| What they are | Grippy directional-pile strips on ski bases |
| Materials | Nylon, mohair, or blends |
| How | Glide forward, grip backward |
| Removed for | The descent |
Originally made from seal skin, hence 'skins'.
Climbing skins are strips of directional-pile fabric (originally seal skin, now nylon, mohair, or blends) that attach to the bases of touring skis or splitboards. The pile glides forward but grips backward against the snow, letting you climb uphill without sliding back. Removed for the descent, skins are the essential traction tool for skinning in ski touring.
How you climb
The grip behind skinning in ski touring and splitboarding, paired with tech bindings.
Frequently asked questions
What are climbing skins?
Climbing skins are fabric strips with a one-directional nap that attach to the bottoms of touring skis (or splitboard halves). The nap lets the ski slide forward smoothly but catches the snow if it tries to slide backward, providing the grip needed to climb uphill. They attach via a sticky base and tip/tail clips.
What's the difference between nylon and mohair skins?
Nylon skins grip the best and are durable but glide less well; mohair (natural goat hair) skins glide much better and are lighter but grip slightly less and wear faster; mixed (blend) skins balance the two. Nylon suits maximum grip and durability, mohair suits efficient, fast touring.
How do climbing skins attach?
Most skins have an adhesive (glue) backing that sticks to the ski base, plus a tip loop and often a tail clip to hold them on securely. You apply them before climbing, peel them off at the top, and fold them sticky-side together or onto a skin saver for the descent.
Sources
- Climbing skins — The Mountaineers
- Touring gear — American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education