BD GlideLite Mix STS skins - Custom vs. standard?

zuren

Posts: 19 - Karma: 42

Nov 22 2019 3:31PM

I'm in the market for skins and looking hard at the Black Diamond GlideLite Mix STS skins:

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/ski-skins

They offer 2 versions:

- a non-custom version (you have to trim to both length and width)

- a "custom" version (length is pre-cut, still have to trim the width)

I don't know if the custom version already has all of the hardware (tip and tail) attached, but they cost more money.

My skis are 180cm and by BD's recommendation, I need the 125mm x 173-180cm custom skins, if I go that route.

Does anyone have firsthand experience of the "custom" GlideLites? Is the tip hardware already installed? Is the premium for the "custom" worth the cost over just trimming the length myself?

Thanks!

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OregonDead

Posts: 6794 - Karma: 23,543

Nov 22 2019 3:39PM

I have the ones where you have to attach the tail clip yourself and it is super easy. I haven't used any other BD skins so I don't know if there is any other difference

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zuren

Posts: 19 - Karma: 42

Nov 22 2019 4:18PM

OregonDeadI have the ones where you have to attach the tail clip yourself and it is super easy. I haven't used any other BD skins so I don't know if there is any other difference

Based on some videos I watched, it looks like the tail strap is attached at the factory, and you attach the tip hardware for any of their "non-custom" models. I'm just not clear on what the "custom" version gets me. BD's product description is not that good. I even called BD and the chick on the phone did not seem fully savvy on the differences; she kept citing that the custom is pre-cut for length...said nothing about hardware.

If they simply cut the skin material at a predetermined length and I still have to attach hardware, then that is not worth the extra cost. A skin with all hardware attached and all I have to do is trim might be worth it.

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-WZ-

Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,581

Nov 30 2019 12:14AM

its pretty damn easy to install the tip hardware, just depends on how lazy you are I guess but id take the savings personally. Tail clips are pre-installed on the standard non-customs.

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