Climbing Skins - Care Guide

Caring for Hybrid Glue Skins

Different skins have different types of glue. This can greatly affect the way you use and care for your skins.

The vast majority of skins on the market use a traditional "Hot Melt" Glue to affix skin to ski. Hot Melt Glues can be identified as generally being very tacky to touch.

The main alternative to Hot Melt skins, is Hybrid Glue, a new type of skin glue produced by Contour. Hybrid glue uses a multi layered adhesive approach to sticking your skins to ski. Resulting in a much lower tackiness to touch. Contour Skins are also co-branded by a number of ski manufacturers.

Most of the care instructions for Hybrid skins are the same as traditional Hot Melt skins. But a major advantage is the ability to clean the glue. If your skin glue gets dirty or its suction to the ski starts to diminish, its time to clean the glue.

Take the skin cleaning wipes that come with skins and give them a wipe down. Else use any soft degreasing soap and water to clean the glue. Do not try this with any Hot Melt glue skins.

In the Field Climbing Skins Tips

While out touring for the day, monitoring snow conditions and how your skins are going is a great way to stop skin failure from occurring.

Before applying skins, clear your ski bases of any snow crystals or dirt/grass fibres and then press the skins onto the base. Hybrid Glue likes being convincingly pushed onto the skis. Once applied, give the skins a once over from tip to tail with your hand.

While skinning, monitor how much snow creep you are getting on the edges of your skins. A little bit of snow between skin & ski is inevitable, much more than that you will soon find your skin flapping in the breeze. If it feels like a lot of snow, reset your skin and ensure to clear all snow from ski & skin surface before re-applying.

Wet skins and cold snow are a recipe for glopping, this often happens going from lower elevations with warm wet snow into higher elevations with cold dry snow. The net effect is a skin that burdens you with the large chunks of snow it picks up. Clear up the snow with a quick pass with a scraper to rub up and down the ski with Ski Wax, Skin Wax or Chocolate (the messiest and best smelling option)

Climbing Skin Storage Tips

Short Term Storage

While in the field, skins storage is pretty easy. Fold the skins glue to glue, ensuring to cover as much of the glue surface as possible. Then into a jacket pocket or backpack, your avalanche tools pocket is handy as skins will likely be wet & on most backpacks that pocket is designed for wet gear.

We personally don't use skin savers whilst in the field because they are fiddly and have a tendency to fly away in the wind. Seems that backcountry users are pretty divided on Skin Savers while in the field.

Long Term Storage

Storing your skins incorrectly over summer is the most common method of ruining skin glue. Prolonged exposure to heat causes the skin glue to stick to anything. We recommend to store skins with skin savers on, in a cool and dry cupboard. Ensuring the skins are completely dry before putting away for the summer is also a great tip. 

Taking proper care of your climbing skins will extend their lifespan and ensure optimal performance in the backcountry. Keep them clean, dry them properly after each use, and store them in a cool, dry place. With just these simple maintenance steps, you’ll get the best grip and glide on every tour.

Here at Aussieskier we regularly get out amongst the Snowgums and sample our amazing Australian Backcountry. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!