The following is a quick overview of the 2022 K2 snowboards lineup.
First I will look at any new boards for the 2021-22 season, and any old 2020-21 boards that aren't returning with a 2022 model.
Then I'll place each board into the categories where I see them best fitting.
New 2022 K2 Snowboards
The new boards for 2021-22 are:
Exiting 2021 K2 Snowboards
The 2021 boards that aren't returning with a 2022 model:
All 2022 K2 Snowboards by Category
Below I have categorized K2's 2021-22 collection. This is according to the categories here at SnowboardingProfiles.com and not necessarily the same as how K2 might label 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 2022 K2 snowboards.
So 5 boards in and 4 out, and nothing simply a name change, so there's been a decent amount of change in the lineup.
Out with the Old
The WWW is out but it lives on in two boards - the World Peace and Geometric, which share a lot of it's characteristics.
The Cool Bean is also out - in large part replaced by the new Special Effects, but far from just a name change.
The Overboard goes, but previously only had one size anyway.
The Simple Pleasures is also gone, probably seen as surplus to requirements next to the Niseko Pleasures.
In with the New
The new World Peace and Geometric (as mentioned above) fill the gap the WWW left.
The new Special Effects takes over from the long standing Cool Bean.
The Excavator is a new volume shifted freeride board that is really a completely new board on its own.
The Freeloader is a new splitboard which is an upgraded Maurauder, essentially.
Changes to Existing Boards
As far as I can tell all of the returning boards are pretty much identical (bar the graphic) including available sizing.
For all of Snowboarding Profiles' K2 reviews, check out the link at the button below.
Thanks for your service. I am trying to get info on the K2 Instrument. I have ridden Burtons Hometown Hero and liked it a lot, but am trying to get better info on the instrument so I could compare.
I am an old guy, all mountain, working on my gut. Looking for something that will perform in pow, groomed and in the small trees.
Hi Patrick
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden the Instrument, unfortunately, so I can’t really give you much in terms of comparison. In terms of specs, it looks like it’s a similar camber profile and flex but hard to say how they compare in reality having not ridden the Instrument. And there are quite a few differences as well – sidecut, setback, effective edge etc. The Instrument is also a “volume shifted” board, so it’s wider – depending on your boot size, it’s something that you’ll likely end up riding in a shorter length.
I have read different things about any chances to the Alchemist 2022 compared to 2021.
primesnowboarding.de Says that there are actually some significant changes, but most other websites say that it’s only a grafic change, including yours.
Can you confirm one of those two statements?
Greetings,
Hendrik
Hi Hendrik
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden the Alchemist, so I can say whether anything changed based on performance. I was only comparing the specs of both boards, which looked to be identical. Looking at that review, it sounds like they’ve reduced the rocker in the nose for the 2022 model. Wasn’t an obvious change but they have ridden both and compared them, so no reason to think that it’s not true.
Hi Nate, just wondering if you had a chance to ride the Excavator? I’m looking for a short wide board. I’m 5ft 11in and weigh 210lbs with size 12 boots. Looking for something that will float powder, ride trees, hit some small jumps and still be capable on groomers. Looking at the K2 Excavator, Rome StaleFish and Salomon Dancehaul. Have you ridden any of these? What are your thoughts? Thanks.
Hi Rogee
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden any of those unfortunately. Short/wides is one category that I don’t test as much of. I’ve been slowly riding more of them, but haven’t tested any of those 3, so can’t give you much on those unfortunately.
For your specs and how you want to ride the board, I would be leaning 158 size-wise for the Excavator. 157 for the Stalefish and Dancehaul.
Hope this helps somewhat
Thanks Nate. I was afraid that was going to be your answer. I figure it would not hurt to ask. I will look forward to reading your detail reviews of some short wide boards in the future. I was also looking at the Yes Hybrid. I have read your review on it. Thanks for the size recommendation.