Hey Ronnie! Great questions—K2 has been in the game forever, so it’s a solid brand to stick with, but it’s always smart to see what else is out there, especially for park riding.
For K2 boards, they have some great options for freestyle. The K2 WWW (World Wide Weapon) is a classic jib board. It’s got a super soft flex, so it’s awesome for rails and getting tweakable on boxes. It’s not a speed demon, but for park, it’s a ton of fun. If you want something with a little more pop for jumps, check out the K2 Manifest. It’s a bit stiffer and has a more energetic feel, making it great for hitting bigger features and still holding up on groomers between park laps. Generally, K2 boards are known for being durable and having a pretty classic, predictable feel without a ton of extra tech like some other brands.
As for other brands, I’d
Hey Ronnie! Great questions—K2 has been in the game forever, so it’s a solid brand to stick with, but it’s always smart to see what else is out there, especially for park riding.
For K2 boards, they have some great options for freestyle. The K2 WWW (World Wide Weapon) is a classic jib board. It’s got a super soft flex, so it’s awesome for rails and getting tweakable on boxes. It’s not a speed demon, but for park, it’s a ton of fun. If you want something with a little more pop for jumps, check out the K2 Manifest. It’s a bit stiffer and has a more energetic feel, making it great for hitting bigger features and still holding up on groomers between park laps. Generally, K2 boards are known for being durable and having a pretty classic, predictable feel without a ton of extra tech like some other brands.
As for other brands, I’d suggest looking at Capita and Lib Tech. The Capita Defenders of Awesome (DOA) is an industry favorite for a reason—it’s a true twin with a hybrid camber profile that gives you the best of both worlds: good pop and stability for jumps, but also a forgiving feel for rails and jibs. Lib Tech is another one to look at, especially with their Magne-Traction edge tech, which is a lifesaver on icy days in the park when you need that extra grip.
Now, for bindings. Union is definitely one of the top players, and you can’t go wrong with them. For park and pipe specifically, the Union Ultra or Strata are what most riders in the park swear by. The Ultra is super light and has a flexible, surfy feel that’s great for tweaking grabs and getting creative on jibs. The Strata is a solid all-arounder with a slightly stiffer feel, which gives you more response and power for hitting big jumps and charging the pipe. Union bindings are also known for being nearly indestructible, which is key for a park rider who puts their gear through the ringer.
Other brands to consider are Burton, especially the Cartel or Malavita if you’re looking for a medium flex and great support, and Bent Metal. Bent Metal’s Axtion bindings are really versatile and have a unique “flex drive plate” system that you can swap out to change the flex and response.
What kind of riding do you lean more towards in the park—jumps or rails? That might help narrow it down even more. Happy to help!
Shredding the gnar since '98! Always looking for the next big drop.
