If you're looking for a board that can handle deep powder, steep terrain, and big drops, you might want to check out the K2 Excavator. This board is designed to be a versatile and powerful tool for advanced riders who want to explore the backcountry and push their limits. In this review, I'll share my personal experience with the K2 Excavator and how it performs on various criteria, such as flex, camber, torsion, float, shape, and overall snowboarding experience.
K2 is a well-known and respected brand in the snowboarding industry, with over 30 years of history and innovation. They have a reputation for making high-quality boards that cater to different styles and preferences. The K2 Excavator is one of their latest models, released in 2021, and it's part of their directional series, which focuses on boards that are optimized for riding in one direction.
1. Flex
The K2 Excavator has a medium-stiff flex rating of 7 out of 10, which means it's not too soft or too rigid. This gives it a good balance of stability and responsiveness, as well as enough pop and snap to launch off natural features. The board also features K2's Bambooyah core, which is made of bamboo and carbon fiber, and provides durability and strength without adding too much weight. The flex pattern is directional, meaning it's stiffer in the tail and softer in the nose, which helps with carving and turning.
2. Camber
The K2 Excavator has a hybrid camber profile, which combines positive camber underfoot with rocker in the nose and tail. This gives it the best of both worlds: the camber provides edge hold and power on hardpack and groomers, while the rocker enhances float and maneuverability in powder and choppy conditions. The camber also creates a slight setback stance, which shifts your weight to the back of the board and improves your control and balance.
3. Torsion
The K2 Excavator has a high torsional stiffness, which means it resists twisting along its length. This makes it more stable and precise at high speeds and on steep slopes, as well as more responsive to your inputs. The board also features K2's Tweekend technology, which extends the rocker to the very tips of the board, creating a smoother and more consistent ride. The torsion also affects the edge grip and carving ability of the board, which I'll discuss in the next section.
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4. Float
The K2 Excavator is a board that excels in deep powder, thanks to its shape, camber, and flex. The board has a tapered directional shape, which means it has a wider nose than tail, creating a surf-like feel and reducing drag. The nose also has a spoon-like shape, which lifts it up and over the snow, while the tail sinks slightly for better control. The rocker in the nose and tail also helps with floatation, as well as making the board easier to pivot and slash. The flex pattern also contributes to the float, as the softer nose allows you to lean forward and keep your speed, while the stiffer tail provides support and stability.
5. Shape
The K2 Excavator has a unique shape that sets it apart from other boards in its category. The board has a 20 mm taper, which means it narrows from nose to tail by 20 mm. This creates a more directional feel and improves the performance in powder. The board also has a 25 mm setback stance, which means the inserts are shifted towards the tail by 25 mm. This places your weight more on the back foot and enhances your control and balance. The board also has a long effective edge of 1210 mm (for the 162 cm size), which means it has more contact with the snow and provides more edge hold and stability.
Some of the most relevant features of the K2 Excavator are:
Bambooyah core: A bamboo and carbon fiber core that provides durability and strength without adding too much weight.
Tweekend technology: A rocker extension that creates a smoother and more consistent ride.
Directional series: A collection of boards that are optimized for riding in one direction.
Hybrid camber profile: A combination of positive camber underfoot with rocker in the nose and tail that provides edge hold and power on hardpack and groomers, while enhancing float and maneuverability in powder and choppy conditions.
Tapered directional shape: A shape that narrows from nose to tail by 20 mm, creating a surf-like feel and reducing drag.
In conclusion, the K2 Excavator is a beast of a board for powder lovers who want to explore the backcountry and push their limits. It's a versatile and powerful board that can handle deep powder, steep terrain, and big drops, as well as carve and turn on hardpack and groomers. It's a board that requires skill and confidence, but rewards you with an exhilarating and satisfying ride. If you're looking for a board that can do it all in the backcountry, Click on this link to check out the K2 Excavator.