Compare skis
K2 Mindbender 90 vs Elan Ripstick 88
Mindbender carves tighter on groomers and floats.
Worked out for a 90 kg skier.
Side by side
TAIL 117 mmWAIST 90 mmTIP 132 mm
Solid line: K2 Mindbender 90, 172 cm
Dashed line: Elan Ripstick 88, 175 cm
Calculated for 90 kg on groomedsnow. Shaded rows are the model; “est.” marks numbers the maker does not publish.
- K2 Mindbender 90all-mountain
image © K2 - Elan Ripstick 88freeride
image © Elan
- Length compared
- K2 Mindbender 90172 cm
- Elan Ripstick 88175 cm
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Tip / waist / tail
- K2 Mindbender 90132 / 90 / 117 mm
- Elan Ripstick 88127 / 88 / 106 mm
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Sidecut radius
- K2 Mindbender 9014.3 mest.
- Elan Ripstick 8815.8 m
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Carve radius at 30° edge
- K2 Mindbender 9012.4 m
- Elan Ripstick 8813.7 m
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Carve radius at 45° edge
- K2 Mindbender 9010.1 m
- Elan Ripstick 8811.2 m
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Edge hold on firm snow
- K2 Mindbender 90Holds well (100%)tail holds, under holds, tip holds
- Elan Ripstick 88Holds well (100%)tail holds, under holds, tip holds
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Edge hold by ability
- 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%)
- Elan Ripstick 88
- 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
- Float in soft snow
- K2 Mindbender 90Some float (46%)
- Elan Ripstick 88Sinks (41%)
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Construction
- K2 Mindbender 90Aspen Microblock · no metal
- Elan Ripstick 88Tubelite Woodcore · carbon stringers
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Notes
- K2 Mindbender 90Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates.
- Elan Ripstick 88Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates.
- K2 Mindbender 90
- Sources
- 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)
- Elan Ripstick 88Elan product page: ripstick-88 (read 9 Oct 2026); RIPSTICK 88 W - Elan Sports (read 9 Oct 2026); SkiEssentials product page (third-party) (read 15 Oct 2026)
| Measure | K2 Mindbender 90all-mountain | Elan Ripstick 88freeride |
|---|---|---|
| Length compared | 172 cm | 175 cm |
| Tip / waist / tail | 132 / 90 / 117 mm | 127 / 88 / 106 mm |
| Sidecut radius | 14.3 mest. | 15.8 m |
| Carve radius at 30° edge | 12.4 m | 13.7 m |
| Carve radius at 45° edge | 10.1 m | 11.2 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 | Some float (46%) | Sinks (41%) |
| Construction | Aspen Microblock · no metal | Tubelite Woodcore · carbon stringers |
| Notes | Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates. | Built from published geometry; flex and camber are our estimates. |
| Sources | 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) | Elan product page: ripstick-88 (read 9 Oct 2026); RIPSTICK 88 W - Elan Sports (read 9 Oct 2026); SkiEssentials product page (third-party) (read 15 Oct 2026) |
How they differ
- Elan Ripstick 88 turns 1.3 m wider than K2 Mindbender 90.
- Elan Ripstick 88 is about the same as K2 Mindbender 90.
- Elan Ripstick 88 floats 5 points less than K2 Mindbender 90.
Turn shape and pressure
Turn shape from above
Pressure along the ski
| Ski | Tail | Underfoot | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid line: K2 Mindbender 90 | 6% | 82% | 12% |
| Dashed line: Elan Ripstick 88 | 5% | 83% | 12% |
Which one for which skier
- 70 kg, intermediate, on groomers
Elan Ripstick 88 fits better than K2 Mindbender 90.
- Elan Ripstick 88: Carve radius about 13.7 m at 30° edge and 11.2 m at 45° (175 cm)
- Elan Ripstick 88: Built from 6 reviews, 1 by testers within 10 kg of you
- 90 kg, advanced, all over the mountain
Elan Ripstick 88 fits better than K2 Mindbender 90.
- Elan Ripstick 88: Carve radius about 14.5 m at 30° edge and 11.9 m at 45° (182 cm)
- Elan Ripstick 88: Built from 6 reviews, 0 by testers within 10 kg of you
- 110 kg, expert, off-piste in soft snow
Elan Ripstick 88 fits better than K2 Mindbender 90.
- Elan Ripstick 88: Carve radius about 15.4 m at 30° edge and 12.6 m at 45° (189 cm)
- Elan Ripstick 88: Built from 6 reviews, 1 by testers within 10 kg of you
What reviewers say
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)
Elan Ripstick 88
Reviews from Skipass (opens in a new tab)
From video
2027 Elan Ripstick 88 - SkiEssentials Ski Test Review
SkiEssentials · 17 Aug 2026 · 182 cm tested
Reviewed as the 2027 model.
The reviewer presents the Elan Ripstick 88, discussing its light carbon-and-wood build with flax tips. On snow, it delivers exceptional quickness, intuitive turn initiation, and forgiving maneuverability in bumps and trees. He notes that while it excels in agility and reduced fatigue, heavier or more aggressive skiers may find a lower speed ceiling and less stability compared to stiffer metal laminates.
Why this one: Tester weighs 77.1 kg, within 20 kg of you.
Watch on YouTube from 7:00 (opens in a new tab)Community score (a reader’s own test, counted for less than an editor’s)
Elan Ripstick 88: The ski that forgives everything
PACA Ski · 21 June 2026 · 168 cm tested
Reviewed as the 2026 model.
Selected out of ten tested pairs, the reviewer awards the ski a perfect 10/10. It is praised for being light, agile, very forgiving, and fun across the whole mountain, particularly for short turns and playful skiing. However, it shows limits at high speeds and struggles through choppy snow due to its lightweight build.
“Le ski qui pardonne tout” (PACA Ski)
Why this one: Tester weighs 70 kg, within 20 kg of you.
Read the full review (opens in a new tab)
Where to buy
K2 Mindbender 90
No shops to show for this ski yet. When we list one, it appears here with the reason it was picked.
Elan Ripstick 88
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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