To that slope you long to go further and carve tracks on. Skins, essential for moving freely in the backcountry, may be the most important piece of BC gear, depending on how you look at it. What climbing skins do professional guides who traverse the vast snowfields of nature rate as superior and use as their means of traveling on snow?
*All prices shown include consumption tax.
BlackDiamond ｜ Glide Light Mix FL
A mix of mohair and nylon. Lightweight and offering excellent glide, this model is ideal for long tours.
The STS tail attachment is light and thin, and folds inward for easy storage. Gold label adhesive provides strong adhesion and can be reapplied repeatedly, even in tough environments. An offset trim tool is included, making side cutting easy. Available in four sizes: 110mm and 130mm wide.
Mixed
mohair 65%, nylon 35%
Width: 110・130mm
Length:
S=151-168cm, M=159-176cm
L=167-184cm, XL=175-193cm
¥30,800 (110mm) ¥33,000 (135mm)
◆Official website: http://www.lostarrow.co.jp/blackdiamond
"The main reason for its reliability is its excellent glue performance" | Infield Toyokazu Nakano
The main reason I love BlackDiamond's Glidelite Mix FL is because of its reliable adhesive. It sticks securely to the skis even when you take them on and off multiple times throughout the day. Its ability to withstand some rough handling makes it a great choice for your first climbing skin.
It uses a mohair/nylon mix for a good balance of weight and glide, but if you need more grip, choose the nylon Ascension Skins.
Reviewer
Infield ｜ Toyokazu NAKANO
After 10 years of experience after moving to Myoko Kogen, he started "Infield" in 2006. Currently, he works as a backcountry tour guide and telemark ski instructor in the winter, and as a mountain climbing/trekking guide and sea kayak guide in the summer.
CONTOUR｜HYBRID PURE
It uses only mohair to achieve excellent glide performance. Its unique design reduces the amount of material used, resulting in a lightweight design. The adhesive surfaces can be bonded together, eliminating the need for cheat sheets
100% Mohair
Width: 115-135mm
Length: XS(142)~XXL(195)
¥27,775 (115mm) ¥30,525 (135mm)
◆Official website: https://www.whitetimetokyo.com/collections/contour
CONTOUR｜HYBRID MIX
This model offers excellent durability and glide. It absorbs less water on wet snow, making it ideal for the spring season. The adhesive surfaces can be attached together and folded, eliminating the need for a sheet, making it easy to handle. The non-sticky adhesive leaves no marks on the base, and removing it requires little force. The flexible fabric also makes it easy to store
Mixed
mohair 65%, nylon 35%
Width: 115~135mm
Length: XS (145cm) ~ XXL (~195cm)
¥27,775 (135mm) ¥26,455 (115mm)
◆Official website: https://www.whitetimetokyo.com/collections/contour
"Use two types of CONTOUR for the harsh winter and spring" | Jun Nagai , JUNRINA mountain service
In the harsh winter, we use "Hybrid Pure" which has a good glide and grip. In the spring, we use "Hybrid Mix" which is highly durable.
Even if the adhesive strength decreases, it can be easily restored with a special cleaner, which is an excellent feature and very useful. Also, it can be stuck together and stored on site, which is very convenient as it does not require cheat sheets.
Reviewer
JUNRINA mountain service ｜ Jun Nagai
After quitting his job and working at Tateyama Raichoso, he underwent guide training and started activities as JUNRINA mountain service in 2010. Experienced in many overseas backcountry trips. In the summer and fall, he works as a mountain climbing guide mainly in the Alps and Joshinetsu, and in the winter and spring he works as a backcountry ski guide.
POMOKA｜FREE PRO
Lightweight and compact nylon mohair
mix expert skin for freeride skiers
Formula POMOCA (Nylon Mohair Mix)
GLIDE: 200Kcal/h
GRIP: 45g/㎠
Width: 123mm ¥39,380 | 140mm ¥42,680
◆Official website: https://rexxam.com/POMOCA/
"Lightweight and compact" | Niseko Mecca Hisataka Tanaka
It is lightweight, compact, and thin, so it is best not to walk on rocks
Reviewer
Niseko Mecca ｜ Hisataka Tanaka
In addition to climbing the mountains of Hokkaido, he also has experience overseas such as climbing and backcountry climbing in the Canadian Rockies and New Zealand. Guide business in Niseko since 2002.
"It's light and compact, and..." | RIKI JAPOW GUIDE Riki Nakajima
It's light and compact, and the grip and glide are just right
Reviewer
RIKI JAPOW GUIDE | Riki Nakajima
Obtained CSIA instructor qualification in Canada and the first Japanese CFSA freeski instructor qualification. He has expanded his activities from free ski competitions to backcountry areas, and currently provides guidance and lessons based at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Ski Resort.
