The Gist
The 2018 K2 Spyne 130 LV returned with a cool new look and a revised liner that evened-up the initial fit for testers who once again placed it among the top of the heap in a very competitive narrow All-Mountain category.
The Fit
The new PrecisionFit Pro liner is revised with Intuition's help to create a more seam-free and open toebox as well as more room alongside the foot at the navicular bone—both issues testers had mentioned at previous tests. These changes were noted and appreciated as testers broadly checked off the ideal box for narrow class initial fit. It's still category-appropriate snug, but with a well-contoured and enveloping feel, testers said. Initial fit drew highly stoked comments like, I'm instantly ready to go fast!
Performance
The liner change and cosmetic update didn't do anything to change the way the Spyne 130 LV skis—thank you, K2—as there has never been anything wrong with that aspect of this boot. Testers agreed the stance angles are still among the best (most neutral) in the category and strong, quick skiing moves stem from this home base. The so-called Energy Interlock no-rivets linkage between the lower shell and upper cuff performs as billed, said testers, who agreed that there's an elastic energy and snap to the boot's flex feel that made it reactive and quick with a reliable return to center on each transition. A few testers still mention that the bulk and padding of the Intuition liner mutes some of the boot's potential quickness until the liner is molded, which they said puts foot into better connection with the shell.
Cool Features
Our test team liked the Power Cinch cam-lock style power strap and the K2 signature dual cuff adjustment mechanism for broad stance alignment adaptation. The Intuition-partnered liner is highly moldable and we recommend doing that for any fit that's a little too tight or bulky feeling. K2 also promotes their shells as oven-cook moldable, but our tests showed that molding the liner was the better way to go, at least for initial custom fitting strikes. GripWalk soles are available for purchase and use with GripWalk compatible bindings.
Kudos
Caveats