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K2 Darkstar and Darkstar Wide Snowboard Review

Discontinued for 2012

$399
Intermediate to Expert Freestyle
Flatline AKA Flat Camber Twin Shape
2009 & 2010 Good Wood Award Winner and a Great All around Park board. The Darkstar won many awards as a camber snowboard. For 2011 the Darkstar flattened out the camber and did this with many of the boards in their line. Despite it's lack of pop the Darkstar performs very well in just about any condition and anywhere in the park. The Darkstar is a step down in stiffness from the Beleiver. It's K2's do anything park board that takes it up a notch in do everything freestyle from the more jibby do everything freestyle K2 Parkstar. This is going to be more friendly outside of the park and will be fun at medium speeds. One of the problems with flat snowboards is their lack of pop which can make the ride feel rather dull compared to a hybrid camber, hybrid rocker or even good old camber board. All in all this will be a fun board for some.

How It Rides
Groomers	Good	Speed	Good	Flex	Soft	Jibbing	Good
Powder	Average	Weight	Medium	Carving	Good	Pipe	Good
Turn Initiation	Moderate	Edge Hold	Good	Switch	Excellent	Jumps	Excellent

Compare Prices & Buyer Reviews

ProBoardShop.com K2 Darkstar Snowboard 152 - Men's...	$319.95	Check Availability
TightBoards.com K2 Darkstar Snowboard 152...	$299.95	Check Availability
TightBoards.com K2 Darkstar Snowboard 159...	$299.95	Check Availability
ProBoardShop.com K2 Darkstar Snowboard 159 - Men's...	$299.95	Check Availability
Powdertools.com K2 Darkstar Snowboard \| 10/11...	$279.95	Check Availability
Powdertools.com K2 Darkstar Wide Snowboard \| 10/11...	$279.95	Check Availability
Alpinewarehouse.com K2 Darkstar Snowboard \| 10/11...	$279.95	Check Availability
Alpinewarehouse.com K2 Darkstar Wide Snowboard \| 10/11...	$279.95	Check Availability
Christy Sports K2 Darkstar Snowboard \| 10/11...	$279.95	Check Availability
Christy Sports K2 Darkstar Wide Snowboard \| 10/11...	$279.95	Check Availability
REI.com K2 Darkstar Snowboard - Men's Wide - 2010 Closeout...	$254.93	Check Availability
Christy Sports K2 Darkstar Wide Snowboard \| 09/10...	$199.95	Check Availability
evo K2 Darkstar Snowboard 2011...	$199.90	Check Availability
evo K2 Darkstar Wide Snowboard 2011...	$199.90	Check Availability

The Good Ride Take

The Good Ride Take on K2
K2 is a big company that makes a lot of ski and snowboard gear. K2 chose Flat Camber and variations of flat/rocker for their snowboards in the post camber revolution. Their flat camber has a mixed take but their flat/rocker shapes seem to be well liked and some are Good Ride Favorites. When it comes to Bindings K2 spends a lot of time working on the quick strap/release side of things and they have 2 quick release designs. Some like this but others would rather see them work on improved turn initiation, comfort and better board flex under foot. We’d at least like to see them switch to only one quick release and develop their normal bindings more. Their boots are well made, long lasting and comfortable but some don’t have the adjustability that some boots have. Their customer support is very good but there is no phone # on their site so you must contact them via email. All in all K2 does a pretty good job when it comes to making snowboard gear for a wide variety of riders.

Company Information

K2 Darkstar 2011

$399.95

TRUE FREESTYLE POWER

A tried and true backbone of the Progression Series, the 2010-11 K2 Darkstar snowboard continues its reign as one of the top favorites for freestyle riders in the line, winning the 2010 Transworld Snowboarding Good Wood award. The true twin, Hyper Progressive construction that has also won numerous Good Wood awards in the past is now coupled with FLATLINE Technology at the team’s request for this season. Progressive, proven, powerful… Darkstar remains.

The Perfect Balance

Matrix 1 - Carbon Lively Feel

4000 Sintered - Fast, Durable, Hold the Wax!

Darkstar Construction Features

BASELINE:

Flatline™

CONSTRUCTION:

Hybritaper™

SHAPE:

Twin Tip, Hyper Progressive

CORE:

W2™ Core

GLASS:

Biax/Biax

TORSION FORKS:

Carbon Matrix I

K2 Darkstar 2010

TRUE FREESTYLE MULTISTICK

The true twin-tip and medium flex of the Darkstar offers immense POP, torsional responsiveness, and freestyle mastery for the rider looking for the premium freestyle shred.

Once again winning numerous board tests in 2008, the Darkstar is back and a freestyle power to be reckoned with. Hyper Progressive Sidecut and centered stance offer precise response and easy maneuverability while the Hybritaper tip and tail reduce swing weight and has the stability to power through any landing.

4000 Sintered

Hybritech Construction

Twin Tip Hyper Progressive

Biax Top & Base

One Degree

Hybritaper

Camber

W2
Read mor

Specs

K2 Darkstar 2011 Specs

149 Centere d 24.40 110-190 7.70 116.76 28.67 28.67 21.0
152 Centere d 24.50 120-190 7.80 119.30 28.90 28.90 21.0
155 Centere d 24.70 130-200 7.90 121.84 29.24 29.24 22.0
157 Centere d 24.90 130-210 8.00 124.38 29.57 29.57 22.0
159 Centere d 25.10 >150 8.10 126.92 29.91 29.91 23.0
154 Centere d 25.90 140-230 7.90 121.84 30.43 30.43 22.0
157 Centere d 26.10 >150 8.00 124.38 30.77 30.77 22.0
160 Centere d 26.30 >160 8.10 126.92 31.10 31.10 23.0
163 Centere d 26.50 >170 8.20 129.46 31.44 31.44 23.0

K2 Darkstar 2010 Specs

BOARD SPECS	STANCE	WAIST	WEIGHT	SIDECUT	EFFECTIVE	TIP	TAIL	STANCE
	SET BACK	WIDTH	RANGE		EDGE	WIDTH.	WIDTH.	WIDTH
	IN.	CM.	LBS.	M.	CM.	CM	CM	IN.
DARKSTAR 152	CENTERED	24.5	120-190	7.8	119.3	28.9	28.9	21
DARKSTAR 155	CENTERED	24.7	130-200	7.9	121.84	29.24	29.24	22
DARKSTAR 157	CENTERED	24.9	130-210	8	124.38	29.57	29.57	22
DARKSTAR 159	CENTERED	25.1	150+	8.1	126.92	29.91	29.91	22
DARKSTAR 161	CENTERED	25.3	150+	8.2	129.46	30.03	30.03	22
DARKSTAR WIDE 154	CENTERED	25.9	140-230	7.9	121.84	30.43	30.43	22
DARKSTAR WIDE 157	CENTERED	26.1	>150	8	124.38	30.77	30.77	22
DARKSTAR WIDE 160	CENTERED	26.3	>160	8.1	126.92	31.1	31.1	22
DARKSTAR WIDE 163	CENTERED	26.5	>170	8.2	129.46	31.44	31.44	22