Climbing Skins | Skitouring

Find high quality climbing skins for maximum performance on every ski tour! In our online shop you can choose from a wide range of skins for all types of skis. Get the best possible grip and perfect glide with touring skins from Sport Conrad.

Climbing skins - for support on your ski tour

Climbing skins, also known as ski touring skins, have the main function of providing traction when climbing uphill. These special skins are used specifically for ski touring to get a secure grip in the snow. They are attached to the base of your skis to help you move uphill. They also prevent you from slipping backwards as you climb. At the same time, your touring skin provides optimal glide, so you can tackle any climb.

What material should my touring skin be made from?

In the past, touring skins were mainly made from natural skins such as seal fur, but today they are often made from synthetic fibres. The fine hairs of synthetic skins are reminiscent of natural seal fur. For climbing skins, where good gliding properties are most important, the natural fibre mohair is used to a large extent or 100%.

The special fabric blends of the climbing skins are designed to give you optimal gliding properties and at the same time good grip when climbing. This allows you to save energy and walk safely. There are three types of fabric for climbing skins: 100% mohair, 100% nylon or nylon-mohair blend.

100% nylon skins

Synthetic touring skins are usually made from 100 % nylon. Nylon skins have the advantage of being very strong and therefore durable. Nylon also offers excellent climbing ability, especially in wet or heavy snow. They are ideal for ski tourers looking for more grip and durability.

100% Mohair

In addition to synthetic fibres, high quality mohair - the hair of the Angora goat - is also sometimes used for climbing skins. Skins made from 100% mohair offer excellent gliding properties, especially in cold, dry snow. Mohair is light, stays soft and supple in extreme cold and is ideal for long uphills where efficiency and speed are important. That's why these skins are often found in the Skimo range and on uphill-oriented ski models where speed is paramount.

Hybrid Mohair/Nylon skins

Hybrid (mix) touring skins, a blend of mohair and nylon, use the best of both materials to achieve the optimum balance between glide and durability. The proportions vary from skin to skin, so the focus of each skin tends to be more robust & durable or light & fast.

The choice of material depends on your individual needs and the prevailing snow conditions. Is gliding the most important to me? Or am I more interested in durability and good grip when climbing?

The back of the skins is usually made from cotton and/or other synthetic materials to ensure stability and maximise tear resistance. 

What types of ski skins are there?

Generally speaking, there are three types of ski skins. The skins differ mainly in shape, attachment and functionality. Climbing skins are particularly important for preventing slipping when climbing and for efficient forward gliding movement.

Glue skins

The climbing skin sticks to the base of the ski thanks to the hot-melt glue. It is important to note, however, that glue skins must be transported in a special release film and that the adhesive strength can weaken in extreme cold.

Adhesive skins

These are special touring skins that adhere to the base without glue. As the name suggests, they stick to your skis by suction. This makes them easy to remove from the ski base without much effort.

Hybrid skins

These skins feature a dual-layer adhesive technology that combines the strong hold of glue skins with the ease of application of adhesive skins. Hybrid skins offer the ideal combination of safety and ease of use.

Ultimately, the choice of skin type is up to you. However, we recommend that you use a touring skin that is easy to handle not only during the climb, but also when applying and removing it.  

Size, clamping system, fastening

Before you start your ski tour, you should think carefully about your climbing skins, because it's not just about the material and the type of skin. You should also know about the size, clamping system and the specific fastening.

The correct length of the touring skins

To ensure you reach every summit safely, it is important that your touring skin is the right length. Unfortunately, it's often not enough to go to a store and order the right length, because you often have to cut your touring skin yourself. It is important that you know exactly what to pay attention to when cutting.

 

First of all, it is important that your touring skin under no circumstances should it be too small. It should match your ski length (see tables in the shop) and be wider, than your ski at its widest point before you cut the skins. If you don't want to cut your ski touring skin, you should pay attention to the respective product description. Many manufacturers offer pre-cut skins that match you ski model perfectly. But some manufacturers do not offer pre-cut climbing skins. So read the respective product information carefully before making a decision. Learn more on how to cut climbing skins on our blog. 

The right clamping system

The tensioning system is used to secure your climbing skin. Most manufacturers try to make the tensioning system as universal and simple as possible. However, there may also be a number of special variants. In general, however, tensioning systems consist of a bracket retention system, which is attached to the tip of the ski. The corresponding elastic strap ensures that the skin is fixed to the tail of the ski and does not fall off during the ascent. Make sure you choose the right cuff for your ski. Check the product description in our shop or the manufacturer's instructions. 

Attaching the climbing skins

To fit your climbing skin, make sure the base of your skis is dry and clean. It's a good idea to carry a small microfibre cloth with you on all your trips to dry and clean the underside of your skis. Some skin bags used to store your skins have a microfibre side that can be used to clean the base of your skis. You should then place your skis vertically in the snow and fix the skin to the tip of the skis for the time being. Gently stroke the skins along the edges of the skis and attach them carefully and evenly. Make sure you attach the skin in the middle.

Now that you have reached the tail of your ski, attach strap to it. Now you should spread out your touring skin again and check that everything is securely and cleanly attached.

If you wish to remove the skin from your skis, loosen the tensioning mechanism and slowly peel off the skin from back to front. In the case of hot-melt glue skins, immediately apply anti-stick film, a special net or similar between the adhesive surfaces to prevent the skins from sticking together.

The touring skin can then be folded up and stored in your jacket pocket or in a touring backpack or similar.

Proper care of touring skins for a long life

To ensure that your touring skins last as long as possible, it is important that you look after and store them properly between trips. That's why you should dry your skins thoroughly after each tour by spreading them out in a cool, well-ventilated place. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, as this can damage the skin and the adhesive. Learn how to properly store climbing skins on our blog.

Regular cleaning of the sliding surface with a soft cloth or special brush helps to remove dirt and impurities that can affect lubrication. In summer, store the skins in a cool, dry place to protect the material from ageing. This will keep your touring skins in perfect working order, so you can start the new season right away. Wanto dive deep into how to take care of your climbing skins, then go to our blog!

Everything for your next ski tour at Sport Conrad

Are you looking for new equipment for your next ski tour? Then Sport Conrad's online shop is just the place for you! We have everything you need, from touring skis and skins with the ideal gliding properties to touring backpacks that can easily hold everything you need. We work with top brands such as Black Crows, Atomic, Black Diamond, K2 and many more to ensure the highest quality. Find the touring skins that suit you and many other items that will make your ski tour a unique experience.