Hello and welcome to my K2 Passport snowboard review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Passport as a mellow freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Passport a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other mellow freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: K2 Passport 2024
Price: $549
Style: Mellow Freeride
Flex Rating: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Mid-Stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 86.5/100
Compared to other Men’s Mellow Freeride Boards.
* Note that the "mellow freeride" category represents freeride boards that are in that softer flex range - 6.5/10 or less.
Out of the 33 men’s mellow freeride snowboards that I rated:
* note that this was a late test, so was rated too late to be considered for the top 10 mellow freeride snowboards list.
Overview of the Passport’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Passport's specs and available sizes.
Specs
STYLE:
MELLOW FREERIDE
PRICE:
$549 - BUYING OPTIONS
$549 - BUYING OPTIONS
Ability Level:
flex:
feel:
DAMPNESS:
SMOOTH /SNAPPY:
Playful /aggressive:
Edge-hold:
camber profile:
DIRECTIONAL HYBRID CAMBER
SHAPE:
setback stance:
setback 0.75" (20mm)
BASE:
SINTERED - K2's "Sintered 4000" base
weight:
felt HEAVIER THAN normal
Camber Height:
5mm
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
146 | 243 | 90-160 | 41-73 |
149 | 246 | 90-160 | 41-73 |
151 | 248 | 120-190 | 54-86 |
154 | 252 | 120-190 | 54-86 |
157 | 255 | 120-190 | 54-86 |
160 | 258 | 130-210 | 59-95 |
163 | 261 | 140-230+ | 64-104+ |
159W | 266 | 130-210 | 59-95 |
162W | 269 | 140-230+ | 64-104+ |
Who is the Passport Most Suited To?
The Passport is best suited to someone looking for a freeride board for their quiver and want it to be damp and stable in messy snow conditions, but nothing that's too demanding technically.
Or it could be a good one-board-quiver for someone who isn't too interested in the park, side-hits, ground tricks or other freestyle stuff.
Not ideal for smaller or less strong riders who may find the weight too fatiguing over time.
Not for beginners, but intermediate riders should have no issues riding it.
The Passport in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Passport is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: K2 Passport 2024, 160 (258mm waist width)
Date: January 23, 2024
Conditions
Raining. Moderate at times and quite heavy at other times. Visibility not as bad as expected but still limited. Around 70%.
Temp: Morning 36°F (2°C). Afternoon 36°F (2°C). 10kph winds.
24 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
48 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 20" (51cm)
On groomer: Soft pack with slushy patches. Slush became more dominant as day wore on.
Off groomer: Slushy and bumpy/messy, like groomers – not much difference to groomers.
Set Up
Was raining...in a hurry...only took one of this angle
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Setback 0.75" (20mm)
Width at front inserts: 267mm (10.51")
Width at back insert: 269mm (10.59")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 180lbs
Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Response ADV
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Control Board for Control Laps: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Weight: 3300grams (7lbs 4oz)
Weight per cm: 20.63 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.71 grams/cm*
*based on a sample size of around 250 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models. The Passport is one of the heavier boards I've weighed on the scales. And on snow you could certainly feel that extra weight.
Powder
We didn't have any real powder to test in on the day, but based on specs and feel, the Passport should be above average in powder.
It has a directional camber profile, with rocker in the nose (and some in the tail but less), a longer nose than tail, a 20mm (0.75") setback and 8mm of taper, which will all help it float in powder. It's a heavier board, which detracts a little from it in terms of powder float, but should still be decent.
Carving
Really decent on a carve. It has a stable feeling that's bordering on semi-locked in and allows you to lock in an edge and rip it. Good for all types of carves whether short, medium or long, but particularly good for medium to long carves.
And particularly good for carving in the messy conditions. That extra weight helped it to be stable and damp in those conditions.
Turning
Ease of Turning/Slashing: It's pretty easy technically to initiate turns and to slash the tail out. It doesn't fight it or anything, you can release the tail easily. But because of it's weight, it does take some effort physically.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Quite quick edge-to-edge, when you put in the effort, but again, because of that extra weight, it's not effortless.
Catchiness: Overall not catchy. Also not the most un-catchy board, but certainly not prone to edge catching either.
Speed
Stayed stable up to decently high speeds. It's not a bomber, but it handles speed decently well - and that extra weight helps it to be pretty stable, especially when conditions aren't flat/smooth.
Uneven Terrain
Crud: Really good. Feels nice and damp and that extra weight helped it to stay stable through messy/bumpy snow.
