Climbing skins are often made from South African goat hair. Ensuring animal welfare in these operations is challenging, and sustainability concerns remain. It’s time to peel back the underside of ski skins and take a closer look at their supply chain.
Sustainability has become a cornerstone in every niche of the mountain sports market. While the initial focus was on apparel, efforts toward more sustainable products have recently extended to hard goods: Skis from more sustainable materials, longer-lasting carabiners without dyes and featuring steel inserts to reduce wear, or climbing ropes made from recycled yarn.
Surprisingly, one piece of gear, sold as frequently as the still-booming touring skis, has remained under the radar: Climbing skins. Without climbing skins, ascending on skis would be impossible.
In Europe, an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 pairs of touring skis are sold annually. Two leading brands are POMOCA and Colltex, but there are many manufacturers on the market, amongst them some ski brands themselves.
Historically, climbing skins were made from animal hides, such as seal, chamois, or goat, depending on the region. Modern climbing skins, however, are high-tech products. While they no longer closely resemble animal hides, animal hair remains the gold standard. Mohair, derived from the hair of Angora goats, makes up to 100% of the glide surface in some skin types or is blended with nylon in varying ratios.
Synthetic skins exist, but the unique properties of mohair remain unmatched. Mohair is water-repellent, reducing snow buildup and keeping skins lightweight. It also remains flexible in very cold temperatures and provides excellent glide properties.
Mohair, known for its luster and durability, is primarily sourced from Angora goats in South Africa. (Photo: Pomoca)
Animal welfare is a matter of trust
Whenever animal-derived materials are involved, questions about animal welfare arise, especially when animals are raised far away. Angora goats are primarily bred in South Africa, where most skin manufacturers source their fibers. However, a 2018 report by the animal rights organization PETA exposed severe animal cruelty on South African farms, publishing disturbing footage.
The campaign led to boycotts in the fashion industry, where mohair is used for luxury sweaters, but the environmentally conscious outdoor scene remained largely silent. Perhaps many didn’t associate South African goat hair with winter sports?
Although consumers were largely unaware, manufacturers took notice. Pomoca and Colltex, two leading climbing skin producers, reviewed the report and felt compelled to act. Both firms investigated whether their fibers came from farms implicated in PETA’s accusations. According to their suppliers, this was not the case.
This claim, however, relies on trust, as no independent certification for sustainable ski skins exists. While the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) now certifies mohair in apparel, implementing it for ski skins has proven challenging due to high entry barriers.
The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) ensures humane treatment of Angora goats and sustainable land management. But certification is currently difficult to acquire for small actors. (Photo: Pomoca)
Certification is an unrealistic goal
Climbing skin manufacturers purchase their fibers from South African wholesalers, who source from countless small-scale farms. Many are family-run operations with only a handful of goats. Certification costs would be prohibitive for these small farms. Additionally, tracing supply chains back to the smallest farm is currently unfeasible, according to Arthur Guinand of market leader Pomoca.
As a result, manufacturers rely on supplier assurances that animal welfare laws and the guidelines of the Mohair South Africa industry association are followed. Efforts are underway to improve supply chain transparency.
Colltex has aligned its internal standards with RMS guidelines. “We fully comply with them,” says Hans-Peter Brehm, a mountain guide and company representative. However, full RMS certification of the supply chain remains financially unviable. For now, trust is essential—for both manufacturers and consumers.
Mohair is renewable – Angora goats are shorn twice a year – as well as biodegradable. But intensive grazing can impact ecosystems. (Photo: Pomoca)
Recycling climbing skins? Not yet possible
Beyond animal welfare and the long transport routes for mohair, other sustainability challenges exist. One issue has been resolved: Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), once used to enhance glide properties, are no longer employed.
However, the inability to recycle climbing skins persists. The components are permanently bonded, meaning used skins end up as landfill waste. Research is ongoing to find recyclable materials that are locally available and high-performing, say company representatives.
Colltex has reduced the carbon footprint of its skins by 50% with a new synthetic product, reportedly without sacrificing performance. Synthetic fibers also sidestep animal welfare concerns. Meanwhile, Pomoca is testing local animal fiber alternatives, as natural fibers offer ecological advantages (e.g., reduced microplastic pollution).
While the future direction remains uncertain, even in the niche market of ski touring climbing skins, sustainability progress is being made.
How to Maintain Climbing Skins
The longer skins last, the more sustainable they are. Follow these guidelines to extend their life:
- Keep adhesive surfaces clean: Use tweezers to remove dirt.
- Store properly: Keep skins dry but not airtight to prevent mold; cover adhesive surfaces to avoid drying out.
- Reapply adhesive: When the glue fails but the skin is still functional.
- Re-waterproof skins: Wax or reproof them if snow sticks or they absorb water.
- Seal frayed edges: Trim fibers and use a flame to seal them.
- Avoid abrasive descents: Minimize skiing on hard snow or ice to reduce wear.
- When the skins no longer can be used: if you have older skins that might contain PFC chemicals, it is important that they are deposited at a modern combustion plant, where the heat can destroy the hazardous chemicals.
Photos: Pomoca
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