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The 2 Best Climbing Skins of 2026


Shop our full selection of climbing skins.

skier ripping Contour skins (one of the best climbing skins) off a ski

Don't overlook the climbing skins in your AT setup.

Climbing skins are a critical part of your alpine touring setup. After all, they're the thing that gets you up the hill. Having a good "skin day" means no snow globbing on either side of the skin, smooth transitions, and skins that stay in good shape even after several laps. To help narrow down your search, we've selected some of the best climbing skins around. You won't go wrong with any of these climbing skins, whether you're just starting to explore the backcountry or if you're a seasoned expert.

Looking for some climbing skin shopping tips?

Mohair vs. Nylon: Mohair is a natural, wool-like material from Angora goats that's historically been used for climbing skins. Nylon serves as a cheaper alternative. Most folks find nylon skins to grip icy surfaces better and are usually more plush and durable. Fully nylon skins (like the Black Diamond Ascensionist) will be less packable, but have strong grip and are more durable. Mohair is more packable and glides better, making travel more efficient, especially on flats. If you're looking to set FKTs and race your friends up the hill to the best snow, look for a mohair-based skin. If you're looking to save some money and prioritize durability, nylon is a great option. Lots of skins will come with some kind of blend. These options give you the best balance between grip and glide.

Sizing: Most skins will come in a size range. When shopping for your climbing skin, just choose the length range your ski falls into. Some climbing skins will come with multiple width options. You don't need the skin to be wider than your ski, a little base showing will be just fine. For example, if the widest point of your ski is 140mm, and the skin you're interested in is 130mm wide, that will work just fine. As long as the skins aren't pre-trimmed, they'll come with a trim tool. It's easy to use, but we can do it for you too!

Which skins will glop less? In theory, nylon skins will have less snow sticking to the base since it's hydrophobic. But, depending on the snow conditions, you can have snow accumulate no matter the skin. Use skin wax (like this one from Mountain Flow) to help keep your skins running smoothly. This is especially handy in the spring. Keep a tin in your pack!

Best Climbing Skins: Our Picks


1. Pomoca Climb Pro S Glide $185.93

Pomoca Climb Pro S Glide climbing skins
The basics: Backcountry skiers ranging from pros like Cody Townsend and Owen Leeper to our dorky marketing guy trust Pomoca skins with their uphill exploits. The Climb Pro S-Glide is one of the best day-to-day skins in the industry for people who want to dust the skintrack to leave more time for pow turns. Light, efficient, and glidey, these skins do exactly that. But they will not fall apart on a ... learn more

2. Pomoca Climb 2.0 $87.93

Pomoca Climb 2.0 climbing skins
The basics: Powder7 staffers love Pomoca skins, and the Climb 2.0 is the standard go-to. Featuring a grippy-yet-glidey blend of mohair and nylon, it's a little lighter and more packable than the Climb Pro S Glide and a little more durable than the Free Pro 2.0. The Climb 2.0 is a great skin for people who balance short, low-angle mid-winter tours with longer or steeper big-mountain tours once the snow ... learn more



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