K2 Mindbender 88 Ti Alliance review 2020
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
The Mindbender series is K2’s new freeride and all-mountain line. The 88 Ti Alliance is a women-specific ski and is a stiffer version. It is reinforced by a Y-shaped Titanal plate, called Titanal Y-Beam by K2, which gives it an extra dose of power that the testers really liked.
"Fairly stiff," "Lively but not overly so,” K2 strikes a balance between performance and accessibility. Overall performance is good, particularly on groomed runs where the ski really shines. Testers were impressed by the edge grip, turn quality, and versatility of the ski. It is a responsive ski that expert female skiers will have a blast on.
Off-piste, the K2 Mindbender 88Ti Alliance holds its own. In particular, the testers found it very “maneuverable,” and comfortable in powder.
It perfectly fulfills the criteria of the “all-mountain 70% piste-30% freeride" or the “all-mountain front” category. It will appeal to female skiers wishing to buy a versatile all-terrain ski. Very good female skiers will really appreciate its liveliness.
Review: Pros
- Overall performance
- Balanced, versatile
- Good edge grip, solid edge hold
- Responsive and lively
- Fun
Review: Cons
- None
The ski review scores
Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.0 |
Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.0 |
Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.0 |
Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.0 |
Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.0 |
Any ground comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
Stiff, lively, and responsive, this ski is relatively narrow in the waist and provides ultra-fast edge-to-edge transfer. At the same time, the rocker technology in the tip and tail provides optimum precision and predictability in turn initiation and consistency at the end of the turn, as well as incredible edge grip.
Features of the Mindbender 88 Ti Alliance
Brand : | K2 |
Model : | Mindbender 88 Ti Alliance |
Year : | 2020 |
Family : | All-mountain front |
Size tested : | 170 cm |
Tip size : | 125 mm |
Waist size : | 88 mm |
Tail size : | 112 mm |
Radius for the size reviewed : | 16 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2019