ski skin care
Ski Skin Care Checker
Check if your climbing skins need cleaning, re-gluing, or replacement.
When should you clean or replace climbing skins? Clean skins every 15 to 20 touring days or when glue becomes sticky or contaminated. Replace skins every 80 to 190 touring days depending on the fibre, or when grip noticeably decreases even after cleaning. Mohair skins last 80 to 100 days, nylon 150 to 190 days, mix (mohair / nylon) 120 to 150 days. Signs to replace: bald patches, glue fails to hold on ski, skin slides backward on steep climbs even when clean. Enter your skin type and usage below.
This checker tracks both skin fiber life (grip degradation) and glue life (adhesion loss) separately, because skins can fail from worn fibers OR dead glue, and the fixes are different.
Based on manufacturer guidelines from Pomoca, Kohla, Black Diamond and G3 climbing skins
How skin condition is assessed
Frequently asked questions
How do I know when to replace climbing skins?
Replace climbing skins when the fibres are visibly worn flat, grip fails on moderate slopes regardless of cleaning, or the glue can no longer be re-applied to the skin backing. A mohair skin typically lasts 80 to 100 touring days, a mix skin 120 to 150 days, and a nylon skin 150 to 190 days. Performance degradation: not just age: is the primary indicator.
Can I re-glue climbing skins myself?
Yes. Re-gluing is a straightforward process: remove old glue with a glue remover (Pomoca, Holmenkol), let the backing dry fully, apply fresh skin glue in thin even coats, and allow 24 hours to cure. Kits from Pomoca, Kohla and Black Diamond are widely available. A ski shop can also do it if you prefer professional application.
Why do my skins ice up in cold conditions?
Icing happens when wet snow or water gets under the fibres and refreezes. It is most common at temperatures near 0 °C or when crossing wet snow sections. Prevention: apply a skin wax (e.g. Toko Skin Proof, Nixwax Skin Proof) to the fibres before touring, and pre-warm skins against your body in very cold conditions so the glue makes better contact with the base.
What is the difference between mohair and nylon skins?
Mohair fibres come from angora goats and are naturally hydrophobic, which makes them glide much better than nylon on hard or cold snow. They are however softer and wear faster: 80 to 100 days vs 150 to 190 for nylon. Nylon skins grip more aggressively and last longer but create noticeably more drag on flat or slightly downhill terrain. Mix skins (mohair-nylon blend) are the most popular compromise.
How should I store climbing skins between seasons?
Fold skins glue-to-glue, place in a mesh or fabric bag (not plastic, which traps moisture), and store at room temperature in a dry location. Avoid hot areas such as car boots or attics: heat causes the glue to melt and migrate into the fibres, which ruins adhesion. Do not freeze skins for extended periods as this also degrades the glue.
Can I use skins on any ski?
Skins must be sized to your ski width. Measure the width at the tip, waist and tail; the skin should cover the base fully with 2 to 3 mm clearance from each edge. Tip and tail attachments must be compatible with your ski's shovel shape and tail notch: many manufacturers offer universal clips, but some shapes (very wide tails, pin-hole systems) need specific attachment kits.
How long do climbing skins last?
Mohair: 80 to 100 touring days. Nylon: 150 to 190 days. Mix: 120 to 150 days. Lifespan depends on snow conditions (icy and abrasive snow wears skins faster), care (cleaning extends life 30 to 50 percent), and storage (heat and dirt shorten life). A well-maintained mix skin can reach 150 days.
Can you re-glue climbing skins (lifespan extension)?
Yes. Use skin-specific tube glue (Gold Label, Pomoca) or iron-on glue sheets. Clean old glue residue first. Re-gluing costs 15 to 25 USD and extends skin life by 30 to 50 days. Worth doing once; if glue fails again quickly, the skin material is also worn and full replacement is better.
Mohair vs nylon climbing skins: which to buy?
Mohair (mountain goat hair): best glide uphill, lightest, wears faster (80 to 100 days). Nylon (synthetic): best grip on steep ice, most durable (150 to 190 days), heaviest. Mix (65 percent mohair / 35 percent nylon): best all-around choice for most touring. Most recreational tourers should buy mix skins.
Where these numbers come from
Not from the brands named on it. Pomoca, Kohla, Black Diamond and Holmenkol appear here as the products you buy to clean, reglue and reproof a skin, and nowhere else. No skin maker publishes a life in touring days by fibre, or a day count at which to clean, so the 80, 120 and 150 day lifespans, the fifteen to twenty days between cleans, and the way glide, grip and glue are scored into one wear figure are this site's own convention. What a skin actually lasts depends on the snow it is dragged through and how it is stored.
Climbing Skin Lifespan by Material
Climbing Skin Lifespan by Material
Mohair skins last 80 to 100 touring days, nylon 150 to 190 days, and mohair/nylon mix 120 to 150 days. The table below shows lifespan and key trade-offs across the three main skin materials.
| Material | Lifespan (days) | Glide | Grip | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohair | 80 to 100 | Excellent | Good | Lightest | Racing, long tours, spring |
| Nylon | 150 to 190 | Moderate | Excellent | Heaviest | Steep terrain, icy conditions |
| Mix (65 / 35) | 120 to 150 | Good | Very good | Medium | All-around touring |
How to Clean Climbing Skins
Clean skins every 15 to 20 touring days: iron-on method for deep cleaning, skin cleaner spray for quick maintenance. Deep clean: use a skin-specific iron cleaner (Pomoca Renovator, Black Diamond Gold Label). Iron at low temperature over absorbent paper to pull dirt from the glue. Quick clean: spray with skin cleaner, wipe with cloth. Re-activate glue: use a skin glue reactivator (heat iron method) or re-glue entirely (tube glue, 15 to 20 USD). Clean skins last 30 to 50 percent longer than neglected skins.
Signs Your Skins Need Replacing
If skins peel off the ski during a tour, slide backward on moderate slopes (under 25 degrees), or have visible bald patches, replace them. Glue failure: skin peels off during cold or wet conditions. Fix: re-glue (temporary) or replace. Grip failure: skin slides backward on slopes that used to grip. Check for bald patches, matted fibers, or a glazed surface. If cleaning does not restore grip, the fibers are worn out. Replace the entire skin.
How to Store Climbing Skins
Store skins glue-to-glue (skin cheat sheets between glue faces) in a cool, dry place. Never fold skins with glue exposed. After each tour: dry skins completely (hang overnight, do not use heat). Store with cheat sheets between glue faces. Never store in a hot car trunk or direct sun. Keep away from dirt, hair and pet fur (contaminates glue permanently). For summer: store flat or rolled (not folded) at room temperature.
Trimming Skins to Your Skis
Skins should be 2 to 3 mm narrower than the ski on each side, leaving the metal edges exposed for grip on icy traverses. Use a skin trimming tool (included with most new skins) or a sharp razor blade. Cut along the ski edge, leaving 2 to 3 mm of edge visible. Too wide equals skins fold over edges and peel off. Too narrow equals reduced grip surface. Re-trim when changing to new skis.
Related Ski Tools
- Find your touring ski length (width determines skin width).
- Calculate your DIN binding setting for touring bindings.
- Choose kick wax for classic skiing (different grip system).
- Splitboarding? Find your splitboard skin size and check your avalanche gear checklist.
Last updated: May 2026