Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

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connyro
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Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by connyro » Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:51 pm

What width Easy Skin do you use for Traverse 78s - 35, 50, or 65mm? I want to maximize glide while adding good kick on icy hard snow. Not looking to climb straight up steeps but want to add to the range of conditions these skis are fun to ski.

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Woodserson
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Re: Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by Woodserson » Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:55 pm

Man, tough one.

I didn't realize they made 35, when I bought mine it was between 50 and 65.

The easy answer is 50 since it's in between the two, but the 35 definitely sounds intriguing. I use the 30mm on my more double cambered Asnes skis with great success and I'm light for the length of skis as marketed. The Traverse, with the higher camber, but also with scales hanging off the sides adding a little oomph, could make up for the skinnier 35... and it's a nylon/mohair mix, right?

If you're in the weight range for the ski, just looking for extra kick, and you're not looking at climbing big hills... I'd go 35.

OR you could go 50 and if it's too much grip you could trim the sides down and make it 35. Especially since the attachment is on top of the ski... unlike Asnes where the width of the skin is tied to the plastic attachment point.

Options!!!

I did not get on this ski this year. I am bummed. It's such a great ski. I sold two pairs to two friends and they love it. I got a 199 for myself and it never came out. My bad.



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fisheater
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Re: Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by fisheater » Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:07 pm

I have a 45 mm Åsnes X-skin, I decided to give it a try on my Damme. I didn’t have any glide, so I removed it and just used red/silver.
Now the skin did go past my heel piece, and I didn’t trim it because I need it as is for another ski. However I am planning on picking up a 35 mm skin for the Gamme. Just my little amount of experience.



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Stephen
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Re: Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by Stephen » Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:21 pm

I don’t know if everyone waxes their skins, by default, but I find waxing helps with glide and doesn’t seem to hurt grip.
I have used BD Glop Stopper as well as Swix Universal Glide Wax.
Haven’t really felt and difference.
I warm iron a couple of coats of wax in once in a while.
I just rub on a good amount, with the grain, and melt it in with the iron.



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CwmRaider
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Re: Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by CwmRaider » Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:58 pm

I guess the 65mm is too wide anyway.
I'd vote 35mm if you don't mind zigzagging up steeper climbs



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lilcliffy
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Re: Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by lilcliffy » Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:39 am

I have used both the 35mm and the 50mm on the Traverse 78.
As I use this ski almost exclusively for its scaled base- and the snow conditions where the scales shine- I rarely use the skin on this ski and have used the 50mm the most for steep and icy climbing.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.



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connyro
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Re: Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by connyro » Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:26 pm

Thanks for the responses! Woods: That's the ticket! I didn't think about getting the 50 mm and cutting it down as needed. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. It's good to have options! Cliffy: Where I ski, scales work well 90% of the time. IME, the only conditions that they don't work in is rotten 'sugar' snow and frozen crap, and I hope to be able to add easy skins to ski frozen instead of using a wax ski. I just don't prefer the fuss of waxing. In your opinion, how's the glide with the 35 mm? 50 mm?



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lilcliffy
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Re: Which width Easy Skins do you use for your Traverse 78s?

Post by lilcliffy » Sun Mar 28, 2021 3:56 pm

@connyro
The glide is definitely better with the 35mm than the 50mm.
However, the only reason for me to use the skin is when I need rock-solid traction and I am willing to give up glide (e.g. pulling a pulk)- or it is somewhat irrelevant (e.g. climbing a steep slope)- therefore, I use the 50mm almost exclusively on this ski.

The only time I use a "narrow" kicker skin is when I am trying to dial-in kick & glide efficiency on snow that is difficult to wax for and/or I am trying to avoid moving to soft kick wax or klister. For example, I carry a 45mm mohair kicker skin with my Ingstad/Combat Nato/Storetind for times when I am out on a tur and the snow temperature and conditions change, warranting soft wax/klister- I always test the narrow kicker skin first, especially if it is mid-winter and I know I am going to have to remove the soft wax/klister within a few days.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.



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