Free replacement of broken parts

The BOA® Fit System comes with a warranty that lasts for the life of the alpine boots. In the unlikely event that the dial or wire is damaged, you can order a free repair kit from the BOA® official website and repair it yourself. If you need a new part, you can have it replaced at a store that carries the product (installation fees may apply; please check with each store for details)

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