Comments on: Gecko Skins Redux

By: KR

KR — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:53:51 +0000

I took the Manaslu skins out today for a couple thousand vertical feet and 3 miles or so. I loved the glide and they gripped well on a fairly steep skin track. They have about two-thirds of the weight and bulk of my Ascensions that fit these skis.

On the downside, the edges have lots of loose threads already. Not a big deal but so much for the “laser-cut edges” marketing blurb. Maybe they need to sharpen the laser.

Also, with the attachment at the tip and the long tip rocker of the ski, I can’t de-skin with my skis still on like I can on the Ascension. Guess I need to work on the beer gut.

By: Don Lange

Don Lange — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:39:26 +0000

Hey Lou,

How much weight savings are we talking about compared to the standard Ascension skin? And yes, I am a gram shaver-especially at the feet- so seemingly insignifcant differences might be enough to convince me to consider these for my ultralight corn sticks.

Thanks, Don

By: Lou

Lou — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:35:14 +0000

LOL!

By: Jonathan S. Shefftz

Jonathan S. Shefftz — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:50:47 +0000

I have a whopping 2700 vertical on my Manaslu skins so far, but most importantly, they seem to be identical to a friend's Mustagh Ata skins, which have held up well in some truly challenging skinning conditions -- click here if you dare.

By: Clyde

Clyde — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:43:19 +0000

Yep, the clarifications are good. Agree on black (or at least dark) skins. But, putting on the photographer’s hat, just say NO to white decks or any other deck that doesn’t pop. Kastle’s for example, though I am intrigued by their mythical over-priced BC skis, are just boring visually…at least the non-swagged owners can be comforted by spending a lot of green.

KR, I wrote reviews for a lot mags and certainly made mistakes. But as for “advertorial,” put up or shut up. The low standards and pitiful pay are the reasons I moved on; if I can’t do it right, I won’t bother. These days, there are no good venues for serious gear reviews in the outdoor world.

By: Lou

Lou — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:08:27 +0000

I forgot to mention climbing skins should be black and backcountry skis should be white on top. At least Gecko skins are black, now we’ll just wish for white skis that don’t get 2 pounds of ice on top every time the sun comes out….