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    • Kick wax vs kicker skins vs fishscale

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    Kick wax vs kicker skins vs fishscale

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    • Prairiedug
      2013-10-24 01:01:18

      Kick wax vs kicker skins vs fishscale

      Does anybody have any opinions about the efficiency of kick wax vs kicker skins vs fishscale bases on flat/rolling terrain?  Let's assume a given pair of skis on a nice blue wax day on a long approach such as one commonly does in the Rockies.  I'm wondering mostly about the amount of drag one must overcome when moving the ski forward.  I've typically used a kick wax under most of the ski for long approaches, but I'm seeing some people using kicker skins, and now there are AT/tele skis with fish scale such as the Voile Vector and Charger BC.  

      As for climbing capability, I would think the best would be the kicker skins (the real skins are still in the pack for the real climb ahead), followed by?  The blue wax in optimal conditions?  The fishscale bases?

      How about on the descent?  Do fishscale bases make it harder to turn?  When skiing downhill with skis waxed with kick wax, I usually don't notice much drag (unless I've really screwed up on the wax choice).  Would the fishscale bases be about the same?

      Thanks for your thoughts.


    • joestrummer
      2013-10-24 14:45:18

      I've just picked up a pair of kicker skins, but have yet to try them.  My reasons for doing so are (a) I mainly do sidecountry excursions, (b) weight/compactness (these puppies fit into my pockets) and (c) cost.


      I'll report back when I've actually used them.

    • joestrummer
      2014-03-25 15:39:17

      I've now used my kicker skins (BLack Diamond 95mm) on several side-country excursions.  They are 1/3 the length of regular skins and are straightforward to attach.  For flat and moderately steep terrain they are great.  Anything steeper than 15 degrees is a bit of a struggle since there isn't enough grip.


      All-in-all, for my side-country treks they are great.  And at $70, not too expensive.


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