K2 had an advantage when they built their first hike-mode (HM) boot: they hadn’t made any boots, so they could build the HM model from the ground up. Since making a killer BC boot was central to their line from the outset, they built an alpine boot technology, Energy InterlockTM, which was easily adaptable to hiking. This is why Synchro InterlockTM, K2’s HM mechanism, has first-in-class rear support without losing the needed range of motion to make hiking feasible.
K2 also concocted a replaceable walking sole that will work with any binding from everyday alpine to low-tech touring. For the skier who splits his ski time 50/50 between in-resort runs and backcountry forays, the Pinnacle offers options few other HM boots can match.
For 2018, K2 has lightened up the Pinnacle chassis and opened up the toe box in the liner. The revised Pinnacle 130 uses the same Precision Fit Tour Light inner boot as the superlight Pinnacle Pro, in both 97mm (LV) and 100mm lasts. The refreshed Pinnacle 110 uses the Lux Fit Tour Light EVA liner for the comfort seeker who wants to simply walking in ski boots, be it to the car or the top. The Pinnacle 110 comes in medium (100mm) or wide (102) versions. All 2018 Pinnacle models have switched to a minimalist wire bale in a weight-saving gesture.
For serious backcountry skiers, K2 continues its full-on AT model, the Pinnacle Pro. Made in Pebax (as is much of this genre), with a 130 flex and 100mm (medium) last, it comes with the PrecisionFit Tour Light EVA liner. The Pro comes with a DIN-compatible sole with molded-in Tech inserts; a Vibram® rockered ISO 9523 touring sole with extra traction is available as an aftermarket replacement.