Our updated Ascension Ski Skins provide benchmark traction and uphill performance and are now available in fixed lengths, with pre-installed tips and tails for ease-of-use.
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How To: Trim and Set Up Your Fixed Length Black Diamond Skins
At Black Diamond, we're committed to going deep, whether that's into the mountains, the design process, or the community we love. Our fall/winter collection of equipment and apparel is built for the experience of casting off, and diving into the deep end of adventure.
Overall rating: 4.5027933 / 5 from 179 reviews.
The Black Diamond Ascension Ski Skins provide excellent traction and glide, praised for their high quality, durable clips, and reliable grip on various surfaces. Customers appreciate the perfect fit and innovative design features, though some noted mixed performance in wet conditions.
Review topics: [fit, quality, performance, issues, looks, design, grip, pack, conditions, durability, material, price, weight, works, skins, glue, glide, clip, snow, skis, traction, pair, loop, hold, skin tracks, attachment, install, tips, care, surfaces].
"Installing and fitting them took some learning but made for a perfect fit in the end. I have had two ski skins in the past that would often slip when touring creating the need for ski crampons, but I did not have that issue with these. They were able to support my entire hike with significantly less back slip and eliminating the need for ski crampons."
"I've used previous iterations of the Ascension skins for decades. Never once did a tip loop break. The latest design with the solid metal tip loop is such an obvious weak point and breaks far too easily. In addition, the tip loop is attached with rivets, so good luck trying to jury rig a fix in the field. You're stuck using zip ties or Voile straps until you can get home and drill out the rivets."
"As long as you don't let these skins get too warm (completely user error on my side by forgetting them next to a heater) they will last you forever! I had my first pair for 4+ years and they would've kept going if I didn't melt the glue. First thing I did after discovering my mistake was re-ordering a new identical set"
"I transitioned to ascensions after wearing out my skins from another brand all the while my wife’s ascensions kept on chugging. I tour in the northeastern United States. That means thin cover navigating over rocks and sticks, icy skin tracks, and steep switch-backs. I choose these skins because they lock me in place for every uphill step. If you’re looking for grip and durability you’ll find it here."
"These are great touring skins, easy to trim, very effective glue even in very cold temperatures, solid traction and strong attachments at the tail and tip."
"New to skinning this season, bought a set of 114 wide skis and these skins fit great and were very easy to cut. Using the skins is great, they hold really well on steeper Terrain and are easy to get on and off."
"Excellent grip on variety of snow surfaces - and good glide. The trim tool could be improved - I tried the BD one that came with the skins but switched and used an old 3G tool that is molded with a nice offset to give a consistent exposure of ~1/8 inch of edge/ski base. Also bought a Factor shell - loooove it! Rugged build, quiet material, not crinkly, have worn skiing with puffy underneath in low single digit temps, with lighter layers in teens/20 temps and just base layer for fast hikes on the Long Trail with our dog. Good hood design, can tuck your chin in on cold lifts, easy pits zips. OK, one complaint - inside mesh pockets could be larger to hold skins (but the large outside front pockets work well."
"This is my second pair of these Black Diamond skins, the first pair went through two seasons of decently hard use, and I continue to use them. They are great, no issues. The rivets attaching the tail clip came off on the second pair during my first use this season. still great skins, but might have just gotten a defective pair."
"Great and easy to set up I’ve bough these twice and I’d buy it a third."
"Used for a few tours this wet and warm end of 25’ season. No complaints so far, super easy to cut for my skis wayyy more glide than the old nylon skins I replaced. No comments on durability but the glue still looks brand new. Will definitely buy again."
| Size Range (cm) |
|---|
| 157-168 cm |
| 163-174 cm |
| 169-180 cm |
| 175-186 cm |
| 181-192 cm |
Match ski length. Fixed-length skins come with pre-attached tip and tail hardware. STS adjustable tail provides 10cm of length adjustment for a fine tuned fit.
