2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 130

Boot: 2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 130

Stated Flex: 130

Available Sizes: 24.5-30.5

Stated Last (size 26.5): 98 mm

Stated Range of Motion: 50°

Stated Forward Lean: 10-17°

Size Tested: 26.5

Stated Boot Sole Length (size 26.5): 304 mm

Blister’s Measured Weight (size 26.5):

  • Shells, no Liners (left & right): 1429 & 1416 g
  • Liners, no Footbeds: 340 & 338.5
  • Shells + Liners = 1769 & 1755 g
  • Removable Spoilers: 17.5 & 17.5 g

Buckles: 4 micro adjustable aluminum

Power Strap: 45 mm camming strap with ripcord

Shell Material:

  • Cuff: Pebax
  • Lower Shell / Shoe: TPU

Liner: PowerFit Pro Tour

Soles: replaceable Gripwalk (alpine and touring soles sold separately)

Binding Compatibility:

  • w/ GripWalk soles: tech / pin bindings, MNC, Gripwalk (ISO 23223)
  • w/ aftermarket Alpine soles: MNC, Alpine (ISO 5355) 
  • w/ aftermarket Touring soles: tech / pin bindings (ISO 9523), MNC

Tech Fittings: yes

[Our review is being conducted on the 2021-2022 K2 Mindbender 130, which, besides colors, returns unchanged for the 2022-2023 season.]

 

 

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the K2 Mindbender 130 for BLISTER.
K2 Mindbender 130 - 21/22

[Editor’s Note: In the interest of getting you information sooner on some of the products we’re reviewing, we’re posting here some of our measured specs and manufacturer details, and will update in the future. Take a look, and let us know in the Comments Section below what questions you’d like us to answer.]

Intro

Over the past 5-10 years the one-boot quiver for human-powered and lift-accessed skiing has become quite a popular genre, with nearly every company taking a stab at it. And while some brands dub them “freeride-touring” boots and we often call them “50/50” boots, they all suggest that these are boots appropriate for both resort and backcountry skiing. Of course, that means making some compromises; these boots often offer reduced suspension, multi-directional support, and durability (relative to traditional alpine boots), while also not typically walking / skinning as well as lighter touring-specific boots. Nevertheless, they have become a more popular class of boot — and with the price of a single pair of ski boots, we can’t really blame anyone for buying just one pair. Thankfully, every year these boots are becoming more and more capable in both the resort and backcountry arenas. 

K2 is perhaps one of the most ambitious companies in this regard, as they have gone all-in with the idea of highly capable lightweight ski boots. Interestingly, their Mindbender and Recon series boots both weigh about the same, even though the Mindbenders have walk mechanisms while the Recons have fixed cuffs. And it’s even more interesting that, a few years ago, K2’s Pinnacle series of boots were some of the heaviest in the “50/50” class.

We started spending time in the Mindbender 130 last season and will be spending more time on it going forward — including A/B testing it against the K2 Recon series. In the meantime, here’s a closer look at its design and specs.

What K2 says about the Mindbender 130

“A one-boot quiver for aggressive skiers who won’t be confined to the resort. 

Built with a heat-moldable Powerlite shell, Friction Free Cuff Pivot, tech fittings, and a burly 130 flex, the K2 Mindbender 130 men’s ski boot is the versatile freeride boot you need for both chairlift-assisted and human-powered endeavors. When it comes time to venture beyond the resort, flip the Powerlock Spyne into walk mode and appreciate the impressive 50-degree range of motion as you power uphill to your next objective.”

2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 130

The Mindbender Series

Across the Mindbender collection, all the boots reportedly weigh within 200 grams of each other, feature fully heat moldable shells made of various stiffness of TPU, and implement K2’s “Powerlock Spyne” walk mechanism. The main differences within the Mindbender series are flex ratings (ranging from 140 to 95), lasts of 98 millimeters (excluding the softest models, which are stated at 100 millimeters), and liners; most use the PowerFit Pro Tour Liner, excepting the men’s 120 and 100 boots, which use the Precision Fit and LuxFit Pro Tour liners, respectively. Listed below is the complete series for 2023:

Men:

  • K2 Mindbender 100, 100 mm last, $700
  • K2 Mindbender 120, 98 mm last, $800
  • K2 Mindbender 130, 98 mm last, $900
  • K2 Mindbender Team (140-flex), 98 mm last, $950

Women:

  • K2 Mindbender W Team, 98 mm last, $950
  • K2 Mindbender W 115, 98 mm last, $800
  • K2 Mindbender W 95, 100 mm last, $700

Kids:

  • K2 Mindbender Team Jr, 98-100 mm last, $500

Weight & Comparisons

Looking at the spectrum below of boots with walk mechanisms, it’s clear that while the Mindbender 130 doesn’t compete with the low weights of pure touring boots, it does sit on the lighter end of the 50/50 boot weight range.

Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit (26.5): 963 g & 971.5  + 212.5 & 215 =  1187 & 1178 g

Scarpa Maestrale RS (24.5 / 25.0): 1053 & 1057 + 244 & 245 = 1297 & 1302 g

Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro (26.5): 1099 & 1100 + 210 & 211 = 1309 & 1311 g

Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour (26.5): 1169 & 1174 + 214 & 215 = 1383 & 1389 g

Salomon MTN Explore (26.5): 1126 & 1135 + 281 & 281 = 1407 & 1416 g

Scarpa Maestrale XT (26.5 / 27.0): 1258 & 1258 + 247 & 252 = 1505 & 1510 g

Head Kore 1 (26.5): 1132 & 1136 + 392 & 393 = 1524 & 1527 g

Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 (26.5): 1147 & 1150 + 403 & 404 = 1550 & 1554 g

Fischer Ranger Free 130 (26.5): 1204 & 1204 + 348 & 351 = 1552 & 1555 g

Roxa R3 130 TI I. R. (26.5): 1327 & 1335 + 249 & 251 = 1576 & 1586 g

Roxa R3 130 T.I. (27.5): 1319 & 1320 + 263 & 263 = 1582 & 1583 g

Head Kore RS 130 GW (26.5): 1334 & 1340 + 279 & 276 = 1613 & 1616 g

Dynafit Hoji Free (27.5): 1317 & 1332 + 331 & 325 = 1648 & 1657 g

Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 (26.5): 1242 & 1249 + 408 & 410 = 1650 & 1659 g

K2 Mindbender 130 (26.5): 1429 & 1416 + 340 & 338.5 = 1769 & 1755 g

Lange XT3 130 LV (26.5): 1407 & 1410 + 368 & 368 = 1775 & 1778 g

Nordica Strider Pro 130 DYN (27.5): 1445 & 1440 + 363 & 373 = 1808 & 1813 g

Tecnica Cochise 130 (26.5): 1398 & 1405 + 422 & 419 = 1820 & 1824 g

Dalbello Lupo Pro HD w/o Tongues (26.5): 1589 & 1596 + 266 & 267 = 1855 & 1863 g

Full Tilt Ascendant SC w/o Tongues (26.5): 1577 & 1576 + 286 & 288 = 1863 & 1864 g

Dalbello Lupo Pro HD w/ Tongues (26.5): 1747 & 1754 + 266 & 267 = 2013 & 2021 g

Full Tilt Ascendant SC w/ Tongues (26.5): 1740 & 1739 + 286 & 288 = 2026 & 2027 g

Things We’re Curious About 

As always, we will be comparing the Mindbender 130 to other 50/50 boots, both in a resort and backcountry setting, to find out where its usable range of motion and “130” flex rating fit among other comparable boots. And how good is the suspension of this boot on hardpack? Of particular interest will be the amount of rearward support afforded by the carbon-reinforced “Powerlock Spyne,” and the efficacy of using multiple densities of TPU in one boot. Ultimately, should people consider the Mindbender 130 more for backcountry applications, or resort-focused use? This is particularly interesting since it’s so close to K2’s Recon line of alpine boots in terms of weight, and because they just added the more touring-focused Dispatch series of boots.

Stay Tuned 

Over the latter half of last season, we were able to spend a bit of time in the Mindbender 130, and will continue to put in more days once the snow begins to pile up. In the meantime, let us know of any questions you have in the comments section below.

2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 130
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2 comments on “2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 130”

  1. I am wanting to revisit this series as I had good success with the Mindbender 120 when it first came out. I have finicky low volume feet and these were great out of the box but after about 100 days…the shell was a wet noodle. The stock liner lasted maybe 40 days and then I went with the Intuition Pro Tour.

    Regardless of the boots longevity, the fit worked. I get along well with the flex pattern of the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130, which to me feels softer off the top and more supportive as you push into it (progressive?). The fit however doesn’t work well.

    I don’t get along well with the Lange XT3 130 flex. I feel it is super damp and very stiff off the top with a shorter more defined end (linear?). More like a true stiff alpine boot.

    Do you feel the Mindbender 130 has a flex pattern that is more like the Atomic Hawx? Where it kinda ramps up? Or more like a damp stiffer alpine boot?

    Thanks and keep it all coming!!

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