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Since 2019, we have been on a mission to find the best splitboard skins, and for this update, we've purchased 8 of the top models. Based on a lifetime of winters in the backcountry, we evaluated key criteria like glide, grip, ease of use, and glue quality. We spent our days breaking trail in powder, tip-toeing over rocks, struggling up steep icy skin tracks, and gliding across long flat approaches.
Our favorite, the G3 Splitboard+ Universal, has an all-purpose design and an easy setup that will appeal to a wide range of users. The best budget option is the Voile Hyper Glide, which has an excellent glide thanks to the mohair blend carpet, and is more affordable than similar models.
If it's time to upgrade your ride, take a look at the best splitboards. Our testing team rode these models through a wild variety of backcountry conditions, and also tested different splitboard bindings to go with them.
The G3 Splitboard+ Universal skin is a high-performing, versatile player that is thoughtfully designed to provide a streamlined and efficient experience. Our team fell in love with them for the setup process, which is about as easy as it gets. The camming tail clips provide exceptional security when sized correctly, and G3 truly means it when they use the word universal here; they fit well on almost every board we tried them on. These skins work well for most riders in most conditions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight per Pair
674 g
Material
Nylon plush
Glue
Non-toxic adhesive
Tip Attachment
Asymmetrical steel Hands
Tail Attachment
SPLITBOARD+
During testing, we found that the more complex tail clip and bulky tip clip prevent this skin from folding or rolling as small as its simpler competitors, and it is one of the heaviest options we tested. Check out the Contour Hybrid if you want a compact package. That being said, the skin will still be packable enough for every application, like being shoved into a jacket pocket or stuffed in your backpack, and the efficient performance is worth the extra weight in most cases.
The Voile Hyper Glide skins are some of the best skins we have tested, offering superior glide in a lightweight and packable setup. They rival the size and weight of some of the ultralight skins we tested, and when rolled up, they are small enough to stash in the pocket of our ski jacket. These skins favor glide over grip, but even then, we still consider the amount of grip to be beginner-friendly if you are ready to put some work into your technique. They also happen to cost less than many other models in this review, and this combination of price and performance makes them a great option for those who don't want to pay top-dollar for efficiency.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight per Pair
492 g
Material
70% Mohair – 30% Nylon
Glue
Non-toxic adhesive
Tip Attachment
Tip loop
Tail Attachment
Urethane tail strap
We appreciate when manufacturers include skin savers with their products, and Voile does not. This means the glue may wear out faster, and the skins may be more difficult to peel apart. That aside, the glue was this skin's weakest metric, but even then, it did fairly well. We did not have any problems with slippage, although it wasn't as tacky as the glue on some other models. A waterproof membrane layered between the carpet and the glue helped prevent moisture from reaching the glue, even when the fibers themselves were wet. Overall, the Voile managed to put out a high-performing product at a price that is more accessible than many skins on the market, and for that, we can't help but recommend it.
The Big Sky Skins Mohair Mix Persistence Skins are a lightweight pair of skins with a mohair mix carpet and some of the best skin glue we have used to date. A small U.S. brand, we are impressed with what Big Sky is doing. When it comes to glue that stays sticky throughout many laps, lasts through multiple seasons, but won't stay on your base, it doesn't disappoint. The mohair blend skins offer excellent grip and glide, and are as packable as models from bigger-name skin companies.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight per Pair
498 g
Material
65%Mohair - 35% Nylon
Glue
Non-toxic adhesive
Tip Attachment
Asymmetrical Tip Loop
Tail Attachment
BSMP Tail Connector
The Big Sky Skins offer a lot of good things, but getting them set up to fit on your board requires a bit of handiwork and can be pretty challenging. While many skins on the market today simply require you to adjust the length and then cut the edge, with the Persistence Skins, you have to cut both edges and make a full tip cut and construction. This isn't something new in the splitboard skin world; at one point, this process was fairly standard. However, today, many manufacturers are doing a lot of the prep work for you, moving away from this hassle. If you are willing to do the work, though, you will be rewarded with an excellent and long-lasting skin.
The tip attachment method on the Big Sky skins works for most boards, but the tail clip might not be a good fit for uniquely shaped boards.
