Skinning Question

[dorfke]

Hi there,

I want to start with some touring this winter and so started to look out for some touring fix / skis and skins. I've also tried to search the forums for some answer but haven't found anything sohere it goes:

Do you always need to buy/get a pair of skins with glue? Is it also not possible to attach the skins to the two tips (front and back) so that they just hold without the use of glue?
Reason is that I once did a tour with skins with glue and remember (was early 90's) that on the way down the glue really sticked to the ski and so to the snow.

Thxs

[Arno]

i think you'll have a job finding skins without glue (unless you buy second-hand...). I haven't had a problem with glue sticking to the ski - maybe the glues have improved since you last tried

[verbier61]

I did it once (guess in late '70) cuz someone gave me a pair of old skins w/o glue and it was really a big pain in the ass. The space between the ski and the skin was quickly filled with an enlarging "boot" of snow and I cussing: all day

[jackstraw]

u want glue on your skins. buy good skins (like ascension) and you won't have any problems. if you keep your skis waxed on regular basis that will certainly help as well, yet not necessary. i used my skins every day for a season and never had an issue.

[Sphinx]

Voile makes (or made) strap on skins. If you're into strap ons, I think they work, sort of.

But they're not worth it. Good skins give far better performance, and are not much of a hassle at all. Stick with Ascension or G3 and you won't have issues.

Bad skins are a great way to make a good day miserable. Don't skimp.

[fez]

Voile makes (or made) strap on skins. If you're into strap ons, I think they work, sort of.

But they're not worth it. Good skins give far better performance, and are not much of a hassle at all. Stick with Ascension or G3 and you won't have issues.

Bad skins are a great way to make a good day miserable. Don't skimp.

Hopefully Voile has stopped making the snake skin. Those things were miserable, no glue, but also no glide. they had traction in both directions so it was more like walking with skis on your feet than skinning.

[fluffballs]

another skin question, perhaps a very foolish one.

I bought a pair of ascensions to use on my spats. Not doing any serious skinning right away, would it be possible to just flip the excess skin on top of the ski rather than buying a tail kit?

[Ireallyliketoski2]

another skin question, perhaps a very foolish one.

I bought a pair of ascensions to use on my spats. Not doing any serious skinning right away, would it be possible to just flip the excess skin on top of the ski rather than buying a tail kit?

Yeah, it's possible, just flip the excess skin on top of the ski and watch your skin fall off after 500 feet. A tail kit or the dawson's rat tail might yield better results. I did the rat tail for my skis and have been very happy with it, of course with those nice spatulas you might not want to drill into your skis so go with the tail attachment kit.