In most cases it is usually stubborn dirt, especially wax residue, that reduces the tackiness of the adhesive on our hybrid skins. Use the hybrid cleaning spray and a household sponge to remove wax or dirt. Here’s a short video on how to apply the cleaning spray: 

You either need to ask your dealer to reglue the skins or you do it yourself. There are two options: glue in a tube or iron-on transfer tape.

Remove any old, dirty glue by covering it with strips of clean cotton cloth, slightly wider than the skin. Iron the strips with a medium hot iron (wool setting). The old glue will melt and transfer onto the cloth. Any residual dirt or glue can easily be scraped off the cleaned surface while it's still warm using a scraper or spatula. 

• Glue in tubes: One tube of glue has enough for one 1-2 pairs of climbing skins. Apply the new adhesive using a brush, spatula or stiff piece of cardboard in an even layer, making sure it is not too thin. Allow the glue to dry at room temperature for 10 hours before covering it with backing foil and storing it in its stuff sack.
• Iron-on transfer tape: Position the contour transfer tape carefully onto the adhesive side of your skins and press it down softly. Using a household iron or wax iron (set at 150°C - 160°C) slowly work your way over the surface, applying gentle, even pressure. If dark patches start to form on the wax backing foil, turn down the temperature. Any excess glue can be peeled off the edges once cool. The skins are ready for use once they have cooled down. The backing foil can be kept in place until next needed. 

When skinning, be careful to glide as perfectly as possible and don't lift the ski, but drag it on the snow. This reduces the risk of snow build-up and icing over.

In general, the issue mainly arises in varying snow conditions, changing from wet to dry snow. All skins are waterproof treated when they leave the factory to prevent moisture absorption. Over time, this treatment wears off and it is important reapply waterproofing wax or spray to prevent skins from icing up. It also has the effect of increasing glide performance. Depending on the conditions you might want to treat your skins every 3-4 tours. Contour has a selection of waterproofing products to choose from:

• mohair spray, 250ml, propellant free
• skin wax, 40g in a handy plastic box. Apply starting at the tip down to the tail. 
• liquid wax, 100ml bottle with sponge applicator

Despite small damages of the hybrid adhesive layer, the skins are fully functional provided the glue still feels tacky. In case it does not, make sure to carry out a thorough clean before going on your next adventure.

Check the shape of your skins. Underfoot, it should only be the steel edges of your skis that are not covered by your skins.

Check the conditions of your skins. When skinning mostly on piste or hard pack snow, mohair skins will have a lifespan of 60 - 80 tours. Synthetic/mohair blend skins are more abrasion resistant.

Try to maintain maximum contact surface with the snow, especially when traversing.

Try setting a lower gradient ascent route.

Always ensure you use the trimming tool to trim your skins. Some fraying may occur after the first couple of tours and threads will tear off fully after further use. You can also cut off any loose threads with a sharp pair of scissors. Don't worry however, there is no chance of your contour skins unravelling.

Varioclips are sold separately as an accessory.

Always make sure the red sliders are fixed in place properly and locked together with the base of the Varioclip.

If the top and bottom parts don’t close properly, there might be an issue with the tip of the skin. If necessary trim the tip with a sharp pair of scissors and make sure that the three pins in the top part of the Varioclip pierce the skin and are not bent.

contour offers a thinner tail clip in "slim" format, which stays firmly in place on thin ski tails.