About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard which I purchased with my own money in November of 2021.

My take

The K2 Manifest is a modern take on a good old fashion snowboard. The camber is reliable. It rides pretty much like a twin board with just a little extra nose for float in pow.

About the gear

• Model: 2001 K2 Manifest
• Size: 157 W

About me

• Height: 5’9”
• Weight: 185
• Experience: 15

Test conditions

• When I bought these: Preseason, November 2021
• Days tested: 40
• Mount position: I moved my bindings around A LOT on this board, but I found I liked it the best when mounted closer to center. I usually rode with the front foot 1 hole back from the recommended stance.
• Boots: K2 Darko
• Boot Size: 9
• Bindings: K2 Formula
• Where I’ve used it: British Columbia
• Terrain: Steep trees, deep powder, groomers, side hits

How it performs

What I was looking for

This board was exactly what I was looking for at the time: a versatile board that could carve in early-season conditions. I was also searching for a board that I wouldn’t mind hitting some rocks.

Why I chose this gear

There was a great deal and it fit the versatile riding style that I was looking for. There are a lot of other standard cambered boards that would have fit the bill as well. This one was just the right price at the right time. An Arbor Formula/ A-Frame, a Burton Custom, or Jones Mountain Twin would have been great alternatives.

What I love about it

• Speed: The standard camber could handle carving at high speeds really well. The base did not need to be waxed as often as my Never Summer board, which helped it maintain speed.
• Edge hold: The standard camber gives it great edge hold.
• Turns: The board is a little bit soft so it can be a little chattery at higher speeds, but the turn initiation is smooth and controlled, and locks in tight on deep carves.
• Groomers: Great board for cruising groomers, carving, and riding switch. The traditional camber provides predictable turning and edge hold.
• Trees: The softer flex made it very nimble in the trees.
• Moguls: It is plenty soft enough to slough into moguls and come out without too much speed.
• Park: This makes a GREAT park board for more experienced riders. The very-close-to-directional shape makes landing switch easy. It will lock into rails at the center of the board and it will stomp landing due to the classic camber. Also, It is soft enough to be playful.
• Switch riding: This board is only slightly directional, so it rides REALLY well switch.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Turns: The board is a little bit soft to it was a little chattery at higher speed.
• Powder: If you want a dedicated powder board you’ll want something with less tail and more nose. I tried setting the bindings way back on a powder day, but the board rode much better from the center. Backcountry: It’s not a split board, so that can present an extra challenge if you don’t have snowshoes.
• Durability: I did end up with an impacted base underneath my rear binding, near the heel edge. But I’ll still pull this board out when the conditions are marginal and the risk of hitting rocks is high.

Favorite moment with this gear

Some of my favorite moments on this board were carving through icy, luge-style trees. It was also a great board on days when the conditions weren’t great and I just stayed on groomers.

Value for the money vs. other options

This board is priced appropriately. While I will get a lot more durability and performance out of a Burton Custom or a Jones Mountain Twin, I’d also pay a lot more for them.

Final verdict

For those who are looking for a board that is not too aggressive but versatile enough to take anywhere on the mountain, this is a great board. The traditional camber rides like a good old-fashioned snowboard, just don’t expect it to float easily in pow.