UPDATE: Check out our review of the K2 Cool Bean Snowboard for 2020/2021 by clicking here.
- Sizes: 138, 144, 150
- Flex: 7
- Profile: FlatRock
- Shape: Directional
- Price: £370
- BUY ONLINE
The Cool Bean is a board with a weird and wonderful shape, but it’s not just done to catch eyes in the lift queue, every part is specifically thought out and purposefully designed.
It uses K2’s Volume Shift, which takes volume out of the length of the board and instead puts it in the width. You’re able to ride a much shorter board, but it will retain the stability and float of one far longer.
“The swallow tail reduces the surface area in the rear of the board, causing it to sink deeper in the deep snow, further accentuating the effect of the nose rising”
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The overall surface area remains the same, but now the board is more manoeuvrable, has a tighter turn radius and is able to spin quicker. Get this thing through the trees and you’ll be zipping in and out with ease.
The Cool Bean is mostly flat, with a directional rocker in the tip and tail. The nose has a more prominent rocker to keep it from sinking in the deeper snow. It’s got a significant setback as well, with a long spoon nose and a short stubby tail which will keep your weight centred over the tail – say goodbye to that burning back leg when riding powder.
The swallow tail reduces the surface area in the rear of the board, causing it to sink more in the deep snow – further accentuating the effect of the nose rising. It also allows both sides to flex independently of one another, leading to increased mobility and better edge hold through the end of a carve on piste.
You want to ride the Cool Bean shorter than your normal board. It’s still surprisingly versatile despite its funky shape. The tight, tapered sidecut makes carving on a short board not just a reality, but a pleasure. It floats, it rips, it slashes, it carves – sounds cool to us.