Compare Product Specifications
Specifications
Voile Hyper Glide
Big Sky Mohair Mix Persistence
Contour Hybrid
G3 Splitboard+ Universal
Black Diamond Ascension STS
Jones Nomad PRO
G3 Splitboard+ Grip
G3 LT Glide
Awards
Best Bang For The Buck
Best Glue
Best Overall Splitboard Skin
Measured Weight per Pair
492 g
498 g
624 g
674 g
658 g
460 g
580 g
482 g
Material
70% Mohair – 30% Nylon
65%Mohair - 35% Nylon
70% Mohair / 30% Synthetic
Nylon plush
Nylon
70% Mohair, 30% Nylon
Nylon plush
70% Mohair – 30% Nylon
Glue
Non-toxic adhesive
Non-toxic adhesive
Twin layer hybriad adhesive
Non-toxic adhesive
Non-toxic adhesive
Non-toxic adhesive
Non-toxic adhesive
Non-toxic adhesive
Tip Attachment
Tip loop
Asymmetrical Tip Loop
Fixed velco attachment
Asymmetrical steel Hands
Snap-fit attachement
Universal clips
Asymmetrical steel hands
Asymmetrical steel hands
Tail Attachment
Urethane tail strap
BSMP Tail Connector
Fixed velcro attachment
SPLITBOARD+
STS
Hooked attachement
SPLITBOARD+
SPLITBOARD+
Precut Option
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Bag Included
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
How We Tested
Our process begins with purchasing the most promising splitboard climbing skins. Then, we got down to business by fitting the skins to our boards and then getting out into the backcountry as much as possible. We venture to places all over the world and test in climates ranging from heavy, wet snow to dry and light powder. The glide and grip are the most important performance factors in a pair of skins, and we tested this hands-on, using each model over a full season (at least). Sometimes we even wear a different brand's skin on each foot, just to dial in our comparisons. In addition, we also pay attention to how easy they are to set up out of the box, and then attach, remove, and store during daily use. Lastly, we evaluate the strength of the glue and its ability to resist glopping.
Leading testing on the majority of our splitboarding categories are backcountry buffs and long-time snow lovers David Reichel and Isaac Laredo. David is a full-time avalanche expert and spends his winter months digging snow pits and gathering snowpack data for the Sierra Avalanche Center, and teaching Level 1 and Level 2 avalanche courses. Isaac has a degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Adventure Leadership. He is an avalanche educator, a Wilderness First Responder, and an avid go-getter on his personal backcountry days. In short, both of these guys spend a lot of time in the snow, and they get to splitboard… a lot! When they are not splitboarding, they're guiding or riding worldwide, including the USA and Japan. Their combined experience provides us with pivotal and important feedback on the best splitboard skins out there.
As professionals in the backcountry world, we take gear testing seriously, but hey, we can't say we don't have fun while doing it.
Analysis and Test Results
Skins are walking contradictions. We ask them to provide a claw-like grip to prevent us from sliding backwards, but at the same time, we want a forward glide comparable to sliding on a freshly oiled wooden floor. We ask that they adhere to our bases like duct tape but come off like brownies from a buttered baking pan. On top of all that, we want them to be light as feathers but as durable as granite. As adventurers, we ask a lot from our gear, and few categories have such polarized requirements as skins, but there are some that strike a good balance. In the end, it is important to select a pair that aligns with your top priority, whether that is speed, efficiency, or stability.
Our favorite model, the G3 Universal, offers performance that is at the top of its category and has a secure attachment system that will work well for uniquely shaped boards, which sets it apart from other well-balanced skins. This nylon carpeted model is incredibly versatile and durable, and supports a variety of goals, whether you are a beginner or are sliding into your 10th season in the backcountry. The Voile Hyper Glide provides an excellent value without compromising performance. It is more affordable than similar performing models, and the mohair blend carpet offers an impressively efficient glide in a super lightweight package.
Carpet Material
General characteristics of nylon are that it grips well, but doesn't glide as well. Mohair does not grip as well, but glides better. Nylon is also more durable, but it does sacrifice weight, as it is heavier and bulkier than mohair. It is rare to find a full mohair carpet these days, and many manufacturers go for a blend to get the benefits of both materials.
