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Gear Reviews, Snowboard Reviews 52

2018 K2 Simple Pleasures Snowboard Review

By Angrysnowboarder @angrysnowboard · On January 25, 2018

Board: K2 Simple Pleasure

Size: 151

Camber Option: Directional Camber Baseline. Traditional camber in the middle and rocker in the tips.

Bindings: K2 Indy

Stance: 21.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy

Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10

My Weight: 188lbs

Resort: Arapahoe Basin

Conditions: A mix of clouds with gray and blue skies, some snow falling, moderate visibility, a couple inches of heavier snow on top of a weeks worth of fresh snow, and warmer temps.

Flex: A standard directional flex with a softer nose that progressively gets stiffer as you get closer to the tail. The torsional flex was very minimal. Overall it’s a flex that’s on the stiffer side of the middle of the road spectrum.

Stability: There was a little bit of chatter in the tips at high speeds. Getting into chundery powder or blown out ruts and moguls I would occasionally get bucked around. Overall though it’s a highly stable board on a short and wide platform.

Ollies/Pop: With the setback camber you get a fair amount of pop off the back foot. While it’s not the poppiest deck in the world it’s got some OK snap to it if you really load it up.

Butterability: I found that every time I would pop into a butter on my nose it would want to revert or snap me right out. With that being said I found the sweet spot for it being right in the middle of the nose. If I pushed hard and locked in with all my weight it was solid.

Carving: This board can carve. It digs in with ease and rips an aggressive turn. You will find that you do have to drive the back foot in harder than normal to really get the board to center flex, but that extra effort is worth it.

Rider in Mind: The guy that’s on the short and wide train and wants some camber in their life.

Personal Thoughts: This board rode a lot like the Eighty Seven. It’s a little stiffer, but not by much, which I think most people won’t notice. It rips a turn really well and can plow through chunder with ease. Overall it sits between the Cool Bean and the Party Platter but it’s just too similar to the Eighty Seven to really distinguish itself.

Comparable Boards: Yes 420, Marhar Woodsman, Rossignol Sushi

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2018 K2 Simple Pleasures Snowboard Review2018 snowboard reviewk2 simple pleasures snowboard reviewk2 snowboard reviewsimple pleasures snowboard reviewsnowboard review

Angrysnowboarder

More than likely he has pissed you off, shocked, amazed, or mortified you at some point with his ramblings. Yet, you still continue to read what he writes.

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52 Comments

  • Blake Thoennes says: July 19, 2018 at 8:29 pm

    Would you recommend the Simple pleasure or the Cool Bean for something that can just play around on side hits and surf around maybe in some trees, staying away from the piste?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: July 19, 2018 at 11:24 pm

      Honestly the 87 instead. It’s the happy medium between those too. The Cool Bean is too torsionally stiff and makes it sluggish in really tight trees, but the Simple Pleasure is really designed for surfing off the back foot which makes it great in wide open conditions and groomers, but that camber is a chore when in the trees.

      Reply
  • Dan says: August 6, 2018 at 9:09 am

    Hi, I’m after a board that is fast, stable, holds an edge, Rips a carve and also has great float. I was really tempted by the bataleon carver but if it’s no good In powder Then I’ll give it a miss.
    Cheers

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: August 6, 2018 at 10:41 am

      In all honesty if you’re looking for something to carve and rip pow then the Simple Pleasures is the better bet.

      Reply
  • Dan says: August 7, 2018 at 2:26 am

    Sweet, thanks for that. How would you compare the simple pleasures to the flight attendant?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: August 7, 2018 at 9:48 am

      Well I wouldn’t because the Flight Attendant sucks.

      Reply
  • Dan says: August 7, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    Haha. That’s says it all.

    Reply
  • Dan H says: August 30, 2018 at 6:01 am

    How do you think the simple pleasures stacks up against the optimistic?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: August 30, 2018 at 8:44 am

      In all honesty I think it’s better for carving and popping off the tail.

      Reply
  • Brad says: September 6, 2018 at 9:56 pm

    How does the Simple Pleasures compare to the Carve Air as far as stiffness goes? I have a 2016 Carve Air which I really like but it seem a bit stiff for me. All carving and surfy riding for me and no powder as I’m in the midwest.

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: September 6, 2018 at 11:41 pm

      It’s softer that’s for sure.

      Reply
  • Ian Silberman says: September 30, 2018 at 6:34 pm

    Any idea how the Nidecker Mellow compares?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: October 1, 2018 at 8:57 am

      I got a few laps on a Mellow, not enough to give a full review, but I know it’s torsionally stiffer. Also when carving it drives more off the outside of the back foot and off the tail.

