Okay thanks Luke. im looking to put shifts on it but im not to sure if this would be good for touring. Thanks Luke, any word on the 193 108ti.? skis mindbender 88ti Skied some scratchy wind blown stuff, fast smooth runs and dipped in the trees which are still a little bony. And in shallower cut up snow (less than 12) I would stay centered or get on the shovels a bit, and the ski was (for me) a nice combination of stable enough and playful enough to make the conditions fun. mindbender 108ti skis To be fair, Ill post this quick update: Last spring, in March 2021, a new pair of these just, well, showed up. 108ti mindbender skis newschoolers k2 skis And if that talk about Y-shaped titanal and variable-angle braiding sounds weird to you, youre not alone. Its got less tip taper. Its heavy, has a mount point that leaves you with a lot of tip and little tail, and Id say its more damp than poppy. To me it sounds that first are foremost the Mindbender 108Ti is the more versatile ski. Jonathan: Ive only been skiing it on the recommended line, and while I dont suspect that Id dislike it at +1 or +2, I also havent found myself in situations where I wished I was more forward on the ski (e.g., in CBs plentiful steep and techy terrain, where quick maneuverability is a valuable attribute). If youre only skiing soft snow, you probably dont need a super strong, damp, or heavy ski. The seller wasnt much help, and recommended NOT sending them back to K2 for warranty consideration, since they thought it would be denied. I think youll hear in my conversation with Jed Yeiser that he makes no claim about some amazing new innovative technology instead, he is talking about how these skis were built, plain and simple. k2 skis It has a more planted feel and isnt very balanced in the air. And after all that, weve come away quite impressed. Yes, there are plenty of easier skis out there if you first and foremost want a ski thats forgiving in bumps and trees (see the All-Mountain More Forgiving section of our Winter Buyers Guide). Preferring to play in fresh snow, in trees, bumps and bowls, but also rip groomers when needed. There was no mention of this phenomenon in the description. But it was when I got it up to speed when the fun really started. Just wondering if the 186 will be enough ski when I want it to be. And as more and more skis get lighter and lighter, the Mindbender 108Tis weight puts it closer to the heavier end of the spectrum. Its also cool to see K2 offering the Mindbender 90 in both titanal and carbon iterations to give skiers more options. Ive been demoing most of m last trips out but will be getting more than 10 days this season and will be buying in the next 2 weeks. Wide open pow field? This is not a ski that really requires you to muscle it around especially given its relative stability. The skis with Ti in their name have a Y-shaped layer of titanal, while the skis with a C in their name feature a variable-braid carbon laminate. And, obviously, it is much much better option in deep powder. Its tail is not difficult to slide on firm, shallow snow, it doesnt feel very punishing, and I never felt like the ski was the one in the drivers seat, rather than me. k2 skis disruption 81ti bindings erc Its certainly an interesting concept, especially if it works. A less dynamic style will often mean you tend to keep your skis planted on the snow and wont be making as many minute, quick adjustments. Let it snow! Hopefully someone whos been on the 193 cm Mindbender 108 can chime in though. In fact, after four days of skiing, K2s response included reference to my misuse and lack of care for the skis, and went on to recommend that I bring the skis in for maintenance epoxy and sealing at a local ski shop to avoid further damage and moisture getting in between and creating advanced wear. This flies in the face of every interaction Ive ever had with K2, and I skied on them almost exclusively from 1968 through 1990. I havent gotten quite as much time on it as they have, but Ive been really happy with the idea of this ski as a 1-ski quiver which very much includes firm snow. So Far on 5 of fresh snow they were great. (1) Will we be able to notice the difference in torsional rigidity between the Mindbender 108Tis tips, midsection, and tails? We discussed on our latest GEAR:30 podcast the origin of the line, the technology behind it, and how it came to be with K2s head ski designer, Jed Yeiser. skis If you could clarify whether each person tested the 186 skis or if you were on different lengths, that would help. So not exactly a direct replacement. I could make GS turns at low speeds, GS turns at high speeds and high edge angles, or just let the skis run into big, fast, Super-G-style