How to Apply Climbing Skins

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Trim your skins if necessary.

   Climbing skins come in different lengths and widths and may need to be trimmed to fit your skis' dimensions.
   
   Some manufacturers pre-trim their skins for their own brand of skis.
   
   Use your skins' included trimming tool and template to cut away excess material.
   
   Follow the manufacturer's instructions for trimming the skins when possible. ,, This looped section allows you to make minor adjustments to your skins. , Adhere the skin to the ski's length so it is about 1/8-inch (0.31 cm) off-center. , Carefully peel the skin back off. , Trim the excess skin hanging over the side. , Both of the ski's edges should now be exposed to allow for control when skiing. ,, Leave the release paper on the skin.
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   Step 2: Trim about 4 inches (10 cm) of a skin's front end so its width is the same as that of your ski's tip loop.

   Put the bent steel ring of a tip stretcher over your ski's tip. , This is the spot where the skin will fold through the ring. ,, Make sure the adhesive is not dirtied to avoid contamination and lessening its stickiness. , Fold it back on itself.
   
   Adjust the skin's tension by folding more or less skin through the tip stretcher's ring. , Set the skin along the ski so it hangs 1/8-inch (0.31 cm) off to 1 edge. ,, Trim this piece of skin off the edge. , Repeat the process with the other ski.
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   Step 3: Fold the trimmed length of skin through the tip loop and back over itself.

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   Step 4: Take off the release paper on your climbing skin.

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   Step 5: Trim the excess skin along the edge of the ski from the tip to the tail.

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   Step 6: Move the skin over to the other side of the ski to be 1/4-inch (0.62 cm) off the edge.

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   Step 7: Readjust the skin to lie centered along the ski.

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   Step 8: Repeat the trimming and application process for the other ski's skin.

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   Step 9: Hook the back end of the skin onto the ski's tail.

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    Step 10: Lay out the skin flat along the ski.

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    Step 11: Mark the skin's release paper where the climbing skin meets the unbent rear ring of the tip stretcher.

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    Step 12: Cut the end of the skin off about 6 inches (15 cm) above the mark you made.

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    Step 13: Remove the first 2 feet (60 cm) of release paper from the skin.

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    Step 14: Thread the climbing skin through the unbent ring of the tip stretcher.

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    Step 15: Peel off the rest of the release paper carefully.

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    Step 16: Trim the skin hanging off the edge with the trim tool.

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    Step 17: Readjust the skin so it hangs off the other edge by 1/4-inch (0.62 cm).

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    Step 18: Peel the skin off and center it down the ski's length.

Detailed Guide

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