Board: K2 Instrument
Size: 154
Camber Option: Directional Camber. Rocker in the nose then outside the front inserts back through the tail it’s camber. AKA Directional Camrocker.
Bindings: Rome Black Label
Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 200lbs
Resort: Copper Mountain
Conditions: A mix of sunny blue skies with rolling clouds coming in with squalls, fresh snow on top of perfect corduroy, chunder, heavy pow off the runs, a little wind, and cooler spring temperatures.
Flex: The overall flex of this board is a little past middle of the road all mountain freeride. You have a softer nose that is only accentuated by the rocker there, then a stiffer middle section, and finally a stiffer tail. There’s a moderate amount of torsional flex that matches up to the overall flex of this board and works perfectly with it.
Stability: With the main body of this board being slightly stiffer and camber you have an ideal platform for stability. You get chatter in the nose which is to be expected and with the rocker out there that adds to the flapping of it. Underfoot it’s far more stable and from inside the rear foot through the tail is the most stable section. You will feel some of the more body jarring hits. On a frozen groomer you can feel the undulations in the terrain.
Ollies/Pop: The camber section doesn’t force you to load up the board but it reminds you that it’s camber the second you pop off anything. It’s reactive and predictable which makes it consistent for boosting side hits, pow poppers, rollers, and what not.
Butterability: This takes a bit more work just due to the carbon layup. Even with that rocker in the nose it still fights you when you’re buttering and wants to pop out of the press. On the tail you have to sit all the way over it and just keep your weight centered to fully get it to engage.
Carving: Here’s where this board sticks out. It has a smoother and fluid entry in and out of turns that feels like you’ve been riding this deck for a decade. As you enter the turn you can slightly disengage your weight from the front foot and drive it just inside the insert pack on the rear foot. This gives you serious power when you want it but doesn’t overwhelm you through a turn. Railing a hard carve you can lay it over and just feel it engage and take off without feeling like it’s going to kick out. This thing pretty much covers all bases from short quick carves to deep hard aggressive ones and everything in between.
Rider in Mind: All mountain freeride guy.
Personal Thoughts: This board has that WOW factor of once you get on it you don’t want to get off. It feels super light weight which is something I rarely notice these days but it’s also highly reactive and gives you a ton of power where and when you need it. I did not want to get off this board and spent my day chasing pow, slashing where I could, popping off or over everything in sight, and then railing carves on groomers. Do not sleep on this board.
Comparable Boards: Jones Flagship, Telos DST
Recommended Bindings: K2 Lien AT, Rome Katana, Bent Metal Cor-Pro
12 Comments
Kinda surprised to hear this is your favorite in the K2 line based on your team manifest review. Whats the what there? Just the fact that it will fit a wider range of rider skills! I need answers!
When you make something this good at a price that most people can resonate with and make it for a wide range of abilities it’s solid.
Hi there,
Did you feel that 154 was good for you? Didn’t you wish it to be a bit longer?
I am planning to retire my beloved Salomon Derby 151 and looking for a replacement. Hesitating between this and DanceHaul for carving and fun pow riding. I am 5’9 and about 180 pounds. What would you recommend and in what size.
Thank you
I wish I had the 57. Get the Dancehaul 52 it’ll be the closest to your Derby.
Thank you, Angry
Hi Avran,
I am looking for a board that’s good for carving and pow that will complement my 159 Capita Mercury. Was looking at the Gnu Gremlin but then I came across your review for this board. What are your thoughts on this versus the Gremlin to go with my Mercury?
Thanks.
Gremlin will be stiffer so it’s better on edge and for pushing through choppy conditions. This is great in pow and more well balanced but will have a bit of overlap with your Mercury.
hi angry, torn between 157 and 160. I m 6ft1 , size 10 boot, and 190 lb.
Thank you.
57 if you’re in the trees and want it a little more playful, 60 if you want to charge.
I’ve been looking for info on this board since the 2021 version came out, finally have a solid review! I’m torn between 154 and 157; I’m 5’7″ and 160. Not much tree action, mostly going high speed on groomers or occasional pow, sometimes slow going with the kids. The 2022 graphics are definitely better, I assume the board is the same as the ’21?
I’d go 54 for you. Yeah looking like graphics are the only change.
Thanks Angry!