K2 Aspect
What we liked …
Rugged sole with Vibram grip.
What we didn’t …
Power strap in conjunction with the elasticated high back..
The Verdict
Our Rating
4 out of 5
the Short Read…
The Aspect is a gnarly boot from the K2 stable and when I tested these bad boys in Kyrgyzstan, and the Lyngen Alps of Norway, they responded well in extremely challenging conditions.
The Long read …
The K2 Aspect is specifically designed for spiltboarding/mountaineering adventures, so if you’re looking for an in-bound/slackcountry boot, look elsewhere, and that could also be said for those of you who simply splitboard from the lift to gain a few extra turns. But if you’re the type of rider who sets off from a tent, carries and uses boot crampons, and is looking for a robust boot with grip that won’t let you down, read on.
I’d used the K2 Aspects while at a Yurt camp in Kyrgyzstan, in deep snow, and they performed well, keeping my feet both warm and comfortable when skinning all day.
The K2 Aspect has a near bullet-proof construction and when kicking in a boot pack trail, both with and without boot crampons, the stiff and chunky Vibram sole installed a trust in my foot placement and grip.
The Aspect’s sole is compatible with leverlock universal closure crampon, but I used the Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampons which held firm and offered up a snug fit.
There’s a Boa dial on the side of the boot, which when done up will stop any heel lift, although I found the traditional lacing, which locks into place where the foot ends and the leg begins, more than enough to stop heel lift. In fact, when I dialled up the Boa it gave me a painful pressure point on the top of my foot, so I simple left it undone.
I can’t really fault the Aspect when ascending, other than it did take a few tours to be broken in, as I had to apply second skins to my ankles before the boots softened a little.
When riding in good conditions, the Aspect is a great boot, I felt no foot movement and absolutely no heel lift. But, and at this price it’s a bit of a big but, where the Aspects falls down is the power strap around the shin, which doesn’t encircle the whole leg.
When riding in the Lyngen Alps, in May, the conditions where gnarly. I had to ascend with ski crampons on, almost all the time, and on steeper sections use boot crampons. This wasn’t a problem, but on descent, when I tightened the power strap, it simply stretched the elasticated calf section, rather than locking the boot tight around my leg. The elasticated section is there so when skinning you have a good flex, enabling a long stride, and it works well, but at the cost of a firm fit at the boots top when riding. Having said that, in deep snow you won’t notice, but on the ice and hard pack of the Lyngen Alps I felt a little too much movement, which in turn lead to an insecurity and a lack of trust when on my toe-edge.
Even with the faulty design of the power strap, the Aspect is a firm favourite with me, and one of the first things into my board bag when packing for an expedition. I don’t plan to use the Aspect for resort riding, keeping it set aside for major trips, as such I expect the Aspect to last for many a year to come.