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Ian "Oceanman" Tarbox put G3's High Traction skins to the test this winter in the Tetons. Ryan Dunfee photo.
When
TGR handed me a fresh pair of skins
last November asking for a 800 word review,
I wasn't sure if I was more excited to have the pleasure to put these through
the Teton Test or scared of the "800 word" request. I mean 800 is not
gigantic for a gear review but for a pair of skins, I thought it was tad long. So
naturally I needed lots of time on these puppies to have that much to say: long
approaches, steep ascents, spicy side steps on sketchy creek beds, silly ski
descents and hugely variable snow conditions. Four months and over 60 tours
later, I think I've got a good handle on these skins.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LOW
If traction is what you need, you'll find no shortage of it here. Ryan Dunfee photo.
The
meaty
G3 High Tractions boast long nylon hairs that have held on to virtually
every surface this season, sans sheer ice and exposed granite. After 8 seasons
touring on the same, well cared for, Voile skins, I was very impressed with my
enhanced ability to stomp up the sportiest of skin tracks. In powder, these bad
boys were unstoppable, giving way only to gravity in the steepest of couloirs.
The High Tractions found pleasure in hardpack ascents where a technical kick
turn can mean life in a continued ascent or death in a backwards sliding tumble.
Thanks to a unnaturally warm season, these skins have had the pleasure of
spending many a tour on corn, where they have relentlessly held on step after
step after step.
I
often find my ski partners here in the Tetons to have an added advantage when
touring up steeps thanks to numerous mechanical advantages skis have over splitboards.
This puts us knuckle draggers at a self-imposed handicap, making it absolutely
essential in keeping up with these Dynafit wearing rock stars. The High
Tractions did not disappoint!
Glide
The High Tractions glide like a tortoise with ice axes–slowly, but with an inane amount of grip. Ryan Dunfee photo.
These
skins are slow. Most of my time spent touring in the woods was in Grand Teton
National Park here in the northern Teton Range in Wyoming. "The Park,"
as many local backcountry recreationists call it, requires long and flat
approaches in order to reach its bounties. On two mile approaches I personally
cannot complain about the glide or tell vast differences between myself and my
partners, but once you started pushing four miles (in each direction), my legs
would become drastically more tired.
Ian blasting some Teton pow after mounting an ascent on the High Tractions. Ryan Dunfee photo.
Adaptation
set in sometime around halfway through the season where I drastically improved
efficiency by learning to "skate" (tour without skins) on the many
flat lakes and meadows found in our valley. Another trick I picked up was to
brush and wax the High Tractions with skin wax in preparation for long
approaches or gloppy snow.
If
you dig fast descents in tour mode these are not the skins for you, as I found
them to be quite sluggish yet in control. Of course these skis did and will
continue to break in over time. Overall, I value grip over glide and believe a
little extra thigh workout is good for the body.
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Glop Factor
So
far this spring, the High Tractions have performed well in wet and heavy snow.
I rarely find myself kicking off "stage 5 clingers" on nearby stumps
mid-tour like I use to remember with my old pair of Voiles. If brushed and
waxed the night before, kept out of creeks and properly cared for while in the
field, I have found these skins to be very water resistant, and I have never
needed to use rub-on wax halfway to the summit like I had before.
Durability
After 60 days, Ian's pair of G3 skins is still holding strong. Ryan Dunfee photo.
So
far so good! After 60-plus days on these suckers, they are holding up quite
well. No gashes, very little signs of wear and tear, the glue has stayed flush
and not beaded up, and the grip factor has stayed the course. I have, however,
tried my best to maintain them by keeping them dry, free of snow, and away from twigs and dirt during or
after big tours.
The Bottom Line
Those skinning steep ascents or in firm snow regularly will appreciate the extra grip. Ryan Dunfee photo.
At
$159.99, the High Tractions lie in the middle of the road price-wise (they're about $130 for skiers). Similar
to snowboard boots, a good pair of climbing skins can make or break a big day
of shredding powder in the backcountry. I recommend not being frugal when
purchasing skins and consider the G3 High Tractions to be well worth the price
if you find yourself making a lot of steep approaches in the backcountry or
frequently traveling on firm snow.
They’d make for a great pair of springtime
touring skins, as, in order to time your descent on good corn, you’ll often
find yourself climbing on bulletproof snow that has yet to see the softening
effect of the sun.
