After trying to fix a problem that didn't exist--in this case pre-waxing my Pomoca skins with my usually trusty Contour glide wax--I spent 2 tours fighting glop in relatively cool dry snow. After trying BD Globstopper on my next tour didn't help either, I thought I might have to retire my fairly new Pomoca skins. I got this stuff as a desperate last resort but it worked amazingly well.
I don't know about using it at the trailhead (the instructions say "let it thoroughly dry), but putting in on the night before seemed to rejuvenate my skins. It is sort of strange stuff--I wasn't sure it was penetrating into my skins but when I got done 1/2 the bottle was gone--so the strange liquid went somewhere.
I'm not sure why Pomoca skins don't play well with other wax brands, but this stuff saved them.
Nikwax Ski Skin Proof
Nikwax has long been the industry leader in reviving outdoor clothing and preserving the integrity of high-tech fabrics. Turns out they can do the same for your climbing skins. The Ski Skin Wax uses similar chemicals to the Nikwax DWR (durable water repellent) treatments to add water-repellency directly to the fibers. This also means mucho glide in the spring when others are glomming. The skin wax is a liquid formula that is sponged on through a built-in tip applicator. It takes just a couple minutes at the trailhead and you’ll be glad you did. The Nikwax Ski Skin Proof aids in just about everything from grip and glide to reducing ice buildup and should always be in your gear bag.
- Improves glide in any snow conditions, but it really shines in spring conditions or mid-winter Sierra cement
- Sponge applicator makes it easier to saturate every fiber on the plush.
- Water-based mixture is eco-friendly and biodegradable.
