The tested skin skis are suitable for the average person who enjoys skiing. Prices vary slightly, but the skis tested can be used by everyone. This is regardless of whether you are going on a leisurely Sunday tour with the family or a more challenging workout.

The skin skis were tested in the Torsby Ski Tunnel. The tunnel had no wind, and the temperature was zero degrees during the test. The snow was dry and loose, and the conditions were not optimal because skin skis work worst on loose snow. When the skin is close to the snow, the ski can get stuck, but don’t worry, our test person, Sanna Forsman, has a lot of knowledge about skin skis and loose snow.

Sanna Forsman is 24 years old and has previously been active in cross-country skiing for Öje IF. Forsman is 165 centimeters tall and weighs 52 kilos. This is important because the ski can perform and be experienced slightly differently depending on the person using it. Forsman has used the same boots and poles for all skis so that all were tested with the same starting point.

Each pair of skis was tested for about ten minutes. The assessments are, therefore, based on first impressions.

ProXCskiing.com has given each product a rating based on an overall assessment and three different criteria. The three criteria are grip, glide, and how they feel to maneuver.

A good grip is important when skiing on skin skis and not being able to adjust the ski to the prevailing conditions. The balance between grip and glide is also important, so we have also focused on testing the glide of the ski as well. The last criterion is maneuvering. Here, the focus is on how the ski works when changing tracks, poling, and how the ski feels off the classic track. Finally, a rating has been given, from 1 to 6, based on first impressions, overall assessment, and the three criteria.

ATOMIC – REDSTER C2

The first pair of skis out are the skin skis from Atomic. The model is called Redster C2, a skin ski slightly lighter and narrower than Atomic’s previous skin skis. The skin is removable, allowing you to vary the skin so that the ski is more adapted to the conditions, purpose, and technique. Extra skins, which you can change, cost about SEK 400 (about 35 euros). Atomic describes the skin ski as “a ski with power that is suitable for training but can also work well in competitions.”

Price: about SEK 4,100 (about 355 euros), including binding
Material: Densolite core with fiberglass laminate
Skin: 100% mohair

ProXCskiing.com experiences the Atomic Redster C2 skin ski as a simple beginner ski. The grip with the standard skin that was on during the test was incredibly good. The grip was almost a little too good. It was difficult to change tracks and maneuver around while skiing because the skin was constantly in contact with the snow. As a result, the ski didn’t glide well, and it felt choppy. As an improvement, the ski could have had a slightly higher camber, making it easier to change tracks, for example. The fact that you can replace the skin at a reasonable price is a plus.

RATING
Grip: 6
Glide: 1
Maneuvering: 2
Overall impression: 3

SALOMON – S/MAX eSKIN

The S/MAX eSKIN is built in the same way as the competition ski S/LAB but has a core partially made from recycled PET bottles, which gives a low weight and, according to the manufacturer, a high performance. The Shift Race binding is reinforced with carbon and developed for competition. You can easily adjust the ski’s grip and glide by adjusting the binding position on the ski.

Price: around SEK 6,600 (about 570 euros) including binding 
Material: S-CORE 45
Skin: 100% mohair

This skin ski feels natural. Although the grip is good, the ski can glide with fluidity. Forsman could feel that the skin was in contact with the snow when she was skiing, and there was some chatter when changing tracks. The price is what lowers the overall rating for us.

RATING
Grip: 6
Glide: 3
Maneuvering: 3
Overall impression: 4

ROSSIGNOL – DELTA SPORT R-SKIN

Rossignol‘s Delta Sport skin ski is a new ski with a wood core, air channels, and basalt fiber reinforcements, which should improve energy efficiency. Rossignol says that the ski is user-friendly and designed for training cross-country and junior skiers.

