Bootfitter's Notes: 2015 K2 Pinnacle Ski Boot Review
The K2 Pinnacle saw great success last year and has become a top-notch boot for all-mountain backcountry skiers.
Ski boot manufacturing is actually not new to K2; they had a line of boots in the 70’s, that saw mediocre success, and nearly a decade ago K2 launched the Full Tilt brand using the old Raichle Flexon boot molds. Through this manufacturing process K2 set up relationships with the Italian boot manufacturers, buckle providers, plastic sources, and liner manufacturers, setting up K2 to branch into boots and the market was primed.
K2 spent a significant amount of R&D setting the boots up right, 3-D printing and CAD software allowed engineers to have working samples in a day, test the product, make some tweaks, and have new designs. Much of what they were doing wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago.
K2 did their homework, and I’m pleased to say we’re ecstatic with the product. If you’re looking for one boot to work for you at the ski area and touring it’s hard to beat the K2 Pinnacle. I ski the 130 flex version, if you’re looking for a softer flexing boot the Pinnacle is also offered in 110 in the unisex model and the ladies Minaret in 100 flex. The Pinnacle has three last widths; 97mm, 100mm, and 102 mm. The ladies Minaret at present is only offered in the medium fit 100mm last. The 130 flex is progressive and for me, just right, not too stiff and not too soft, and fit is phenomenal. The low volume version hugs my narrow foot, has an excellent heel pocket and navicular wall.
K2 boots come stock with an Intuition custom liner. The liners come specially made from Intuition with a tongue like an alpine liner, but have closed-cell Ultralon foam on the outer portion of the liner and a comfortable open-cell foam near the foot doing a good job of blending comfort and performance.
The skiability of the K2 Pinnacle is off the charts. Of all the hike-mode “adventure series” (as it was called in the Ski Magazine boot test) the K2 had the best piste performance with some stout competition. The K2 Spyne lock hike/tour mechanism transfers energy with almost no loss in performance, and is a fabulous boot for the ripping skier or bigger guy who wants a releasable cuff either for touring or walking through the parking lot. It’s hard to over-emphasize just how good the Pinnacle skis; simply put the boot absolutely rips.