Ski touring skins · Test magazine 2026
Tech talk with Hans-Peter Brehm, Colltex
Managing Director · Print page 119
Tests, reviews and background on Colltex
As a mountain guide, which ski skins do you recommend to guests who go on 10–20 tours each winter, and why?
Standard on the market are skins made from 100% mohair goat yarn, mix skins made from 65% mohair and 35% polyamide as well as pure synthetic skins. Gliding and climbing always behave in opposite ways: Mohair glides optimally, but climbs less well; Synthetics hold well, but glide worse. For the “average tourer”, mixed skins are the best choice as they combine good gliding with a secure grip. At Colltex these are the Tödi ski skins, named after the 3614 m high landmark of the Glarus region.
If the skins no longer stick - how do you solve this on the mountain without canceling the tour?
If you check the adhesive adhesion before the tour, you can usually avoid the problem. The hot melt adhesive can still wear off when it's very cold or when you put on and take off your skin several times in wet conditions. For this purpose, Colltex has developed the Quicktex pads: double-sided coated carrier fabric in the format 7 × 7 cm. It is glued to the skins and can be easily removed after use so the tour can continue. After the tour we recommend a new coating.
Do guests tend to slip on steep traverses due to poor walking technique or incorrectly cut skins?
Since skis today have different waists, you usually buy the right skins with them. So they usually fit. Slipping when climbing or crossing is almost always due to walking technique. On steep slopes, consciously place your weight on your heels so that the entire skin receives even pressure. If you “hang” too far forward over the poles, you will only put strain on the front part and slip at the back. When crossing, tilt the ski slightly to the side of the valley (more skin in contact with the snow) and take small steps so that the center of gravity remains over the ski. These and other tips can be found at www.colltex.ch/de/10-skifell-tipps.
If snow balls up under your guests’ skins, what helps?
Most of the time, the skins themselves are not to blame. Snow buildup mainly occurs when moving from warm, wet snow to cold snow: the damp skins cool down and snow freezes onto them, usually at the edges first and then across the entire skin. Often you start in warm conditions and it becomes cold higher up; sometimes simply stepping from sunshine into shade is enough. It helps to waterproof the skins the evening before and rub them with a wax block when putting them on before setting off. This treatment reduces snow buildup. If it still happens, take off your skis, dry the affected areas with a cloth in the direction of the fibres, and wax them again.
How and where do you store your skins if you have to put them on and take them off several times?
When it is very cold, keep the skins inside your jacket at chest level. They can freeze in a backpack, but warm skins are easier to put on and hold up much better. In spring when the temperatures are warm, this hardly plays a role. Important: Never dry skins on the skis, as you often see on the walls of a hut when you arrive. If there is too much heat, the adhesive can bond to the ski base and leave residue. So always remove it first, then dry it. I wish everyone a great ski touring winter!
