How to Size Skins to Skis

Skins fit onto the bottoms of downhill or specialized alpine touring skis with glue and a buckle/clip device, allowing the wearer to ascend snow-covered slopes without the use of a chairlift. Traditionally, skins were made of seal or other animal pelts, but today's skins are made of synthetic materials and have tiny "hairs" that lay in one direction toward the back of the skis and propel you forward. There are typically two kinds of skins--straight and shaped. Straight skins are easier to size but offer a little less traction and performance than shaped skins, which need to be trimmed to fit the skis.

Instructions

  1. Sizing For Shaped Skins

    • 1

      Measure the width of your skis at the top.

    • 2

      Choose a skin that is closest to the width of the top end of your skis but no larger. For example, if the tip of your skis measures 118 mm, then you will need to choose 110 mm shaped skins.

    • 3

      Using the tool provided with your skins, trim them to fit your skis leaving the edges exposed.

    Sizing For Straight Skins

    • 4

      Measure your skis at the waist, or the narrowest part of the skis.

    • 5

      Choose a skin that is closest to the width of the narrowest part of the ski but no larger. For example, if the narrowest part of your ski measures 64 mm, select a skin measuring 60 mm.

    • 6

      Do not trim straight skins.