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March, 2025

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Skins

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Grobot
Posts: 115 - Karma: 13
im looking for some skins to use on my volkl gotamas (137-106-122). from what i can tell the only two companies worth buying are black diamond and g3, both priced similarly at about $140 and both have lots of sizes to choose from. i also saw that you can buy army surplus ones for $20, but the only size they have is "about 2.5 inches across" which might be two narrow? it would be cool to only spend 20 bucks on skins, but i wouldnt be surprised if they barely stick or just suck in general. what are your thoughts on these three options?
13 years ago
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
I would bring your skis into a high quality local ski shop and try to find someone that does alot of ski touring. mine were about 120 and they are amazing, the 20$ ones im sure will be shit so dont even bother
13 years ago
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ianj
Posts: 536 - Karma: 167
Don't forget about BCA. They also make some quality stuff and are around the same price as the other two brands you are looking at.

But I agree, got to a shop and talk to one of the techs. They will assess what you will be doing and find a skin that works best for what you are doing.

For each company, there are multiple models of skins (G3 has 5, BCA has 1 & Black Diamond boasts 11 models) Which seems from a lot to choose from but once you know what you are doing and how often you plan on skinning, it will be easier to narrow your choice down.
13 years ago
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afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
^This.  Id go with BCA or black diamond
13 years ago
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thegouda
Posts: 196 - Karma: 57
the black diamond ascension nylon skins are awesome, ive liked them a lot better than my G3 alpinist ones
13 years ago
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SSteezle
Posts: 9457 - Karma: 2,362
don't go with BCA. you want Black Diamond skins and pay the extra to get ones that you can cut to your skis. unless you're doing super easy tours switch backing can become really difficult when you have a bit of ski showing.


this is what you want,

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/skins/ascension-nylon-sts-skins
13 years ago
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21102 - Karma: 8,579
LOL BCA skins suck.
13 years ago
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chiefbroseph
Posts: 720 - Karma: 527
g3 and B.D. skins are the best!
13 years ago
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SSteezle
Posts: 9457 - Karma: 2,362
g3 skins suck too. get BD
13 years ago
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maxwell666
Posts: 554 - Karma: 20
climbing skins direct skins are apparently pretty nice and they are cheap as well as environmentally friendly. They use the old ascension plush and a pretty basic tip and tail attachment but I have read reviews saying that the glue fails at a slightly warmer temperature than black dimond or g3 glues. (probably not an issue for most of us as no one really likes to go out in horrific temperatures)
13 years ago
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
These (www.climbingskinsdirect.com) are actually a great affordable place to start. Quite durable and the twintip attachment system works really well.

I now use Colltex, which I find have a better plush, and really good glide, but are significantly more expensive.

The BCA and G3 ones are both quite good too. Take the time, get proper sized and cut skins and they'll all do the trick really
13 years ago
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HeathR
Posts: 4360 - Karma: 1,382
How long are your gotamas? I have some Black Diamond skins that I cut to some 175 jjs. I never ended up using them because the skis were way to short and I sold them. The skins have never been used and are in perfect condition. I would sell them for $80.
13 years ago
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Grobot
Posts: 115 - Karma: 13
178s, do you think that would work?
13 years ago
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HeathR
Posts: 4360 - Karma: 1,382
yeah i think so. Let me take a look at them and compare them to the dimensions of the 178 gotamas.
13 years ago
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HeathR
Posts: 4360 - Karma: 1,382
They will def work. The jjs are wider everywhere except the tip and tail. You would not be quite full width in the tip and tail and would cut the rest to fit. You should still have plenty of traction.

13 years ago
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SSteezle
Posts: 9457 - Karma: 2,362
i'm not sure if the skis you're talking about have rocker but when touring the rocker on skis doesn't hit much unless you're breaking trail. That said, you can get away with having skins that don't fit perfect. As long as most of the area underfoot is covered pretty well you'll be fine. Also if it's too short, don't even try and use the tail clips (they're all pretty bad), just do 2 wraps of duck tape and it'll work just as good
13 years ago
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
i've never liked g3 skins. i've used a bunch since g3 had a huge sale a couple years back and i picked up like 5 pairs of 130mm skins but i find the glue to be really shitty and the nylon is very prone to icing over and making your life impossible. black diamonds are nice but i also second climbingskinsdirect
13 years ago
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