running a 159wide, 210lbs, 10.5 boot, bent metal transfer bindings w/ k2 Ender boots.....very easy to manouver board, great cornering and carving - easy to crack the whip when things get spicy. Great all day fun board. My first K2 was from 1997! First one since then, and I'm please it's such a good feeling board that's effortless to ride. I'm in LUV
@@tylerwarren7716 depends a lot on you binding and boot, but you're on the upper range for a 157 weight range. The 157 is an inch narrower than the 159w, and you may get a touch of toe heel drag if you're cranking over hard
@@tylerwarren7716 I'd go 159w with your boot size and weight. I like wider boards as the sidecut is the same, yet I never have to ever worry about my toes/heels levering me off my edge when cranked over hard. I didn't have any toe or heelside drag issues, and the board handles fantastic, with very easy turn initiation yet it's stable when hauling.....I don't think you'd gain anything by getting the 160 except for the fact that it may be more available for purchase than the 159w.
New snowboarder, 5’7 150 lbs, 154cm, as a beginner it helped me get the basics, but gave me confidence as well to try new things and carves, I’m happy I got this, I thank you for this review :)
I have this in the 151 size (5'4", 160 lbs) and it is stiffer and faster than my Salomon Assassin 150. Not the best around moguls but if you point this thing along the fall line, it will leave everyone in the dust. Edge hold is pretty decent even when its icy.
Got 5 days on my new Passport on Whistler. Rode A Turbo dream for years..loving the stiffness upgrade and overall performance of the Passport. It’s everything I was hoping it would be👌
Cheers for this review much appreciated... just pulled the trigger on a 2024 model on sale, I'm running: 6ft, boot size 10.5 172lbs... hoping a 160 ain't too big. Hopefully will be something a bit more stable at speed compared to my 156 Salomon assassin (which is my first board I enjoy it but feels a bit small for my boots) and hoping this passport will hold an edge better.
Thanks! So, yeah, you are right that the Assassin 156 is pretty narrow for 10.5 boots. A 160 Passport is wider and a much better suited for your specs. Its also considerably more damp than the Assassin so that combined with it being sized right should make the board grip better and just ride better in all conditions. Cheers!
Been riding the K2 Passport at Mammoth this season, it's really held its own on the pow days. Like you said, when the ride gets choppy in the afternoon, it has no problem hanging :)
Great review, I just got my new Passport 160 delivered yesterday and used your video to help me decide on my stance setup. Im going to try your suggestion of 21.5, 18, -3 for a more directional stance setup. Q: The reference setting on the 160 is @ 22 inches if I wanted to bring it to 21.5. What’s the best way to do that? Shift the front binding towards the tail with the 4x2 bolt pattern to bring it in 1/2 an inch? I’m 5’ 10” @ 220 lbs in a 9.5 boot Thanks and keep up the great videos!
Thanks! Good choice for your specs. On groomers I would just set it up on reference and if you have discs that slide tip to tail just slide them in a little on each binding till you get to 21.5. On powder set that as far back as you can on the front foot and then do whatever works for a 21.5 stance width on the back. Cheers!
@@thegoodridesnow I see what you mean! - I moved the disc in 1 bolt pattern and took in that 1/2 inch, measured and now I'm 21.5 center to center on my discs. I appreciate the help! Thanks again, keep up the awesome videos.
Question on sizing. Which would you recommend for 5’8”, 160, 9.5-10 boot depending on brand. Advanced rider looking to add a fun all mountain/free ride board to quiver. Ride in western Washington so lots of deep thick snow. Was thinking 157, but have been told 154 as well. Thanks for all the reviews and all that you do for the snowboarding community.
Have been waiting for this review and a gain a great review. Thanks! I'm 6.1' and 178 lbs (187cm, 81kg). Own the K2 Handford boots size 10,5 and Union Atlas size L. Based on the K2 size chart I just bought the K2 Passport size 160. Just came back from the Austrian alps and really enjoyed the board, but I'm a bit in doubt about the sizing. I'm thinking that it could be a bit to big for me, or maybe it's just in my head because of comparing it to the sizing of other people. I also thought the waist width of the 157 could be to narrow for my boot size and would drag my toe or heel in the snow when turning sharply . Do you have any thoughts on the sizing? It would help me get rid of my doubts haha.
Thanks! Yeah you are in between the 157 and 160. I would have recommended the 160 to make sure there is enough width for your Large bindings to not hang over. I would ride it a few more times and see.
Great review, as always! Stuck between 157 and 160… (180lbs w/o gear, 5’10, size 9.5 Burton Rulers) Currently on a 157 Shadowban for more playful and park laps, but looking for something to add to quiver that is a lil stiffer. With the added stiffness, not sure if I’d want to go to 160. I feel like the stiffness would still be decent on the 157 and would be relatively stable at higher speed vs SB. Just don’t know if worth getting another 157 deck although different than the SB
This is pretty similar in flex. Just a little more damp, more tapered and a little more directional. If that is what you want then it could work but if this is a second board I'd look for something more directional, tapered, more floaty and a little stiffer if that is what you want. Or if this calls to you go 160 as it will help diversify your quiver a littler better. You can hit me up here if you want to get into it more. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Mid-Atlantic rider here. I like the reviews of the passport, think it matches my riding style. However worried about how well it handles east coast conditions, ice in morning, slush in afternoon, hard pack and chunder in evening. What are your thoughts?
For your specs you should go for the 160. I would stay with the 157 with my size 9's but 10.5's need more width. You could even go 163 if you carve really hard. You could also consider the Insrument 157 or 160 as it runs a little wider.
