This invention really isn't rocket science and it's been around for a while, but I think it's as ingenious as it is absolutely simple. As long as there is "wind peace" at the destination and the time to enjoy the summit can't be long enough, skinning down is no challenge at all and can even be done almost meditatively. The situation is completely different in strong winds, preferably when temperatures are already very cold. I don't even know which old ski touring fox I learned this from back then, but I was enthusiastic about the idea of simply grabbing the skins directly with the sock and stowing them away. Unfortunately, the earlier models were often not very durable (the seams came undone), the sock got tattered and stuck to the skin or the skin glue stuck to the sock. These are all features that quickly negate the big plus point of the clearing. But things have changed in the meantime and I have to say that all the ones I have used recently are very good and hard-wearing. Of course, a fur sock is an additional investment and certainly a factor for occasional tourers, but for me it's a super practical gimmick that I wouldn't want to do without. The lifespan is longer than just one ski skin life, for me the last stocking only slowly went to fur stocking heaven after the third set of skins.
You can find fur stockings in a well-stocked ski touring store you trust or order them online. There are various manufacturers, I have some from Montana, Colltex or now new and also already approved by Gipfelsockerl.
