K2 Manifest Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who Its For

How This Review Happened:

Borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back. 1 day demo. A few laps at a demo. Liked it so much, asked to keep it (only do this with favorites).  Liked it so much we bought it.  Precious Good Ride dollars were spent to buy this and review it.
Size: 159
Days: 4
Conditions: 
Rider: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo,
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas, Jones Christiansen Bindings
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom Guide Jacket, Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket, Jones Peak Bagger Jacket. Burton AK Helitak Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Similar Boards (but not the same): Korua Otto, Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker, Capita Mercury,YES NSB, Endeavor Pioneer, Jones Mountain Twin, Endeavor Ranger, Yes Typo, Jones Frontier, Ride Algorythm, Ride Wild Life, Borealis Tundra, Tahoe Labs Directional Twin, Yes Basic Uninc, Cardiff Lynx,

James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +18/-9 in pow, +15/-15 on groomers. Close to Reference on groomers and Set as far back as possible for the stance width in pow.

How It Was Tested

On one day I compared it to the Korua Otto and Jones Mountain Twin but most I just rode the K2 Manifest.

Approximate Weight

The K2 Manifest felt like a normal board. Not too heavy or too light. Usually boards this damp are heavier though. (We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores there is no consistency in a boards weight)

Sizing

The K2 Manifest did a great job in the 159 with my weight and I didn’t feel like I usually do where I’m on the upper end of the recommended weights at 185lbs-190lbs. For my size 9 boots the 159 felt good but I’m very curious about the 156 as that might be more fun to throw around.

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for the K2 Manifests. You can of course go bigger or smaller depending on your riding style and boot’s footprint, but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
153: 8-9
156: 8.5-9.5
159: 9-10
162: 9.5-10.5
157w: 10.5-11.5
160w: 11-12
164w: 11.5-12.5

For weight I would stay close to the K2’s recommended weight ranges as they are pretty fair compared to most brands. If it comes down to boot size or weight, I would make sure it fits your boot first and then your weight a close second.

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The K2 Manifest has an almost twin look to it but upon closer look it is slightly directional with a longer nose than tail. It also seems like the sidecut might be a little directional but not by much.

You have a slightly directional camber happening with the K2 Manifest but it’s not super lopsided. There is still a good bit of early rise before the tail. Not as much as the nose but it’s pretty noticable. You have a stable yet forgiving ride. So putting the camber profile together with the shape and you have a stable, twinish feel when on reference. It doesn’t feel as set back and surfy as some all mountain boards when set all the way back but it is better than many centered twins.

Flex Personality

Compared to the old super stiff flex of the 2019 Manifest the 2023’s medium flex feels mellow. There is a medium flex but it has a rubbery feel that acts like it will keep flexing without a breaking point. However it still snaps back with surprising pop for this kind of dampness. It buttered well enough and I didn’t feel like I had to be a super hero to get it to pop on an ollie either.

Uneven Terrain

I think the way the K2 Manifest handles uneven snow is one of its shining characteristics. Some boards have higher highs in good conditions but not many can keep their composure like the K2 Manifest and many other K2 boards like the Broadcast, Passport and Instrument do. These are near excellent all conditions rides.

Edge Hold

Edge hold is good. It borders on being great. The K2 Manifest boarders on being a very competent hard snow ride but also doesn’t grab to hard in softer snow.

Speed & Base Glide

This is one place where the K2 Manifest didn’t have the glide that I had hoped for at this price point. Even well waxed it felt only a touch above average. The base isn’t that fast but the board is damp and has a straight line friendly sidecut. It wasn’t as much of a pointer as you would think for the sidecut radius but you get a lot more dampness than you would think for the flex.

Turning Experience/Carving

The K2 Manifest initiates a turn pretty quickly. When you get it on edge there is a pretty balanced turning radius. There isn’t a ton of camber but I had some pretty satisfying carves.

Powder

So you only have a -1.85″ set back on board vs. sidecut at a 22.75″ stance width. That isn’t a lot and it took some back foot weight to keep the nose up in some spots I was riding in 6+ inches of thick pow. If you want better directional float look to the Broadcast or even better the Passport. Those float better. Still, the K2 Manifest floats very well when set back compared to most mountain freestyle twins. If you like more of a centered ride in pow this could work.

Switch/Pipe/Jumps

Very doable as a centered damp mountain freestyle ride and I liked riding it switch. Not a bad pipe or jump board either if that is your thing in the park.

Conclusion

So other than the base glide not being as good as I thought it should for an almost $600 board everything else about the K2 Manifest is pretty recommendable. Especially if you see a lot of uneven snow.

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