turns. The Mindbender 108Tis shape reminds us of the 4FRNT MSP 107 and Elan Ripstick 106, and isnt all that different compared to other chargers like the Blizzard Cochise and ON3P Wrenegade 108. Yeah, thats a tough call. For decades I had K2 written off as a mass market consumer brand. If so, what is the on-snow result? While what I was hoping for was a lighter weight Pettitor (that would let me ski it with my now sometimes suspect knee), this looks good. Although if 108ti are at least as good as Marksman, I cant wait for them :-). The splay and sidecut lines look exactly like my preference, well the tip taper may be a bit much but skiing them is the proof in the pudding. And also my one-sentence review of this ski. But I could ski it centered when needed, and it wasnt as punishing as some skis in its class (especially those with equal or better stability) if I did get backseat. Does the tail suddenly get stiffer at the very end or are the numbers transposed? Also I mounted them at first at +1 and hated it. Just curious which one you think would suit me best? If Sam agrees of course :), One interesting observation is the 108 has a tip of 136 and the 99 has a tip of 138. Thanks guys! Sam: Its interesting to hear Jonathan and Lukes takes on this ski in firm snow. Im glad I took the leap of faith on a ski I never did a demo day on. They did this with two techniques their Titanal Y-Beam and Carbon Spectral Braid.. And unlike many of the skis that are more stable than it, you dont have to be in attack mode all the time on the Mindbender 108Ti it still feels very comfortable when just cruising at mellow speeds. Do you have any early thoughts on the updates on the 2023 Mindbender 108 Ti? k2 skis reckoner Im 510 and 195lbs intermediate / advanced skier I demoed a set of these in the 186 variety, which I liked, but wasnt able to get into bumps and trees with them and wasnt able to try the shorter 179 version. Seems like pretty minimal tail rocker. Despite not having a twinned tail, the Mindbender 108Ti is not very difficult at all to pivot and slide, and I wouldnt say that it feels particularly long for its actual length. With the C skis, they used a carbon weave that has a denser, high-angle weave in the shovel which then progresses to a less dense, lower-angle weave as you move toward the tail of the ski. Or do they have big differences? Caveat: With only four full days on them, the tips are chipping a lot. We think intermediate skiers with fairly good technique (i.e., you know how to drive the front of a ski) could get along well with it, and itd be a great ski to grow with as you progress. The Mindbender 108Tis combination of (1) a pretty traditional, rearward mount point, (2) fairly wide and not-very-tapered shovels, and (3) a soft flex in those shovels all equated to very good float for a ski thats only 108 mm wide. Almost threw it into the trash :). The soft tips did a great job of rising to the top of the snow, and I think I could be pretty happy on this ski in up to around a foot and a half of powder. It is difficult to have two in one, usually it does not go well. skis bindings fdt / Tyrolia AAAttack2 13 AT, [Note: Our review was conducted on the 19/20 Mindbender 108Ti, which was not changed for 20/21 or 21/22, apart from graphics.]. As an older dude that skied K2s almost exclusively for about 20 years (XR10 through VO Slaloms and 810 FOs) Im stoked to see this from them! Heres how wed characterize the longitudinal flex pattern of the Mindbender 108Ti: Tips: 5.5-6Shovels: 6.5-7.5In Front of Toe Piece: 8-9.5Underfoot: 9.5Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-8.5Tails: 7.5-8. I am 510 advanced intermediate and enjoy playing all over the mountain. Jonathan: Im going to focus on Lukes last paragraph I definitely wouldnt put the Mindbender 108Ti in the destroyer of mountains category. Any thoughts are much appreciated. I was looking for a two ski quiver for a couple of years and think I finally found it with Mindbender 108. So lets dive into the tech that K2 is highlighting in the Mindbenders: K2 says that, with the Mindbenders, they were able to independently fine-tune both the longitudinal and torsional flex of the skis. Love to get off piste but have a more Northeast style/ stance. Was this review based on the 186 length for all skiers? skis 88ti mindbender 2022 I wouldnt read into it too much its not totally out of the ordinary, and the 8 at the very end of the tail is only in reference to the last few cms of the ski (i.e., an area that youd rarely actually be pressuring while skiing, due to the skis rockered tail). Just a heads up that I pulled the trigger on a pair of these in 186. k2 skis I ski the 192 rustler as my dd looking to add a the 