Compare skis
K2 Mindbender 85 vs K2 Mindbender 90
Mindbender 90 floats.
Worked out for a 90 kg skier.
Side by side
TAIL 115 mmWAIST 85 mmTIP 128 mm
Solid line: K2 Mindbender 85, 177 cm
Dashed line: K2 Mindbender 90, 172 cm
Calculated for 90 kg on groomedsnow. Shaded rows are the model; “est.” marks numbers the maker does not publish.
- K2 Mindbender 85all-mountain
image © K2 - K2 Mindbender 90all-mountain
image © K2
- Length compared
- K2 Mindbender 85177 cm
- K2 Mindbender 90172 cm
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Tip / waist / tail
- K2 Mindbender 85128 / 85 / 115 mm
- K2 Mindbender 90132 / 90 / 117 mm
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Sidecut radius
- K2 Mindbender 8514.2 mest.
- K2 Mindbender 9014.3 mest.
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Carve radius at 30° edge
- K2 Mindbender 8512.3 m
- K2 Mindbender 9012.4 m
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Carve radius at 45° edge
- K2 Mindbender 8510 m
- K2 Mindbender 9010.1 m
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Edge hold on firm snow
- K2 Mindbender 85Holds well (100%)tail holds, under holds, tip holds
- K2 Mindbender 90Holds well (100%)tail holds, under holds, tip holds
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Edge hold by ability
- K2 Mindbender 85
- First-timer: slides (19%)
- Beginner: slides (41%)
- Intermediate: on the limit (70%), assumed level
- Advanced: holds well (95%)
- Expert: holds well (100%)
- K2 Mindbender 90
- First-timer: slides (19%)
- Beginner: slides (41%)
- Intermediate: on the limit (70%), assumed level
- Advanced: holds well (95%)
- Expert: holds well (100%)
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Float in soft snow
- K2 Mindbender 85Sinks (34%)
- K2 Mindbender 90Some float (46%)
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Construction
- K2 Mindbender 85Aspen Veneer · hybrid sidewall
- K2 Mindbender 90Aspen Microblock · no metal
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Notes
- K2 Mindbender 85Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates.
- K2 Mindbender 90Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates.
- K2 Mindbender 85
- Sources
- K2 Mindbender 85K2 Mindbender 85 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (read 13 Oct 2026); K2 Mindbender 85 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (derived from the 170 cm published radius) (read 9 Oct 2026); K2 Mindbender 85 Women's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (read 14 Oct 2026)
- K2 Mindbender 90K2 Mindbender 90 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (read 13 Oct 2026); K2 Mindbender 90 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (derived from the 178 cm published radius) (read 13 Oct 2026)
| Measure | K2 Mindbender 85all-mountain | K2 Mindbender 90all-mountain |
|---|---|---|
| Length compared | 177 cm | 172 cm |
| Tip / waist / tail | 128 / 85 / 115 mm | 132 / 90 / 117 mm |
| Sidecut radius | 14.2 mest. | 14.3 mest. |
| Carve radius at 30° edge | 12.3 m | 12.4 m |
| Carve radius at 45° edge | 10 m | 10.1 m |
| Edge hold on firm snow | Holds well (100%)tail holds, under holds, tip holds | Holds well (100%)tail holds, under holds, tip holds |
| Edge hold by ability |
|
|
| Float in soft snow | Sinks (34%) | Some float (46%) |
| Construction | Aspen Veneer · hybrid sidewall | Aspen Microblock · no metal |
| Notes | Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates. | Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates. |
| Sources | K2 Mindbender 85 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (read 13 Oct 2026); K2 Mindbender 85 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (derived from the 170 cm published radius) (read 9 Oct 2026); K2 Mindbender 85 Women's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (read 14 Oct 2026) | K2 Mindbender 90 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (read 13 Oct 2026); K2 Mindbender 90 Men's Skis 2027 | K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding (derived from the 178 cm published radius) (read 13 Oct 2026) |
How they differ
- K2 Mindbender 90 is about the same as K2 Mindbender 85.
- K2 Mindbender 90 is about the same as K2 Mindbender 85.
