2023 K2 Mindbender 85

Keeping it simple is always a good bet for skis. The K2 Mindbender 85 has been doing that for years, and we’re stoked to see it back in its un-altered form. There’s a whole lot to like about an easy-going mid-80's ski that can handle a whole lot of things for a whole lot of skiers. In reality, there are way more skiers who should be on something like this versus the Mindbender 89Ti, mainly from an approachability standpoint. Progressing beginners all the way through advanced skiers will love this 85, its energy, stability, and wide-ranging versatility. Built with an Aspen wood core, the skis have plenty of camber built in in order to give the ski more energy and pop. Slantwall construction gives the ski great grip underfoot to go along with a capped build in the forebody and through the tail. This makes for lighter swing weight and increased maneuverability. There’s not a whole lot of rocker in the profile to talk about, with it being a lot more skewed towards well-roundedness rather than strictly front side or freeride. While there is a performance ceiling, and some of our more aggressive testers found it, for the most part, there aren’t a whole lot of skiers out there that are going to push this ski past its boundaries.

David Wolfgang was on the 170, and he’s a tall guy, so it’s no surprise that he found the 85 to be short. He gave a lot of 4’s out of 5 for this ski, including overall impression, forgiveness, playfulness, quickness, and maneuverability. Flotation, stability, torsional stiffness, edge hold, and versatility were all in the 3-range, showing the well-rounded nature of these skis. David notes that “If you are looking for your first set of skis this is one you should look at. Easy turn initiation, good edge hold and a very stable ride. At $399 flat a really great value.” We’ve always remarked on how great of a deal this is for a lot of skiers, so for that first pair or something to use for years to come, this Mindbender 85 makes a whole lot of sense on a bunch of different levels.

John McIntosh was also on the 170, and he notes that “it skis true to size. The 170 was a bit short for me, the 177cm would be more appropriate for my size.” Like David, John’s scores were all 3’s and 4’s with the 4’s going for quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, forgiveness, torsional stiffness, edge hold, versatility, and overall impression. 3’s for stability and flotation rounds out this balanced scorecard. John states that the Mindbender 85 is “A very approachable, lively and fun ski for the price. Great for an intermediate skier and very capable for someone looking to be a more advanced skier. Very easy turn initiation and able to make a variety of turn shapes. I enjoyed the skis quickness and maneuverability.” The variety of shapes and styles of turn stands out here, as you can really make this ski do a lot of different things all in the course of the same run.

With an 85 mm waist, a 13.3-meter turn radius in the 170, and a simple construction with positive camber, the 2023 K2 Mindbender 85 is about as well-rounded as it gets. They turn easily, cruise nicely, and are capable of relatively high-energy skiing. If you’re looking for something that works well and you don’t have to think too hard about, the K2 Mindbender 85 is not only a great value, but also a fantastic ski.