Winter Frequently Asked Questions

How do I select climbing skins?

So you want to buy climbing skins, do ya? They’re plush and fun, and they make exploring the backcountry possible without having to shoulder your skis and slog. Modern climbing skins are typically made out of nylon and are held onto the base of the ski by a combination of extremely sticky glue and one or more buckle/clip devices. The following is a brief overview of the different types along with sizing guidelines. We stock Black Diamond skins at Omer & Bob’s.

SHAPED SKINS

Description: Climbing skins come in multiple widths, from about 55mm to 130mm, assuring an excellent fit on any ski. You simply trim the skin (with the provided tool) to match the particular sidecut of your skis, leaving the edges exposed for grip side-hilling or skidding. Using shaped skins provides the most tenacious climbing grip because that purple plush covers so much surface area. If your skis have a difference between tip and waist greater than 25mm (which includes almost all modern Telemark/Alpine Touring boards), then sizing your skins so that they can be trimmed to sidecut is the best choice.

Sizing: Select shaped skins based on your ski’s width at the tip; pick the closest skin width below that. If the tip dimension is 118mm, then you need 110mm skins. The most secure connection is through a system, like the Black Diamond Clipfix, that provides attachments at the tip and the tail

STRAIGHT SKINS

Description: The other skin option. Using straight skins will save you from having to do any trimming, plus they’ll be lighter and your skis will glide a little bit better. The downside is you get less grip with straight skins because they don’t cover as much base area. The lack of grip is most telling when traversing, because only an inch or so of your skis are in contact with the slope at one time; with straight skins, more of that inch is uncovered by the climbing plush. If your skis have a lesser sidecut, or you’re using Rugged Touring gear for your backcountry exploration (where shaped skins can potentially be overkill), straighties are the way to go.

Sizing: Pick the skins based on ski width at the waist. A ski that is 64mm at the waist should wear 60mm skins. Often skier that choose to use straight skins will opt for a system that only has a tip attachment for ease of use.

KICKER SKINS

Description: Short versions of the above, meant to be worn under the foot or in the wax pocket of Nordic or Telemark/AT skis. You’ll achieve great glide with the smaller, lighter set-up. Kicker skins are best for rolling or low-angle slopes or doing short downhill/uphill laps; don’t expect to ascend mountains with them (unless you have a zeal for the herringbone or simply love to curse). Rugged or Light Touring Nordic gear match up well with these skins. Nordic skiers will sometimes use them in klister’s stead to get grip on frozen tracks.

Sizing: Same as straight skins. Kicker skins are held in place by a strap over the ski and glue adhesive. Can be used on skis with waxless patterns.

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Bike: Johnny's 10 Bike Tips Local MTB Rides Ski & Board: How-To Waxing Guide Winter Ski/Board F.A.Q. 06-07 Ski Gallery		Winter Frequently Asked Questions back to FAQ How do I select climbing skins? So you want to buy climbing skins, do ya? They’re plush and fun, and they make exploring the backcountry possible without having to shoulder your skis and slog. Modern climbing skins are typically made out of nylon and are held onto the base of the ski by a combination of extremely sticky glue and one or more buckle/clip devices. The following is a brief overview of the different types along with sizing guidelines. We stock Black Diamond skins at Omer & Bob’s. SHAPED SKINS Description: Climbing skins come in multiple widths, from about 55mm to 130mm, assuring an excellent fit on any ski. You simply trim the skin (with the provided tool) to match the particular sidecut of your skis, leaving the edges exposed for grip side-hilling or skidding. Using shaped skins provides the most tenacious climbing grip because that purple plush covers so much surface area. If your skis have a difference between tip and waist greater than 25mm (which includes almost all modern Telemark/Alpine Touring boards), then sizing your skins so that they can be trimmed to sidecut is the best choice. Sizing: Select shaped skins based on your ski’s width at the tip; pick the closest skin width below that. If the tip dimension is 118mm, then you need 110mm skins. The most secure connection is through a system, like the Black Diamond Clipfix, that provides attachments at the tip and the tail STRAIGHT SKINS Description: The other skin option. Using straight skins will save you from having to do any trimming, plus they’ll be lighter and your skis will glide a little bit better. The downside is you get less grip with straight skins because they don’t cover as much base area. The lack of grip is most telling when traversing, because only an inch or so of your skis are in contact with the slope at one time; with straight skins, more of that inch is uncovered by the climbing plush. If your skis have a lesser sidecut, or you’re using Rugged Touring gear for your backcountry exploration (where shaped skins can potentially be overkill), straighties are the way to go. Sizing: Pick the skins based on ski width at the waist. A ski that is 64mm at the waist should wear 60mm skins. Often skier that choose to use straight skins will opt for a system that only has a tip attachment for ease of use. KICKER SKINS Description: Short versions of the above, meant to be worn under the foot or in the wax pocket of Nordic or Telemark/AT skis. You’ll achieve great glide with the smaller, lighter set-up. Kicker skins are best for rolling or low-angle slopes or doing short downhill/uphill laps; don’t expect to ascend mountains with them (unless you have a zeal for the herringbone or simply love to curse). Rugged or Light Touring Nordic gear match up well with these skins. Nordic skiers will sometimes use them in klister’s stead to get grip on frozen tracks. Sizing: Same as straight skins. Kicker skins are held in place by a strap over the ski and glue adhesive. Can be used on skis with waxless patterns. back to FAQ