Care
Although freeriders often pay little attention to ski touring skins, you should always keep the chapter on care in mind. Ski touring skins constantly rub against the snow and lose their waterproofing through friction and contact with snow. Natural hair is more affected by this than synthetic products. If the climbing or gliding properties deteriorate, you should consult the manufacturer's care instructions. A block of impregnating wax to renew the protective layer is available in any outdoor store for just a few dollars. Especially with skins that have already absorbed moisture and are used in cold snow, there is a risk that lumps of snow will collect on them - the skins tend to "stollen". The care instructions can usually be found directly on the original packaging or on the manufacturer's website. It is also important to pay attention to the adhesive properties. Moisture and dirt impair the adhesive strength, and some adhesives like to stick to the ski base or the separating net that is usually included. Adhesive adhesives, i.e. adhesives that form a bond with the ski base at the molecular level under pressure, are supposed to be more resistant, but are rarely used and require careful consideration, as the bond of adhesive to adhesive cannot be released by everyone.
Test conditions
The PowderGuide team tested the skins extensively in everyday freeride use and undertook at least 3 long ski tours with the respective skins. The conditions were different for the testers, but as the tests have only been carried out since February 2011, the tests tended to be carried out at medium to warm ski temperatures. The statements on durability are only mentioned for skins that have been used for at least a whole average season of at least 25 ski tours.
Freeride ski touring skins 2011
The candidates - short impressions
Black Diamond Glidelite Mohair Pure Custom STS
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 poor storage net, the Glidelite Mohair skin from Black Diamond would even be a very good skin.
Positives: Good gliding properties, pleasant handling, small and light
Negatives: Comparatively expensive, poor storage net that frays annoyingly
Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Custom STS
The BD Ascension is a very durable skin with very good adhesive. First choice for all those who place less value on gliding properties, but all the more on a reliable, robust skin. Recommended for longer trips and expeditions.
Positives: Very good adhesive, very robust, reliable, good climbing properties.
Negatives: Poor gliding properties, heavy, takes up a lot of space.
Colltex Split Freeride
The Colltex Split Freeride is a very good ski touring skin, but it shows the expected strengths and weaknesses of a split skin. The good all-round properties are somewhat dampened by the awkward handling with the four skin strips to be attached. At the same time, however, the great variability of the split skin is a major advantage. We recommend the skin rather for short and maximum medium-length ascents for freeride variants. The lack of end hooks and the awkward attachment could lead to problems on more difficult tours. On the other hand, the skin can be used on many different skis, which is particularly attractive as a well-maintained skin will outlast a standard freeride ski.
Positives: Inexpensive, lightweight, good split skin for short and medium-length ascents
Negatives: In need of care, cumbersome handling typical of split skins, no attachment at the end of the ski
Colltex ct40 100% mohair
The Colltex ct40 is definitely a top skin, but this is also reflected in the high price. The solid attachment system and, above all, the gliding properties and the glue are convincing.
Positives: Great glue, super gliding properties
Negatives: Expensive, requires care
Contour cut-to-size skin
The Contour skin is a solid all-rounder without top values but also without weaknesses. It can be used in any situation and is certainly more robust compared to mohair skins and has better gliding properties than pure synthetic skins.
Positives: Good all-round performance, affordable.
Negatives: Old-fashioned fastening system (works, but there are better ones), mediocre adhesive.
G3 Alpinist Clinbing Skins
The G3 Alpinist clearly plays in the top league of hairy climbing aids. Good handling and top performance allow you to enjoy the alpine landscape instead of staring at your feet. Only a revised end hook would really be desirable.
Positives: Best performance, good handling, excellent gliding properties
Negatives: Fiddly end hook
Hightrail Hit Leopard Tip + Tail fix
The look of the Hit Leopard from Novasport is particularly striking. The leopard pattern seems to inspire ski 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: Cumbersome assembly (without cutting service), water absorption, design
Kohla 100% Mohair I-clip
The Multifit skin 100% Mohair with I-clip clamping system from Kohla has no real weaknesses. It is a great all-rounder that is easy to use and performs well to very well in all test areas. An all-round carefree package. The only small point of criticism is the end hook. This sometimes readjusts itself when the skin is stored in the backpack and tends to scratch the end of the ski.
Positives: Very good all-round performance, no weaknesses, good handling
Negatives: Needs care as 100% mohair
Kohla Multi Fit skin Mixed Mohair
The Multifit made of 70% mohair and 30% polyamide with the Cobra Twin tensioning system is a decent ski touring skin. It offers good ascent performance and is easy to handle. Points of criticism are the slipping front hook and the fact that it is only slightly flexible in terms of length.
Positives: Easy handling, low overall weight, good adhesive properties and still easy to remove, inexpensive
Negatives: Fixing the skin length does not allow adjustment to other skis, front hook tends to slip
Texts: Lorenzo Rieg, German Wehinger, Knut Pohl, Lea Hartl, Tobias Kurzeder, Marius Schwager
