K2 Slayblade 2015 - 2010 Review by The Good Ride

• User Reviews
• Past Reviews
• Product Specs
• Product Images
• Questions?

The K2 Slayblade Snowboard is a very aggressive all-mountain ride. The addition of micro camber in the 2014 model makes it the call over the old Flat models from 2013 below. It really changes up the ride in a good way taking it from a bomber only, kind of board to a bomber board that can also carve. Aside from a few minor tweaks, the 2015 K2 Slayblade is the same ultra-aggressive bomber board as the 2014.

2015-2014 K2 Slayblade Review

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  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.

Size: 161
Days: 1
Conditions: Pretty perfect snow just about anywhere.  It took a bit to find some spot’s that were harder
Riders: James, Peter and Jimbo
Boots: Burton Ion, Burton SLX, Nike Kaiju
Bindings: K2 Company IPO
Set Up: 15 front -3 back, set back a bit 23″ wide

On Snow Feel: It feels like the same really aggressive stiff ride that the old flat profile K2 Slayblade but there is one difference. It has a little bit more of a lively feeling in the turns and also feels a little bit more catchy. It’s not going to be a huge bump from the flat profile but it’s going to be noticeable.  This is for those that like to bomb first but also like to occasionally slow down and carve.

Powder: We had no powder but only really had some soft thick snow between the trees to play around in. The older flat models actually do a little bit better here but neither is that great. The set back helps and the board planes pretty well compared to traditional camber boards but it doesn’t have that effortless float like some hybrid shapes out there.

Turn Initiation and Carving:  The flat K2 Slayblade was just off when it came to turning but now that the little bit of camber was added the ride has a much different feel. Short radius turns can be quick if you know what you are doing but you feel a bit of a spring out of the turn where before it was lifeless.  It restores normalcy to turning.  There are better carving boards but the 2014 K2 Slayblade is much better than the previous flat models.

Speed:  This board fucking bombs! The little preview of Peter riding at the beginning of the run was the steepest groomed run at Mammoth Mountain and Peter straight lined almost the whole thing even though it wasn’t perfect.

Uneven Terrain: There are consequences that come with such a fast damp board.  This comes into play when you have to slow down and deal with uneven bumpy terrain.  It doesn’t punish you like some boards but it’s no picnic.  The K2 Slayblade is best used with the snow is smooth and clean. It can handle some messy snow but the more uneven it gets the less fun it is.

Edge Hold: Pretty good grip here. The added camber helps the board grab a little bit more in harder conditions.  Combine that with the stiff flex you have great edge hold. Still, it’s not an ice specialist and I would not recommend buying this for an east coast rider unless you ride when it’s only good.

Flex:  Incredibly stiff and not very easy to butter. It’s all about bombing with the K2 Slayblade

Switch: You would think it would be worse for a board that most people ride one direction on but this is a directional twin. If you center up the stance it works really well even though there is a bit of a difference.

Jibbing: This is a bad idea in the jib park.

Pipe:  The K2 Slayblade’s new camber has a solid new feel in the pipe like it does when it comes to turn initiation and carving.  The old flat Slayblade use to feel weird in the pipe but the new Slayblade with micro camber drives well from wall to wall. It’s pretty stiff and unforgiving so a technical aggressive rider will really like this but someone who wants something mellow.

Jumps: The Slayblade doesn’t pop well unless you are strong but if you are you will like it.  It’s very stable for approaching kickers.

All in all the new Slayblade is a huge improvement and could make a rider who is all about speed happy. The 2014 is for sure the call because it turns much better when you aren’t straight lining.  It’s not for everyone but the right kind of rider might feel like every run is a high-speed X-Mas.