In the vast and dynamic realm of skiing, backcountry skiing emerges as an exhilarating and demanding endeavor. It lures enthusiasts with the promise of venturing into uncharted snow – covered landscapes, away from the groomed slopes of commercial ski resorts. This form of skiing requires not only exceptional physical prowess and navigational skills but also a comprehensive and reliable set of gear. When it comes to climbing during backcountry skiing, having the right equipment is crucial. One often overlooked but essential part of a climber’s gear is climbing skins. These skins play a vital role in enhancing a climber’s performance and protecting their skin during the strenuous activity of climbing.
Pomoca Tour Pro
Features
Materials: Made with a blend of 65% mohair and 35% nylon. Mohair provides good glide, while nylon offers durability and grip.
Width Options: Comes in widths of 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140 mm, allowing climbers to choose the most suitable size for their skis.
Weight: Weighs 15.8 oz for a 110 mm x 170 cm size. It is relatively lightweight, making it convenient for carrying during long climbs.
Glue: Pomoca is known for its high – quality glue. The glue on the Tour Pro is sticky enough to keep the skins attached to the skis throughout the day, yet it releases more easily compared to some other brands. This makes it easier to remove the skins when needed.
Trimming Tool: It comes with a trimming tool, which is very helpful for custom – fitting the skins to your skis. This is especially useful for those who want a perfect fit without the need for additional tools.
Performance
The 65/35 mohair – nylon blend of the Tour Pro offers an optimal balance between glide and grip. This means that climbers can enjoy a smooth glide on flat or downhill sections, while still having enough grip to climb steep slopes without slipping. The skin is also supple, which allows it to pack down small into a ski backpack or jacket, making it very convenient for on – the – go climbers.
Pros
Balanced Performance: The combination of mohair and nylon gives it excellent glide and grip, suitable for a variety of terrains.
Lightweight and Packable: Its lightweight design and ability to pack down small make it great for long – distance climbs where weight is a concern.
Good Glue Quality: The glue is reliable, ensuring the skins stay on during use and are easy to remove.
Comes with Trimming Tool: The included trimming tool is a great bonus for fitting the skins to your skis.
Cons
Shorter Lifespan: Compared to 100% nylon designs, the Tour Pro has a shorter lifespan. The mohair plush is less durable than nylon, which may result in the skin needing to be replaced sooner.
Higher Cost: It is relatively more expensive compared to some other climbing skins on the market, which may be a deterrent for budget – conscious climbers.
Black Diamond Ascension
Features
Materials: Constructed with 100% nylon. Nylon is known for its durability, making these skins a great choice for climbers who need a long – lasting product.
Width: It comes in a single width of 133 mm. While this may not be ideal for all ski widths, it is a common size that can fit many standard skis.
Weight: Weighs 1 lb. 10.0 oz for a 133 mm x 180 cm size. It is on the heavier side, but this is often associated with its durability.
Hardware: The Ascension has pre – installed and easy – to – adjust metal tip and tail clips. This is very convenient for new backcountry skiers who may not be familiar with complex gear set – ups.
Performance
The 100% nylon construction of the Black Diamond Ascension offers a more secure feel on steep skin tracks. It provides excellent grip, which is crucial when climbing steep slopes. However, the trade – off is that it has less glide compared to skins with a mohair – nylon blend on flat sections.
Pros
Durability: The 100% nylon material makes these skins extremely durable, able to withstand harsh terrains and frequent use.
Affordable: At $190, it is a relatively affordable option, especially considering its long – lasting construction.
User – Friendly Hardware: The pre – installed and easy – to – adjust metal tip and tail clips are great for beginners or those who prefer a hassle – free set – up.
Cons
Single Width Option: The fact that it only comes in one width may result in waste if your ski is much narrower than 133 mm.
Heavy and Bulky: Its weight and bulkiness can be a disadvantage, especially for long – distance or multi – day climbs where every ounce matters.
Pomoca Free Pro
Features
Materials: Composed of 70% mohair and 30% nylon. This blend is designed to offer a balance between lightweight performance and durability.
Width Options: Available in widths of 123 and 140 mm, providing some flexibility for different ski sizes.
Weight: Weighs 15.2 oz for a 123 mm x 180 cm size. It is one of the lighter skins on the market, making it a top choice for ski mountaineers and freeriders who want to minimize weight.
Plush Density: The plush of the Free Pro weighs 1,000 grams per square meter, which is less than the Tour Pro’s 1,200 g/m². This contributes to its lighter weight and more compact packing size.
Performance
The Pomoca Free Pro is designed for those who prioritize speed and lightness. The 70/30 mohair – nylon blend gives it a good combination of glide and grip. It is incredibly lightweight and packable, making it easy to carry on long and technical climbs. It performs well in a variety of snow conditions, allowing climbers to move quickly and efficiently.
