How to Buy Skins for Skis

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

If you do a lot of cross-country skiing, you’ve probably heard of ski skins before. These grippy pads that attach to the bottom of your skis can help you climb up hills and rough terrain without sliding backwards. We’ve answered your questions about ski skins so you can pick out the best size and brand to fit your skiing needs before you hit the slopes.

Question 1

Question 1 of 6:
How wide should my ski skins be?

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Go with wide skins if you'll be climbing steep terrain. The wider the skins on your skis, the more grip you'll have. Look for skins that are as wide as the widest part of your skis for the most grip. This type of coverage is great for super steep terrain where you’ll be climbing up a lot of hills.^{[1]
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Get narrow skins if you want a lighter load and won't be climbing steep terrain. The narrower the skins on your skis, the lighter your skis will be. Look for skins that are the same width as the narrowest part of your skis. Narrow skins are a good choice if you're not planning on doing any steep climbing since there's really no need for the added weight of wider skins if you don't need the extra grip.^{[2]
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Go with an in-between width for moderate terrain. If you might encounter some steep hills but you also want to keep your skis as light as possible, skins that fall somewhere between wide and narrow skins are a good option. Look for skins that are the same width as the second-widest part of your skis.^{[3]
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Question 2

Question 2 of 6:
How long should they be?

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Get skins that are close to the same length as your skis. Use a tape measure to measure the length of your ski, then pick out a skin that closely matches those measurements. Skins are sometimes separated into small, medium, and large sizes, so pick the size that’s best for skis.^{[4]
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- Don't worry if the lengths don't exactly match. You can cut the skins down to the right size with a box cutter.

Question 3

Question 3 of 6:
How do you attach skins to skis?

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Press the top of the skin onto the tip of the ski. Wipe off the bottom of your ski to make sure there isn’t any snow or ice on it. Grab your skin and press the top of the skin onto the tip of your ski, peeling back the glue layer just a little bit.^{[5]
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Peel the glue layer off the back of the skin. Slowly press the skin onto the ski, peeling off the glue strip on the back. Go slowly and work in small sections to make sure there aren’t any gaps or bubbles underneath your skin.^{[6]
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Twist the clip at the bottom of the skin. Pull the plastic clip through the notch in your skis and rotate it to lock it into place. The clip will help keep your skin on if the glue fails, so it’s super important!^{[7]
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Smooth the skin onto the ski. Using a gloved hand, press down onto the skin and smooth it out all the way. Grab the glue strip and keep it for later to store your skin when you take it off again.^{[8]
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Question 4

Question 4 of 6:
How long do ski skins last?

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They will last for about 3 to 5 years with proper care. When you store your skis, make sure you brush off any ice or snow so they don’t collect moisture. You can even put them inside your jacket to warm them up and thaw them out before putting them away. By taking care of your skins, you probably won’t have to replace them for a few years at a time.^{[9]
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- When you’re done skiing for the day, hang your skins up so they can dry all the way. Dry skins are happy skins, and they’ll last a lot longer if they aren’t constantly wet.

Question 5

Question 5 of 6:
What are the best ski skins?

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Look for brands like Black Diamond, G3, and Dynafit. These brands are known within the skiing community to last a long time. In general, skins cost between $160 and $220 per pair, but since they last so long, they're worth the price.^{[10]
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- Pre-cut skins are a little cheaper, while specialty-made ones will run on the higher end.
- Ski skins used to be made out of animal skins (hence the name). Nowadays, they're usually made out of nylon or mohair.

Question 6

Question 6 of 6:
Can you put skins on waxable skis?

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No, probably not. Waxable skis are meant to glide, which means the glue of your skins won’t stick very well. If you’re looking for a grippy solution for waxable skis, try using grip tape instead. ^{[11]
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- If you do put skins on waxable skis, be prepared to add more glue much earlier than you would with non-waxable skis.