Expert Review: K2 Maysis Snowboard Boots · 2022
This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boots, which I purchased with my own money in February of 2022.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boots, which I purchased with my own money in February of 2022.
My take
The K2 Maysis Snowboard Boots are ideal for the advanced rider who prizes powder, steep lines, and carving.
About the boots I own
- Model: 2022 K2 Maysis
- Size: 9 Regular
- Lacing type: BOA
About me
- Height: 5’7”
- Weight: 130lbs
- Street shoe size: 9
- Foot shape: Narrow
- Experience: 20 years of snowboarding
Test conditions
- When I bought these: February 2022
- Days tested: 50
- Board: Jones Frontier 152
- Bindings: Union Force
- Where I’ve used it: Colorado, Vermont, Wyoming, Utah
- Terrain: Groomers, powder, trees, jumps, moguls, hardpack, backcountry
How they perform
What I was looking for
Since I no longer ride the park, I was looking for a pair of stiff, responsive boots to replace my old, soft ones (Burton Motos). I wanted a model that was easy to use, durable, and excelled in powder and variable conditions.
Why I chose this gear
The Maysis were the top-selling boot in the world at the time I purchased them. I also liked the lower BOA zone that secures the ankle in place, and the molded external heel cap. I also wanted to test out a brand I had never tried before, and these boots seemed to have the exact stiffness I was looking for.
What I love about them
- Warmth: I never have a problem staying warm in these boots while the temperature is above single digits. However, K2 doesn’t include any reflective insulation or neoprene material in its construction.
- Shock absorption: The “harshmellow” midsoles do an excellent job at dampening vibrations and impacts to the sole—especially on jumps and bumpy terrain.
- Responsiveness: At a 7/10 stiffness, these boots provide the perfect responsiveness for my style of riding. They’re effective at tight turns through the trees and hold up during powder and backcountry boulder drops.
- Grip: These boots are always a joy to hike in. The “this grips” outsole is super grippy, durable, and aggressive.
- Weight: K2 keeps the outsoles of these boots effective but light, which significantly reduces their weight. This is particularly handy when making long backcountry tours.
- Versatility: The 7/10 flex is stiff enough to be responsive when I need it, but it’s not so incredibly stiff that I can’t hit the park with them. They’re great for hiking and touring too.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Size: If anything, these boots run a little large. After they packed out, I sort of wished I had sized down a half-size. They’re too wide for my narrow feet.
- Comfort: It’s not that the Maysis isn’t comfortable. I just don’t think they were designed for narrow feet. I’ve rarely had foot pain in these boots, but sometimes the liner is hard to get snug, resulting in my front foot falling slightly numb.
- Heel hold: I’ve never had great heel hold while wearing these boots. I think that’s mostly due to my narrow feet and the boots’ shape, which does not taper back toward the heel. They seem to just go straight back with no taper.
- Ease of use: I wish the liner on these boots had a drawstring. They’re hard to pull tight against my shin with just the velcro. Also, the BOA seems to slip and get loose over the course of the day.
- Durability: The inner durability leaves a lot to be desired. The velcro from the liners rips up the inside of the tongue, and I have some wear on the outside of the tongue from the laces. The laces could be sheathed in something softer.
- Hot spots: I occasionally experience numbness on the outside of my front foot when I have the boots laced super tight.
Favorite moment with this gear
I always have a great time when skiing these boots in deep powder. They respond beautifully when leaning into big powder slashes, and feel great on jump turns when carving up groomers.
Value for the money vs. other options
For a double BOA boot, the K2 Maysis is an excellent value in my mind. They are a fully featured boots, though the lack of a drawstring inner leaves something to be desired. However, they offer similar performance to a model like the Burton Ion, at roughly half the cost.
Final verdict
The K2 Maysis boots are an excellent option for those looking to find a stiffer, more responsive boot without breaking the bank.