I actually own both. That would be tough. I would go Uninc if you want more edge hold and Shadowban if you want something a little more damp. Both do equally well in the trees and both float equally well in powder.
Hard to say. Two pretty different boards. I would need to know more about you to help. Hit me up here if you want to make a better decision. I need to learn about you to actually help. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/ Mind expander is stiffer, has a faster base, much more directional/tapered, rides more set back on board and more float. The Passport softer damper flex that's better in all conditions and a more centered ride on board.
Two very different boards. Excavator rides shorter/wider and has more pop and a deeper sidecut that is more across the groomer to circle carve friendly. Better float in powder too. Passport is more like a traditional freeride board that you should ride a longer. Not as poppy or as fun to carve but flex is better in all conditions. Excavator might be better for a big footer.
The Passport feels more directional/tapered/set back and has a little better float in pow. The Thruster has more pop but less dampness and a better turning experience (not float) in pow. It feels closer to a true all mtn board that doesn't feel tapered on groomers where the Passport feels more freeride.
Many thanks for your reply@@thegoodridesnow .....really appreciate it!! Though it hasn't made my decision easier but at least some more clarity on their differences. At this point i'm leaning more towards the Thruster as i want a better turning experience. Even though i'd have to sacrifice with the float in powder which the Passport has. I guess I'll take the 162 wide to compensate with the float in pow :-))
Get the size that best fits your specs. If you go wide with a board like the Thruster and you don't have big feet it could be a hard board to turn. Hit me up here if you want to make sure you are making the right purchase. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Both are definitely more directional. The Frontier is the stiffest and has the best turning experience in powder. It's also got better grip and a faster base. The Passport is better in uneven snow and actually has a little more float even though the turning experience isn't as good. If you are adding to your quiver then maybe don't get either. If you are replacing the Typo then yeah either could work. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
I’ve been riding a yes hybrid for the past few years. Looking for something that’s not as directional, has really good turn initiation for trees, and pretty aggressive for fast riding. Is this a good choice or do you have other recommendations?
So knowing so little about you it's hard to say this will be the right call. Hit me up here so I can get all the info I need to properly help though. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/ Short answer is yes this is a very different ride from the Hybrid. If sized correctly it initiates a turn faster and will be better in the trees and it is more damp for speed. However, you have to ride this longer and the turning radius is more shallow so across the groomer turns are not as tight. Also the base is a little slower.
Hi, what would you say is the main difference between this and the Capita BSOD? Am looking for a carving board with great edge hold that I can also ride switch. Thanks
Neither have great edge hold but both are competent. BSOD has more pop out of the turn, rides switch a little better, and a faster base but Passport is more damp/better in all conditions and has better float in pow when set back. Neither come to mind as a carving board though. Hit me up here if you want real help. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
It might feel a little small in a 159w and I'd only go that size if you like smaller boards that are easier to control. I think you would be better off with the 162w for your specs. Maybe 163 as well as it is pretty mid/wide so it could fit you if your 44.5 boots have a pretty reduced footprint.
I wanted the Jones frontier but ended up buying the k2 Passport. Now i'm sitting home thinking if i did well...is the Passport a batter allmountain than the Frontier for an intermidian snowboarder?
The Passport is a more tapered, directional, set back ride than the Frontier. So if you want a little more directional float you made the right choice. Base glide and edge hold go to the Frontier though. Both are very fun boards.
There is a specific Japan version of this board, that is a 5/10 stiffness compared to this being like a 7, do you think that could be decent for lower intermediate rider? I found quite a good deal on it, trying to compare to a raygun pop which has the same stiffness as the Japanese k2 passport on paper
An intermediate looking for the first broad. Would like to explore the resort area, medium carve, side hit and also floating in powder. Not interested in park at this moment. I am 168cm, 57kg, us7 shoe. My binding is Union strata. Considering capita mercury 150, K2 Passport 151, Jones Stratos 153 and bataleon goilath 153. What will you recommend? Will it be too aggressive for intermediate?
The Passport and Mercury are a great choice for an intermediate. Go Passport if you want something easier in pow. Go Mercury if you want to ride park and mountain. Go Goliath if you wan more of a mountain freestyle ride and want something super forgiving. Not sure on the Stratos based on the conditions you ride. You also can't use the set back inserts with the Stratos with your Union Strata's (need full size discs) so not a good pairing. If you want real advice hit me up here. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
I will mainly use it in Japan resort, the Stratos will be still good in pow even not with the back insert? Or mind expander will be better choice for me?
It's very dependent on how you like to ride. If you want more of a centered twin like ride that rides well switch go Manifest. If you want a much more directional set back ride that doesn't ride as well switch but floats better in powder go Passport. If you want to do this properly and make sure you get the right board for your riding style, specs, conditions you ride and a lot more hit me up here. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
@@thegoodridesnow well I mostly just cruise down the groomers and I enjoy cutting through the trees and hitting a jump on the side of the trials. I'm done with the park. I'm only considering the 2022 manifest team because I've heard great things and they don't make them anymore and I found one. Just not sure how it comes to the new passport and if that would ride better for me.
Two very different boards and both have a very different feel. Passport is more traditional freeride and most ride it longer than the Hybrid. For people with my specs you ride the Hybrid shorter and wider so that gives it a very different feel. The Hybrid grips harder and I personally like how it carves better but both are pretty good for carving. The Passport is more damp but both are good for all day riding. Both are very stable and both are forgiving. I'd say the passport initiates a turn faster but the Hybrid turns a tighter radius though.
@@thegoodridesnow thanks for the response! I’m thinking of adding a Dancehaul to the quiver as I already have a Passport. You think they would compliment each other?