Trees/Bumps: It's not super easy to get it weaving between bumps and trees quickly, but it can do it with effort. For physically stronger riders, this should work well in trees/bumps and with powder it would remain good too. If you're less physically strong could become fatiguing if you were spending a lot of time in the trees.
Jumps
Overall decent, but lacked a little in pop/snap.
Pop: Total pop was about average, but was quite hard to extract it. This was partly because it's a more damp/smooth board than it is a snappy one and partly because of the weight of the board, I would say.
Approach: Nice and stable, and this was particularly appreciated through choppier approaches. Decent in terms of maneuverability too.
Landing: Nice and solid and damp. The extra weight helps here. Forgiving enough too and enough tail to make tail heavy landings not-too-bad.
Side-hits: OK but unexciting.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Better for bigger jumps that need more stability on approach/landing and where you don't have to generate much of your own pop to get air time.
Switch
Despite it's directional shape and feel, it rode well switch and transitions into switch were good too.
Spins
Better than I thought but the weight made it physically more difficult. Setting up was pretty good and landings weren't sketchy. Easy landings without feeling like I'd catch an edge. Didn't over spin, but was still OK to save it if under-spinning. Not ideal and nothing exciting, but OK.
Butters
It's middle of the road in terms of the ease of pressing. You've got to lean some weight into it, but it's not oppressively stiff in the tip/tail or anything. The tail feels a little stiffer and you can feel you have less tail, when moving to a nose press, so there's certainly some difference there.
I certainly couldn't over-flex it either and it locked in well once getting it to that point.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 24/30 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TREES/BUMPS | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
SWITCH | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.5/100 |
The K2 Passport is probably the dampest board I've ridden with this level of flex. So, it's great for someone who wants something that feels damp and stable, particularly in messy snow, but doesn't want something too stiff.
Whilst it lacks snap and excitement when it comes to jumps, sidehits etc, it's overall a board with few weaknesses and can do most things you want well, without being something that is overly technical to ride.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Passport, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other mellow freeride snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Passport compares to other mellow freeride snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hello,
Am interested in a the k2 passport and wondering about the sizing? 5’8 tall, 168-170lbs and size 8.5 mens boot. 154 or 157? Thanks
Hi Ben, thanks for your message.
I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 157, but with your boot size, I would size down a little, so I think the 154 would be just right. The 157 wouldn’t be wrong and if you’re a particularly strong/athletic person and you’re advanced/expert rider and like to ride aggressively, then you might prefer the 157, but otherwise, I would go 154.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate!
Thanks for such awesome reviews and content. I’m able to pick up a 23/24 K2 Passport for a great price, but was wondering which size might be best? I’m looking to all mountain free ride in Washington State and dipping into powder when it’s available. My specs are 5′ 7″, 166lb (not geared up), and size 10 Burton SLX. Any sizing advice would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Peter
Hi Peter, thanks for your message.
Size-wise, I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 156/157. That and how you want to ride it, the 157 would be your best bet, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nate. Thanks for all your contributions to the snowboard community! Wondering if you could compare this board to my aging Jones Explorer. They appear to be similar flex (my Jones is 2018/19), and both fairly directional. The damp aspect of the Passport caught my eye as that’s the only area where I wish my Jones was a little better. I ride a 159 Jones so looking at the 160 as I’m similar specs to you (boot 10). Thanks for any comparison thoughts you may have. Not much freestyle for this old guy, just some all mountain cruising.
Hey DD, thanks for your message.
Yeah, quite similar boards, I would say. Very similar flex as you mention. Shapes are similar, though the passport is a little more directional, with it’s 8mm of taper and directional sidecut – but both with longer nose than tail, same setback on effective edge and directional camber profiles.
In practice, they are similarly performing boards though, in my experience, with the biggest difference being the extra dampness from the Passport and that bit of extra stability in crud/chop/chunder etc.
Hope this helps
Thank you Nate – hope you had a great season and get to enjoy some down time.
Hi Nate, hope you’re gearing up for the new season and all is well. I wanted to ask one additional question if I can? I like everything about this board with the exception of the trees getting tiring. Given you rode the 160 (we have similar specs), do you think the 157 would be significantly more nimble and less fatiguing? I don’t want to lose too much in the dampness scale as that’s what initially drew me to this board. I’d appreciate your thoughts and thanks for all your contributions to the community!