      Reply
  • Ian says: October 1, 2018 at 11:10 am

    Awesome, thanks for the feedback. Rode both the Carve Air and Mellow last season some. Trying to decide if the simple pleasures is a blend of each… Is the Simple Pleasures set back as far as the Mellow if you remember? Which would you say seems more versatile if you can recall? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: October 1, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      I have a Simple Pleasures, it’s not. SP is definitely WAY more versatile in my opinion. The way to look at the SP is that it’s the continuation of the Carve Air and progresses the positives of it but gets rid of the negatives.

      Reply
  • Jake says: October 5, 2018 at 11:51 am

    What are the major differences between this board and the Salomon Sick Stick? They seem pretty similar

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: October 5, 2018 at 11:57 am

      Not even close. Camber profile, flex pattern, sidecut, shape, let alone each size of the Sick Stick is a completely different board.

      Reply
  • Jake says: October 8, 2018 at 7:45 pm

    I was comparing the two different 151s. Seems like the SP has more taper but cambers seemed similar. Couldn’t find specs on the SS sidecut, even though I know it’s their quadalizer or whatever. Is one a lot stiffer. What’s your overall take on the SS? Is one a better quiver killer as far as fun surfy turns, pow and still being able to handle speed and steeper terrain? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: October 9, 2018 at 12:29 pm

      The SP is the stiffer one designed for more hard carving and less surfy carves while the SS is going to be more of that all around pow shape and surfy float you’re looking for.

      Reply
  • Charles says: November 21, 2018 at 12:35 pm

    You mention in your video that it struggled a little in the rutted out powder fields, gave you a feeling of being bucked around a bit. Then, in the write-up, it says it “…can plow through chunder with ease. ”

    Can you elaborate on this just a tiny bit? Perhaps my understanding of the term chunder is not correct, but I felt like these statements were contradictory.

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: November 21, 2018 at 1:30 pm

      Chunder fields are chunks of snow usually a result of frozen powder/death cookies and push mounds. Ruts are more like those whoop bumps that form on the side of runs.

      Reply
  • Chris says: February 8, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    This board or the Jones hovercraft for my first all mountain pow board? Looking for a board that does short and long carves well, stable at higher speeds and is decent for riding with a freestyle influence (sidehits, pow butters. etc)

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: February 8, 2019 at 11:17 pm

      Neither. You want a United Shapes board. Something from the Explorer line.

      Reply
  • Chris says: February 11, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    Thanks! Also, I was looking into getting a short wider/fat board to keep it nimble in the trees as well. Should I still be looking at United Shapes for that? or do you recommend I check out others as well? As of right now I’m looking into the k2 SP, k2 87, Ride warpig and Capita slush slasher. Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: February 11, 2019 at 2:18 pm

      You’re on the right track with the boards you have listed I’d also say check out the Weston Backwoods, Marhar Woodsman, Yes 420, and I’m sure I’m missing a few more.

      Reply
  • Flavio says: February 14, 2019 at 1:29 am

    How is the pop on this thing for rollers and side hits?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: February 14, 2019 at 8:28 am

      It’s a little more aggressive to load up, but when you do it’s OK, not the snappiest deck out there, but not the worst.

      Reply
  • Flavio says: February 14, 2019 at 8:48 am

    Something else in the carvy/floaty category with better pop?

    Cheers

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: February 14, 2019 at 2:20 pm

      Telos Backslash, Weston Backwoods, Yes Optimistic.

      Reply
  • Flavio says: February 14, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    Awesome

    Reply
  • Ryan says: March 4, 2019 at 11:16 pm

    Hace hoy tries te new black 2019 SP ? It appears yo be narrower and with a curvier tail.
    I was wondering if you have experience with 2019s version and could comment on how they compare.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: March 5, 2019 at 9:14 am

      It’s the same board.

      Reply
  • japow says: April 9, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    awesome site! the weight range have changed for the 2020 SP which I understand is the same board just with the new stripe graphic.
    2019 SP
    151cm 150lbs
    2020 SP
    151cm 110-190+lbs
    156cm 140-230+lbs

    I am right in between the new WT range at 170lbs and deciding between the 2.
    size down as per the volume shift and get 151cm (size 9 boots)? or go the 156cm for japan next year for big drawn out carves on the groomers and open pow. I have my old flat rocker fish shape for colliding with trees!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: April 9, 2019 at 10:33 pm

      I’d get the 151 personally.