POMOCA ｜TOUR PRO
POMOCA's best-selling model,
Expert Skin, boasts high water repellency and durability for long tours.
65% Mohair/35% Nylon
GLIDE: 213Kal/h
GRIP: 52g/㎠
Width: 120mm ¥39,380 | 140mm ¥42,680
◆Official website: https://rexxam.com/POMOCA/
"A good balance of climbing and descending performance" | Kuroda Mountain Guide Office, Makoto Kuroda
I wouldn't recommend them for beginners, but if you push down properly, they provide good traction and are easy to climb, and on flat ground they move forward, making walking easy. Even when you're skiing on a slight downhill slope, you can get ahead of others, saving you effort. They have a good balance of climbing and descending performance
Reviewer
Kuroda Mountain Guide Office | Makoto Kuroda
With a small group of private guides, we will support you on a mountain trip full of originality that suits each level. We provide services that value not only skiing but also the spirit of travel.
Separate gloves for skiing and hiking｜Spur Akita Mountain Guide Service Mariko Sato
When I was choosing snowboards for the first time, I was recommended these because they offer a good balance between sliding and climbing, and I've continued to use them ever since. I've used snowboards from other manufacturers before, but compared to these, I've had fewer problems during hikes and they're very reliable. These are the only ones I use now
Reviewer
Spur Akita Mountain Guide Service | Mariko Sato
I competed in alpine competitions until high school, and then moved on to basic skiing. Has participated in the All Japan Ski Technical Championship. For some reason, I became fascinated with mountain skiing, and with the aim of becoming a guide, I studied at the International Natural Environment Outdoor College (i-nac) and became a professional guide.
"The balance between glide and grip is excellent" | TERUI DAICHI
I use POMOCA's "Tour Pro." It has the perfect balance of glide and grip. The glue is strong yet easy to remove. By bonding the glued surfaces together, snow does not stick to the glued surface, leading to a lighter weight. If you have a weaker grip, you can make it accordion-shaped for easier removal
Reviewer
Daichi Terui
While attending university, he aspired to become a mountain guide and studied under international mountain guide Hirofumi Ishizaka. Upon graduating from university, he became a certified guide by the Japan Mountain Guide Association. Since his early 20s, he has experienced heli-ski guide training in Northern Europe, mountain climbing in the European Alps, and ski touring.
"It can be used for many years even with the frequency of use of the guide." | Masaaki Sato
There are other lighter, thinner seals available, but these are durable. The rocks on the Happo-one Ridge are exposed, and thin seals can easily tear, but with "Tour Pro" you can walk safely. Even with the frequency of use we use as guides, these seals can be used for years
Reviewer
Masaaki Sato
Became familiar with skiing from an early age and gained experience in competitive and basic skiing, moved to Hakuba Village at the age of 20, and began to focus on backcountry skiing at the age of 24. After gaining experience at Port Snow Hakuba and Power Zone Hakuba, he became independent.
POMOCA ｜SPLITBOARD PRO
Lightweight and compact nylon mohair
mix expert skin designed specifically for splitboards
65% Mohair/35% Nylon
GLIDE: 200Kal/h
GRIP: 46g/㎠
Width: 145m
￥40,920
◆Official website: https://rexxam.com/POMOCA/
"Pomoca is light and slippery" | WARP Arima Arata
I think Pomoca is light and slippery, but the good thing about hybrids is that they're not glue-based, so there's no problem with glue remaining on the surface, and there's no need to reapply the adhesive, so with proper maintenance, they can be used almost indefinitely.
The downside is that they tend to peel off easily when the surface gets wet or dirty, and you need to get used to using them so they don't get wet or dirty when you change modes. If you carry a cleaner with you, you can restore them to their original condition at any time, and once you get used to using them, you won't need to carry a cleaner with you, but I always take a cleaner with me when I go on trips.
reviewer
WARP ｜ Arima New Arata Arima
In the 2002-03 season, he and his friends founded WARP, the first guide club in the water area. Active mainly in Tanigawa, Takeru, and Kagura areas. As a freeriding-based ski guide club, we continue to focus on developing the local area without focusing on peak hunting.
"It's extremely lightweight and compact, making it very convenient!" | GRANIX mountain guide Satoshi Arakawa
Compared to skis, splitboards require a larger surface area for stickers, so I chose something as light as possible. This POMOCA "SPLITBOARD PRO" is not only extremely light, but also very compact. It's compact even when using cheat sheets, but I also like the fact that you can stick the adhesive surfaces of the stickers together, which makes it compact and lightweight. The glide and grip are just right, so I find it very useful
Reviewer
GRANIX mountain guide | Satoshi Arakawa
Hoping they mainly operate in the mountainous areas of Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture. In the summer, he works as a mountain climbing guide and shows around mountain areas in Japan. Guide experience: 13 years