Hi dd
Based on experience riding other boards in two different sizes that are 2-3cm apart, I would say that you would notice the difference in the nimbleness. It’s not going to be like “oh heck, this is a completely different board!” but it should be enough to be noticeable. In terms of fatigue I think it would have a great effect cumulatively over time, so I think it would help there for sure. On the flip side you will, as you mention loose a bit of dampness and stability, but again, I’d say it will be something you can notice, but it’s not going to be anything too extreme or anything.
Looking forward to the snow for sure!
Thank you Nate!
You’re very welcome as always.
Hello Nate. Robert again. As I was reading about this review and another great review. I have been checking out this board and seems to check out many of the boxes I look for in a board. Is this comparable to the Burton Deep Thinker?? Size wise would a 157cm or a 160cm?? It looks like a good contender.
Hi Robert
These are the main differences vs the Deep Thinker, in my experience, noting that I rode the Passport in 160 and the Deep Thinker in 157. For you I would go 160 for the Passport.
I have the Passport in 160 and the Deep Thinker in 157 (and I rode the Deep Thinker right after the Passport, as well as comparing it to my control board). I think both would definitely work for what you’re describing, with the main things being:
– In the 160 the Passport feels about the same stiffness as the Deep Thinker, but would feel a little softer size-for-size
– The Passport was a little more easy going, easier to turn.
– The Passport felt quite a bit heavier than the Deep Thinker – and more so than the extra length would account for. This had the advantage of making it better in messy snow – though the size would have also helped with that.
– The Deep Thinker is easier and quicker to whip around – part of that down to its weight and being shorter, but size not enough to explain all of the difference here
– Noticeably more pop and snap in the Deep Thinker and definitely preferred it for jumps and side hits.
– For carving it was pretty close. I think overall I still prefer the Deep Thinker, but when in messier snow conditions, the Passport was a little better on a carve. Otherwise, though I would pick Deep Thinker for carving.
So, for Pop it’s Deep Thinker hands down for me – and with it being nice and light, you get full value for the pop too. In terms of nimbleness I found the Deep Thinker more nimble and more so than the size would account for, but size-for-size they would be fairly similar in that respect. But I would still give it to the Deep Thinker. For stability at speed they were really similar on smoother groomers and I would say the Deep Thinker, in the same size, would be a little better on smooth groomers. But the Passport a little better when it came to messier snow – again that extra weight helps there.
Hi Nate. Sounds like both the Deep Thinker and Passport are Neck and Neck. As I was thinking yes the 160cm would work good. This winter it may come to test riding both boards on Demo days or at the Demo shop. I did get a Ride Smokescreen online and this board being the Deep Thinker or Passport I will be going the whole nine yards board, bindings and boots.
Hey Robert. Yeah, if you can test ride them, that’s ideal. I would test the 160 vs 160, if you can.
Whats up Nate. Great article man. I’ve got two seasons (10 days on the mountain total) and looking to get my first board versus renting. My level is intermediate I’d say being able to do blacks but prefer the blues due to the energy consumption it takes since I’m fighting gravity a bit more by traversing versus bombing it. That being said I demoed three boards last time around. The Burton cartographer (149), Burton Hometown Hero (156), and a rossignol JibSaw (?). I am 5’7 and 155 to 160 lbs. I liked the Hometown Hero however on the steep stuff I had to throw the nose to get my turns in. Felt like a Cadillac, but a 156 is on the big side for me. I was told for an all mountain cruising fun board that the K2 Passport is a great option. I was looking to get the Passport 151, Arbor Cypress Bindings and K2 Maysis boot. I’m open for some suggestions. The weight issue you mentioned got me thinking.
Hey Ryan, thanks for your message.
Yeah, the Passport is on the heavy side. Otherwise it would suit what you’re describing, IMO. Size-wise, I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 155, so based on height/weight, I’d say the 154 is probably the best bet. But that said, if it’s a little wide for your boots, then sizing down to the 151 would make sense. If you could let me know your boot size, that would be great.
The Cypress and Maysis would match the passport well, IMO. On the stiffer side of medium. For your specs, level and riding, they’re on the stiffer end of what I’d look at, but they’re in range.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
It’s Leo again wanting to pick your brain! This past season was a blast and I got about 14 days total. Hope you had a great season too.
