As for the skins, some of that is just a matter of what country you’re in, but main difference is the Coltex type glue does allow the skin to come off the ski easier, which is sometimes preferred, especially by folks who remove their skins with their skis still on their feet. More importantly, European skin tracks tend to be of more consistent and slightly lower angle than those in many parts of North America, so Europeans tend to like mohair skins due to their glide, and companies like Coltex are known fro their mohair skins (though BD does sell their own version).

Lou

Just trolling the net looking for advice on ski crampons. I have been running some 80mm wide skis with the old style Fritchi Freeride Pro’s. They are about 5-6 years old. Red and Black color scheme. My ski touring is maturing into some mountains here in Switzerland that are well…. F*%+* steep and dangerous. I really need to buy some crampons that work with my older setup. All the shops here either have the narrow ones or the new snazzy ones that have the plastic swivel out hoo-ya set up neither of which I can use. Can you help me with a Fritchi part number so I can tell them exactly what I want?

Lastly, I have been running some Black Diamond skins the ones with the truck tire tread print on it , and everyone here and I mean everyone, uses coll tex skins. Any preference or experience you can enlighten me with on Coll-Tex -vs- Black Dimand skins. Thanks a bunch.