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
54 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!
Hey Angry-Looking for a more freeride focused board to bomb down groomers, hit some trees at the resort (ride Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood), and when I’m feeling lazy, just cruise with my kid. No crazy jumps and nothing super steep or deep. I’ll hit a few blacks when I’m feeling frisky. I was looking at a Ride Algorythm (already have a Twinpig and Helix), Yes Optimistic, Lib E-Jack Knife, or Burton Skeleton Key. I’m an intermediate, 42 years old, 5’4″ and 180 pounds and built like a brick shit house. Hadn’t considered K2 until I read this review. Of course, open to another idea if you have one. Thanks!
I’d say pull the trigger on this or maybe The Y by Yes for what you’re looking for.
157 too long for 5’11 150 natural weight (w/o helmet, boots, snowgear, etc.)? Currently riding a 156 Niseko Pleasures and loving it. East coast all-mountain, groomers, steeps, speed, and hopefully powder and trees. Thanks
This things meant to be ridden short.
Great, thanks!
Angry,
My 2010 Turbo Dream has been perfect for me, it got me to the next level. I want to hang it on the wall of fame now and upgrade. 48 years old, go down anything but prefer pow in blue trees, steep groomers and small jumps. Mostly Mammoth and Copper. Zero park..Seems like this may be a good replacement. Respect your opinion. Thank you love your site.
Honestly the Manifest is probably the closest replacement to the Turbo.
Hey I’m 170 6’1 just picked up the 154, do you think I should of gone 157? Thanks! Loved the review by the way, I’m sold on it
No.
Hey Angry! Looking for a good east coast groomer/ ice bomber. I’m partially loyal to K2, coming from a 2017 ultra dream 155. Would this be suitable for charging groomers all day and the occasional tree run if the ropes are down? Torn between this and the Rossi XV. Looking for agility, edge hold and stability. I have no issues with my Ultra, just want something more bomber/groomer oriented
You should probably look more towards the Manifest Team or even the Alchemist. This is a lot softer than people think.
Ok cool, I like the Manifest Team. I’m 5’10” 215 and ride fairly hard most of the time. I’ve thought about buying bigger for my next board and I’m thinking 162. So I guess my question is would you buy the 162 or go shorter? And for 100 dollars less where does it fall short compared to the Manifest?
You want the 62. Regular Manifest just feels so mediocre when you ride it. Like it’s a snowboard, it does snowboard things, but it just doesn’t have the same ride.
Awesome thanks so much Angry. I love your website and how you review and describe boards. I find myself reading your reviews on boards I dont even plan on buying! Thank you again
Hi Angry,
Thank you for your reviews, they are great.
I have got an Instrument based on your review.
Now it comes to get the bindings. You are recommending the Katanas, which are more in the freestyle side. What if you want to be in the freeride side? Better to go for the Cleavers? Are they too responsive for this board?
At the end my doubts are between the Katana, Black Label (I could get last year model at the same price than 2021/22 Katana) and Cleaver. What would be your choice for mostly carving, powder when available and no park at all?
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Just buy the Katanas.
Thanks!
Although you initially pointed me toward a Manifest Team for my size and riding style (200+ lb, size 12, freeride), I caught your review of the Instrument and went with this in 157 vs 160W Manifest Team. And K2 had these in stock; Manifest Team, not so much. I also went with Katanas.
This board/binding combination is working well for me. Many thanks.
Total of four days riding in Tahoe (at an independent hill, fuck V@il and The Resort Formerly Known As Squaw) with early season cover, and later on, groomers plus frozen Sierra cement in between. Most impressive is the vibration absorption: on crusty, rutted-out crap or just hauling down carved up groomers, the board was very stable. Edge hold was consistent and totally reliable.
Coming from longer traditional camber boards, I started out oversteering the 157 before figuring out that I could keep my weight further back than I’m used to on and still turn effortlessly. It’s also surprisingly forgiving when on edge. I got to stop thinking and just ride. Landings are similarly solid.
Bottom line, more fun riding in-bounds on this board than I can remember on my other boards. I think I see what you mean.
I weigh 185-190 and looking for a size for trees off pali and beavers at a basin, 154 vs 157?
54 all day. 57 will feel like a boat if you get into those steeper tree runs off the side of Pali that head down to the Beavers.
Thank you, saw you out there a week (or 2?) Any other board that would be first choice for this environment?
If you want it a little more rigid I’d do the Excavator. I’m also a fan of the Endeavor Archetype for riding up there.
Hi Angry,
I really like youre review, I think it’s exactly what I’m looking for. I’m able to pick up an 154 from 2021 in europe for 300€, do you think this is the right size for me? I’m 5’6 and 130lbs, or should I look for an 151? Currently riding a 20 year old Nidecker Blade size 153 ^^
Thanks a lot.
51
Ok, will try to get a 51 instead. Thanks for the info and review!
Dear Angry, I really like the look of this board, however one thing you didn’t mention is switch capabilities? I am trying to do a lot more of this and wonder if you could advise on this board’s suitability? Thank you.
Can you ride switch? Yes. Awesome. Can’t? Time to learn.
Is the excavator or instrument better for carving on groomers?
Yes.
Hi angry,
Sounds like a great board, can an intermediate handle this?
Hi Angry,
I got the board, now I’m just wondering, if I should detune the edges at the contact points, opinions online seem to be split.
Your choice.
This, the lib tech brd or the yes hybrid, for an intermediate wanting to carve and ride through powder.
This.
Hey Angry….. I just picked up a 157 Instrument. I’m 5’9″ 230#. I’m just looking at ripping mid-west groomers no park. Just getting back on the snow after 10 years. My current set up is a Ride Fleetwood 161. Will this be a good replacement?
You’re fine.
Angry, I am 210 6’2 with an 11 boot size. I ride a 163W Berzerker (per your reccomendations) and an Orca 156 for the low angle pow and trees. I am going to be in Korea next winter and have the possibility of going to Japan while I’m there. I normally ride PNW off groomer, steeps, trees and pow. Aggressive rider that would rather bomb than carve. Was thinking of a 160 in this guy to round out my quiver. Too much overlap or other suggestions? Thanks
I just don’t see the need for it with what you have and what you want out of it performancewise.
So would it be pointless to get another board at this point, since I don’t do any park?
Save the cash and spend it on actually riding more.
Hey Angry, Your reviews are amazing and it is great to get a real world, no nonsense look into all the boards you test.
I’m, in the market for a new board and have narrowed it down to a few options. I’m based in the North Island of NZ so conditions are often firm/icy in Winter and chopped up slush in spring. No trees here, just big open bowls.
I am 6’4, 190 pounds with size 12 boots and would consider myself advanced and love to charge.
Currently rocking a K2 Slayblade 159W and a K2 87 155. I would like my new board to be an addition to these rather than a replacement. Guess I’m looking for something that is good with carving (with no toe drag), edge holding in firm snow, isn’t afraid to go fast, and can ride switch (but only needed to traverse (again think firm snow not deep powder traverses).
I’ve narrowed it down to the K2 Alchemist 164W, K2 Instrument 163, Nitro Magnum 163W (or even 167W) and the Korua Tranny Finder 157. I don’t have a store close so have had to try get an idea of boards looking online.
Interested to hear what you have to say or any other board recommendations. Cheers.
Go with the Tranny Finder it’s the happy medium between the Slayblade and 87.