Climbing skins are an absolute must-have for anyone who wants to go backcountry skiing or enjoy climbing snowy mountains. You may know what they are, but you may not know the specifics. You may think you know, but you may actually have some misconceptions.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at skins, which are essential for climbing mountains on skis.
What is a seal in the first place?
A seal is an item that attaches to the bottom of a ski or splitboard, allowing you to climb slopes. It allows you to move forward but prevents you from falling backwards
The back of the sticker has glue so that it can be attached to the sole of the ski.The sticker can then be attached to the ski by fastening the stoppers on the top and tail
Seal structure
A seal basically has four layers: the
surface that comes into contact with the snow, the hair, the waterproof sheet, the rubber that holds the glue, and the glue.
This is the basic structure, but depending on the sticker manufacturer, it may be a three-layer structure with waterproof bristles, or a two-layer structure with adhesive rubber on which the glue is placed. Companies are still working to improve the materials and structure of stickers, and they continue to evolve every year
For example, POMOCA uses waterproof wool woven into the rubber on the snow-contacting side, just like nylon and mohair, eliminating the need for a waterproof sheet, effectively creating a three-layer structure. Furthermore, CONTOUR combines the rubber and glue to create a two-layer structure
Seals were originally made from seal hair. However, with improvements in textile technology, seal hair has been replaced with fibers that offer superior performance.
Currently, two types of fibers are basically used for seals: nylon and artificial mohair.
Mohair refers to the hair of Angora rabbits, but now artificially made hair with similar properties is used. Nylon is the same nylon commonly used in our clothes and tights.
These two types of hair each offer different performance. Mohair has excellent gliding properties, or ability to slide, while nylon has excellent grip properties.
Seals not only climb, but also sometimes have to slide down slight slopes. In these cases, gliding properties become important.
By adjusting the balance of these two bristles, we create products that offer ideal glide and grip performance. Furthermore, the length of the bristles affects performance and the durability of the seal.
By changing the bristles' composition and length, we are able to create a variety of seals to suit a variety of uses.
About Glue
Just as important as the quality of the hair is the performance of the glue.
If the glue used to attach the skins to the skis becomes unusable on a snowy mountain, it will be impossible to continue climbing. Most tours are carried out in teams, so if one person is unable to climb, the whole team will have to descend together. If that happens, a fun tour will end incomplete. To avoid this, it is important that the glue works properly.
Examples of reasons why glue may become unusable include the following:
- Repeated climbs mean more need to put on and take off skis, which can cause them to freeze.
- Skiers with heavy weight or luggage who use skis with thin adhesive tend to slip off and freeze. (Thin sheets tend to slip off more easily, allowing snow to get in from the sides, which makes them more likely to freeze.)
- In any case, there are many cases where the skis freeze and no longer stick to the skis.
The following brands of seal manufacturers are currently available in Japan
-POMOCA
-G3
-BLACKDIAMOND
-CONTOUR
-COLLTEX
Each sticker manufacturer may have slightly different usage and storage methods. However, the basic usage and structure are the same.
Each company has different strengths, and ease of use varies depending on the user's preferences.
For example, G3 uses high-quality bristles, providing excellent glide and grip. BLACK DIAMOND adheres firmly to the glue, allowing it to continue to be used in backcountry conditions in cold temperatures without the glue freezing.
With POMOCA, all models can be glued together. This eliminates the need to repeatedly apply and remove protective cheat sheets, making them easy to handle in the field.
How to choose a sticker
So, what kind of product should you choose?
Let's take a look at POMOCA products as an example.
POMOCA products are broadly divided into six types
1) 100% nylon seals
2) 100% mohair seals
3) 70% mohair, 30% nylon
4) 70% mohair, 30% nylon
5) Lightweight and compact seals developed based on seals for mountain races
6) Seals for mountain races
From top to bottom, the seals are made of 100% nylon and offer excellent grip. They're easy to use for those new to climbing. However, as you can see from the photo, nylon is bulky and somewhat heavy.
Seal #2 is made of 100% mohair. They offer excellent glide and are lightweight, designed for experienced climbers.
