Climbing Skins

[waveshello]

I just reglued a free pair of older G3s with BD gold label... Pretty smooth operation if you have a heat gun, putty knife, and a place to tack the skin down. This was my second skin reglue. I pulled the center strips and reused. After removing all the old glue, I ran a continuous bead of new glue down one side of the skin about an inch from the edge, then flattened/spread it with the putty knife. Then repeated on the other side, prioritizing getting glue all the way to the edge, but not over.

There were a couple high and low spots after it dried the next day, so I laid parchment paper on top and ironed on medium to flatten it out. Looks almost new, got to try them out this weekend, no issues at all.

That gold label glue has heinous fumes so this is best done outside or with a respirator. If you're going to use a respirator use a full face because the vapors go through your eyes too.

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[Cocximus]

When cutting skins sometimes the glue sticks to the cutting tool. I am thinking to spray some water with soap on the tool to improve glide. The soap wont damage the glue, right?

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[XXX-er]

the skin cutting tools are idiot proof but IME an olfa razor knife does a cleaner less sticky job than those cutting tools and then just snap a new blade but you gotta reposition the skin

[LawndartGustav]

So I'm wondering what way/shape to cut the skin at the tip that would be best for not getting any snow under the skin? I've tried different ones but haven't come to a conclusion myself.

[natebob]

So I'm wondering what way/shape to cut the skin at the tip that would be best for not getting any snow under the skin? I've tried different ones but haven't come to a conclusion myself.

I like the tip shape of the Contour skins. It comes away from the tip attachment and tapers in a way that keeps the skin edges well away from the ski edge until you want the coverage, discouraging snow creep. I keep an old paper Contour trim template around and use this to cut other skin tips with a sharp knife. The paper template is getting a bit ragged, thought about using it to make a more durable template out of thin plastic sheet or something like that.

[Sargentdrufus]

So I'm wondering what way/shape to cut the skin at the tip that would be best for not getting any snow under the skin? I've tried different ones but haven't come to a conclusion myself.

A narrower tip shape that exposes some base seems to work really well in my opinion.

Additionally. Tension is important. I find most people could move their tail clip in a notch or two (tail straps stretcha but) and run their skins with more tension on them and they would have less issues with snow creep and with attachment failure during multiple laps.

[climberevan]

I agree that a bit more tension would be good. It's too bad that the Euro skins' infinitely adjustable tail straps suck so much. If they would stay at the chosen setting, they would be great. The BD style ones' setting increments are too large.

[gorek]

Has anyone tried the Contour Hybrid Free Split Skin?
I've done a DIY version of this before (cutting your skin in half and removing the middle) but the tail clip situation was a bit dodgy (no tail clip at first and then poor tension).

[gregL]

So I'm wondering what way/shape to cut the skin at the tip that would be best for not getting any snow under the skin? I've tried different ones but haven't come to a conclusion myself.

Shortest line from the tip fixture to where the skin actually contacts the snow, although I usually curve it somewhat. I freehand cut one side, then flip the free piece over and stick it on the other side to cut that one.

[Benneke10]

I've been an outspoken fan of Contour Hybrid adhesive and had great results with it over ~150 days touring. I just got a new pair cut for a new pair of skis and just after cutting the skins they are leaving this residue on the skis. Has anyone else had this happen?

[XXX-er]

that ^^ is fairly common on skins with the hot glue but its suposed to never happen with not hot glue

try for warranty

[gregL]

I only have one pair of Contour Hybrids and they came off totally clean after cutting . . .

[Boissal]

Damn, first time skins go on the skia and this? I'd say email warranty with a pic and a bit old wft.
Unless you were cutting the skins inside an oven this does not bode well for the future.

[Benneke10]

Damn, first time skins go on the skia and this? I'd say email warranty with a pic and a bit old wft.
Unless you were cutting the skins inside an oven this does not bode well for the future.

Its not really sticky so I might just run em and hope for the best. I bought them from Hagan, so Contour support directed me to them. I've had great experience with CAMP/Contour warranty in the past but hopefully Hagan will help me out with this if necessary.

[Falcon3]

It looks like the BD recall for skin glue last year was on Ascension skins only? Anybody successfully negotiate a warranty return on Glidelites?

I’ve got a pair of Glidelites that have maybe ten days on them (bought 4/2021). They’ve been super babied, always hung immediately to dry (never over heat) and stored on cheat sheets. The glue has always sucked on them (way too sticky; feeling like I was going to snap a ski core trying to pull them off freshly waxed skis) but have turned entirely gloppy in the last three tours. Glue is coming off the skin and is entirely hydrolyzed.

Yeah I could try the ironing and I could reglue them but I’d rather bitch online about it. I reached out to Bd but wondering if anybody here had the issue with skins from last year.

