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cobra_commanderBlank was generally the first ski to sell out for many shops this year in N/A. Honestly rightly so, it was one of the best new skis for this year.
QST 98 sold well too and the updated 106 will likely sell really well too.
In boots they have been a consistent top 3 in NA for the last 20 years, if not #1. So much so they can have a 3 season disaster (QST boot) and still keep on moving along.
that’s before we get to bindings. Have you heard of the Shift?
Doing fine even if they might have washed their hands of the expensive and high headache markets newschoolers.com members generally are in.
I will say that the blank 112 in a 194 looks like an amazing ski
Kbob94Haha I seriously think salomon is one of the most irrelevant companies in the ski industry right now. Like they used to be the pinnacle for freeride and freeskiing and now they’re the laughing stock.
Salomon is highly relevant, the niche you want them to give a shit about is what is irrelevant to the wider industry.
SessionSalomon is highly relevant, the niche you want them to give a shit about is what is irrelevant to the wider industry.
Agreed.
I do think it's interesting that Salomon seems to have managed to lock down this whole "touring brand" thing so effectively without making a "touring" ski over 95 underfoot. And it's also wild to me how long the good will from the original MTN Lab boot has carried over for them. Stoked to hear more about these new boots!
ICaryThis Dispatch collection has me really interested! From boot to ski, anything else you can share about it? Is it more touring focused then the mindbender boot? Is the ski heavier then the waybacks?
The new Dispatch skis are a little heavier then Waybacks. Its K2's new Free-tour collection. Fun fact, Dispatch skis have more metal then its Mindbender equivalent with weights that are much lower. These thing RIP.
tomPietrowskiSo as far as boots go, the Dispatch range is an all new collection for us. We have 5 models for 22, 3 for men and 2 for women.
The Top end men's boot is the Dispatch Pro. That is a full on 130 freetour beast. It can drive big skis but is still really efficient uphill. All models have 60 degrees range of motion and the cuff height has been optimized for the best of both fore and after movement as well as ski performance. In the back we have a small pebax spoiler which works a little like the carbon base in some running shoes. It stores energy when the cuff flex's forward and releases the energy to help propel the boot forward. We use Pebax in the shell and cuff in all but the base Dispatch model which still uses a Pebax shell but has a TPU cuff. TPU was used to give the base model a more alpine boot feel for uses perhaps buying there first backcountry setup and who are used to the feel of a full TPU boot.
Weights range from 1450 - 1550g and a big factor in that weight is we did not cheap out on the liners. We could have made these boots way lighter by putting in a lighter weight liner like many brands do, but that is not something we wanted to do. We felt there was more value by giving you a decent liner at the expense of 50-100g rather than you having to buy an aftermarket liner just to make these boots fit and ski well.
We also use the BOA liner on the men's Pro boot which I'm loving and I'm using in other boots too.
The other models in the line are the Dispatch LT for men and women. This is the lightest of the line but still a full 120 flex and women's go down to a true 22.
The base model is the Dispatch which is 110 flex and again down to 22 for women.
All models have a 9523 vibram outsole and we use Dynafit inserts on all models.
Think of Dispatch as the touring boot for skiers who want to get out into the backcountry in really efficient and easy to use boot but still prioritize and want downhill ski performance. These probably will not be the boots you do a 5 day Haute Route trip in but they will be the boots you wear for a big day of actual skiing in the backcountry or even as your one boot for both backcountry and some resort use.
Way more info too, much too put here, so let me know your questions.
Tydel5The new Dispatch skis are a little heavier then Waybacks. Its K2's new Free-tour collection. Fun fact, Dispatch skis have more metal then its Mindbender equivalent with weights that are much lower. These thing RIP.
Tyler here is our global product line manager for K2 and Line skis so let him here your ski questions.
tomPietrowskiSo as far as boots go, the Dispatch range is an all new collection for us. We have 5 models for 22, 3 for men and 2 for women.
The Top end men's boot is the Dispatch Pro. That is a full on 130 freetour beast. It can drive big skis but is still really efficient uphill. All models have 60 degrees range of motion and the cuff height has been optimized for the best of both fore and after movement as well as ski performance. In the back we have a small pebax spoiler which works a little like the carbon base in some running shoes. It stores energy when the cuff flex's forward and releases the energy to help propel the boot forward. We use Pebax in the shell and cuff in all but the base Dispatch model which still uses a Pebax shell but has a TPU cuff. TPU was used to give the base model a more alpine boot feel for uses perhaps buying there first backcountry setup and who are used to the feel of a full TPU boot.
Weights range from 1450 - 1550g and a big factor in that weight is we did not cheap out on the liners. We could have made these boots way lighter by putting in a lighter weight liner like many brands do, but that is not something we wanted to do. We felt there was more value by giving you a decent liner at the expense of 50-100g rather than you having to buy an aftermarket liner just to make these boots fit and ski well.
We also use the BOA liner on the men's Pro boot which I'm loving and I'm using in other boots too.
The other models in the line are the Dispatch LT for men and women. This is the lightest of the line but still a full 120 flex and women's go down to a true 22.
The base model is the Dispatch which is 110 flex and again down to 22 for women.
All models have a 9523 vibram outsole and we use Dynafit inserts on all models.
Think of Dispatch as the touring boot for skiers who want to get out into the backcountry in really efficient and easy to use boot but still prioritize and want downhill ski performance. These probably will not be the boots you do a 5 day Haute Route trip in but they will be the boots you wear for a big day of actual skiing in the backcountry or even as your one boot for both backcountry and some resort use.
Way more info too, much too put here, so let me know your questions.
