K2 Baker Superlight and Wayback
You guys switched me to gear geek mode. So I grabbed my Baker SL and the Wayback for comparo. Here you go:
Weights:
Baker SL is 51.5 oz (1460 gr) per ski.
Wayback is 55.0 oz (1560 gr) per ski
So, an increase of 3.5 ounces per ski? It’s known that the same model of ski will vary slightly in weight depending on which pair you grab off the rack. But on a ski this light that’s a 6% difference, so I suspect this is more than a manufacturing variation. I’m hoping the increased mass will make the Wayback a bit smoother on the downhill, but I wish they’d stuck with the same weight. An almost 1/2 pound increase per pair of skis is significant if you’re traveling light.
Shape & length
Exactly the same, 124/88/108 – cord length (66 3/8) inches = 168.5925 centimeters
Flex
Similar, used Bakers are a bit softer and have less camber
Graphics
Wayback is K2 all the way, with a large retro red/white/blue K2 logo on the tip base to make those digital blog photos brand well. Baker has the familiar Pacific Northwest graphics based on Native American art. I don’t mind art, but never preferred the weird looking face staring at me from the Bakers. Color scheme of both skis is similar. Black base, yellow/white/black on top.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
