(For a more condensed guide on ski skins and how to store and maintain them, click here!)

Whether you're gliding through untouched powder or making your way up a steep backcountry slope, ski skins are an essential tool for any ski touring adventure. These specialized strips of fabric attach to the bottom of skis, allowing skiers to climb uphill without sliding backward. Originally made from seal skin, modern versions are crafted from nylon, mohair (from Angora goats), or a blend of both to provide a balance of grip and glide. But just like any piece of performance gear, ski skins require proper care to function at their best. From brushing off debris to applying waterproof treatments like Nikwax Ski Skin Proof, understanding how to maintain your skins can make a huge difference in efficiency, safety, and the lifespan of your gear.

Before we get into how to take care of your skins, let's break down the two main parts of the ski skin. On one side of the skin there will be a glue or adhesive, the glue and/or adhesive that is typically used is a special adhesive that is sticky enough to hold but can be removed without leaving residue. This is the side that will stick to the bases of your skis. However, glue and adhesive typically isn’t enough so skins usually have hooks, clips, or loops at the tip and tail to help them stay securely in place. On the other side of the skin is the side that is either made up of the nylon, mohair, or blend of the two materials. As briefly mentioned in the previous paragraph, skins are mainly used for uphill travelling when ski touring and backcountry skiing so this is the side that actually touches snow and provides the necessary grip that will keep you from sliding back and traction that will help you move forward with control which makes them incredibly effective when you’re climbing in untracked snow.  

Now because the main use for ski skins is for ski touring, backcountry skiing, and even cross country skiing, it’s undoubted that they will get dirty which is why maintenance and treatment is very important. When caring for your skins, there are a few things that need to be considered especially when it comes to maintaining the longevity of them. 

The first thing that needs to be considered is cleaning the glue and/or adhesive on the skins. Even though the adhesive sticks tightly to the base of your skis and doesn’t directly touch the ground, it’s not uncommon for things like dirt, pine needles, or even hair sticking to it. To prolong the life of the adhesive you should actually avoid cleaning it until it becomes absolutely necessary, cleaning too often or over-cleaning can wear out the adhesive faster. It should only really be cleaned when performance is starting to be affected. Products and methods to avoid using when cleaning your skins are solvents or alcohol—they break down the glue, soaking in water—this will lead to delamination and weaken the adhesive, and intense scrubbing—abrasive scrubbing damages the glue layer. The best way to clean the glue/adhesive is to spot clean with a paper bag or cloth. Lay the paper bag or lint-free cloth on the glue side and then gently run a warm(NOT HOT)iron over it(using a hot iron or heating up the glue too much will melt it). The heat will soften the glue slightly and the debris will then transfer to the bag or cloth. If available to you, another method of cleaning the glue/adhesive is using a ski skin specific cloth. Some brands offer these kinds of cloths or even cleaning wipes, they are gentle and specifically designed for skin glue maintenance. If your skins are struggling to stick even after warming and pressing, the glue is stringy, patchy, really full of debris, or leaves a residue on your skis, that means it’s time to refresh or replace the glue/adhesive. 

After taking care of the glue it’s now time to take care of the fibers on the other side of the skins. Brushing the fibers after they are completely dry using a soft bristle brush—like nylon or horsehair, a dedicated ski skin brush, or if you’re really in a pinch, an old toothbrush, will remove the dirt and light debris without damaging the skin fibers. Brush in the direction of the fibers(tip to tail) to maintain glide and unlike adhesive maintenance, this is a good thing to be doing regularly, especially after powder days, tree skiing, or in the early and late season when there’s more debris. 

And the final step, treating your skins. Without proper treatment many problems can occur such as Absorb moisture and freeze up, making them heavy and inefficient, accumulation of  snow and ice, especially in spring or wet conditions and losing glide, making uphill travel more exhausting. There are a few ways of treating your skins, the easiest way is by using a spray on treatment—a great one we offer here  is Nikwax Ski Skin Proof. Nikwax Ski Skin Proof is a specially formulated treatment designed to improve the performance and longevity of your ski skins by repelling water and snow, helping reduce snow build-up and icing, maintaining glide, and protecting the skin and fibers. It’s suitable for synthetic, mohair, and blended skins, and is water-based, biodegradable, and free from harmful PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals)—making it a more environmentally friendly option. To use it you just have to lay out your skins with the fiber side up, spray it on evenly, use a sponge or cloth to spread it evenly, and the let them dry completely(**Avoid getting it on the glue side. It’s only for the fibers, not the adhesive!**). 

In the world of ski touring and backcountry exploration, well-maintained ski skins can make all the difference between a smooth ascent and a frustrating uphill battle. By understanding the materials that make up your skins and learning how to properly care for both the adhesive and fiber sides, you can dramatically extend their lifespan and improve their performance in all types of snow conditions. Whether you're brushing off debris after a deep powder day or applying a treatment like Nikwax Ski Skin Proof to repel moisture, every step of maintenance plays a role in keeping your gear reliable and efficient. With the right care, your ski skins will not only last longer, but also help you move more confidently and comfortably through the mountains season after season.