Next season's NEW K2 backcountry gear
Another highlight form the Winter Outdoor retailer show this past January in Salt Lake City was the huge offering of new backcountry ski gear from K2. They are pulling out all the stops for next season and offering up a slew of new and revised skis including the Coomback Skis and in the backside collection there's the WayBack 88, WayBack 96, TalkBack 88 and TalkBack 96 skis.
In addition to the ski line up K2 also has a new backcountry helmet line which will make backcountry skiers smile when they hear that the new Route Helmet weighs in at less than a pound! What better to go with the K2 Route Helmet than K2's new Photantic DLX Goggles with their semi-frameless design.
And to round things off, the K2 / BCA marriage would not be consummated if K2 were not to release their own K2 branded Float Packs. Two sizes are available for next season, the K2 Backside Float 30 Pack, the K2 Backside Float 15 Pack and the K2 Backside Float 24 Pack which comes fully kitted out with K2's Rescue Shovel and Probe.
Check out the pics and marketing details below for more info on each of these new products from K2:
K2 COOMBACK SKIS
Ideal for off-piste adventure, the next evolution of the CoomBack series continues the light weight approach and takes skiers beyond the limits of traditional resort boundaries to experience the mountains in a whole new way.
The CoomBack 114, the wider of the two in this series, is ideal for skiers who live for exploratory powder missions. The torsion box Maple and Paulownia construction make for an incredibly stable, yet weight conscious core, while the All-Terrain Rocker provides float for the overhead days that powder junkies crave.
CoomBack 114
Dimensions: 140/114/118
Rocker Profile: All-Terrain
Sizes: 170, 177, 184
Radius: 23m @ 177cm
Weight: 1800g @177cm
Coming in ten centimetres narrower underfoot is the newly updated CoomBack 104. The new shape give the ski a nimble yet predictable feel, designed to excel in a wide variety of snow conditions, this reliable tool is sure to be found seeking out the most technical descents on La Meije.
CoomBack 104
Dimensions: 136/104/122
Rocker Profile: All-Terrain
Sizes: 170, 177, 184
Radius: 23m @ 177cm
K2 PINNACLE BOOTS
K2’s revolutionary Pinnacle 130 and 110 return to the men’s Freeride collection, featuring the same award-winning design as last year, but with the addition of a wider, more durable third buckle. With Integrated Tech Fittings, Syncro Interlock walk-mode and INTUITION® liners with Tour Flex Notches, skiers have the necessary tool to tackle remote peaks as well as frontside groomers. New to the Freeride line is the Pinnacle 100 – a 102mm lasted tour boot with replaceable DIN compatible rugged outsoles and a walk-mode. This boot is perfect for aspiring backcountry enthusiasts or those simply looking for a more comfortable way to get across a slippery parking lot.
K2 ROUTE HELMET
K2 Unveils the Lightest Snow Certified Helmet on the Market.
WEIGHING LESS THAN ONE POUND, K2’S NEW ROUTE HELMET REDEFINES VENTILATION AND LIGHTWEIGHT PERFORMANCE
K2 is shifting paradigms with the introduction of the Route Helmet – at a mere 320 grams (0.7 pounds) it is the lightest snow sports helmet to date. With industry compliant safety certifications, for both ski and bike, as well as seamless goggle integration, the Route steps to the front of the head-protection category.
“We broke down the conventional snow sports helmet and built the Route from the ground up addressing the excuses of those who elect not to wear a helmet,” said K2’s Category Manager, Nigel Steere. “For example, some don’t wear a helmet because they are too warm, heavy or bulky. Not with the Route. It is incredibly breathable and so light you can barely tell you’re wearing it.”
Certified for use as a ski or bike helmet, the highly ventilated Route is an excellent solution for anyone struggling with helmets that are cumbersome, not stylish enough, hot or uncomfortable. Featuring Ultra-Cored Technology, the helmet achieves maximum ventilation while maintaining critical protection. This new technology strategically places a total of 59 ventilation passages throughout the helmet frame without compromising its’ structure or level of protection.