      Reply
  • japow says: April 9, 2019 at 10:54 pm

    cheer

    Reply
  • japow says: April 9, 2019 at 10:54 pm

    cheers

    Reply
  • Damian says: April 24, 2019 at 4:42 pm

    Hi Angryman!
    SP 151 or 156 for 190 lbs 10 US to join Greats? For pow, popping side hits and carving groomers that often get icy during night riding. Some trees but nothing extreme there. I also consider GNU Spam/Yes Optimistic for their edge tech. What’s your call?
    Nice Patreon content – keep on the good work!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: April 24, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      51 if you want it to be a little bit more surfy and easy to turn otherwise the 56 will have better edge hold on the ice. Optimistic over the Spam if you want a board for serious carving otherwise the Spam would be a bit more versatile or what till next year and get The Y which is a softer flexing Optimistic.

      Reply
  • Zach says: January 6, 2020 at 12:34 am

    I’m really torn between this deck and the SPAM…. looking to float in the pow but still send some side his. Any recommendations??

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: January 6, 2020 at 8:34 am

      SPAM all day.

      Reply
  • DD2020 says: March 18, 2020 at 2:49 am

    Greetings Angry,

    Been binge watching your site the last few weeks in between ski trips to help get through the season as trips have been “unexpectedly” cancelled the last few weeks. Looking to get on with the volume shifted trend, but ride a Rossi One Mag that seems a bit too lively over chunder and when ripping it, this is the version before the new LF. My prior Ride Wild Life was wonderfully damp minus the weaksauce edge tech that let me down on icy mornings despite sharpening (flat-rocker is definitely not my thing for versatility). The Tom Sims Pro review really looks like the next step up for something that is going to be a smooth ride without feeling dead, but would you suggest going for the Simple Pleasures (SP) as a more aggressive upgrade, leaving the One Mag for lazing it with friends on their first days?

    Is there a more damp option than the SP, other than the Orca (which Never Summer has burned me out of reverse rocker can) which I may be falsely attributing the Orca as it may have a much more mellow version of that offers what I seek? Just going up to the new One LF doesn’t seem like enough of a jump, but I could be wrong.

    Thanks for any of your wisdom and the site is a true resource for clarity.

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: March 18, 2020 at 8:43 am

      If you can find a Tom Sims Pro that might work for you otherwise you might have to look at the Academy Masters deck. The new One LF won’t fit your needs that’s for sure. The SP might work for what you’re describing.

      Reply
  • DD2020 says: March 18, 2020 at 2:11 pm

    You’re flippin’ awesome!

    Reply
  • Jon says: September 14, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    Late to the party but would you recommend the 156 or 151 for a 6’0 190lb rider?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: September 15, 2020 at 10:43 am

      Really depends on what you want from the board as you could go either way. I’d probably push you towards the 51 though.

      Reply
  • Francis Desforges says: February 28, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    Hi Angry!
    Have you tried the new K2 Niseko Pleasures?
    It says the board has a little softer flex and mellower camber profile then the Simple pleasure…
    I can put my hands on a brand new Niseko Pleasures at my local resort for 40% off and i was looking To buy a Simple pleasure…
    Would like To know if its as good as the Simple pleasure for carving and charging !

    Thx!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: March 1, 2021 at 10:11 am

      I haven’t. Think of it like a well broken in Simple Pleasures.

      Reply
      • Francis Desforges says: March 1, 2021 at 12:25 pm

        Ok thx!
        I think ill wait for my other choices To restock then!

        For carving and charging wich one of these would you pick ?
        Im 6’0 210 pounds and wear size 12 boots

        K2 simple Pleasures, Korua café racer, Korua tranny finder , nidecker tracer.

        If you have other options Feel free To share !
        Riding switch is not a concern

        Thx!

        Reply
        • Angrysnowboarder says: March 2, 2021 at 9:53 am

          Straight charging carves, Cafe Racer for sure. For more playful carving and general resort riding Tracer or Simple Pleasures. For freestyle with carving Tranny Finder.

          Reply
          • Francis Desforges says: March 2, 2021 at 1:28 pm

            Thx again Angry!
            Still Gonna have To wait for shops To restock but al least i know exactly what in waiting for!

  • Edward says: March 28, 2021 at 11:53 pm

    Hello,
    Would love your thoughts on the K2 SP 2021 151cm versus the Korua Dart 152cm. Do you think they’re too similar in profiles to own both?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: March 29, 2021 at 7:17 am

      No.

      Reply

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