Piste or off-piste – it makes no difference. The KOHLA VERTICAL Mixmohair skins let you combine both, because they are genuinely all-round. Mixmohair means the skins contain an admixture of nylon, which makes them extremely tough and gives them an excellent lifespan. They also grip superbly without slipping, and thanks to the new Smart Glue adhesive technology they stay put on the ski – yet peel apart easily. In short, climbing thousands of metres is that bit more enjoyable with these skins.
Smart Glue – a newly developed adhesive
One thing you need from a touring skin is an adhesive layer that holds firmly on the base even in the toughest conditions. Austrian manufacturer KOHLA leads the field in adhesive technology and keeps refining and innovating it. The proof is the newly developed Smart Glue, which you can truly rely on and which holds perfectly even in hard frost.
- With Smart Glue you don't need a separating sheet when folding the touring skins together, and pulling them apart takes only 60 % of the force required with standard skins.
Outstanding glide
KOHLA VERTICAL Mixmohair climbing skins are fast, glide superbly, won't slow your pace and save the energy you need so badly on a multi-day traverse. That comes down to the mohair used and the way the fibres are woven:
- the mohair fibres, their cut and their quality are chosen precisely for speed and the best possible glide, even on variable snow
- the fibres have a special treatment that improves glide still further
- the use of a longer fibre markedly increases the skin's resistance and lifespan while keeping the glide very fast
Firm hold even on spring firn
For a climbing skin to hold reliably on the base, both the base and the adhesive layer must be dry. Once moisture from the snow reaches the glue, it stops working, the skin peels off, ices up and loses its grip. That is why these KOHLA VERTICAL Mixmohair skins use vulcanisation technology, in which the fibre is fused directly into the bottom layer, making the skin 100 % waterproof. You can enjoy your tour without a worry, because the glue holds firmly, doesn't ice up and works brilliantly even on wet spring firn.
Skins with vulcanised technology last longer, because the pile is woven into the textile and at the same time bonded into the rubber backing. As a result the skin doesn't take on moisture and offers significantly better adhesion in demanding spring conditions.
Impregnated climbing skins
Good climbing skins have to hold firmly on the ski and glide superbly over the snow. Wet snow can stick to wet skins, and there is nothing more annoying than dragging half a kilo of snow build-up around on each foot. The skins stop gliding and it costs you far too much energy. All KOHLA climbing skins are impregnated with fluorocarbon, so snow doesn't cling to them.
- The impregnation repels moisture and thus prevents snow from sticking to the fibres.
- The impregnation improves glide – the climbing skins are faster and moving is easier.
- The impregnation increases fibre durability – the climbing skins last longer.
- The climbing skins dry faster.
- The impregnation is kind to nature – free of solvents and toxic substances, and biodegradable.
As good as new
With frequent use or after several seasons the impregnation may lose some of its effect. If that happens, simply restore it with KOHLA DRY CLIMB skin impregnation spray or KOHLA impregnating wax. The wax is small and worth carrying in your pack on tour, especially on a multi-day traverse.
Will the skins fit my skis?
KOHLA climbing skins can be fitted to any ski – the steel loop is easily swapped for a different attachment to suit another tip shape. The parts are made from quality plastic and stainless steel materials that resist frost and wear.
- Tip: the T-Bar tip (85 mm), which suits most skis, or the metal (z-Hook) and rubber (i-Fix) hook versions for skis with a notch.
- Tail: a sewn-on elastic plastic strap and clip (K-Clip + Elastic Strap) with 12 cm of adjustment. For twin-tip skis use the Butterfly clip.
Will the skins match the width and sidecut of my skis?
For the easiest possible ascent it is important to cover as much of the base as possible with the skin, so choosing the right width and length matters. VERTICAL Mixmohair climbing skins in the Multifit version come in a width of 120 mm and in lengths from 142 - 183 cm in 6 cm increments, and you simply trim them 2.5 mm in from the edge to match the exact shape of your skis.
