K2 Contour Review

Hello and welcome to my K2 Contour snowboard boots review.

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

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

Overall Rating

Boots: K2 Contour

Price: $379 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain 

Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)

Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 86.1/100

Compared to other Women's All-Mountain Boots

Overview of the CONTOUR’s Specs

Who are the Contour Most Suited to?

The Contour are best suited to someone who is looking for mid-flex boots with a quick easy lacing system. If the boots fit well, then the lack of adjustability shouldn't be too much of an issue, but might be harder to get a good fit for for those with who have difficulty fitting boots. 

Best matched to boards/bindings with a 4/10 to 7/10 flex and more ideally to 5/10 to 6/10. 

Too stiff for beginners, IMO, but should be good for intermediate riders and up, depending on your physical specs. 

THE CONTOUR IN MORE DETAIL

Rider Height: 5"7" (170cm)

Rider Weight: 125lbs (56kg)

Rider Boot Size: Women's US8.0 Ride Hera

Outersole Length:  27.8cm (mondo 25cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 2.8cm

Backstay Height: 10.2" (26cm)

Weight: 1lb 13oz ( 820grams)*

* Average of a sample of  women's boots I've weighed was 1lbs 15oz (880g). Heaviest I've weighed were 2lbs 10oz (1200g) and lightest were 1lb 10oz (740g). 

Fit

Width: No pressure points on either sides of the toes or at the widest part of my foot. Snug but very comfortable and good room on the lateral side of my toes - no pressure at all. Remained that way for try on and after heat molding and riding. 

True to Size?: On initial try on, toes were not quite touching the ends. Tops of toes didn't have a lot of room. Not much wiggle room but some. Those were both about the same after heat molding and riding in them. Even though toes not quite touching overall felt like a very good fit, so I would say true to size. 

High or Low Arch: Snug on top of foot but no pressure points.

Around Ankles: None. Very comfortable boot around ankles. 

Responsiveness

The Contour didn't feel as good for fast tight turns at slow speeds as my control boots (Ride Hera). But they felt like they gave a little more support for higher speed carves. Felt like I could lean into them more.

Heel Hold

Heel lift was extremely minimal. Very good heel hold in these boots. 

Adjustability

The Double Boa system is a little different to a standard one. One BOA controls the entire outer boot. And the second BOA works on cables that wrap around the liner of the boot to improve heel hold. This works well for heel hold, but it lessens the adjustability of the outer boot. 

The bonus with this however, is that you can retighten the inner boot (using the second BOA) to increase heel hold, if you need to, without undoing the outer boot. 

Comfort

Overall really comfortable. One of the more comfortable boots I've ridden in. 

Shock Absorption

Decent amount of shock absorption. Noticeably more than my control boots. 

Entry/Exit

Average. Had to put a bit of pressure to get foot in, but a normal amount. 

The liner lacing harness is easy to use. Then for the outerboot it's just the 1 Boa. So that's pretty easy. Then the second BOA works on your liner around your ankle to tighten heel hold - which you can adjust on the fly, without having to undo the outerboot.  

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.

I found the Contour super comfortable. This is somewhat objective and because of the reduced outer boot adjustability in these boots, it may not be the case for everyone, but if they fit well, they feel plush and comfy. And that lack of adjustability is made up for with the excellent heel hold, which in turn helps it to be a more responsive boot. 

They slightly favor carving at moderately high speeds over slow speed short/sharp turns, but are still decent for slower speeds. 

Overall really nice boots and if you can get past the fact that one BOA adjusts the whole outer boot, then they are a good buy for those looking for a mid-flex boot. If you fit them well without having that outer boot adjustability, then the adjustability shouldn't be a problem for you.