Seattle, WA – Since 1962, K2 has been building skis to meet the diverse needs of all-mountain skiers. Building from the ground up and applying the brand’s legacy and dedication from over five decades of skiing experience, K2 is unveiling a brand new ski boot collection for winter 2013-14.
The new eight-model ski boot collection, developed to complement K2’s All-Mountain and Freeride ski lines, is subdivided into two collections: an All-Mountain line, specifically designed for men and women, respectively, and a Freeride offering for men.
K2 has taken a fine-tuned approach in its All-Mountain boots and optimized the natural forces of skiing with what the company has coined its new E3 (Energy Efficiency Engineering) Philosophy. The system absorbs external energy from diverse terrain and snow conditions, company officials say, while transmitting internal energy from the skier in the form of precise power and pressure.
The E3 Philosophy is made possible by the synergy of three features. Energy Interlock is a rivet-free technology that integrates the cuff and shell. Producing a smoother and more efficient load transfer according to the company, the Energy Interlock delivers a natural flex with dynamic performance. A rear co-injected “Y”- shaped design that K2 is calling the PowerFuse SpYne enhances the Energy Interlock by providing fore/aft flex efficiency and lateral stiffness, for sustained performance and responsiveness in all conditions. Finally, delivering performance, comfort, and a customized fit, K2 Fit Logix includes the combination of a diverse last offering (97mm, 100mm, and 102mm), a navicular punch that is built into the mold to alleviate pressure during ankle flexion, and an advanced collection of Intuition liners that blend of comfort and performance, thanks to a precise interaction between foot, liner, and shell. The molded/lasted liners feature Intuition foam and a power collar, and a Moldable Asymmetric Tongue for maximized power transfer and energy absorption.
The All-Mountain collection comprises six new boots: three men’s and three women’s-specific boots. Leading the men’s SpYne collection is the SpYne 130, which delivers a true 130 flex index and is offered in both a 97 and 100 mm last. The SpYne 130 is the flagship of the new line, featuring the Energy Interlock and PowerFuse SpYne technologies, as well as a PowerCinch Strap and molded/lasted PrecisionFit Intuition liner for maximum power transfer and comfort. Following the SpYne 130 are the SpYne 110 and 90 options, which offer softer flexes and correlating levels of features.
The SpYre 110, 100, and 80 make up the colorful female-specific All-Mountain collection, and feature the same technologies as the men’s line but with a 15-percent lower cuff height designed to accommodate a woman’s lower calf insert point, and a women’s-specific last.
Using the All-Mountain boot design as a platform, K2 is meeting the needs of the freeride market by offering freeride-specific boots. In the freeride market, the ski industry has been largely creating boots to meet the immediate demands of the exponentially growing side and backcountry community. However, boot designers have either over-compensated for weight reduction and the walk feature’s range of motion, compromising the boots’ downhill performance, K2 officials claim, or that they have focused heavily on downhill performance, resulting in a poor walk feature and increased weight.
K2 says that the company’s new Freeride boots maximize uphill capabilities without compromising downhill performance, thanks to a patent-pending Synchro Interlock design. The system allows the user to synchronize the release of the inner wedge and Interlock to deliver fore and aft range of motion for free-flexing walk performance. A synchronized lock of the system engages the Interlock for ski mode, delivering true downhill boot performance, maintaining 100% of the flex index.
K2’s Freeride boot collection includes the Pinnacle 130 and 110. Starting from the inside out, the PrecisionFit and LuxFit Intuition liners are enhanced with Tour Flex Notches for optimal liner mobility, range of motion, and fit while touring. Meanwhile, the integrated tech fittings embedded into the shell accommodate all modern alpine DIN and Tech touring binding systems without having to change the outsoles.
These Freeride boots watch their weight with a simple three-buckle design and a lightweight, extra wide buckle/strap, dubbed the K2 PowerBuckle, for quick and secure adjustments in and out of walk mode.
K2’s new boots will debut in Denver this January at the annual SnowSports Industries America trade show and will be available at retail in fall 2013.