Rookie Skin Question

[powbmps]

Anyone know anything about climbing skins? Specifically how wide should they be (compared to the width of the ski)?

Going to slap some on my Twisters (kidding).

Figured I'd ask here first before getting abused on TGR.

Thanks!

 

[JohnGD33]

There is some good info here: http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=49810

Mine are not as wide as I would like but they still work very well.

 

[JD]

Cut them as wide as your skis are.

 

[powbmps]

Thanks for the link (and the tip).

Thinking of getting some new skins and used Alpine Trekkers to give this turn earning stuff a try :grin:.

 

[lloyd braun]

If you are buying skins for your skis, then they should be trimmed as wide as the waist of your skis minus the edge width. Make sense? You need your edges while skinning.

PS. what ever store you buy them for they should trim them for you at no charge. If you do it yourself make sure you do it correctly. Skins are uni-directional

 

[awf170]

If you are buying skins for your skis, then they should be trimmed as wide as the waist of your skis minus the edge width. Make sense? You need your edges while skinning.

PS. what ever store you buy them for they should trim them for you at no charge. If you do it yourself make sure you do it correctly. Skins are uni-directional

Go slightly skinnier than the tip of you ski. Like 10-20mm. So if the tip of your ski is 125mm, go for a 110mm. Heck even a 100mm would work. IMO, 120mm would just be unnecessary. Also trimming is easy. Just watch this video:

http://www.bdel.com/gear/glidelite_sts.php
(click on "tech video")

Personally, I don't even trim over the edges now, but that's just out of laziness. Really you don't need to leave the edges exposed unless you're going to be doing a lot of steep and icy switchbacks.

 

[snowmonster]

Basically, there are two ways to go: a) as wide as the ski's waist; or b) as wide as the widest part of the ski (tip or tail). Advantage of the former is that there's less cutting of the skin and it's cheaper (prices are directly proportional to the width of the skin). For the latter, nothing beats wall-to-wall coverage for grip. Just reverse the advantages to get the relative disadvantages for each method.

I recommend wall-to-wall carpeting. Anyway, whatever you choose, be sure to leave your edges exposed. Most skins come with a cutting tool and instructions so you can do it at home. Just make sure to measure twice and cut once.

I have no personal experience of their products but have heard good things. Check out www.climbingskinsdirect.com/. If anything, it widens your search beyond BD, G3, etc.

 

[powbmps]

Thanks for all the good info.

I was just looking at climbingskinsdirect.com. Looks like some good deals. A little more cutting, but it looks manageable.

 

[JD]

It's really easy. I recomend as much skin material as possible.

 

[powbmps]

My "fat" skis are only 120/84/108 so I'm thinking of going with the 100mm skins and trimming the middle.

 

[cbcbd]

Trimming skins is real easy... after you screw up the first one

So where are you planning on hitting up?

 

[powbmps]

Trimming skins is real easy... after you screw up the first one

So where are you planning on hitting up?

No plans yet. Once I have my act together I'll try to find someone to let me tag along :lol:.