Glide
Many splitboarders started as snowboarders, snowshoeing their way into the backcountry, and comparatively, even the worst gliding skins often feel faster and more efficient than snowshoes. But with time and experience, you'll start to notice that not all skins slide forward as easily, and this resistance can add up to a significant amount of energy to keep your feet moving. With good technique, mall increases in gliding efficiency result in traveling further, faster, and arriving with more energy to enjoy the downhill.
An experienced backcountry skier or splitboarder with good skinning technique can climb extremely well using skins that compromise some grip for improved glide. Skins with great glide include the G3 Splitboard LT Glide, Big Sky Mohair Mix Persistence, and the Voile Hyper Glide. These three models offered the best glide of our review fleet thanks to their carpet hair length and mix of nylon and mohair.
The Big Sky Persistence skins offer enough glide to keep us going through long days, and even into the night.
Credit: Dom Rickicki
In contrast, a beginner is likely to favor a skin that provides the utmost grip but at the expense of glide. The difference between these users' needs is technique. Good technique can make up for skins that provide less grip, but can't overcome skins with less glide. While some experienced backcountry skiers and splitboarders are content to stick with nylon skins that grip exceptionally well, many experiment with nylon/mohair mixes that provide for more efficient travel. The full nylon G3 Splitboard+ Universal is a notable exception, as it provides comparable glide to the mixed material Contour Hybrid and Big Sky Mohair Mix. The length of your tours is also worth considering here; the efficiency of good glide matters more on longer full-day tours than it does on half-day forays.
A well-balanced skin provides the benefits of both grip and glide which is a larger differentiator between models depending on your use.
Credit: Isaac Laredo
Grip
Remember five seconds ago when you were reading about frictionless glide? Now we're rating the opposite feature. Your skins need to grip the snow as you climb up, and do it with security so you can focus on conversation, observation, and navigation rather than staying on your feet. Many beginner splitboarders will likely value grip over any other quality. Strong performance in grip will likely improve your learning experience more than any other feature (even tiny back slips can be terrifying to new skinners). We tested grip in the field predominantly through daily touring, and we would routinely step off the skin track to climb the steepest hill in whatever conditions, just to push the limits of our gear.
The full nylon skins, like the G3 Splitboard+ Gripand the Black Diamond Ascension, provide the highest quantities of grip. These skins are the best for learning if you want the added security. The G3 Universal Skin was also a strong performer, providing only marginally less grip than the two mentioned above. The Universal deserves an honorable mention here for its enviable balance of two opposing qualities. Its performance makes it an excellent choice, whether it's your first or fifth skin.
As you refine your route-finding skills and splitboarding technique, you'll probably find yourself climbing lower-angle skin tracks with no switchbacks. You'll eventually find that grip becomes less important, and you can prioritize better glide, weight, and packability.
Ascending a lower angle skin track helps you conserve energy, reduce your grip needs and provide a better chance of learning proper technique.
Credit: Isaac Laredo
Ease of Use
The goal here is to minimize transition and setup times so you can get as much riding and touring in as possible. It's critical that your skins are reliably easy to use, and this metric is rated based on an evaluation of the initial fitting and setup, as well as day-to-day attachment and removal. If you have ever fought to rip your skin apart in a blizzard, you can appreciate a user-friendly product.
Brand new skins need to be trimmed to fit a splitboard. All the models we tested include trim tools, but a couple of the tools are nicer than others. The G3 trim tool, in particular, is simple to use and has an ergonomic design, which results in a well-cut skin that accurately matches the splitboard with little room for error. The Jones Universal skins come with an adjustable tail, but you have to install it yourself; a process that requires some time and know-how. Installation is not rocket science, but unless you have experience working with rivets, it can be a bit challenging. If you already own a Jones splitboard, you have the added benefit of brand compatibility. You can get skins that come pre-fit to your Jones splitboard, which eliminates this pre-trip hassle.
Weight and packability are other important parts of ease of use. We weighed each pair, and then folded, rolled, and stuffed the skins into our packs to measure how packable they are. In general, skins with less bulky attachment systems that have thin and supple carpets did the best here. The Black Diamond GlideLite, Contour Hybrid, and Jones Nomad Pro skins were the most packable of our review pool. They were able to roll and fold into compact packages.
