kicker skins

[BlueHue]

Anyone used kicker skins at all?

I was thinking of putting together a very light and easy set of AT gear for slackcountry trips on resort skiing days. Not a fan of skiing with bulky backpack in resort.

Kicker skins and 2L bladder with small backpack to hold it. Be good if the backpack had an extra pocket of two for maps/compass/snack food. Then use my inside jacket pockets for kicker skins on one side and camera on the other.

My only worry is that the kicker skins will fall short in some climbing situations when the pitch is steeper and I'll end up booting it or zig zagging like crazy when normally with full skins the climb would be fairly easy. Anyone had any experience with them?

Looking at trips like the Paralyser from Perisher and some of the terrain off the top of Thredbo in the South Ramshead area. Just quick trips out for a couple of hours to beat crowds and get freshies when the snow is on.

[Taxman]

Climbing ability with kicker skins is greatly compromised & IMO they are not worth it. Around CP if not skiing with a back pack (Osprey Switch 16) I have often carried full sized skins in a bum bag.

[John Deere]

I have also carried skins in a bum bag....you look like an idiot....but meh, gets the job done.

[BlueHue]

Noooooo, I'm a Thredbo skier! Its all about the fashion and putting on a good pose so I can't be seen skiing in a bumbag :eek: tongue.gif

[Podlettte]

graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[skijacski]

Originally posted by Taxman:
Climbing ability with kicker skins is greatly compromised & IMO they are not worth it. Around CP if not skiing with a back pack (Osprey Switch 16) I have often carried full sized skins in a bum bag. I agree, they are also easily lost, last year quite a few people I know lost kickers. Waste of effort, quicker with full skins and they fit inside a small backpack with bladder.

[BlueHue]

Fair enough, sounds like kicker skins won't be worth the money!

[Caboose]

snowshoes ...... ;) graemlins/cold.gif graemlins/outtahere.gif

[karen97]

I was chatting to the nice man in Paddy P's in Jindy and he was of the opinion that kicker skins are great for Oz BC

[Dr D]

Originally posted by karen97:
I was chatting to the nice man in Paddy P's in Jindy and he was of the opinion that kicker skins are great for Oz BC Was he trying to sell them or just giving an unbiased opinion?

[BlueHue]

I've read a few threads/posts in the SI backcountry forum where they've thought that kicker skins were very useful in certain situations. I get the feeling it all comes down to the personal preference and what you want to do at the time.

I like the fact that they can be taken on and off without removing skis. Means getting more ski time in if doing some quick laps of an area out of bounds somewhere.

I've had a couple of chats over the years with the Jindabyne Paddy P staff and they've usually provided advice that was useful.

[Taxman]

If you are dextrous enough you can remove full skins without taking your skis off.

[BlueHue]

Me... dextrous.... graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[karen97]

Originally posted by Dr D:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by karen97:
I was chatting to the nice man in Paddy P's in Jindy and he was of the opinion that kicker skins are great for Oz BC Was he trying to sell them or just giving an unbiased opinion? </font>[/QUOTE]He knew I wasn't interested in buying them, I was just inquiring his opinion on them

[John Deere]

Even I can take off skins with skis still on......putting them on is another story.

[Podlettte]

I haven't tried to take my skins off with skis still on but can see it clearly ending in tears of laughter for everyone watching me try. I do't mind providing a bit of entertainment out BC, so will give it a go this season :D

[BlueHue]

I can undo the clips easily enough, its just the pulling the skins off the base where I can see it ending badly. Probably with the skins ending up glue side down where ever I am.

[SA]

..or partly wrapped around your head? ;)

That's what I can see happening to me :D

[karen97]

I don't think I will try it, but I will sure have my camera handy when Pods and friends have a crack graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[BlueHue]

Originally posted by SA:
..or partly wrapped around your head? ;)

That's what I can see happening to me :D graemlins/big_laugh.gif images floating through my head now of SA desperately trying to pry gluey skins from his face while the others in his party poach the fresh powdery line below tongue.gif ;)

[andyr]

Kickers are good for full bc where weight is an issue, that's where I pack a combo of kickers and ski crampons.

For your everyday slackcountry I pack full length skins in a bum bag (sorry) except for when I leave then on the summit of Mt Loch (another story)