THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · freeride

Elan Ripstick 108 vs K2 Mindbender 106C

The Ripstick 108 and the Mindbender 106C compared. The Ripstick 108 is 1 mm wider underfoot (107 vs 106 mm). The Ripstick 108 is 364 g lighter at the default length (1,725 vs 2,089 g). Turn radii are 18.8 m and 18.9 m.

Elan Ripstick 108 — topsheet
Ripstick 108
$900 MSRP 5 lengths · 161, 168, 175, 182, 189 cm
K2 Mindbender 106C — topsheet
Mindbender 106C
$800 MSRP 4 lengths · 169, 176, 183, 189 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Ripstick 108
Mindbender 106C
Waist
107 mm
106 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,725 g
2,089 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
34 mm
31 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
18.8 m
18.9 m
Shorter · quickLonger · stable

Head to head, by character

Each ski's own read, side by side — the same three things that define how it skis.
Turn & shape
A 18.8-meter radius draws medium-to-long turns and holds a line through them; a moderate taper keeps entry manageable without giving up much grip mid-arc.
A 18.9-meter radius draws medium-to-long turns and holds a line through them; a moderate taper keeps entry manageable without giving up much grip mid-arc.
Stability & dampness
Built without metal on a tubelite woodcore, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,725 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Built without metal on an aspen veneer, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 2,089 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Float & width
At 107 mm it's a wide, soft-snow ski built to float and plane more than to carve hardpack. An asymmetric rocker profile tunes float and grip differently at tip and tail.
At 106 mm it's a wide, soft-snow ski built to float and plane more than to carve hardpack. Tip rocker eases turn entry and float; a cambered tail holds the edge through the turn.

Full spec comparison

SpecRipstick 108Mindbender 106C
Waist 107 mm 106 mm
Sidecut 141·107·121 mm 137·106·127 mm
Weight @ default 1,725 g 2,089 g
Weight range 1,520–1,890 g 1,870–2,185 g
Turn radius 18.8 m full-length 18.9 m full-length
Metal None None
Core Tubelite woodcore Aspen veneer
Lengths 161–189 cm 169–189 cm
MSRP $900 $800