Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Skins
From one-lap dawn patrols to 10,000-foot days, the Black Diamond Ascension Nylon skins offer standard-setting traction on the uphill with efficient glide thanks to lightweight, packable nylon.
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- 20% lighter and more packable than previous versions, durable nylon plush material provides benchmark climbing and efficient glide
- STS adjustable tails provide 10cm of length adjustment
- Adjustable tip loop fits a wide range of ski tip shapes
- Pre-cut bikini-style tails reduce drag
Made in USA.
View all Black Diamond Ski Skins| Best Use | Backcountry Skiing |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Nylon |
| Width | 133 millimeters |
| Skin Type | Trim to Fit |
| Weight | 157-168 CM: 1 lb. 8.3 oz. 163-174 CM: 1 lb. 9.2 oz. 175-186 CM: 1 lb. 10.8 oz. 181-192 CM: 1 lb. 11.7 oz. |
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Fell apart on third outing
The clip at the tip of the ski fell apart on my fourth lap using these skins. The two metal springs popped out of the cross bar. Unfortunately, this is not something that's easy to just put back together; I tried on the slopes, but had to resort to using pliers and a mallet at home. The only thing I can think of that may have caused this is my ski tips must have knocked into each other when I was skinning up. Maybe if you're a veteran skinner this would never happen to you, but if you're a beginner, you should be extremely cautious with your technique if you have these skins otherwise your day could be ending early. I submitted a warranty repair request to Black Diamond, hopefully they can make this right.
They are fine, but could be better.
The clip on the tail is not great in conjunction with the rubber tail strap. When it is sub-freezing the rubber tail strap has no elasticity, so the clip will not seat easily in the strap and the strap is almost impossible to stretch over the tail of the ski. The glide is not great either. I really wanted the Pomocas, but they were not available at the time purchase. Also, the storage mesh for the skins could benefit from some very simple refinement: trim the raw edges of the mesh, so they don’t get hung up on the mesh top of the storage bag.
Last forever and great grip, but poor glide
I have been using these skins for 5 seasons now and they are showing little sign of slowing down. They are a classic nylon skin, which means you get great grip on the snow, at the cost of higher friction when you glide. Therefore, these will save you energy on days with hard, slick snow surfaces and/or steep climbs, but you will be a little slower on longer days with gentle skinning. The durability has been good where it really counts. The plush still grips well, and the glue has remained sticky for an amazingly long time. Both the tail clips have ripped off due to the plastic strap breaking, but the glue is so sticky that I haven't missed the tail clips one bit.
Defective
I bought these skins and trimmed them to fit my skis. When I folded them in half, glue on glue (like you should) and then pulled them apart the glue came right off the skin in various places, mostly on the edges not limited to. They have never even been used once. The glue seriously just easily rolls right off of the skin base into big goobers. Wish I could post the photos. This can't be right, these skins are unusable. What a total waste of money! These are the first Black Diamond skins I have bought, I currently own three other brands that have worked perfectly for over a decade.
we have zero snow but…
I taught myself how to trim my newly purchased Ascension skins (much thanks to your SUPER helpful video series)…. and someday when it snows here in Pennsylvania, I’ll be ready to rip (uphill).
Top tier quality!
Kit came with everything needed to cut skins- super easy process. Super easy to transition. Super cute color too!
Goat skins
Best skins on the market. Easy to trim, covers the whole ski base. They are not the lightest but they are the grippiest and stickiest skins I’ve ever owned. They stay sticky after multiple laps. And they will last for years. I had a pair for over 10 years, the strap and clips at the tail had long since been lost and torn off. They still stuck to my skis every time. Even on the super frigid days in AK. If you take care of them and store them over the summer as suggested these skins will do you proud on the sketchiest skin tracks. A caveat… I have ski crampons, and I use them when the conditions necessitate. Bombproof crust and breakable crust are just too frustrating for me, ain’t no shame if you make it to the top!
Skins Failed!
Bought these skins last year. First, if your skis are at the top end of the recommended length, buy they next size up if you still want black diamond. They cut 2cm off the skin length meaning the strap can barely stretch to the last hole leaving you no margin of error if the strap breaks which they do on occasion. In my case the top bale failed during a 4 day outing in the back country. Not a happy camper and having used skins since the 70s, yes you snake skin fans, this will probably be my last pair of BD unless they make me an offer I cannot refuse.
Skins that work laps after lap
I have been skiing in the backcountry for over 20 years most of my skiing is dawn patrol laps. You get the cardio and ski the soft snow.over the years equipment as changed mostly for the better but for what ever reason skins and the glue on them seems to have gone down hill. This is not true for the Ascension skins . I have a set that is 10 years old and they just work lap after lap. The newest set is the same skin so Iyou can rest assured that these skins will stick to your skis and grip the snow as you climb back up the track for another shot at it.
Ok skins, terrible hardware
THE HARDWARE THEY PROVIDE TO INSTALL IS TERRIBLE. they give you Torx head screws so its unlikely you have your own driver. The torx wrench they give you is tiny, and made out of sofft metal so it rounds down easy. it took me 2 hours to install the clamps because i had to turn the bolts in with pliers. If you are going to use torx screws, GIVE US A DECENT WRENCH TO INSTALL THEM. skins themselves are ok but the installation was extremely frustrating. Will not be recommending to others unless they can change this