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Expert Comparison: K2 Mindbender 85 Skis · 2023 vs Head Kore 87 Skis · 2023

Published on 02/10/2024 · 5 min readCompare K2 Mindbender 85 Skis · 2023 and Head Kore 87 Skis · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Baylee Thompson, Ski Expert
Nikolas Otte, Ski Expert
Ian Hamilton, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Baylee Thompson, Nikolas Otte, Ian Hamilton, Brandon Wachter, Henry Kvietok and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
K2 Mindbender 85 Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Head Kore 87 Skis · 2023
Price
$199.98
50% off
from:$419.40
40% off
User rating
5(4)
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The Curated Take

Best for aggressive skiers who love ripping groomers at high speed.

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Ski type
Freeride, All Mountain
All Mountain
Skill level
Beginner, Intermediate
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of skiing, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis and the Head Kore 87 Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed with the intermediate skier in mind, offering a blend of performance, agility, and control. The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis are perfect for those looking to progress beyond groomed terrain, with a forgiving design and all-terrain rocker. On the other hand, the Head Kore 87 Skis are lightweight yet powerful, rewarding stronger skiers with their strong flex pattern. While both skis have their strengths, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis are more forgiving and ideal for beginners transitioning to intermediate level, while the Head Kore 87 Skis are better suited for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a lightweight yet powerful ski.

The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis are a fantastic choice for intermediate skiers looking to progress beyond groomed terrain. These skis are designed with a forgiving design and all-terrain rocker, making them perform well in all conditions. The lightweight aspen core adds stability and control, making it a great option for exploring trees, moguls, and side hits. Its strong edge hold and carving ability also make it a fun choice for ripping groomers.

These skis are perfect for shredding groomers out east but will also be a great asset to your quiver if you're ever skiing out west. The short low rise in the tail will also help add extra control when you're in variable snow. The aspen core is lightweight but still resilient enough to dampen the chatter at fast speeds. Once you realize the capabilities of this ski, you'll wonder how you were ever riding those crusty old rentals.

Don’t sleep on these skis!!! I am not a huge fan of skis with metal, so finding groomer skis I love is tough, but these are perfect. Go up a size from your normal length, and you’re going to be just as aggressive out there as anyone! I’ve been so impressed with the stability at speed, ease of turns, and just hard-charging fun on these. Absolutely a ski ready to rip

Baylee Thompson
Ski Expert

The Head Kore 87 Skis are a lightweight yet powerful ski that rewards stronger skiers with their strong flex pattern. The lightness makes them very agile and less tiresome on the legs than others in this category, which is a nice plus. They are designed to drive through all types of mixed conditions, making them great for a long day on the hill that can hit a little bit of everything.

These skis are perfect for skiers who want to go fast. The Head Kore really comes alive at speed and although it has a slightly wider waist, it is highly capable of carving turns on groomers but lets you step up your game off-piste and on powder days.

The Kore line has always been two things- light and fast. The Kore 87 is definitely a continuation of that trend. At 1750g per ski at 184cm, they're on the lighter end of the frontside spectrum. That said- these use Karuba wood and graphene layers, so they ski like a metal ski would, at a far lighter weight.

Nikolas Otte
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis and the Head Kore 87 Skis are designed with the intermediate skier in mind. They both offer a blend of performance, agility, and control that is ideal for those looking to progress their skills on the slopes. Both skis are designed to perform well in all conditions, with strong edge hold and carving ability. They are both lightweight, making them agile and less tiresome on the legs than other skis in their category.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for intermediate skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis are more forgiving, making them ideal for beginners transitioning to intermediate level. They are perfect for those looking to progress beyond groomed terrain and explore trees, moguls, and side hits.

On the other hand, the Head Kore 87 Skis are better suited for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a lightweight yet powerful ski. They reward stronger skiers with their strong flex pattern and are designed to drive through all types of mixed conditions.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to performance, both skis excel in their own ways. The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis offer a forgiving design that is perfect for beginners transitioning to intermediate level, while the Head Kore 87 Skis reward stronger skiers with their strong flex pattern.

In terms of agility, both skis are lightweight, making them agile and less tiresome on the legs. However, the Head Kore 87 Skis are slightly lighter, giving them the edge in this category.

For control, both skis offer strong edge hold and carving ability. However, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis have a short low rise in the tail that adds extra control in variable snow, giving them the advantage in this category.

Finally, for versatility, both skis perform well in all conditions. However, the Head Kore 87 Skis are designed to drive through all types of mixed conditions, making them slightly more versatile.

Overall, the winner depends on the skier's skill level and preferences. The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis are ideal for beginners transitioning to intermediate level, while the Head Kore 87 Skis are better suited for intermediate to advanced skiers.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis and the Head Kore 87 Skis are excellent choices for the 2023 season. They both offer a blend of performance, agility, and control that is ideal for intermediate skiers. However, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis are more forgiving and ideal for beginners transitioning to intermediate level, while the Head Kore 87 Skis are better suited for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a lightweight yet powerful ski. Ultimately, the best ski depends on the skier's skill level and preferences. So, whether you're a beginner looking to progress or an advanced skier seeking a lightweight yet powerful ski, you can't go wrong with either of these options. Happy skiing!

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