Seals #3 and #4 are both made of a 70% mohair/30% nylon blend, making them easy for general users. The difference between these two is the length and density of the bristles. Because #3 has longer, denser bristles, it's slightly heavier, but its waterproof and water-repellent properties are superior to any other model. This makes them easy to handle for everyone, from beginners to guides carrying large loads.
Seal #6, designed for racing, is compact and minimal in size. It also lacks a tail stopper for easy removal.
The hair on No. 3 looks clumped together because it has wax on it for storage. This wax will come off after one or two tours.
How to choose
The key criteria for choosing snowboard seals are which mountain you're heading to, what equipment you'll be using, and your climbing technique. If you'll be walking mostly on flat ground, mohair snowboards with their excellent glide are easier to walk in. If you want to lighten your load and walk faster, lightweight snowboard seals number 5 should suit your needs. If you're not used to climbing or your total weight, including your equipment, will be heavy, we recommend snowboard seals number 3, which have long, dense fur
It's best to decide this by discussing with the shop staff, taking into account your actual level and the type of environment you'll be in.
Also, each type of sticker comes in multiple width and length sizes, so you can rest assured that there's one that will fit any size board.
Seal storage and lifespan
There are two main reasons why stickers become unusable.
The first is when the bristles wear out, and the second is when the glue goes bad. In terms of service life, the latter problem is more likely to become apparent sooner.
To check the lifespan of the glue, if the glue sticks to the sole of the ski when you peel it off after sticking the sticker to the ski, the sticker has reached the end of its life. When this happens, you have no choice but to buy a new one or have the glue replaced. Special tools are required to replace the sticker, so it's best to take it to a shop. Shops that can replace the sticker are listed below.
Glue Roll installation stores
| Shugakuso Hokkaido University Branch | 2-15, Kita 12-jo Nishi 3-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Shugakuso Shiraishi store | Hokkaido, Sapporo, Shiroishi Ward, Hondori 1-chome Minami 2-14 |
| Green House Morioka | 4-40-20 Motomiya, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Nice Edge | 4-1-1 Miyamoto, Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture |
| Bottom Line | Room 105, Shakujii Park Himiko Mansion, 2-18-7 Miharadai, Nerima-ku, Tokyo |
| Takuto Ski Lab | 3-7-3 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo |
| Rappy | 397 Kitajo, Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture |
| Keep One | 9-145 Ishiuracho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture |
| Paddle Club Nagoya | AM Building, 6-41 Marunouchi 3-chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture |
There are also rare cases where only a portion of the glue peels off. In such cases, repair tubes and other items are sold to temporarily fix the problem. However, since these are only temporary measures, if you are concerned about safety, we recommend replacing the glue or purchasing new stickers
The lifespan of glue is said to be about four years, but this will vary greatly depending on the storage environment. If you want to use it for a long time, the storage method is important
Storage method
Many people are concerned about how to store their stickers. Glue is sensitive to high humidity and high temperatures.
When you return from a winter trip to the backcountry, carefully apply the cheat sheet and hang it up to dry. It's best to dry it in a warm, well-ventilated area in a room, not near a stove.
The problem comes during the summer. They're vulnerable to heat and humidity, so summer is their worst enemy.
Some people store them in the refrigerator. However, not every household is going to allow the husband (or wife, or both) to take up valuable refrigerator space for their hobbies.
Therefore, we recommend storing them in a well-ventilated, relatively cool place, such as near the entrance to a warehouse or garage, or if that's not available, in the entryway. A
common example of a bad idea is storing them in a closet. This is a no-no as humidity can easily build up. They're
an important piece of backcountry gear, so you want to take good care of them and use them regularly.
In the practical section that follows, I would like to explain how to use it on site, how to store it, and how to cut stickers
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the person who taught me
Tomoya Takahashi
is the Japanese sales representative for Dynafit Pomoca. He loves skiing and fishing. He is currently using remote work to help manage his family's inn. In the summer, he spends his time fishing and gathering wild vegetables, transitioning from the hustle and bustle of the city to a simpler lifestyle.
Cooperation / Rexxam Co., Ltd