2024 K2 Mindbender 115 W BOA Ski Boots Review
By: Shelby Cutter, evo Seattle Sales Associate | Last Updated: July 24th, 2023
The Lowdown
The new 2024 K2 Mindbender 115 BOA Alpine Touring Ski Boots take a classic, fan-favorite boot but add the new (to skiing at least) tech of BOA to create a better system of tightening the boot around the forefoot. The liner also comes with a separate, smaller, BOA to keep a snug fit while you are touring. The addition of the BOA to ski boots has been a polarizing one. Change is good and if this one is done correctly, could make some great boots, but it should not be used as an excuse to give up making different lasts for boots. The new system does not change the heel hold, so don’t expect this boot to magically change when you tighten the BOA. If you like the Mindbender already, this boot will continue to deliver the same fit that you know and love, with a little more control over the tightness of the forefoot. If the prior Mindbenders felt too wide for you and couldn’t achieve the ideal heel hold, these new BOA boots will not change that.
Shop the K2 Mindbender 115 BOA Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Technical Details
The stock boot liner also has a BOA, albeit, smaller, with a thinner, plastic cable. This allows you to keep the liner snug while you are touring and the shells are loose. Similar to added laces to a touring liner.
Also new with these boots are two ways to modify the liner and boot board (the plastic board that goes directly into the shell right under the liner) The first is adding a little pocket right on top of the toe box of the liner. You can add foam inserts that can make the toe box feel tighter. The second is the addition of 2 options for the heel portion of the boot board. You can add a stiffer honeycomb piece or a softer one. Stiffer for ripping groomers, and softer for freeride styles to help avoid heel bruising.
| Forefoot Width | 97-104mm |
| Ski Boot Flex | 115 (Very Stiff) |
| Liner Type | Semi-Custom |
| Boot Sole Type | GripWalk (ISO 23223) |
| Number of Buckles | 2 |
Ride Impressions
It is well known amongst boot fitters that K2 boots typically run wider than they say they do and this is no exception. I skied two days in the stock liners, with a full volume shim (a piece of cardboard essentially, placed on the boot board that raises the foot within the boot and takes up space) and after those two days of a sloppy heel hold, I knew I had to put my ZipFit Freeride’s in to get any sort of security. This is solely a me problem. If you have a wider foot and heel, and the old Mindbenders felt secure on your foot, then these will still work and you’ll probably feel you have even more precise control with how tight the boot is over the forefoot.
Now to address their claim that these boots can have a last from 97mm-104mm…no they don’t. Sure without a foot in there the boot can shrink a ton but when my foot is in there and I want to tighten down the BOA to where it feels like my other actual low-volume boots, then I am crushing my foot and cutting off my circulation. If you have wider feet to begin with, I can see this system providing a 1-2mm range of forefoot width adjustability, but taking a 104mm lasted boot down to a 97mm last — a whopping 7mm range — is a bit too ambitious.
The BOA on the boot liner was a good idea, but in practice, I found that when in walk mode and walking I could feel the cable cutting into my ankle through the thin padding of the tongue. That is going to be the main problem I think people are going to have with these boots.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pros
- The BOA does create a different kind of tightening profile that I did end up liking.
- The new modifications in the toe box and boot board are pretty interesting and would like to see those modifications become more mainstream.
- The heat moldability of K2 boots is impressive and I was able to really blow out the calf portion to make some space for my larger calves.
Cons
- BOA cable on the liner cuts into the top of the ankle while in walk mode.
- The BOA system does not actually deliver on the advertised 97-104mm adjustable last.
- The 115 flex feels much softer than other brands' 115 flex counterparts.
Who Is It For?
This is an ideal ski boot for any gal looking for a heavier boot that can rip in the resort and also do some occasional alpine touring. The fit is for someone with a mid-volume foot (99-100mm last) and can accommodate larger calves with a quick heat mold. It’s a softer flex boot which I personally like more when skiing powder and more freeride skiing styles. If you have a narrower foot, throwing a third-party liner, like an Intuition or Zipfit, can really tighten up the fit.
The Bottom Line
The BOA is a very interesting addition to ski boots, one that I think will take some time to perfect. It does give more precise control over snugness in the forefoot/instep, but will not change the heel hold. If your heel does not feel snug the BOA won’t change that. A third-party liner could be a good fix if you really want to make this boot work for you. The BOA system used here feels very burly, and while I know someone out there is going to break it, I don’t think it will become a widespread issue.
Other than the BOA, the Mindbender continues to be a classic hybrid boot, meant for people who ski resorts and do some shorter backcountry trips. It’s still customizable as ever with heat molding, different boot boards, and toe padding.
About the Reviewer
Name: Shelby Cutter
Age: 25
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 190 lbs
Size Reviewed: 24.5
Location(s) & Conditions:Stevens Pass, WA | Crystal Mountain, WA |Whistler Blackcomb, BC - Powder.
Bindings: Marker Duke PT 12 Alpine Touring Ski Bindings
Riding Style & Ability Level: " Ex-Ski racer, aggressive, expert"