Price: around SEK 4,000 (about 345 euros) including binding
Material: wooden core with air channels
Skin: mohair

Rossignol’s skin ski feels like a “normal” ski, and you don’t feel the skins underneath. The ski is user-friendly and so easy to ski that you don’t need to know any technique. Therefore, given that the skin ski has a broad target group, it will suit you whether you know the skiing technique or not. Forsman describes the ski as safe and easy, giving a relaxed feeling to ski with this pair of skis. The glide of the ski is average, and it could be better. It would also make it easier to change tracks and maneuver the ski. This brings the rating down slightly.

RATING
Grip: 5
Glide: 3
Maneuvering: 3
Overall impression: 4

FISCHER – TWINSKI PRO

Fischer’s Twinski Pro skin ski is slightly different from the ones we have mentioned so far. This ski is heavier than the other skis, 1330 grams compared to about 1000 grams with the other suppliers. In addition, it has a different skin. Fischer‘s is a mohair mix, which should make the ski more flexible in different conditions. If it gets icy or hard snow, it should be able to handle it.

Price: around SEK 3,800 (about 330 euros)
Material: wood core with air channels
Skin: 70% mohair and 30% nylon

The first impression of Fischer’s Twinski Pro skin ski is that it is a consistently good ski. The grip is good, and at the same time, the ski glides easily; the balance between grip and glide is very good. This meant, among other things, that it was easy to get around the tracks, and the poling was also less demanding.

RATING
Grip: 5
Glide: 5
Maneuvering: 6
Overall impression: 5

MADSHUS – ENDURANCE SKIN

Madshus’ description of the Endurace Skin ski is that it is “designed for long weekend tours in the mountains or spontaneous tour on the home trail after work.” Like Fischer, Madshus also has a Mohair mix in the skin. In addition, they have a brand-new core, AstaraLite, which should make the ski light and comfortable.

Price: about SEK 4,500 (about 390 euros)
Material: AstaraLite
Skin: 70% mohair and 30% nylon

Madshus Endurace skin ski is the best skin ski that ProXCskiing.com has tested this time. Forsman says that the first impression is very good and this is a very comfortable ski. It feels safe, and the stability is good. The grip is excellent, and the glide is also very good. The ski is easy to handle, both on and off the classic track. This is a ski you could race on. They could use a better base ski with a carbon mix to make this ski even better. Then, the ski would be lighter, but it would come at the expense of the price. In summary, there is a lot of skis for the money here.

RATING
Grip: 6
Glide: 5
Maneuvering: 6
Overall impression: 6

KÄSTLE – XP20

The Kästle XP20 skin ski is an optimal beginner’s ski. The supplier promises good grip and glide. The price is high, about SEK 5,700 (about 490 euros) without bindings. Like many skin skis in this test, the Kästle XP20 has 100 percent mohair skins.

Price: SEK 5,700 (about 490 euros)
Material: Honeycomb core
Skin: 100% mohair

Kästle’s skin ski is somewhat simple. It works just as it should, but that’s about it. The grip is good – so good that it affects the glide. Having a good technique is hard when the ski is challenging to handle. The price of the ski is relatively high, which pulls down the rating. This skin ski may be suitable for a family outing in the forest but is not recommended for training sessions or competitions.

RATING
Grip: 5
Glide: 1
Maneuvering: 2
Overall impression: 2

PELTONEN – SKINPRO

The SkinPro skin ski from Peltonen promises a ski with a good grip and glide in all skiing conditions and temperatures. The ski is part of the Racing series and is a lightweight ski of high quality. Although the skin ski belongs to the racing category, it is also a good touring and training ski. The price of the ski is about SEK 4,000 (about 345 euros).

Price: SEK 4,000 (about 345 euros)
Material: Honeycomb core
Skin: 100% mohair

The first thing Forsman points out is that this is a good ski for a ‘dark horse.’ The ski is smooth and comfortable to maneuver, and you can pole without feeling the skin underneath. The glide of the ski is acceptable despite good grip. It lacks certain details that could have made it even better, such as a better core and ski technology.

RATING
Grip: 5
Glide: 4
Maneuvering: 4
Overall impression: 4

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