K2 Mindbender 90C review 2020
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
The K2 Mindbender series replaces the excellent Pinnacle series, which is well known to the Proskilab testers.
We tested the "C" version (carbon), which is red and features the Carbon Spectral Braid technology, a carbon weave with a density and an orientation that vary along the length of the ski depending on what is needed. There is a higher-end version "Ti" (which is $100 more in the US) which integrates a Y-shaped Titanal plate along the length of the ski. This second version is stiffer and also 200 grams heavier per ski.
The testers found the C version soft for this category, especially in the tail. The ski is light underfoot, uniform, flexes easily, is maneuverable and calm as long as you don’t push it too hard. You only need a slight angle to make it carve, and it is a delight on soft snow. The Mindbender 90C is a smooth and solid ski that is enjoyable up to moderate speeds.
Off-piste, performance is good, and the testers were especially impressed by its flotation in powder.
The Mindbender 90C is soft and accessible, and we can see its limitations at high speed on hard snow. In big fast turns, turn quality is less precise, edge hold is less reliable, and the ski has a tendency to break away. In chopped-up snow or crud, it can bend when it hits big chunks of compact snow.
The K2 Mindbender 90C is a good ski that has the advantages and disadvantages of a soft ski. In the carbon version, it will suit light to average-sized skiers for cruising. Everyone else will need the stiffer Ti version, which we would like to test next season.
Review: Pros
- Light
- Accessible, not demanding
- Uniform
- Maneuverable, comfortable, enjoyable up to moderate speeds
- Good performance in powder
Review: Cons
- Soft
- Lack of precision and edge grip at high speed
- Struggles to cut through crud
The ski review scores
| Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.5 |
| Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.8 |
| Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.5 |
| Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.2 |
| Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.2 |
| Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.8 |
| Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.7 |
| Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.3 |
| Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.3 |
| Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.7 |
| Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.2 |
| Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| Any ground comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
Quick and lively, lighter and softer than the Titanal-reinforced version, it is responsive and extremely dynamic so you will have a blast on groomers and in the sidecountry.
Features of the Mindbender 90C
| Brand : | K2 |
| Model : | Mindbender 90C |
| Year : | 2020 |
| Family : | All-Mountain front |
| Size tested : | 177 cm |
| Tip size : | 127 mm |
| Waist size : | 90 mm |
| Tail size : | 113 mm |
| Radius for the size reviewed : | 17 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2019