Below is a quick overview of the 2021 K2 snowboards lineup.
First I will take a look at any new boards for the 2020-21 season, and any old 2019-20 boards that are exiting.
Then I'll look at each board and put them into the categories where I see them best fitting.
New 2021 K2 Snowboards
The new boards for 2020-21 are:
Exiting 2020 K2 Snowboards
The 2020 boards that aren't returning with a 2021 model:
All 2021 K2 Snowboards by Category
I have categorized K2's 2020-21 collection below. This is according to the categories here at SnowboardingProfiles.com and not necessarily the same as how K2 labels them.
Of course these are only broad categories as every board is different, but this is a rough guide.
K2 BEGINNER SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
K2 PARK/FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
K2 ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
K2 AGGRESSIVE ALL-MTN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDS
There isn't a K2 board that strictly fits this category, IMO, though the Medium and Afterblack could both be used for this style of riding.
K2 ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
K2 AGGRESSIVE ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARDS
Men's
K2 FREERIDE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
Women's
K2 POWDER & SHORT/WIDE SNOWBOARDS
Men's
K2 SPLIT BOARDS
Men's
Women's
K2 YOUTH SNOWBOARDS
Summary
So there you have the 2021 K2 snowboards.
With 6 new boards in and 3 out, there's a net increase of 3 boards. The Dreamsicle pretty much looks like a name change for the exiting Bright Lite and the Manifest Team is very similar to the Team but a little souped up.
But the other 4 new boards all look like genuinely new boards. The Alchemist slots into the space that the Joy Driver leaves, but it's a different enough board not to be just a name change. And the Niseko Pleasues fills the gap where the Eighty-Seven leaves, but again, different enough that it's not just a like for like swap.
For all of Snowboarding Profiles' K2 reviews, check out the link at the button below.
Rebecca says
Hello… im torn between a few boards..currently own the jones dream catcher. I ride east coast. Pa and Wv mostly. Looking for a softer jibbing/ jump board but wont wash out on ice. This is what i researched to be most compatible but open to others for sure..Im 5’5 140. Size 9 boot. THANK!@😊 Burton talent scout. K2 limelight or brightlight. Rossignol meraki or frenemy.
Nate says
Hi Rebecca
Thanks for your message.
This is my take on those options.
– Talent Scout – I would say more predominantly a jump board and not as suitable for jibs. But certainly doable. A slightly more aggressive though and not overly soft flexing. Since you mentioned softer flexing, that might be something. Also, whilst it’s a better board for icy conditions than other Burton boards that don’t have that full camber, it’s not awesome for icy conditions. Not bad either, but just something else to note.
– K2 Bright Lite – if you’re looking for a freestyle option, this is less suitable as it’s a directional twin with a setback stance. Also based on other K2 boards with a similar profile, not that great on ice.
– K2 Limelight – definitely a better option than the Bright Lite in my opinion. Well suited to park. Better edge hold in ice vs the Bright Lite, but still not amazing, IMO.
– Rossi Frenemy – Like the Bright Lite it’s more of an all-mountain. Not quite as directional as the Dream Catcher, but not a twin either, and with a bit of a setback stance. Also, only subtly softer than the Dream Catcher – just to note depending on how much softer you wanted to go. Good in icy conditions though.
– Rossi Meraki – this is a really good option for what you’re describing, IMO. Well suited to park/freestyle riding and good in icy conditions. From the boards you’ve mentioned this would be my pick.
Some other options:
– YES Emoticon
– Lib Tech Glider (a looser feeling option but a loose option that’s still got good edge-hold) – more jib than jump but OK for jumps still
– GNU Pro Choice (not going to be a lot softer than the Dream Catcher, but subtly so, but otherwise suitable, if you’re looking for something more jump dominant than jib dominant)
– GNU Ladies Choice – less aggressive option of the Pro Choice – but still only subtly softer than Dream Catcher. And still more jump than jib, but more jib suitable than Pro Choice, IMO
– Never Summer Shade – very soft, buttery, playful option. Slightly more jib than jump, but still fine for jumps
– Lib Tech No.43 – more like the Pro Choice – more jump than jib and only subtly softer than Dream Catcher
– Never Summer Women’s Proto Type Two – dito the Lib Tech No.43 (the Proto Type Two is out for 2021 models, but being replaced by the Proto Synthesis – not the same board, but similar)
So yeah, I think depending on how soft/playful you want to go, those would be great options. The Meraki falls in the softer/more playful, more jib vs jump oriented. So to make this a little more clear, here they are separated into jib dominant and jump dominant. I have also included their flex feel, so you can tell depending if you want to go subtly softer or more softer. For reference I rate the Dream Catcher as 6/10 for flex (10 being the stiffest, 1 being the softest).
Jib
– Rossi Meraki (3/10)
– Lib Tech Glider (4/10)
– Never Summer Shade (3/10)
Jump
– GNU Pro Choice (5/10)
– GNU Ladies Choice (5/10)
– Lib Tech No.43 (5/10)
– Never Summer Women’s Proto Type Two/Proto Synthesis (5/10)
– YES Emoticon (3.5/10) – equally jib/jump
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision