 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
What is peoples opinion on what skins have the best grip?
Basically i have gone from a big ski and touring ski quiver to now having the volkl one with dynafits as i've had enough of taking two skis everywhere. But i used my old skins which were a bit too narrow, this was a mistake as i bought the skis in the summer so didnt cross my mind, but it was very slippy going up but with crampons it was ok, still not great.
So i am going to get new skins so i have the right size but i wondered what everyone thinks will have the best grip I have always used the Black Diamond Ascension. If one skin is slightly grippier than that i would prefer it as i will have to use crampons less.
Many thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If the problem is only that the skins are too narrow, but are otherwise fine, then you could try something similar to the below - basically cut down the middle and get a strip of some appropriate material (sail cloth in this case) stitched into the gap. Would save £100+???
http://skookumsailrepair.com/?page_id=138
Re skins grip and crampon use - the two aren't really connected in my mind. Would you want to totally trust avoiding having a one way trip to the bottom of the mountain on your back bottom to the difference in grip levels between two probably very similar products? Personally, if I think I might need crampons, they go on...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Back bottom! Ha! Those interweb Gremlins... 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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thats a great idea but think i would rather have new ones and have the extra bit of surface area in the middle as its a rocker ski the surface area is quite low anyway, hence why i wondered which skin would have the best grip between the brands. I will always carry the crampons now as i know its never gunna be a mega grippy touring ski due to the rocker. If i will need crampons i would always put them on at the bottom but i needed them to go up a tour with no kick turns last week i shouldnt need crampons for that.
cheers
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@martinpearce31, Fair enough!
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thanks thats quite interesting to see weird thing is they say colltex has best grip but everything on net says nylon is better grip even on colltex website it says there mixed skins are better grip
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There's not much difference in grip between brands of skin IMHO, the difference is in the attachment method and glue used. Black diamond, colltex, g3 are all good, personally I don't like montane I find they fray very quickly.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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My Kohla skins grip better than the G3 Alpinist skins but the G3's slide/glide better.
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Usually the better the grip the poorer the slide. BD ascension has a better grip but a poorer slide whilst the converse is true for their glidelite product. As always there is a trade off. I think the difference is noticeable and personally prefer glidelites. Only use crampons on hard snow in dodgy places.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Grip is often lost when ice / snow sticks to the bottom of the skin. I find that getting skinned up first and then leaving the skins to cool down outside the car while I get the rest of my kit sorted out helps. Stops warm skins melting snow which shortly after freezes up. Colltex also do an impregnating water repellent spray that helps prevent skins icing up.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ok cheers for help
not to do with icing up as was good touring conditions for the ascent no sticky snow think i will end up going with black diamond or colltex, colltex seem very pricey here in uk.
thanks
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@martinpearce31,
In the test I linked to the "Abfahrts-Gleitwert" is the glide distance. Black Diamond has only 5m (shortest distance in the test). IMHO other skins climb just as well but glide far better than the BD's. e.g. Colltex
"Feuchtigkeitsaufnahme" = water Absorption and the Black Diamonds come also out very high too = heavy when wet.
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You know it makes sense.
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@DB, nice link. I wonder why they did not include glidelite from bd. Testing of predominantly tutonic brands makes me wonder about validity of their findings particularly as they are comparing apples with pears ie mohair and synthetic. I am sure the ins and outs of the test are in the text but i dont read german. On the surface of it it appears when the time comes I should try Colltex.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I would prefer colltex or kohla there not so easy to get in uk, and where have them are pricey
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Poster: A snowHead
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@PP,
It's not just about brand name. e.g. Some touring skis come with skins (e.g. Völkl) and although they are from a reputable manufacturer IMHO they are not comparable to top quality skins. I think comparing mohair / synthectic is fair enough as I want to see how all types of skins perform and then make a choice.
@martinpearce31,
If paying circa €50 more for a set of skins saves me just one day of bad touring (slipping, falling behind and too knackered for the descent) then they have paid for themselves.
Plus better quality skins tend to last longer.
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/en/all/c-skins/f/
http://www.sport-conrad.com/tourenfelle___skifelle/9/
If you let me know which brands you can get hold of other than BD I could have a scan on the internet for feedback / reviews.
I like the Kohla skins in th test above and a ski touring mate has a pair of very old but well used high Quality colltex skins which are still going strong.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Not got those specific skins but have Kohla skins which are nice. The G3 Alpinist skins also come in that width and scored well in the test DB linked too.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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How does the vacuum base perform? I've heard mixed reviews about non-glue based skins. Know of people who have tried them but in certain conditions (high humidity, very cold etc) had problems although maybe the technology has moved on.
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I've had zero complaints but have only put about ten days on them. Definitely seem to stay cleaner and have had zero issues with stick in winter or spring conditions.
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Is there a general recommendation for skins ? (Occasional use, day tours.) 105mm or less.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Whichever is available really. G3 have the best skin cutting tool.
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I have the G3 mohair mix skins, good glide / stick ratio and yes, the cutting tool is brilliant. Use wax cleaner to get rid of residue and dip it in water while cutting.
i also just bought the Atomic mohair multi fit rocker skins for my fat skis but haven't used them as of yet.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ordered the kohla skins cheers guys
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Cheers all
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