The young Swiss company Novasport has also been producing high-quality ski touring skins for a few years now. A cutting service and the look of the Hit Leopard draw attention to the product. The 100% mohair skin is even available in widths up to 140mm.
Data
Manufacturer: Novasport
Model: Hightrail Hit Leopard Tip + Tail fix, width: 140mm, length: 190cm
Material: 100% mohair
Weight: n/a.
Price (RRP): 149.95 euros
Practical test
Handling: **(**)
The Leopard skin from Hightrail is supplied in its original packaging with all the necessary accessories such as cutting knife, adhesive foil, storage bag, care instructions and two front hooks of different widths. Novasport's service is particularly noteworthy: if you order directly, you can have the skin cut to size directly when you specify your ski dimensions. If this service is not available, the initial assembly of the front bar is not difficult, but still unnecessarily complicated with 3 screws each. This is easier with other systems. The end hook is easy to adjust, but could be more stable. Cutting to size is a little more difficult than with other skins, but the workmanship of the skin seems to be of particularly high quality and durable. Ascent performance Gliding properties: *****
Climbing properties: ***
Boulder inclination: ***
Water absorption: ***
Stickiness: *** The ascent performance of the Hit Leopard Tip + Tail fix can be rated as good. The gliding properties are very good, you can easily slide onto the person in front of you on short descents. The adhesion of the adhesive is good, but suffers somewhat due to water absorption. The criteria for water absorption and stud inclination still have room for improvement. The climbing properties are in the midfield. As is usual for 100% mohair furs, sufficient care is required to maintain the pleasure of the fur. Test conditions: Ascent in changeable conditions of powder, surface frost, firn, broken harsh snow. Medium to low temperatures from 0° to -10° Celcius, maximum of 2 ascents per tour.
Conclusion
The striking feature of the Hit Leopard from Novasport is its look. The leopard pattern seems to inspire tourers and lifts the general mood in freeride groups; the attention factor at least is therefore undeniably high. The hard facts are mixed. If you can avoid the rather cumbersome initial assembly by ordering directly with a cutting service, the Hit Leopard Tip + Tail fix is a good all-round skin that fully covers even the widest skis up to a width of 140mm. The gliding properties are also particularly positive. Positives: Cutting service, solid workmanship, gliding properties
Negatives: Inconvenient assembly (without cutting service), water absorption, design
