K2 Wayback 96 review 2019
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
Selected again for the PROSKILAB review this year, the Wayback 96 from K2 confirms its excellent behaviour (already noted last year).
The ski boasts a very progressive flex that makes it remarkably smooth and fun to ski. The Wayback 96 is happy in all relatively soft snow conditions, including groomed runs.
Despite being easily accessible, the ski has punch and offers first-rate performance. The very well-balanced flex provides solid grip that is useful on steep slopes and helps it to soar through the crud.
At 1.4 kg per ski (announced by K2) for 177cm, the Wayback 96 is among the lightest skis in this section.
Judged "perfect for this Freerando programme" (Freeride touring) where we're mainly looking for lightness for the uphill climb and performance in the descent, the Wayback 96 is a good choice for intermediary to very good skiers.
Review: Pros
- Accessible, consistent, reassuring
- Versatile, happy in all snow conditions
- Happy on the groomers
- Progressive flex
Review: Cons
- Limited at high speed
The ski review scores
Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.8 |
Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.8 |
Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.5 |
Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.3 |
Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.0 |
Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.0 |
Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.5 |
Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.5 |
Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.5 |
Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.3 |
Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.5 |
All-terrain comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.5 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
The urban myth is that reducing the weight of a freeride touring ski means sacrificing the level of downhill performance. The Wayback 96 is there to put an end to this stereotype. The novelty this year is that we've added a layer of metal between the layers of reinforced glass fibre to make it the most versatile freeride touring model on the market to date. The ski's topsheet was designed to prevent the snow from sticking, which would make the ski heavier and slower in the ascent, while the special base makes it ultra fast. The grommets in the tip and tail are perfectly adapted to the pre-cut K2 skin to facilitate and accelerate transition.
Features of the Wayback 96
Brand : | K2 |
Model : | Wayback 96 |
Year : | 2019 |
Family : | Freeride touring |
Size tested : | 177 cm |
Tip size : | 128 mm |
Waist size : | 96 mm |
Tail size : | 115 mm |
Radius for the size reviewed : | 20 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2018