Types of climbing skin material
- Synthetic skins: Typically nylon, these skins are durable, provide great traction and cost less than mohair
- Mohair skins: Mohair provides excellent glide, solid grip and is decently lightweight when compared to nylon
- Blend skins: A combination of nylon and mohair, these skins offer an excellent compromise on grip, glide, durability, weight and price
Climbing skin width:
- Skins are sold in 5mm increments from about 80mm to 145mm
- Wider skins equal better traction
- To get maximum base coverage, subtract 5mm to 7mm from the widest point of your ski
- Some backcountry skiers choose thinner skins to minimize weight
Climbing skin length:
- Skins are sold in ranges of length for maximum compatibility
- Use the skins’ tail attachment system to fine-tune their length to your skis
- For single-length skins, you can trim to fit before attaching tip loops
Read full article: How to Choose, Trim and Attach Ski Climbing Skins
