This is my review of the K2 Maysis snowboard boot.
I’ve been riding most of my life and have worked for the last ten years as a certified snowboarding instructor. I’ve worn dozens of different brands and models of boots over the years and know how to judge their performance, comfort, and value accurately.
The K2 Maysis is a well-built boot that can handle demanding lines and technical terrain. They make for a decent all-mountain or freeride option for riders who go hard a need their equipment to keep up. They aren’t the most comfortable option around.
I’ll review these boots in detail and show you everything I like and dislike about them in this post. This model can be hit or miss, depending on your preferences, so it’s good to learn about them before making a purchase.
Let’s lace up and dive in.
Contents
K2 Maysis Overview
The K2 Maysis is a decent option for intermediate and advanced riders to explore. If you are looking for powerful performance that can give you room to roam, these will provide you with high-level attributes that are much needed.
The boots are well-built and capable of handling a little bit of everything. They can work on an all-mountain setup when you want versatility or as a freeride companion when you want to charge down steep and deep terrain.
The Maysis is somewhat of a polarizing snowboarding boot. I know some riders who swear by these and think they are some of the best snowboard boots around. I know others who say they can be very uncomfortable and lack durability.
These mixed reviews result in an average ranking. I think they can be a fantastic set of boots for the right boarder while also being a bad choice for beginners or anyone who cannot use the boots how they are intended to be used.
Still, they are worth a shot if you are looking for a boot that can stick with a powerful approach to riding. A stiff flex gives them excellent power transfer into your bindings, which results in precision and effective control.
They have plenty of features that are intended to make them stand out from the competition. An Endo 2.0 construction focuses on proving more strength in the heel that enables power transfer and response. It’s also supposed to help with durability.
The Maysis has all the ingredients you want with comfort in mind; I’m just not convinced it’s the right recipe. An Intuition liner gives you plenty of support, while heat-moldable customization and a BOA lacing system allow for quick tightening that holds all day.
The boots will be a good value if they fit your feet and you are an experienced and aggressive rider. Unfortunately, they have a reputation for not providing the same comfort level for everyone, so I drop the value ranking a bit.
These are good boots with a questionable reputation – kind of like that friend at school your parents don’t want you hanging around with. You’ll probably have some fun, but there could very well be consequences.
Detailed Review
The K2 Maysis has a focus on high-performance and aggressive riding styles. The boots are built to give you powerful and responsive capabilities in various conditions on the mountain. They are best suited for intermediate and advanced riders.
Performance
These boots stand out when you want to push your riding to its limits. In technical situations where you need fast response and the power to drive through each and every turn, they will give you what you need.
In freeride situations, these characteristics come in helpful. The Maysis make for a good boot to pair with your freeride or big mountain setup. Their stiff flex and aggressive intentions make them well suited to the task.
They also are more than capable as an all-mountain boot, especially for riders who have experience and ride hard. They aren’t for timid riders who like to sit back and enjoy the ride. These boots will scream for more if you don’t give them what they want.
An Endo 2.0 construction is designed to give you extra response. This gives you the power to ramp up to your approach and stick a tight line or landing. It also gives the boots an even flex that extends their capabilities across the mountain.
Comfort
The comfort level of the Maysis can be hit or miss. Like I said earlier in the review, some people love these boots while others have serious complaints about the amount of comfort (or lack of it) that they provide.
Let’s start with a look at the basics. An Intuition Control Foam 3D liner gives your feet a good starting point for comfort. This foam is supportive but flexible and gives you a good blend of support and comfort.
A BOA Conda lacing system allows you to dial in the fit and tightness on the go quickly. This system is easy to use and effective at keeping an exact fit throughout the day, no matter where or what style you like to ride.
The comfort concerns come from how these boots fit some people. If you have narrow feet, you might experience some hot spots and pressure points that are not easy to get rid of. Others have had trouble achieving a tight fit without experiencing mild pain.
Taking all that into consideration, I would definitely keep your receipt if you buy these boots. Better yet, see if you can rent them before purchasing to see if they will work with the shape and width of your feet.
Style
The Maysis is not the coolest-looking boot you’ll see on the slopes, but they do have a bit of genuine style that is easy to appreciate. A sleek but powerful appearance matches their abilities on the mountain very accurately.
The brown/tan colorway is probably my favorite option with style in mind. It adds a bit of outdoorsy or throwback appeal that I think matches my choice of snowboarding outfits. But there are several other colors to choose from if you want to explore what’s available.
The BOA dials give the boots a futuristic look, while the crossing panels show off the J-bars designed to provide you with extra power. I wouldn’t buy these on style alone, but I think they have a good look.
Additional Features
The Maysis comes with a few solid additional features that add value and performance to the boots. Again, if these boots fit you, these features will prove to be helpful. If they don’t fit right, extras cannot fix that.
The Vibram Pro Light Outsole is a nice touch that gives the boots a lot of grip. This is good for freeride or backcountry situations where you might be doing quite a bit of hiking. It also adds durability to the boots for continued use.
The liner also features a SpaceHeater layer that works to keep your feet warm. It has reflective material in the panels that block out cold air and keep the warm air from your feet inside of the boot. If you have cold feet, this is a definite bonus.
Internal and external J-bars are another nice construction element that is worth mentioning. These work to provide you with quality heel-hold and increase the response of the boots. It adds to the powerful nature of the Maysis.
Value
The Maysis is a relatively affordable high-performance snowboard boot. It falls right in line with the average price in that category, and although it’s not a budget option, it can be worth it if you need an aggressive, high-powered option.
If you are an experienced rider who wants a boot that can deliver quality response and control with plenty of versatility in all-mountain situations, these boots are a good value.
If you like a flexible boot or something better suited to the park, these boots don’t make a very good value. They also aren’t recommended for anyone with narrow feet due to the comfort concerns mentioned by other riders.
The Alternatives
There are plenty of options in the world of snowboarding boots. They are a critical aspect of your setup, so it pays to have the best option to meet your needs and preferences. Check out these recommended alternatives to the K2 Maysis.
The Burton Imperial is another good boot for aggressive riders who need power and response on the mountain. They have a stiffer flex that is ideal in more technical terrain and can work well as a freeride or all-mountain boot.
These boots feature Burton’s Total Comfort Construction, which gives you a broken-in feel and fit without actually breaking them in. They also have Speed Zone lacing that provides an effective hold that can be adjusted quickly.
==> Read our detailed review of Burton Imperial to learn more.
2. Ride Anchor
These boots offer a similar performance to the Maysis but are a little more affordable and forgiving. They are a better option for beginner or intermediate riders who want to explore freeride lines and push their skills to the next level.
The Anchor comes with a Rebound heel counter that helps increase comfort and performance. An Intuition Mobile liner gives your feet support to enhance things and limit fatigue.
These are another recommended option that will give your versatile all-mountain performance with a slight lean towards freestyle over freeride situations. They have a medium flex that works well all over the mountain.
==> Read our detailed Thirty Two TM-2 review for more.
My Verdict
The K2 Maysis can be a quality choice for riders looking for a powerful and responsive boot that can tackle challenging lines in various freeride and all-mountain situations.
They do come with a comfort disclaimer – some people don’t like how these boots fit. Choose wisely and remember that a proper fit is crucial to your snowboarding performance and experience.
About Lorraine