108ti to my quiver. Its easy to ski and is fairly forgiving while still being pretty damp with a decent top end. I know the K2 reps around here (Colo) are genuinely very excited about these new lines, in a way they havent been since the Pettitor, perhaps. And in super deep chop, skiing the Mindbender 108Ti a bit more neutral / not pressuring the shovels as much helped alleviate the plowing effect. skis mindbender 116c Luke: Plenty of skis can mob through chop or rip groomers, but many of those skis are a handful when the terrain gets tight and technical. Dynamic / active skiers tend to prefer skis with more energy, and skis that are often a bit lighter since they make it easier to make quick adjustments. The Mindbender 108 Ti just feels like a very versatile platform, and it does surprisingly well in powder. K2s new Mindbender lineup has been getting a lot of buzz. 3) Playfulness isnt the thing here but did you find it fun to jump from here or there around the piste and in the chopped snow? I ended up skiing the Mindbender 108Ti with the bindings mounted +1, +2, and +3 cm in front of the recommended line. k2 skis I like. K2 will also be making a junior Mindbender ski, the Mindbender Team, which is based on the Mindbender 108Ti, has a waist of 98 mm, and will be offered in 145, 155, 165 cm lengths. $800 for K2 built in China ski, that will probably last 1or 2 seasons before falling apart. k2 skis In terms of feeling balanced in the air, poppy, or otherwise eager to spin and flip, the Mindbender 108Ti is not very playful. No Thanks, Ill spend my money on a Moment or ON3P that I can get 300+ days on, I skied this ski now for 10+ days in BC/Revelstoke and North East. Which brings me back to my original question, which is that Im not really sure what your concern is? skis mindbender 88ti One interesting thing with the Mindbender series is that K2 says that they designed each ski independently in order to make it perform best for the conditions and styles in which itd be skied. 46 YO, 61, 190lbs, expert. skis mindbender I snapped them up and skied them for a few hours today in some fresh Tahoe snow. Im planning to purchase a set of these in the upcoming days. juvy fdt bindings The Mindbender 108Tis rocker profile isnt all that crazy, either. Luke: The Mindbender 108Ti is a blast in soft, choppy conditions. And for a lot of skiers, we think that should make it a very appealing option. Hi I ski a 169 and love the sound of these have a misbehaved at the moment so how do they compare with the womens 107 Mindbender as dont make this short enough for me, Hi! When it gets really deep or if Im going for the backcountry powder Ill ski my 125mm/1800g Pescados with Shift bindings. If the snow wasnt super heavy, that non-very-tapered tip shape never felt hooky to me, but instead was easy to engage and very happy to slice clean, deep turns. The Mindbender 108Tis taper lines border on the conservative end of things, which, for a ski thats supposed to mash, is probably a good thing. Very interested in this ski and love your reviews, but I have a question. skis mindbender The K2 Mindbender 108Ti is a versatile ski both in terms of conditions / terrain as well as the skiers we think will get along with it. 108ti mindbender skis newschoolers Following up my comment above, neither K2 or the seller (Ski Essentials) is interested in doing anything about the topsheets chipping badly if you even look at them sideways. I had a few days of demo action this week and wasnt quite sure that the Rustler was the right ski for me and my ski shop went to the back and grabbed the one pair of K2 Mindbender 108 skis he had. For a ski that is relatively strong and damp, it feels comfortable being skied from a variety of stances. Are they comparable? Realize youve mentioned the Cochise in this article but hoping you could give me a quick comparison and preference on sizing. The Mindbender 108Tis tail rocker line is also fairly deep, but again, doesnt rise till near the very end. That goes in my personal plus column. Ski it forward. It probably doesnt really matter, but with the yellow top sheet and black underlayer, it really stands out. Nothing to the ski here, but would you happen to have a high-res of the first photo? At +3, I felt like the Mindbender 108Tis tails washed out a bit early while carving, so I wouldnt recommend mounting it super far in front of the line. First of all, I have no specific concerns per se with the Blister piece. The skis have some interesting technology going into their construction, K2s marketing copy sure hypes them up a lot, and they certainly seem like a significant departure from K2s recent Pinnacle skis that they effectively replace. k2 skis pinnacle fdt binding