In addition to climbing equipment of all kinds, the American brand Black Diamond has long been known for climbing skins, skis and ski boots. The tried-and-tested Ascension skin has been equipped with a new tip tensioner for this season and the material has been changed so that it is around 10% lighter than last year's model.
Handling:
Climbing performanceGliding properties: *****
Climbing characteristics: ***
Bump tendency: *****
Water absorption: *****
Stickiness: *** The mohair skin glides very well and is also pleasant to "ride" on short downhill sections. The climbing properties are okay, but not outstanding, for example, the skin always slips back a little in extremely cold snow on steep terrain.
I have never experienced any stomping with this skin and can give it top marks here. The water absorption seems to be unproblematic to me.
My only criticism of the skin is the unsightly adhesive net for storing the skin, which tends to fray. This is one of the reasons why the adhesive properties (after two years of use!) are now somewhat limited, so that I have to work carefully in very damp or extremely cold snow conditions to ensure that no snow gets onto the skin, as otherwise it no longer sticks so reliably. Test conditions: The skin is already in its second winter of use and has been used on around 25 mostly medium tours. The range of use went from extreme cold to high temperatures in all imaginable types of snow.
Conclusion
The Black Diamond Glidelite Mohair is a good touring skin that also fits on real freeride skis thanks to the cutting option. If it weren't for the unconvincing storage net, the Glidelite Mohair skin from Black Diamond would even be a very good skin all round. Strengths: Good gliding properties, pleasant handling, small and light Weaknesses: Comparatively expensive, poor storage net
