K2 Ender Snowboard Boots Review

Hello and welcome to my K2 Ender review.

In this review I will take a look at the Ender as all-mountain snowboard boots.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Ender a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain boots.

NOTE: The 2023 model was the last model of the Ender. 

Overall Rating

Boots: K2 Ender

Price: $359 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain 

Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 87.0/100

Compared to other All-Mountain Boots

Out of the 30 all-mountain boots that I rated:

Who are the Ender Most Suited to?

The Ender are great for anyone looking for a mid-flexing boot that's comfortable but still has really good performance. 

The Ender are a good match for medium flex boards. 5/10 to 6/10 ideally, but also fine for 4/10 and 7/10 boards. 

Not quite beginner suitable, but OK for a low-end intermediate.

Board Demoed With: Rossignol One LF 2018

Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita 2017

Outersole Length: 31.6cm (mondo 28cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 3.6cm 

Backstay Height: 30.5cm

Weight: 1080 grams*

* Average of a sample of boots I weighed was 1006 grams, so a just a little heavier than the average, but pretty close to average. Heaviest were 1320 grams and lightest were 740 grams. 

Flex

The Ender are certainly a mid-flexing boot. I felt them at about a 6/10, bordering on 5.5/10.

Fit

Width: There not particularly wide nor particularly narrow. Right in the middle I would say. A good fit for my foot width-wise. Probably not suitable for wider feet though. 

True to Size?: When I first tried them on, they were a perfect fit. After heat molding and riding them though, I felt they were borderline too big. Still a good fit, but just felt that maybe they would start feeling too big as I rode them. So close to true to size, but potentially run 1/2 size big. I usually ride a 10. I rode the Ender in a 10, but I would like to try a 9.5 in the future to see how that feels. 

High or Low Arch: Snug on the top of my foot, but without pain or pressure. So I'd say medium bordering on medium-high arch. 

Responsiveness

They feel really agile at slower speeds, but also can still hold a carve pretty well at high speeds, and can get relatively deep on that carve. About what I would expect with the level of flex. 

I'd say the same as my test boots (Aura) in terms of slow speed maneuverability, and just a touch more in terms of high speed carves. 

Heel Hold

When I first tried the boots on the heel hold was exceptional with virtually no heel lift. But after heat molding and riding them, there was just a little bit of lift. Not heaps, but not as exceptional as the first try on.  However, I suspect in a 9.5 that same heel hold I got initially would hold. 

Adjustability

You get the generally great adjuatbility of traditional lace boots with the Ender. So that gives it good adjustability from the get go. 

But the thing I really like with the Ender (and other boots that have the same thing) is the internal boa harness. It allows you to adjust the tension on the liner, on the fly, without having to open up the outerboot. Opening up the outerboot with tradtional laces is quite a hassle, so having that combo of traditional lacing and internal boa harness (that's obviously controlled from the outer boot) is something I really, really like. 

Comfort

I found these boots super comfortable. No pressure anywhere, not cramping or anything while riding. Liner feels really plush. Just all round really comfortable. 

Shock Absorption

Decent, without being mind blowing. 

Board Feel

They have decent board feel. I felt they were a little better in terms of board feel vs the Thirty Two Lashed that I also rode that day, but just a little less my test boots (Vans Aura).

Traction

Soles seem like good quality and seemed grippy enough when walking in them. It's a vibram outsole and looks and feels good quality and with decent tread depth. 

Reduced Footprint

One of the longer outersoles going around. So not great in that department, if you're looking for a low profile boot.

Entry/Exit

Traditional lace takes a little bit of time/effort vs other lacing systems, but it's not too bad. The liner is easy to work with velcro on either side at the top with that boa to tighten the harness around the ankle. 

And it's easy enough to get the foot in and out of. 

The Ender are a nice pair of mid-flexing boots that stike a good balance between being comfortable and forgiving enough, without being ultra soft. And a good balance between their aility for carving at speed and their agility at slower speeds. 

I'm a fan of the traditional lace, with internal boa, so that gets a big tick from me for sure. 

Potentially run half a size large - so I would try on a boot half a size down from what you normally would to see if it works for you.