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March, 2024

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Anyone have this weird issue with their K2 Mindbender boot walk mode?

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jbeck69
Posts: 4 - Karma: 27
I recently bought a pair of Mindbender 130 boots. First two days the boot felt great, skiied and walked well.

On my third day of riding the boots, the left and right boots suddenly began popping out of ski mode into walk mode under forward flex. I checked for debris and ice in the mechanism, and finding none decided to fiddle around with mounding screws and the ski/walk mechanism itself to no avail. The boots continued to pop into walk mode under forward flex.

Has anyone experienced this issue with their Mindbender/similar boots, or does anyone have a potential solution?
Jan 5 2022 8:55PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4607 - Karma: 15,946
@tomPietrowski
Jan 5 2022 9:46PM
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JacksonA125
Posts: 88 - Karma: 803
jbeck69I recently bought a pair of Mindbender 130 boots. First two days the boot felt great, skiied and walked well.

On my third day of riding the boots, the left and right boots suddenly began popping out of ski mode into walk mode under forward flex. I checked for debris and ice in the mechanism, and finding none decided to fiddle around with mounding screws and the ski/walk mechanism itself to no avail. The boots continued to pop into walk mode under forward flex.

Has anyone experienced this issue with their Mindbender/similar boots, or does anyone have a potential solution?


I had the exact same issue. Posted about it in the what’s wrong with my boots thread and was told to stop landing backseat.
Jan 6 2022 7:23PM
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jbeck69
Posts: 4 - Karma: 27
It's so weird. They more consistently lock into ski mode when the boots are above 0C, but it seems like the slightest bit of ice is enough to allow the boots to pop into walk... pretty concerning for a boot that's supposed to be a do it all 50/50 toruing boot. I wouldn't trust these boots deeper in the backcountry.
JacksonA125I had the exact same issue. Posted about it in the what’s wrong with my boots thread and was told to stop landing backseat.
Jan 6 2022 10:33PM
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JacksonA125
Posts: 88 - Karma: 803
jbeck69It's so weird. They more consistently lock into ski mode when the boots are above 0C, but it seems like the slightest bit of ice is enough to allow the boots to pop into walk... pretty concerning for a boot that's supposed to be a do it all 50/50 toruing boot. I wouldn't trust these boots deeper in the backcountry.


Yeah, that’s when I've noticed popping into walk mode too, colder temps and snow gets in there, it pops into walk mode, and then it’s a pain to get back into ski mode. Ive got ~ 35 days on them and so far it only happens on pow days when it’s fairly cold.
Jan 6 2022 10:50PM
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Sebz
Posts: 2 - Karma: 12
I just had the same issue with my mindbender 120. When I was pressing forward into the boot they would pop into walk mode. I called k2 and they said it's a known issue and they would send me an improved part to replace the mechanism. I also stopped by Dizzy's shop at Big White and they confirmed that they had customers with the same issue. They said that the 130s don't have the issue and that k2 has a re-engineered part coming.
Feb 24 2022 1:09AM
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Sebz
Posts: 2 - Karma: 12
I just had the same issue with my mindbender 120. When I was pressing forward into the boot they would pop into walk mode. I called k2 and they said it's a known issue and they would send me an improved part to replace the mechanism. I also stopped by Dizzy's shop at Big White and they confirmed that they had customers with the same issue. They said that the 130s doesn't have the issue and that k2 has a re-engineered part.

**This post was edited on Feb 24th 2022 at 1:13:23am
Feb 24 2022 1:10AM
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stockk5
Posts: 1 - Karma: 14
Found this page after having the exact same issue today. Day number 5 on these boots and its popping like crazy. Everytime I lean forward it does it. Hope they really do have a fix on the mindbender120s.
Feb 26 2022 9:36PM
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M*Jay
Posts: 1 - Karma: 13
The very same experience with the 130s: first three days of b/c all was well. Then on day four, yesterday, I went skiing at a small resort, and thought I'd try them with my regular, needless to say heavier, skis and bindings. At the top of the first run, both boots popped out of ski mode as soon as I flexed forward, and for the life of me I could not get them to stick back and hold in ski mode. What if I had been in the b/c about to wade into slabs of wind blown powder? Luckily, I had my other boots in the car. But as one of you said, how can I trust them again? And can I in good conscience sell them? Last, does anyone suppose there is recourse via warranty? Has anyone attempted a claim?

**This post was edited on Mar 21st 2022 at 2:16:11pm

**This post was edited on Mar 21st 2022 at 2:17:00pm
Mar 21 2022 2:12PM
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isaacwrong
Posts: 2213 - Karma: 16,945
I’ve had no issues with this problem..we’re they fitted properly? Might be over flexing the boot? I did rip out the walk mode off a 3foot canon doing a blind 4. K2 hooked up with fresh new pair


Mar 21 2022 2:43PM
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phiger
Posts: 6 - Karma: 19
The screws that hold up the walk mode snapped on my boots 3 times, swapped screws with new ones with fresh locktite, new backplate, second time also new lever. Real bad construction if you ask me, all force is held up by a couple of tiny screws. Anyone else with the same issue?
Feb 28 2023 12:49PM
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Juviticus
Posts: 329 - Karma: 1,706
Next year they are introducing a locking mechanism that appears on the Dispatch walk mode. It will be fully transferrable to the old mindbender models
Feb 28 2023 7:48PM
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phiger
Posts: 6 - Karma: 19
JuviticusNext year they are introducing a locking mechanism that appears on the Dispatch walk mode. It will be fully transferrable to the old mindbender models


That's good news. I have contacted K2, but their support is really slow. Would be great to change it, real hard to find new boots that fit this late in the season.
Mar 1 2023 2:44AM
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mjlejour
Posts: 1 - Karma: 10
Found this page looking for known issues with the K2 Mindbender. I have the 130 and the head of the bottom screw snapped off. I have the walk mode zip tied right now, but relieved I'm not the only one with this issue.
Mar 12 2023 2:28PM
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