[Benneke10]

Sorry to hear that Falcon. Following up on my hybrid issue, after skiing the residue came right off and hasn’t showed up again. My friend recently cut a pair of hybrids on freshly waxed skis and had the same non-sticky residue and it came right off for him as well. Still ride or die with contour

[I've seen black diamonds!]

It looks like the BD recall for skin glue last year was on Ascension skins only? Anybody successfully negotiate a warranty return on Glidelites?

I’ve got a pair of Glidelites that have maybe ten days on them (bought 4/2021). They’ve been super babied, always hung immediately to dry (never over heat) and stored on cheat sheets. The glue has always sucked on them (way too sticky; feeling like I was going to snap a ski core trying to pull them off freshly waxed skis) but have turned entirely gloppy in the last three tours. Glue is coming off the skin and is entirely hydrolyzed.

Yeah I could try the ironing and I could reglue them but I’d rather bitch online about it. I reached out to Bd but wondering if anybody here had the issue with skins from last year.

I convinced BD to replace a pair of newish skis with bad glue about 10 years ago. I just explained how different they were than other BD skins I had owned.

[Falcon3]

I convinced BD to replace a pair of newish skis with bad glue about 10 years ago. I just explained how different they were than other BD skins I had owned.

Good news! BD is replacing my skins, I also used this tack when describing the issue to them.

[benk]

$95 for a pair of g3 alpinist+grip was too cheap to pass up. After 12years cycling through BD’s and seeing friends struggle in the field with G3’s it was a tough decision to try them out. I unboxed the new G3’s alpinist today and the glue ripped off the skin and was stuck to the plastic protector.

TLDR: G3 glue is still garbage

[chicken feathers]

It looks like the BD recall for skin glue last year was on Ascension skins only? Anybody successfully negotiate a warranty return on Glidelites?

Haven't been following recalls, wife has a new pair of 22' glidelites in the box for a new setup this winter. Just ordered them from BD last month...so should be good?

We have a few pairs of 18/19 glidlites going strong with ~ 200 days on the original glue

Why does buying skins have to be a gamble?

[Spats]

I've used BSMP skins for over 10 years.
(Formerly known as Climbing Skins Direct, now Big Sky Mountain Products.)
https://www.skiskinsonline.com/

I've never had a glue issue and I've never had to use cheat sheets.
They have marginally less grip than orange Ascensions but glide MUCH better. As in, blindingly obvious when you're skinning next to someone on Ascensions.
The plush is stout and has stood up to the occasional skin over dirt and rocks.
They don't come in lengths: you cut them to length.
Back when they used the rubber tip stretchers, I blew out a pair after a season and they sent me extras right away, no questions asked. They've improved the attachment system since then.
They've always worked well for me and I have no desire to try anything else.

[Bobcat Sig]

Interesting to hear that everyone has largely moved away from the BD skins. I'm still rocking two different pairs of Ascensions - no glue issues, no tip or tail attachment issues, and the skins have held up very well. I attribute that to the beefier material at the expense of weight and glide friction. I know that when my next AT trip rolls around, I can pull either off the shelf and know either will work for the duration of the trip. Maybe I'm not getting radical enough?

[XXX-er]

if you are gona tour you should learn to re-glue then it doesnt matter which skins you buy you will be regluing with gold label

unless you go the hybrid route

[singlesline]

I'm new to this uphill stuff. Did a bunch of inbounds skinning for exercise last season.

The 2 designated skin track options at the resort both have some fairly steep sections and in most conditions I eventually have trouble not slipping backwards and need to put a fair amount of weight on my poles. Can't really choose a gentler line/add switchbacks when the resort is open as I have to stick to the allowed edge of the runs.

Would switching to a full nylon skin help here? I have Pomoca climb pro S-glides (70/30 mohair/nylon) and they glide real good in the flat sections, but there aren't many of those inbounds. I certainly do see a lot of BD Ascensions on other people's skis.

[toast2266]

I'm new to this uphill stuff. Did a bunch of inbounds skinning for exercise last season.

The 2 designated skin track options at the resort both have some fairly steep sections and in most conditions I eventually have trouble not slipping backwards and need to put a fair amount of weight on my poles. Can't really choose a gentler line/add switchbacks when the resort is open as I have to stick to the allowed edge of the runs.

Would switching to a full nylon skin help here? I have Pomoca climb pro S-glides (70/30 mohair/nylon) and they glide real good in the flat sections, but there aren't many of those inbounds. I certainly do see a lot of BD Ascensions on other people's skis.

BD Ascensions definitely grip better than the Pomocas. Of course, they also don't glide as well, they weigh more, and they don't pack down as small.

I know the spots you're talking about. Usually if it's slippy, I'll just cut in a switchback or two in the trees just off the to side of the designated route. Or better yet, if the lifts are spinning, I'll just bump a lift over to flower and skin a couple laps back in the canyon where the snow's better and I don't have to worry about some out of control gaper taking me out.