K2 has expanded its Wayback set of touring skis by adding wider 104mm and 96 models to the previous season's 82 and 88 options.
This is partly down to a simplification of the American company's available lines and the Wayback 104 can be seen as the successor to the venerable and venerated Coomba and Coomback backside skis - an homage to the late Doug Coombs, one of the pioneers of extreme skiing. No pressure then.
K2's preamble certainly sets the mood, as the Wayback 104 is a "seeker of new lines and floating in the untracked powder dream-state".
So now you know what they're meant for, how do they perform?
With a 104mm waist these are going to be seen as too fat for full-on tourers, but at 1650g per ski without bindings they may attract a second look from some of the uphill community. Pre-drilled anchor points for skins emphasise that the Waybacks are intended to be taken on backcountry tours.
The weight is kept down by a pawlonia-maple woodcore, combined with a woven carbon web. Importantly that recipe gives the Wayback 104s energy and torsional rigidity for the equally important task of skiing back down the mountain.
The all-terrain rocker, low weight and generous width combine to give the 104s great floatation in soft and chopped up snow, although you will suffer the occasional bounce in hard crud.
The Wayback 104s will leave with you enough in the tank after the uphill to enjoy the fun of the return downhill.
