Share

Snowboards

K2 Joy Driver 2015-2016 Snowboard Review

Life is a highway

The Details:

The K2 Joy Driver is a brand new board for 2015/16 and, along with their CarveAir and Cool Bean, one that they’re making a lot of noise about. As well they might; it’s an evolution of the mega-selling (but now dearly departed) Zeppelin, and the brainchild of big-mountain hero Lucas Debari.

While the profile is one of K2’s signature concoctions, it’s essentially a camber board that’s great for carving and charging. Backcountry freestyle is its sweet spot, but you can get plenty from this even if you’re not a beardy freerider.

Some boards designed by (and for) big-mountain hellions can be a bit on the heavy side due to prioritising a stable ride, but the Joy Driver is surprisingly light and responsive without compromising on high-speed control. The core is mainly bamboo with added urethane, and the high-quality sintered base is as fast as they come.

Another weight saving comes from cutting out the traditional topsheet layer and printing the graphic directly onto the fibreglass. In that respect it’s almost like a wolf in sheep’s clothing; if you want to get nimble with it, whether through the park or on the piste, you definitely can. Then you can take it to the steep and deep and unleash the beast.

It may not have the visual impact of K2’s other new additions, but this is the only one with serious all-round chops.

TESTER’S VERDICT:
Duthie – Whitelines

“Yes, the Cool Bean is much more of a wheeze to ride than this – but if I could only have one or the other for the whole season, I’d have to go with the Joy Driver.

It’s truly an all-mountain slayer; as stable at high speeds as anything I rode this year, but a little more flexible than most of its ilk and therefore a bit more fun for messing around with at slower speeds.

It pops well too and is really light, so taking it off jumps is a pleasure. I’d have loved to have taken this into a halfpipe, as I reckon it’d be sensational.

Buy this if you want something that can go fast, high and long, but would do for making the most of bad-vis days too.”

“Buy this if you want something that can go fast, high and long, but would do for making the most of bad-vis days too”

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production