- K2 Mindbender 90 floats 12 points more than K2 Mindbender 85.
Turn shape and pressure
Turn shape from above
Pressure along the ski
| Ski | Tail | Underfoot | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid line: K2 Mindbender 85 | 6% | 82% | 13% |
| Dashed line: K2 Mindbender 90 | 6% | 82% | 12% |
Which one for which skier
- 70 kg, intermediate, on groomers
A toss-up: K2 Mindbender 90 and K2 Mindbender 85 score within a hair of each other.
- K2 Mindbender 90: Carve radius about 11.5 m at 30° edge and 9.4 m at 45° (166 cm)
- K2 Mindbender 90: Built from 1 review, 0 by testers within 10 kg of you
- 90 kg, advanced, all over the mountain
K2 Mindbender 90 fits better than K2 Mindbender 85.
- K2 Mindbender 90: Carve radius about 13.3 m at 30° edge and 10.8 m at 45° (178 cm)
- K2 Mindbender 90: Built from 1 review, 0 by testers within 10 kg of you
- 110 kg, expert, off-piste in soft snow
K2 Mindbender 90 fits better than K2 Mindbender 85.
- K2 Mindbender 90: Carve radius about 13.3 m at 30° edge and 10.8 m at 45° (178 cm)
- K2 Mindbender 90: Built from 1 review, 0 by testers within 10 kg of you
What reviewers say
K2 Mindbender 85
From video
2027 K2 Mindbender 85 - SkiEssentials Ski Test Review
SkiEssentials · 17 Aug 2026
Reviewed as the 2027 model.
The K2 Mindbender 85 returns structurally unchanged with only a graphics update. It features an aspen wood core, hybrid full sidewall underfoot tapering to cap construction at the tips, and prominent camber with tip and tail rocker. Geared towards progressing and intermediate skiers, it provides lively energy, forgiving handling, and easy release in soft snow, trees, and bumps, while remaining capable of holding an edge on groomers.
Why this one: Tester weight not stated.
Watch on YouTube from 4:15 (opens in a new tab)From video
2024 K2 Skis: Mindbenders, Waybacks, & More | Blister Summit Brand Lineup (K2 Mindbender 85)
BLISTER · 1 May 2023
Reviewed as the 2024 model.
A friendly, confidence-inspiring entry-level and rental/demo all-mountain ski tailored for skiers advancing their skills primarily on groomed terrain.
Why this one: Tester weight not stated.
Watch on YouTube from 12:38 (opens in a new tab)
K2 Mindbender 90
From video
2026 K2 Mindbender 90 C - SkiEssentials Ski Test Review
SkiEssentials · 8 Aug 2025 · 178 cm tested
Reviewed as the 2026 model.
The reviewer evaluates the K2 Mindbender 90 C, noting its carbon spectral braiding and poplar-free aspen core. It caters well to intermediates up through advanced skiers looking for an approachable, agile all-mountain ski. It initiates easily into turns and releases smoothly from tails, shining in bumps and trees within moderate radius arcs. However, it lacks high-end shovel stiffness and stability when driven at aggressive speeds in wide GS carves.
Why this one: Tester weight not stated.
Watch on YouTube from 3:23 (opens in a new tab)From video
2025 K2 Mindbender 90 C - SkiEssentials.com Ski Test Review
SkiEssentials · 17 Sept 2024 · 178 cm tested
Reviewed as the 2025 model.
The presenter examines the K2 Mindbender 90C, highlighting its updated topsheet while maintaining the same versatile carbon braid construction. It features an aspen micro block core, semi-cap build, and generous tip and tail rocker with traditional camber underfoot. Aimed at intermediate to advanced skiers, it serves as a lightweight, nimble all-mountain ski that handles variable snow, bumps, and trees easily, providing dependable edge hold without being overly demanding.
Why this one: Tester weight not stated.
Watch on YouTube from 4:20 (opens in a new tab)
Where to buy
K2 Mindbender 85
No shops to show for this ski yet. When we list one, it appears here with the reason it was picked.
K2 Mindbender 90
No shops to show for this ski yet. When we list one, it appears here with the reason it was picked.
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