jr This isnt revolutionary, but its certainly not the norm. The Mindbender 108Ti strikes a great balance between outright stability while still being fairly loose and decently forgiving of mistakes. Jonathan helped a lot with his recommendations, especially figuring out Pescados for me ;). What do you think is the main difference between the mindbender 108 and the armada tracer 108? It even produced a bit of energy when I was really bending it (though its far from the most energetic ski out there). And if youre skiing with an active style, you wont need a ski thats quite as damp, stable, and heavy. Thanks! For some skis, were able to try multiple lengths, in which case we will note that at the top of the review. I like to carve big turns when back on the mountain but will be searching for fresh tracks whenever possible. (supposedly have slightly more metal, 100g more weight, and a bit more tail rocker?). Really enjoy the detail and information in this review. It is pretty loose and happy to slash and break out of turns, but this is not a playful ski in most senses of the term. The Mindbender 108Tis subtle taper and low rocker lines should equate to more effective edge than more heavily rockered and / or tapered skis like the ON3P Wrenegade 108 and Prior Husume. Looking at the flex pattern published for the 186cm length in this article for the K2 Mindbender 108 Ti, it looks like the tail goes from a 7.5 rating to an 8 at the very tip. A dynamic style typically means you ski lighter on your feet rather than skiing straight through rough snow, you tend to find lines that let you avoid big impacts by making lots of quick adjustments mid-line. First K2 Ive seen in a long while that makes me say hmmmm, interesting. skiing But for a 108mm-wide ski, the Mindbender 108Ti floats very well. The Mindbender 108Ti is not the surfiest ski out there, but if I stayed forward on it, it was still pretty easy to maneuver in deep, steep, and tight terrain. The sidestashes seems the right length but the wildcats seems short. Ski: 2021-2022 K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 186 cm, Blisters Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 185.7 cm, Blisters Measured Weight per Ski: 2165 & 2211 grams, Blisters Measured Dimensions: 136.0-107.5-124.7 mm, Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 60 mm / 33.5 mm, Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: ~4 mm, Core: Fir/Aspen + Titanal Y-Beam + Fiberglass Laminate, Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9.75 cm from center; 83.1 cm from tail, Boots / Bindings: Nordica Strider 120; Head Raptor 140 RS, Dalbello Lupo SP I.D. skis poacher Ski it neutral. Ski on the heels for a turn or two. And, as Luke said, the Mindbender 108Ti is not that poppy. The base peeled like an orange and the new generations K2 developed just didnt look interesting to me. So is the Mindbender 108Ti a replacement for the beloved Supernatural 108? Anyone have time on the 193? Do you have any advice about mounting point? k2 skis Hello, I am looking to upgrade from old 179cm volkl bridge twin tips that are rocker/flat/rocker, to the mindbender 108 ti. Blister Members can now check out our Flash Review of the Mindbender 108Tifor our initial impressions. Do you have any insight into whether there would still be enough flotation and stability in a 172? Thanks Luke, I had the rustler 11 188 and got a pair of 192s after. Sam Shaheen (510, 145 lbs): I will echo what Luke and Jonathan said above and point out one thing that I really appreciate about the Mindbender 108Ti in powder its large sweet spot. Luke: My first few runs on the Mindbender 108Ti were on groomers and, despite being a wider ski, I immediately felt comfortable on it. 2) I understand that popping may not be the thing on this skis, but how are the landings? Im coming off a 178 cm twin tip ski and mainly focus on skiing off piste. 108ti skis mindbender skis mindbender 116c But, surprisingly, the Mindbender 108Ti struck me as pretty easy in this terrain. k2 skis reckoner And thats where I think a ski like this should excel when its not super deep, but everything is still soft and youre looking for stuff to jump off of and a soft runout to straight-line through. I ski a lot of tight trees but also like to rip gs turns in chop and variable snow. And in the case of K2, I dont see them talking about how it is simply the tech itself that has somehow changed the game here. So if youre used to skis with mount points in the -9 to -12 range, I would be very surprised if you didnt get along with the 108Ti on the recommended line. I do have additional ~88mm skis for east coast and 109 Volkl BMT for bigger days in the backcountry or ski mountaineering goals.