Skins adhesive not so adhesive when wet

I've had mixed results with the ClipFix too, Randy.  I'm wondering if Treehugger's using the BD Ascension hooks, which aren't the same thing (Ascension on the right):



The Clipfix work well if you've got them fairly tight, but the hooks with the rubber strap are more adjustable.  They both have their weaknesses but I'd take the hook/strap setup if I had the choice.  I've never had such bad skin problems that I decided to convert to the rat-tail, but it looks pretty bombproof.

Ever since my first tour with Lowell, during which he would hang skins and take off his boots and socks at every break, I've tried to do the same "moisture" prevention.  Makes a big difference.

I'll echo Voile straps for emergency skin-stickers -- they fix everything.

For sure, an ounce of prevention is best.   But if I haven't been careful about watching this and my skins end up soaking wet or god forbid, there's no sunshine around to dry things out ... the other thing I've done is to "squeegee" them by pressing the skins, skin side of course, along the outside edge of my ski. I go with the skin grain and squeeze the water out.  Then for the ski down, I wrap them around my calves, inside my pant legs, and that seems to help the skins dry out ... somewhat. 

But whatever, who skis in the rain?!?

But whatever, who skis in the rain?!?

Or on slush, overipened corn, snow covered in pine needles on an approach, etc....

re: skins- I've had excellent success at increasing the adherence of the skin glue without needing to re-apply by using parchment paper and ironing the skins. Let cool before removing the paper and be sure to remove the needles/dirt etc and have the skins completely dry before ironing.

I've found the STS tail system is far superior to clipfix. With warmer temps and moisture the skins can lengthen enough that the clipfix is easily dislodged, with STS it's simple enough to tighten the connection up by moving the tail attachment up a notch.

I always carry athletic tape and a couple straps as well.

I've had mixed results with the ClipFix too, Randy.  I'm wondering if Treehugger's using the BD Ascension hooks, which aren't the same thing (Ascension on the right):

I have the Ascension hooks Marcus. I like them a lot and so far they've been bomber (they hold quite a bit of tension) but I haven't tried anything else so what do I know?

I REALLY like the idea of using Voile straps if all else fails to keep the skins and glue dry. I'm embarassed I didn't think of that, although I only had the one that I use to strap ski tips together when boot climbing.

My next time up I'm going to A) have my skins waxed with Nikwax which sounded like a nice product (Thanks Zap for the recommendation. Get an earlier start so I'm not climbing in the slush. C) Dry the skins periodically and D) bust out the voile straps if absolutely necessary


I did notice my skins slackening quite a bit as they absorbed water, so it sounds like the tension in the rat-tail system would compensate for the lengthening of the skin.

Thanks everyone for the great tech discussion!

Good takeaways, tree. BTW, my remark about skiing in the rain wasn't a poke at you but at myself and Marcus who- ahem - have been known to ski in the rain from time to time.

Good takeaways, tree.  BTW, my remark about skiing in the rain wasn't a poke at you but at myself and Marcus who- ahem - have been known to ski in the rain from time to time.

No worries Andy. I didn't read into it. And what kind of PNWerner would you be if you didn't!