Pros
Lightweight and Packable: Ideal for ski mountaineers and freeriders who need to carry their gear over long distances or in challenging terrains.
Good Performance: The mohair – nylon blend provides a decent balance of glide and grip for different snow conditions.
Compact Design: Its low – density plush results in a smaller packed size, which is very convenient for storage in a backpack or jacket pocket.
Cons
Durability Concerns: Some freeriders may find that the skin is not as beefy and durable as they would like. The lighter construction may not hold up as well to extremely rough use or abrasive terrains.
Contour Guide Pure
Features
Materials: Made entirely of 100% mohair. Mohair is known for its excellent glide and ability to perform well in different snow conditions.
Width Options: Available in widths of 115 and 135 mm, providing options for different ski widths.
Weight: Weighs only 8 oz, making it one of the lightest climbing skins available.
Attachment Method: It uses a glue – based system for attaching to the skis. The glue is strong enough to keep the skins attached even in cold temperatures.
Packability: The pliable material and minimalist hardware allow these skins to pack away and roll into a very compact package, which can be easily stowed in a jacket pocket or a small backpack.
Performance
The Contour Guide Pure offers a perfect balance between grip and glide. In the past 5 years of testing, it has performed well in a wide range of conditions, from the deep cold powder of the Sawatch range to the super – steep switchbacks of the intimidating Teton range. Despite being lightweight, it has shown surprising durability, with no unusual tears or loss of stickiness even when used on ice, slush, debris, and mud.
Pros
Lightweight: The 100% mohair construction and overall design make it extremely lightweight, perfect for long climbs where every ounce counts.
Good Grip and Glide: It offers an excellent balance between grip and glide, allowing climbers to move efficiently in different terrains and snow conditions.
Durable for its Weight: Despite being so light, it has proven to be durable in various challenging conditions.
Packable: It can be easily packed into a small space, which is very convenient for climbers on the move.
Cons
Tail Attachment Issues: The tail attachment method, which uses a “heat weld” instead of a rivet or sewing, can sometimes rip off after extended use. This can be inconvenient, especially during a climb.
Shorter Carpet Lifespan: The 100% mohair carpet (the part that touches the snow) may not last as long as 100% nylon or hybrid options.
Big Sky Mohair Mix Endurance
Features
Materials: Features a mohair – mix construction, which combines the benefits of mohair and other materials. The exact blend is designed to offer a good balance of performance and durability.
Width Options: Big Sky likely offers a range of width options to fit different ski sizes, although specific widths may vary.
Weight: While the exact weight may not be as widely publicized as some other models, the design aims to be lightweight enough for climbing while still maintaining durability.
Glue and Attachment: It uses a reliable glue system for attaching to the skis, ensuring that the skins stay in place during use. The attachment mechanism is designed to be user – friendly and easy to adjust.
Performance
The Big Sky Mohair Mix Endurance is designed to offer a good combination of price and performance. It provides a decent amount of grip on climbs, allowing climbers to ascend slopes with confidence. At the same time, it offers enough glide on flat or downhill sections to make the journey more efficient. The skin is also designed to be durable, able to withstand regular use in various climbing conditions.
Pros
Good Price – Performance Ratio: It offers a balance between cost and quality, making it an attractive option for climbers who are looking for a reliable product without breaking the bank.
Decent Grip and Glide: The mohair – mix construction provides a good level of grip and glide, suitable for a variety of terrains.
Durable: Built to be durable, it can withstand the rigors of regular climbing, making it a long – term investment.
Cons
Less Brand Recognition: Compared to some of the more well – known brands like Pomoca or Black Diamond, Big Sky may have less brand recognition, which could make some climbers hesitant to try the product.
Limited Information: There may be less publicly available information about the specific features and performance details of this skin compared to more popular models, which can make it difficult for consumers to make a fully informed decision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, each of these five climbing skins has its own unique set of features, pros, and cons. The Pomoca Tour Pro offers an excellent balance of glide, grip, and packability, but may have a shorter lifespan and a relatively high cost. The Black Diamond Ascension is known for its durability and affordability, but its single width option and heavy weight can be drawbacks. The Pomoca Free Pro is great for those who prioritize speed and lightness, although it may lack some durability for more rugged use. The Contour Guide Pure is extremely lightweight and performs well in various conditions, but has some tail attachment and lifespan issues. The Big Sky Mohair Mix Endurance offers a good price – performance ratio, but may suffer from less brand recognition and limited information.
When choosing a climbing skin, it is important to consider your specific needs, such as the type of terrain you will be climbing on, how often you will be using the skins, your budget, and your preference for weight and durability. By carefully evaluating these factors and the features of each skin, you can make the best choice for your climbing adventures, ensuring that you have a safe and enjoyable experience on the slopes.
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The 4 Best Climbing Skins of 2025 for Backcountry Skiing
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