Now that everything is discounted, a lady friend of mine is looking to get new gears and likes the K2 passport, since it’s being marketed as Unisex. Her stats are 5’4″, ~140lbs (pregnancy weight after having two kids but trying to lose some in the future), and boot size 7. I’d say she’s lower intermediate (Level 5). Passport has a 146 size that I think may work for her, but it seems that the 24.3cm waist width is a bit wide (same situation as my wife who’s just a tad taller than her!). However, after looking at many women’s boards, it seems that most (if not all) intermediate-level boards at 146-150cm range all have wait widths at or above 24.0cm, which by convention are already too wide for women’s boot size 7. So I’m not sure if there are other good options anyway.
My actual concern is the board flex, since you rated it at 6.5, and I assume this is corresponding to men’s flex rating. Do you think this board in 146 would be overwhelming for my lady friend? One more question, she currently has a pair of 2022 Union Juliets. Do you think this binding is stiff enough for the Passport?
Hi Leo, good to hear from you again. Glad to hear you had a great season. I have another day or 2 planned, but will wrap up my season soon. Has been good so far, for sure!
Yeah, a lot of women’s boards in that range are like that. Typically a really good width for size 8-9. I wouldn’t say massively wide for 7s, but on the wider side for sure. With your friends “all-mountain” length being around 148, I think going down to something like 146 would be fine to make up for it being a little wide. However, depending on how much weight she drops, it may not be as suitable later. But for right now I think it could work. But if she’s likely to lose a reasonable amount of weight before next season, then going a little smaller is likely more optimal.
I don’t know this for sure with the Passport, as I haven’t had any of our women’s gear testers try it out, but often with unisex models, the shorter sizes are typically softer, so I think it would likely feel more like a 5/10 to 6/10 for her at that size. Assuming that’s the case, I think the Juliet’s would be fine. If it’s still more like 6.5/10, then a stiffer binding would be better, IMO.
Hi Nate,
Thank you again for the advice and it seems that I can tell my friend that the Passport 146 would work for her. Maybe I should also ask her to definitely try to lose the pregnancy weight but work on some muscle building at the same time, so that she doesn’t lose too much net weight so she can at least stay in the 130-135lbs range.
I feel that women’s board sizing is even tougher than men’s. At least for myself (5’4″, 130lbs, men’s size 7), I can still find men’s boards that have insert widths ~ 250mm to fit my boot size (for example my 151 flagship, at least for the rear foot). However, for my wife’s (or lady friend’s) women boot size 7, it is pretty much impossible to find a women’s board in the 145-148cm range (that would be appropriate for their weights) that have insert widths at 240mm, which is the optimal width for women’s boot size 7. A 240mm insert width would require the waist width to be at 230mm or so, which I just cannot find any on the market in 145-148cm. And honestly, size 7 isn’t really that small for an average North American woman; I’ve seen Asian women with foot size 5 to 6 and I wonder how hard it is for them to steer their 235mm waist-width boards that are truly far too wide for them.
Think of it this way, asking a boot-size 7 (240mm mondo), 140lb lady to ride a 250mm insert width board, is almost equivalent to asking a boot-size 9 (270mm mondo) man to ride a wide board with 268mm waist width. No one would ever make such a recommendation for the man because it’s simply absurd, but an average-sized lady is forced into riding a board too wide for her.
Anyway, enough with my rant and thank you again for reading and your help!
You’re always welcome Leo. And yeah, it would be nice if there was a better range of options and I agree that women’s boot size 7 is very common. There are now a few women’s models coming out with “wide” size options. This allows them to go narrower on the regular width options and the wide options are relative. E.g. Capita Birds of a Feather. Hopefully this is a trend that continues.
Thank you Nate for pointing me to the Capita BofA. This looks to be right on the spot for a size 7, ~140lbs female rider. The WW is 23.5cm so the insert width should be less than 24.5cm which is getting closer to the ideal insert width for mondo 24cm feet. Hopefully more manufacturers come out with regular vs wide options so that regular options can be narrower to cater to women with smaller than average feet!
You’re very welcome Leo. Yes, hoping the same!
Hi Nate,
Going into summer now, and I’m missing the snow big time!
My friend picked up the passport and I hand flexed it. It feels about the same as (maybe very subtly stiffer than) my wife’s dream weaver, at the same 146cm size. I think your rating of 6.5 flex is right on!
Because of the flex, I told her that she would need stiffer bindings than the Juliet, and I want to check with you to see if the 2024 Trilogy is still suitable for the passport, since you gave a flex rating of only 5.5. Trilogy seems to be union’s stiffest offering for women so hopefully it’ll work.
Hey Leo
Yeah missing the snow too – felt like last season went by in a flash for me!
