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Climbing skins

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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
Looking to upgrade.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING:

If you've only ever owned one pair of skins, if you tour less than 20 days a season, if you don't know what you're talking about - I appreciate you trying to help but I'm looking for some people with experience.

- What skins do you use
-what skins have you used in the past
-what do you like better or worse about what you are using now?

Thanks!
Dec 10 2012 3:06AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
Also - these skins will be used on skis that are 115 or 120 underfoot. I don't need the lightest option but that would be nice. Mostly looking for something that will last for a long time, always be sticky, and not let me down. I don't do super long tours but some days I'm doing 5 runs, and I need them to perform.

Thanks for your opinions!
Dec 10 2012 3:09AM
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8710 - Karma: 5,615
I don't meet your criteria, however I am just going to leave here that G3's 'glue' is apparently longer lasting and prone to much colder temperatures than other skins currently on the market.
Dec 10 2012 4:33AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
If you've done the research or read it somewhere, I'm appreciative of the comments!

That's interesting to hear, I haven't read that anywhere. Where did you read it?
Dec 10 2012 5:59AM
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tbayskier
Posts: 1136 - Karma: 1,639
word haha
Dec 10 2012 7:01AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
You can't go wrong with BD Ascensions. They just work.
Dec 10 2012 7:24AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I agree.

There's a reason why we only have BD Ascensions at the UVM Outing Club (just purchased 5 more pairs this week). They are the best and most durable. The things I've seen trip participants put those things through are quite remarkable. They get used pretty much every weekend from February until April, every year, and are still in great shape.

I purchased a pair of the BD GlideLite Mohair mix skins for my Dynafit setup. I will report back when it actually snows (instead of rains) here in VT, but the Ascensions are solid in every way.
Dec 10 2012 8:58AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I forgot to mention that I have Ascensions on my Caylor/MFD sidecountry setup and used them ~25 days last year with zero problems.
Dec 10 2012 9:00AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

I have used several kinds, and would give a nod to either BD ascentions, mohairs and he G3 alpinist series. 

The BDs ascentions are like a big SUV with snow tires.  They will get you there, but they are the heaviest and glide the least.  They also fold like shit and are bulky as fuck.   

the BD mohairs are similar, give up very little in terms of grip and glide better/pack better on the downhill.  If you can find the old ones that look like tire treads, buy them.  They are awesome.

The only downside of the BDs imo is the tip loops if you're using really fat skis.  They're ok if you have pointy tips, but on my whitedots or if you're going to use something with a big fat tip, the loop sucks donkey dicks.  It's a moosefart echo away from falling off. 

I've also used the G3s, which I LOVE the tip and taip clips on no matter what ski I'm using.  They just work on anything.  Sort of like a lighter and slightly smoother ascention.  Glue is softer too. 

Between the two?  I'd probably go with G3 again.  I just really like their attachment system and how the skins pack into a pocket better and haven't noticed any loss of function between them and the BDs so far. 

Dec 10 2012 9:19AM
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brizz
Posts: 1051 - Karma: 74
got gecko (glueless) skins and used them a lot last year. I like that they have nice glide with mohair surface. They are lighter (but really its only a few ounces) and can wash shit off when i fail at taking skins off without taking ski off. don't like performance of silicone in really cold or really wet when there are some issues with sticking to base of ski, and tail clip would blow with a twin. Still have a pair of old purple BD skins i won't get rid of.
Dec 10 2012 9:25AM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Threads. Anyone have experience with the 4frnt's precut glueless skins?
Dec 10 2012 11:00AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,373
Bd ascension for durability, bd mohairfor heady glide, mix to compromise both advantages
Dec 10 2012 11:16AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Yes. Ascensions = 4LO and locked in my Toyota.

As for the tip loops, I agree as well. I bought 140mm skins for my Caylors and had to use the tip loops for 160mm skins because the original ones wouldn't fit over the tips. So be mindful of that. I still like the newer tip loop design on BD's over the old one though; screws are more secure than just folding the skin over. I've lost a tip loop that way with the old system.
Dec 10 2012 1:32PM
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Round-Four
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 174
st lawrence OC also uses ascensions. like most BDS products, they are a no nonsense product that is made to work hard, and it really shows. i just bought some g3 skins because i got a great deal on them and ill let you know how they work after a couple days out on them.
Dec 10 2012 2:27PM
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8710 - Karma: 5,615
I know someone who works for G3, and apparently other companies haven't been able to figure out their chemical formula for their adhesive goo
Dec 10 2012 9:30PM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
Threads for future info
Dec 11 2012 10:35AM
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IDMT_BC024
Posts: 224 - Karma: 129
In my experience G3 glue is really shitty, and barely sticks when it's less than 10 degrees out. The G3's glide better than the ascensions but the ascensions climb better, are tougher, and have better glue.
Overall I'd recommend the black diamonds, especially if G3 hasn't improved their glue.
Dec 11 2012 4:48PM
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