So to confirm, the current plan is no changes to current boot design and all FT models will be available under K2?
tomPietrowskiWhat would you like to know? We are incorporating what was Full Tilt into the K2 boot line. That is the only real change other than names.
PackBombsSo to confirm, the current plan is no changes to current boot design and all FT models will be available under K2?
Yes you will still be able to get all the same shells and liners. I have reconfigured some of the flex's and models but everything is still available yes. We are also actually expanding the women's line a lot.
Since this has turned in to bit of a K2 session... @tomPietrowski can we get some "yes/no" answers from an old IG post of yours below? Has the boot been unveiled yet? Is it really Project X (Soul shell w/walk mode/tech fittings)?
OhJaySince this has turned in to bit of a K2 session... @tomPietrowski can we get some "yes/no" answers from an old IG post of yours below? Has the boot been unveiled yet? Is it really Project X (Soul shell w/walk mode/tech fittings)?
Mr_pretzelTyler, tell us about the blade optic line! Specially the114!
The boys have worked super hard on these. Brand new skis with brand new tech. They have basically taken all the good things about metal and combined it with the the classic LINE progressive feel. Look for more to come one these shortly 🙌
cobra_commanderBlank was generally the first ski to sell out for many shops this year in N/A. Honestly rightly so, it was one of the best new skis for this year.
QST 98 sold well too and the updated 106 will likely sell really well too.
In boots they have been a consistent top 3 in NA for the last 20 years, if not #1. So much so they can have a 3 season disaster (QST boot) and still keep on moving along.
that’s before we get to bindings. Have you heard of the Shift?
Doing fine even if they might have washed their hands of the expensive and high headache markets newschoolers.com members generally are in.
tomPietrowskiSo as far as boots go, the Dispatch range is an all new collection for us. We have 5 models for 22, 3 for men and 2 for women.
The Top end men's boot is the Dispatch Pro. That is a full on 130 freetour beast. It can drive big skis but is still really efficient uphill. All models have 60 degrees range of motion and the cuff height has been optimized for the best of both fore and after movement as well as ski performance. In the back we have a small pebax spoiler which works a little like the carbon base in some running shoes. It stores energy when the cuff flex's forward and releases the energy to help propel the boot forward. We use Pebax in the shell and cuff in all but the base Dispatch model which still uses a Pebax shell but has a TPU cuff. TPU was used to give the base model a more alpine boot feel for uses perhaps buying there first backcountry setup and who are used to the feel of a full TPU boot.
Weights range from 1450 - 1550g and a big factor in that weight is we did not cheap out on the liners. We could have made these boots way lighter by putting in a lighter weight liner like many brands do, but that is not something we wanted to do. We felt there was more value by giving you a decent liner at the expense of 50-100g rather than you having to buy an aftermarket liner just to make these boots fit and ski well.
We also use the BOA liner on the men's Pro boot which I'm loving and I'm using in other boots too.
The other models in the line are the Dispatch LT for men and women. This is the lightest of the line but still a full 120 flex and women's go down to a true 22.
The base model is the Dispatch which is 110 flex and again down to 22 for women.
All models have a 9523 vibram outsole and we use Dynafit inserts on all models.
Think of Dispatch as the touring boot for skiers who want to get out into the backcountry in really efficient and easy to use boot but still prioritize and want downhill ski performance. These probably will not be the boots you do a 5 day Haute Route trip in but they will be the boots you wear for a big day of actual skiing in the backcountry or even as your one boot for both backcountry and some resort use.
Way more info too, much too put here, so let me know your questions.
Dispatch LT W
Dispatch Pro
I want to get one on my foot before I make any true judgement calls but this looks like it could dethrone the Hawx Ultra XTD, congratulations @tomPietrowski this looks like a killer product (Matt is no slouch and the Hawx is a great boot too)!
If you guys end up making a long version of the 114 I'd love to do a review for you :)
Tydel5The boys have worked super hard on these. Brand new skis with brand new tech. They have basically taken all the good things about metal and combined it with the the classic LINE progressive feel. Look for more to come one these shortly 🙌
I do think it's interesting that Salomon seems to have managed to lock down this whole "touring brand" thing so effectively without making a "touring" ski over 95 underfoot. And it's also wild to me how long the good will from the original MTN Lab boot has carried over for them. Stoked to hear more about these new boots!
I haven’t skied in the mtn lab in a few years now, but that boot had one of the worst fits out of any ski boot, Not sure what kind of good will they are floating on there.
TheWeazI haven’t skied in the mtn lab in a few years now, but that boot had one of the worst fits out of any ski boot, Not sure what kind of good will they are floating on there.
Oh I fully agree, I have no idea what sort of foot that boot was supposed to fit. But, I do think they managed to win the marketing game, and I think a lot of folks (outside of ski forums) still see that as a gold standard for "boots that can charge and walk". The fact that it beat the Hawx XTD to the punch by a season really made a difference IMO.
tomPietrowskiWhat would you like to know? We are incorporating what was Full Tilt into the K2 boot line. That is the only real change other than names.
Glad to see my beloved Raichle flexon comp in good hands.. only suggestion is to maybe keep better replacement parts inventory. Have had trouble at times to get hands on stuff like tongues, buckles, cables etc.
Nuno812Glad to see my beloved Raichle flexon comp in good hands.. only suggestion is to maybe keep better replacement parts inventory. Have had trouble at times to get hands on stuff like tongues, buckles, cables etc.
Don't even get me started on the availability of FT parts haha I think my list of callbacks for parts at the shop when they finally came in last week was about 20-25 people. Speaking of which, if you can't find them on the FT website or close to ya we usually stock just about everything.
I feel like most pipe skiers are on a custom ski just because there are not really any made anymore. @hot.pocket does David Wise ride a custom moment in the pipe?
