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Gliding Ski skins in field and and holding laboratory tests Ski skins bring us safely and effortlessly to the summit. So much for the theory. The Outdoor Content Hub has subjected seven models to an intensive field and labo- ratory test for „the Alps“ and shows which products swing out of the top. First the work, then the pleasure! costs nerves and energy, but also The first and most important deci- This is especially true for ski tours, represents a potential safety risk. sion of the manufacturers is: Mo- because before you can indulge hair or synthetic fibre? Read more in the downhill rush, the ascent is Mohair or synthetic fibre about this in the materials section on the agenda. How exhausting on page 41. How well a skin glides it is does not only depend on the The structure of every ski skin and rises also depends on the wea- altitude meters covered and the today is more or less the same: ve, fibre quality and pile length and distance. Everyone knows this, a base fabric with fibrous pile, a the angle in which angle parallel whose ski skin has already shown waterproof intermediate layer, to the running direction they are weaknesses during the ascent. the backing and finally an adhe- fixed. Typical competition ski skins, Whether the adhesive loses its hol- sive layer. The basic materials and for example, have particularly short ding power, clogs up or the clim- how they are processed, however, hairs that produce less friction, but bing skins lack the gripping effect determine the functionality of the have good gliding properties. and slip - every problem not only end product. 40 Hot melt adhesives remain Joy remains with regular care widespread. All tested products are so-called ad- What is taken for granted with skis hesive skins. They are fixed to the ski is usually neglected with ski skins: surface by a residue-free and cold-re- regular care. In order to maintain the sistant adhesion surface based on gliding properties and reduce the for- acrylate, silicone or hot-melt adhesive mation of clogs, skins must be treated and at the same time attached to the regularly with impregnating agents. tip and end of the ski with special The adhesion surface should also hooks and tail fixations. The widest be cleaned regularly. If the adhesive applications are still found in hot melt performance decreases, the hot-melt adhesives, which have proved their adhesive should be completely or worth in changing conditions and partially renewed. This keeps the skin repeated use oft he skins. Adhesion reliably on the ski (see >care tips for How well a ski skin sticks, glides and surfaces based on silicone or acrylate ski skins> page 43). holds during the ascent: This was are becoming increasingly popular. measured for seven products. They can be removed from the ski surface with little force and can also Photo: Robert Bösch be transported without using the nets or foil. Especially during the mounting and removal of the skins, it becomes apparent how well they lie in the hand or how easy it is to pack them away. In the field test, the soft and supple skins Ski skins in field and swung up. They could be folded or rolled up and stored in a space-saving laboratory tests way in the backpack or in the breast pocket. Small material science Mohair is the name given to the fine they satisfy with good climbing ability on Synthetic fibre skins are made of nylon hair of the Angora goat. In contrast to snow and remain supple even in freezing and are very durable and easy to care for. synthetic fibres, it is hollow inside, which cold. Mohair is therefore still the first Even stone contacts are usually accepted has a positive effect on the total weight. choice of many ambitious tourers and without complaint. Stress-free in use and Climbing skins made of 100% mohair racers. However, mohair skins are usually maintenance, they are particularly suitable are particularly convincing due to their somewhat more expensive, sensitive and for beginners or occasional tourers, who excellent gliding properties over the entire require more maintenance than the two are less often on the move in the terrain. product life cycle. Nevertheless, alternatives. Even for Freeriders who only have short ascents to master, they are a cost-effective alternative to mohair. In very cold conditi- ons, they glide noticeably worse than skins with a high mohair content. A conscien- tious impregnation solves the problem at least partially. The best of both worlds is promised by the skins made of a mohair-synthetic mix. Schematic structure of a ski skin They combine a good climbing ability with (plush material at the top): a gliding ability that comes ever closer to 1 Fibrous pile: material (mohair, synthetic fibre), that of skins with pure mohair. When new, The type of weave, fibre quality, pile length and angle of you will hardly notice a difference to the the fibres determine the gliding and climbing properties of natural fibres. As a rule, they are mixed the ski skin. with about 30% synthetic fibres. This 2 The intermediate layer prevents the coat from fraying increases the abrasion resistance and thus laterally after cutting. the service life. 3 The waterproof intermediate layer protects the back- ing against moisture. 4 The polyester reinforced cotton backing stabilises the pile and increases the tear resistance of the skin. 5. An adhesion surface based on acrylate, silicone or hot melt adhesive ensures the bond with the ski base. 41 1 Thorough investigation 2 The ski skins were tested in the terrain, on the ski jump and in the laboratory. Measuring sys- tems such as the tribometer were also used. 3 During the whole winter of Glide: How much strength does 2017/18, the products were put it take for the coat to glide? through their paces in practical use on ski tours in a wide range of In practice, the gliding characte- snow conditions, temperatures and ristics were determined by a test 4 weather conditions. On the nume- person gliding into the flat surface rous tours, almost 15,000 metres from a defined point in the conca- of altitude difference came toge- ve exit area of the ski jump. In the ther, which roughly corresponds laboratory, the friction force was to the seasonal performance of measured in the tribometer. This an average ski tourer. In a second means the force and thus the ener- series of practical tests, the gliding gy required to keep the ski and the characteristics of the skins were ski mountaineer moving. A smooth tested on the Wildhaus ski jump ski surface has a coefficient of 5 at various temperatures and snow friction of about 4%. If this ski is conditions. loaded with 100 Newton (approx. After the practical tests, both the 10 kg), it needs 4 Newton to move used ski skins and the new pro- in the flat. ducts were tested in the labora- The various measurement series tory at the tribometer facility at have shown that a top skin has the Snow, Skiing and Alpine Sports a coefficient of 10%, while an Research Centre at the Univer- unfavourable fur can have a coef- sity of Innsbruck. We made two ficient of up to 28%! This means 6 different measurements with the that a lot of energy is lost during tribometer: one for static friction the ascent, which may be missing and one for the adhesion friction>, shortly before the summit or du- says Michael Hasler: Project ma- ring the descent. nager for sports equipment at the research centre. Microscope images of the skins from the side, 100 x magnified 7 1 Black Diamond - Glidelite Mix STS 2 Colltex - Tödi Mix 3 Contour - Hybrid Mix 4 Fischer - Profoil 5 G3 - Alpinist+ Speed 6 Montana - Montamix Zebra 7 Pomoca - Climb Pro-S Glide 42 Climb: At what steepness does The force required for this was the skin begin to slip? measured. To determine the values, two scenarios were simulated: a ski The tribometer was used to deter- tour in high winter at -5°C, and a mine the limit force at which the spring ski tour at +5°C. skin begins to slip. It is simulated that a ski tourer climbs uphill on an Handling: How practical is the very steep route> says Hasler. ski skin on the tour? Clogging, hardly formed Other factors were also assessed It was also tested whether there in the handling. How well does was a susceptibility to clog for- the covering with the skin net or mation in the moist state. There protective foil work? Is it possible was no clear result. On the test ski to put glue on glue - even if only tours, none of the skins showed in case of emercency? How easy any clogging. Therefore we do not are the fasteners to use? Does the mention this point further in the skin feel flexible or rigid? Each skin individual evaluation. received the maximum possible ra- ting of 10 points at the beginning, Handling: Is it possible to re- then one point was deducted for move the skin with reasonable each negative conspicuity. effort? The ski skins should adhere to the ski surface. As durable as possible and under all conditions. But only so strong that it can be removed with little force and completely without residue. In order to test this, the test ski was fixed in the Laboratory tests on the tribometer. climatic chamber and the skin was One of the test skins is fixed on removed from the ski at a given the standard ski.

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