In addition to the snow and bike related benefits of the Route, the added breathability is also key for moisture and temperature management when tackling backcountry summits. Helmets are often removed to stay cool even though danger is still present, but with the Route ski-mountaineers can stay protected and cool while touring ascents late into the spring. With early-rise or late-evening adventurers in mind, the Route comes with removable sturdy headlamp clips that are easily maneuverable for effortless light adjustment and can also be used as side goggle retention clips to keep goggles on top of the helmet while hiking.
K2 PHOTOANTIC DLX GOGGLES
Expanding upon its high-performance goggle line, K2 takes on an entirely new
approach with the introduction of the PhotoAntic and PhotoAntic DLX. The modern oversized styling combined with the semi-frameless design takes advantage of the high performance spherical lenses to produce a clean and sleek goggle that pairs perfectly with today’s helmets.
With enhanced fit, universal helmet compatibility and superior optics the competitively priced PhotoAntic and PhotoAntic DLX offer more features at a greater value than the competition.
The PhotoAntic frame is lined with single density foam and features a slotted nose bridge that provides a comfortable lower face fit. The PhotoAntic DLX has the same frame design but features a plush fleece-lined foam for consistent comfort and anti-slip silicon beads that line the inside of the strap to provide added helmet grip.
The double-layer, oversized spherical lenses feature 100 percent UVA/B protection, anti-fog coating resulting in a distortion-free, crystal clear view. By matching the pantoscopic angle of the custom designed lens with the skier’s eye, K2 goggles allow for a maximized field of vision and optical performance. Built with a helmet-driven top line design, the goggles offer seamless compatibility with K2 and other helmets on the market.
K2 BACKSIDE FLOAT PACKS
K2 is committed to making backcountry travel safer by offering equipment to help lower the risk of avalanche-related fatalities. By introducing two new backcountry packs that incorporate Float avalanche airbag technology, K2 broadens its reach across the snow sports marketplace. The K2 BackSide R&D team has designed a line of packs that make travel in the backcountry safer.
“The addition of the Float packs to our line furthers K2’s dedication to safety in the backcountry,” said Anthony De Rocco, president and CEO of K2 Sports. “We are excited to be expanding our BackSide offerings to make travel in the backcountry safer and more enjoyable for our customers.”
The new K2 BackSide Float 15 and Float 30 packs feature a built in Float airbag. Designed to help keep skiers at or near the surface of a debris pile during the unfortunate occurrence of an avalanche, the Float reduces the chances of a full burial, which leads to suffocation – the leading cause of death in avalanche victims. When inflated, the Float also provides additional trauma protection to the head, neck and upper body – the second area of concern when caught in a slide.
The design, function and features engineered into these packs set them apart from all other packs on the market. Starting from the outside, a moulded back panel delivers extra comfort, while the actual pack space is intelligently organized to protectively carry essentials such as a helmet, goggles and internal tool holder. The easy-to-use ski and snowboard carrying systems are accented by a minimal amount of exterior straps, clips and buckles – the result is a clean pack that fits all the necessary gear. The pack’s load is distributed so that the contents are close to the user’s back, ensuring a comfortable carry all day long. Available in 15 or 30-litre sizes that easily organize backcountry essentials, the BackSide Float Packs are perfect for quick ventures out the gate or all-day excursions to remote locations.
Also available in K2’s BackSide Collection is the new BackSide 24 Pack, offered as a kitted option that includes a K2 Rescue Shovel with a hoe mode and a 230cm Aluminum Probe. The kitted and non-kitted Backside 24 provides the same backcountry specific features as the new BackSide Float packs, but without the airbag feature.
Oh, and the K2 Snowboard line is new with teh K2 Kwicker splitboard system. This includes tweaks to the K2 BC Bindings to make them lighterand a redefined Kwicker system which includes two new boots - the Compass for men and the arrow for women. Finish it off with K2's Ultra Split board which they are saying is teh lightest and fastest splitboard on the globe. Stay tuned for more info from K2 and their new backcountry products.