Mohair blended skins offer better packability. Pictured here is the Contour Hybrid which offers one of the smallest pack sizes available.
Credit: Isaac Laredo
We also looked at the attachment systems. Our skins are a critical tool in the backcountry, and an effective attachment system serves two purposes: it must first be reliable, and secondly, it must be user-friendly. The attachment system is the foundation for avoiding skin failure. If the glue has been compromised, a good attachment system can prevent a total failure and allow you to limp back to the trailhead. We intentionally compromised our skins and used the skins on different splitboard shapes and lengths to test the reliability, versatility, and user-friendliness of each attachment system.
G3 has brought a camming tail clip to the splitboard market (it's about time), and it is offered on G3 Splitboard+ Series. When sized appropriately, it provides incredible security, and in our testing, the tail clip of the G3s never unintentionally came off our splitboards. Even after intentionally compromising the glue, we were able to travel with the peace of mind that our skin would stay put.
The tip attachment on the Big Sky Mohair.
Credit: Dom Rickicki
Splitboards have begun to follow the trendy shape movement of traditional snowboards, which results in a lot of unique tip and tail shapes. This can be problematic for more classic attachment systems, but the G3 series attachment system has the ideal geometry to fit the increasingly common swallow, diamond, and blunted tails securely. The tip clip is rigid and easy to align with the straight inside edge based on the orientation of the steel armbars.
The unique design of the tail clip on the G3 Splitboard+ Universal allows it to adapt to different shaped boards.
Credit: Isaac Laredo
Many skins in this review, like the Jones Nomad Pro and Black Diamond models, utilize the time-tested method of a fixed metal wire loop that slides over your tip clip. This system is reliable, but harder to align with the inside edge of you board than that of the G3.
Glue and Glop
If attachment systems provide the backbone of your skin's security, the glue provides the meat. We expect our skins to have a welded bond to our bases yet still be easy to pull apart when we've reached our objective. Being proactive about preventing water and debris from reaching the glue is the best thing you can do to preserve stickiness in the short term and long term.
On the carpet side of the skin, you have to beware of glop. Glopping is when snow collects into a cohesive block on the bottom of your skins, increasing the weight on your feet and totally demolishing your efficiency and energy usage. As the saying goes, adding one pound to your foot is the equivalent of adding five pounds to your backpack.
Each skin model has varying adhesive levels — some are a little too strong, and others are incredibly easy to pull apart (maybe a little too easy). G3 uses a thin coat of non-toxic glue that proved to be incredibly reliable and remained easy to use in all temperatures. The inclusion of a rip strip can create a better balance. Rip strips reduce a bit of stickiness when the skins are brand new and the glue is super strong. After several seasons of use, when the glue begins to weaken, removing the rip strip reveals essentially brand-new glue and extends the useful life of the skins. The G3 and Black Diamond skins offer rip strips. The Jones Nomad Pro finds a nice middle ground without the use of a rip strip.
The Contour Hybrid takes a different approach to find this balance. It uses a hybrid adhesive that requires no effort to pull apart and has good adherence to the skin base. In order to maintain a good stick, you have to attentively dry your skin base before applying the skins. The glue is more susceptible to failure when moisture is introduced.
Glopping is most likely to occur on a powder day when you're moving through a mix of snow exposed to warm, above-freezing temps (perhaps in the sun) and cooler temps in shady areas. Skins can become wet from the warmer melting snow, and the colder snow sticks to the moisture or glops onto the skin. Skins such as the G3 series, Black Diamond, and Jones all have sophisticated waterproofing membranes and coatings that aim to prevent glopping and carpet saturation. The carpets of the Jones Nomad Pro began to saturate over time as the coating began to wear off, which can result in increased glopping.
The quality of glue has a direct relation to user-friendliness and reliability in the field.
Credit: Isaac Laredo
Conclusion
What we ask of our climbing skins is a lot. Balance and compromise are requirements when selecting the right piece of gear here, and the best thing you can do is understand what metrics you want to prioritize. Splitboard climbing skins are meant, first and foremost, to grip and glide; what sets them apart is the balance and details. In addition to the primary function of these skins, necessary factors such as weight, glue strength, and ease of attachment can set certain models above the rest.
