2024 K2 Mindbender 130 BOA Ski Boots
By: Michael Ottinger, Store Supervisor | Last Updated: March 31st, 2023
The Lowdown
The K2 Mindbender 130 BOA Ski Boots are an awesome boot for both resort skiing and alpine touring. It is a dual threat boot that focuses on downhill performance and ease of use over being the lightest weight boot in its category.
The Mindbender 130 — like most K2 ski boots — is easy to mold to your foot, so if it is fitting a little tight, take it to your local ski shop and have them throw it in the oven to work out those hot spots. The new BOA system makes it so easy to get on and off and adjust over the top of your foot. Overall, it's easy to use, has easy entry, walks and skis well, and is a great looking boot.
I tour to find great lines and ski downhill, so it's important to me to have a ski boot that performs well on the descent. Compared to my previous crossover AT ski boots, this boot has less friction in walk-mode than my previous boot and therefore allows me to move uphill more efficiently. When I lock it into ski mode, it is a very responsive boots that is great for sending it down the mountain.
Technical Details
Heat Moldable Shell: You can cook the K2 Mindbenders in an oven (don't try this at home) and put foam on your foot on the areas where there are hot spots and mold out the pain points. For me my sixth toe/fifth met head and styloid were giving problems, after molding, no more pain.
BOA Technology: This new version of the Mindbender 130 Ski Boot includes a BOA synching system for the lower of the boot which give a more universal locking feel compared to buckles which can put direct pressure over the ladders. I have a pretty low instep and these boots are pretty tall over the top of the foot, so I was able to crank the BOA down to lock in the top of my foot, but still have the boot hold its shape around the width.
BOA Tourfit Liner: BOA dial on the liner to help better hold the foot in the liner.
Ride Impressions
Coming from a background of being a boot fitter and always starting in a boot that is too tight and molding it out, I would typically avoid this boot for myself because it has a wider upper cuff and a lot of room over the top of the foot and I have a narrow shin/calf and flat foot, but I was able to adapt it to my foot and make it fit well which really impressed me. The K2 Mindbender 130's new BOA system really helped hold the boot over the top of my foot and the moldibility allowed me to open up my pain point areas enough to make it all work. Overall, for a "130 flex" boot, I would say that it is easy to flex an initial 20 to 30 degrees and then really stiffens up at that point. This allows you to really take some deep edgy turns while simultaneously making it easy to load up if you need to do a quick jump turn around a tree. The walk-mode is easy to use and the transitioning between ski- and walk-mode is effortless. Although these ski boots are mildly heaver than my previous touring boot, they walk more efficiently, which made the uphill feel easier and less effort than my previous boots. This is a super solid quiver of one ski boot that handles everything that is thrown at it and is capable for all types of skiing.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pros
- Great fit
- Easy to get on and off
- Walks well
Cons
- Slightly soft for a 130 flex
- On the heavier side of a crossover touring boot
- Wider than advertised
Who Is It For?
The K2 Mindbender 130 BOA Ski Boots are for anyone who is an intermediate-expert skier and wants a responsive boot that also empowers them to tour on occasion and move comfortably uphill. If weight isn't your main concern and you are spending more of your time in resort, but want something that walks really well, this is a great option for you. The Mindbender 130 BOA boot doesn't have a bias to your ability level and can perform in all types of terrain so it is inviting to any enthusiast who has ambitions to get into backcountry/alpine touring.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line, the K2 Mindbender 130 BOA is easy to fit to a foot, easy to get on and off, walks really well, and performs strong in all styles of terrain. This is a user-friendly ski boot that will make your outings to the mountain more enjoyable. Not only does it do it all, but it is a great looking boot, so you will look good while you're doing it which I would argue is even more important!
Shop K2 Ski BootsAbout the Author
Name: Michael Ottinger
Age: 30
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 185 lbs
Size Reviewed: 27.5
Location(s) & Conditions: Snoqualmie/Alpental Backcountry and Crystal Mountain, WA
Bindings: Marker Duke PT 16 Alpine Touring Ski Bindings
Riding Style & Ability Level: Fast and loose - I like to jump off a lot of things and ski through trees and hike to powder stashes.