The old Trilogy was stiffer than the new ones are (changed for the ’24 model). Would work with the Passport, but ideally the old Trilogy would be better, IMO. If you can find a ’23 or earlier model or if you can wait for the ’25 model (they are going to be bringing out a “Trilogy Classic” like there’s a Force Classic, which will be like the old Trilogy.
Thank you Nate. Do you think the Legacy would work with the Passport? I’m not sure if the soft baseplate would have enough response to drive the Passport, even though the high back is stiff.
If the Legacy doesn’t work, I’ll ask my friend to look into last year’s trilogy.
Hey Leo
It would get by, but I’d go old Trilogy ideally and new Trilogy over the Legacy – even the new Trilogy has a stiffer baseplate than the Legacy (softer highback).
Hello Nate! First, thank you for all the content it’s very useful:)
Here I go with my question, I’ve had this board for 2 years and ridden it for around 65 days. I really like the board but I would like a board with that carving capabilities (specially that spring out of turns) at least quick edge to edge like this one but a bit softer torsionally and tip and tail without loosing dampness and a bit more Edge hold for icy conditions (here in Europe is what we have). This board in powder is really good btw (not a pow board but good) I ride around 30-40 days a year and my level is low intermediate for freestyle but I can carve pretty well. I’m looking for a do it all board. Thank you !! (5 10′, 161 pounds and 8’5)
Hey Greg, thanks for your message.
If you were going to keep the Passport for powder days, then something like the Arbor Shiloh Camber or if you were willing to sacrifice a bit of that dampness, then the YES Standard or Jones Mountain Twin could also work. Or if you wanted to go a bit more freestyle oriented then the Niche Crux, Never Summer Easy Rider or Proto Synthesis, GNU RC C3 or the YES Greats would all work well
If you were going to be replacing the Passport and wanted something with more powder performance and less freestyle oriented, you could look at the YES Hybrid or with a touch less dampness, the Never Summer Swift or Burton Skeleton Key would also work.
Size-wise, I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 157. If you were able to narrow down your options to 2-3 boards, I would be happy to give my specific sizing opinion on those boards. If you could also confirm that 8.5 is in US sizes or UK size and also the size of your Passport.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate, I’m considering replacing the passport (I’ll try to test some of the options) because I already have a powder specific board for deep days (K2 simple pleasures) and I wanted something that I could use all around including some pow (not deep pow). I think I’ll try to test both yes and the Shiloh. The size was us size. My passport is 154. Thank you a lot for the help to narrow it down!!
You’re very welcome Greg.
Sizing for the YES and Shiloh, I would go with:
– Shiloh: 153 (you could go 156, but since you already have a powder board and for your boot size vs the Shiloh’s width (which is wider at the inserts than it looks based on waist and tip/tail width), I would be leaning 153)
– Standard: 153 too – it’s also wider than you’d think based on waist width. You’re looking at around the same width at inserts as the Shiloh, but wider at waist and tip/tail, so overall a little bigger in that respect, but a little less effective edge, so overall should feel like a similar size. The 151 is a possibility too, but it would be getting on the small side for you, IMO.
– Greats: 151. This one is even a touch wider than the Standard and has a lot more effective edge.
– Hybrid: 153 – but this one is seriously wide and IMO too big for the purpose you want. As a powder board, you could go with this, but for your purposes I’d say it’s too big and would go with one of the other options.
Thanks a lot!! Yeah I saw the hybrid width and it is too much.
You’re very welcome Greg. If you think of it at the time, let me know what you go with in the end.
Finally I’m gonna pull the trigger on the Standard. But before that I wanted to ask you how would you compare it with the mercury (I can get a great deal) and just in case that could work too. Thank you and have a great weekend!
Hi Greg.
The Mercury is a similar type of board, for sure – another really good do-it-all board. It’s something that wants you to ride it a little more aggressively than something like the Standard, but you don’t have to to be super aggressive with it or anything.
It’s a little better than the Standard, IMO, for carving, particularly higher speed, more aggressive carving but the Standard is better in terms of slower speed maneuverability, in my experience.
Standard has the slightly better edge-hold in icy conditions, in my experience, but the Merc isn’t bad there or anything.
The Mercury is a little stiffer and a little more effort to butter and setup spins, etc. It’s got a bit more total pop, in my experience, but you’ve got to put a little more effort in to extract it vs the Standard.
I’d say those are the main things, but if you want more details, you can also check our Mercury review to compare.