REVIEW: Asnes Skin-Lock vs. Fischer Easy-Skin

Asnes Skin-Lock vs. Fischer Easy-Skin

So- two brilliantly designed and well-made integrated kicker skins that are only compatible with the respective skis- Asnes Skin-Lock and Fischer Easy-Skin.  I currently have the following setups:

• 210cm Asnes Combat Nato: 35mm nylon Skin-Lock; 60mm mohair Skin-Lock
• 210cm Fischer E-99 Tour; 205cm Fischer E-109 Tour: 35mm Easy Skin; 50mm Easy-Skin

Easy-Skin

There are sometimes some inherent disadvantages to being an “inventor”.  No matter how brilliant the idea- everyone else gets to test your idea and then capitalise on simplifying, improving and lower the manufacturing cost of their own version.

Fischer seems to have done this with the Easy-Skin.  It is a less complicated technology than the Skin-Lock- and, I would bet it is less expensive to manufacture.  The Easy-Skin is appropriately named- it truly is “easy”, simple technology.  The Easy-Skin has a plastic tab fastened to the tip of the skin that slides completely through the ski, and clips into a locking cleat on top of the ski deck.  It reminds me of a locking cleat on a sailboat- simple, functional and effective.  The transition between the skin and the base is seamless and angled, causing very little friction.  This must be the most friction-less removable kicker skin on the market.  

The Easy-Skin is a mohair-nylon composite and is available in fewer widths than the Skin-Lock (smart- less costly to produce…).

The Easy-Skin is not without its potential problems though…First of all this is a SYSTEM, as it is integrated into the ski and therefore effects its construction.  Unlike the Asnes line- the Easy-Skin was added after the fact- and I SERIOUSLY hope that Fischer has considered the effect of cutting a very large hole RIGHT THROUGH THE SKI- in a section that receives a lot of pressure and tension- the very tip of the kick zone…That hole through the ski actually makes me feel queasy- especially through skis with “xtralite” wood-air cores…I have no idea how durable the Easy-Skin skis are- they have not been proven yet.  I also see the skin wearing considerably at the intersection of the skin and the base- where it slides through the slot.  This section of the skin is bound to wear- specifically where the skin bends to go through the slot.

Attaching and removing the Easy-Skin is truly very easy- it takes seconds- I love it.  The Easy-Skins come with a reusable wide plastic sheet for storing the skins- and you can easily slide one skin on, while the other is still attached to the opposite side of the plastic storage sheet.

Current conclusion?  Love the performance of the Easy-Skin.  A bit anxious about the whole system- concerned about the durability of the ski and the skin…Not sure if I’m ready to risk my life on an expedition with an Easy-Skin ski.

Skin-Lock

Well, the folks at Asnes are clearly full of brilliant, inventive, innovative ideas- while remaining steeped in tradition.  Their Nordic ski technology is beautiful mix of tradition and innovation.

The Skin-Lock system is a well thought-out and well-made technology.  The skins are out-sourced and made by a skin specialist in Switzerland.  The skin is attached to a metal clip/cleat that clips into the base of the ski.  The ski has two tiny little slits cut into it to attach the Skin-Lock.  And- unlike the Easy-Skin system- not only are the slots tiny, they are longitudinally oriented (i.e. parallel with the length of the ski).  The whole design of the Skin-Lock system seems much more to be engineered into the fundamental construction of the ski.  My projection is that the Skin-Lock system will prove to be more durable than the Easy-Skin.

The Skin-Locks are available in an almost multitude of widths- each available in both mohair and nylon.  Perfect for the ridiculously performance-obsessed (YES- I have a disorder).  But the cost of manufacturing and inventory must be nuts.

The Skin-Lock is very easy to attach- even quicker than the Easy-Skin.  It is not as easy to remove and store however.  They need to be folded back on themselves to protect the adhesive base- and then pulled apart to mount them.  Not a big deal- same as any other conventional skin- but, not as “easy” and quick as the Easy-Skin.

My mind keeps telling me that the metal attachment cleat should cause friction and reduce glide, but- in actual practice I fail to notice it in any “measurable” way.  This is likely partly due to the effective, wax pocket of my 210cm Combat Natos.  That metal cleat might be more noticeable with a softer-flexing and/or single-cambered ski.

The Combat Nato has a milled area where the Skin-Lock cleat is attached to the base- in order to reduce friction.  Not sure if the other Asnes skis have this…

Current conclusion?  Equally thrilled with the performance of the Skin-Lock system.  The engineering of the entire ski, skin, and skin attachment at least appear to be potentially more durable than the Easy-Skin.  And- the Skin-Lock system has already proven itself to be expedition worthy.