Less is More
I’m a minimalist by nature. Less is more has proven to be a solid mantra for most things backcountry skiing-related. Well, maybe not when it comes to the width of my skis, but today’s wide skis help fuel the less is more mantra because if you’re gonna slide around on 110-130mm underfoot, you better lighten your kit anywhere you can. A good place to start lightening your kit is with your climbing skins.
The G3 Minimist Glide climbing skins bring a minimalist approach to climbing skins without limiting performance or durability. G3 specs claim the Minimist skins are up to 30% lighter than comparable skins. G3 went through a recent ownership change, and we are excited to see them continue their backcountry ski gear legacy.
G3 Minimist Glide Climbing Skins
G3 Minimist Climbing Skins Design
The G3 Minimist skins build on the proven, easy-to-use design of their Alpinist+ skins by making them lower profile and lighter weight. First, the Minimist leaves G3’s plastic Scala tip (read about the Alpinist + and Scala tip here) behind in favor of a more traditional, low-profile tip. The specs say the tip includes a carbon fiber insert to help give the tip some structure, but it’s pretty subtle. Nonetheless, they feel and work great.
G3’s tip and tail connections have proven some of the most reliable on the market. Rather than their typical thick rubber tail clip system, the Minimist uses a thinner rubberized tail material. The tip clips are lower-profile, which reduces the potential for knocking them with your ski edge while skinning. The ski material is as thin as any I have used, making the skins easy to fold and creating a light, low-volume package when stowed in your pack (or jacket). Overall, the G3 Minimist skins are light, packable and easy to use.
G3 Minimist Speed Climbing Skins
Mohair vs. Synthetic
G3 Minimist climbing skins are available in three different plush types – Universal (100% synthetic), Glide (70% mohair / 30% synthetic) and Speed (100% mohair).
In general, 100% synthetic plush (G3’s Universal) offers the best all-around grip, but the extra grip comes at the expense of reduced glide and a thicker, heavier build. Those newer to touring will appreciate the extra grip of the G3 Universal plush.
The G3 Glide skins are a hybrid featuring a 70/30 mohair/synthetic blend. It lands in the middle with a balance of grip and glide in a wide range of snow conditions. I’ve been using the hybrid Glide version for several seasons and am very pleased with its performance across different snow conditions. I recommend Glide for general-purpose touring. The glide is excellent, and while not as low-profile as the Speed skins, they are noticeably lighter and have a lower volume than the Universal.
100% mohair skins (G3’s Speed plush) offer the best glide, especially in cold snow conditions. Mohair skins are also the thinnest, lightest package of the collection. Their improved glide comes at the expense of some grip, but when matched to a wide 115mm+ ski, the extra width balances out any loss in grip. The thinner, lighter build is a notable bonus, especially for those who run wide skis.
Reliability
Glide performance aside, the most important characteristic of any skin is reliability. Does the glue work? How do they hold up? Do they shed snow and glide easily? Honestly, I have seen glue failure and degradation with all brands of climbing skins. Skin glue requires care and maintenance to keep it performing its best. Read our climbing skin maintenance and care tips here or Read more about renewing old climbing skin glue here.
With multiple seasons on multiple pairs of G3 Minimist skins, I confidently endorse their reliability. The glue works great. They stand up to 30+ days/season of use. The tip and tail connections are excellent. And the grip and glide are on par or better than most. Less is more with the G3 Minimist climbing skins.
Read about climbing skin care and use tips
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G3 Minimist Climbing Skins $180-$220
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Happy skinning
