First of all, you should clean the skins thoroughly after every tour. Remove any dirt, ice or snow that has collected during the tour. The best thing to use for this is a brush or a special skin comb. Make sure that you do not brush the skins too hard, so that you do not damage the hairs.
After cleaning it is important to dry the skins properly. Lay them out flat and let them dry in a well-ventilated place. Avoid direct sources of heat such as radiators or direct sunlight, as this can damage the hairs.
To maintain the grip of the skins, it is advisable to give them a DWR treatment regularly. There are special DWR sprays or waxes that you can apply to the hair side of the skins. This prevents snow or moisture from settling in the fibres and impairing the grip.
If you are not going to use the skins for a longer period, you should store them in a cool and dry place. Avoid storing them in a closed bag or in a container, as this can lead to a build-up of moisture.
In summary, caring for climbing skins properly is crucial for maintaining their performance and their service life. Clean them after every tour, dry them thoroughly, give them a regular DWR treatment and store them properly. That way you can make sure that your skins always work perfectly and that you can get the most out of your ski touring.
Related at Mountainspirit: Service in Bolzano, Ski touring
