Pomoca Skins production & Technologies
What is a ski skin?
The plush offers GRIP and GLIDE to the skin. These characteristics vary depending on the material used (nylon, mixed or mohair) and the way the fibers are woven (thicker or thinner, longer or shorter, more or less angled). Normally, a skin that GLIDEs more, GRIPs less.
Edge Grip is POMOCA's innovative bi-component velvet technology, designed for optimal performance. By utilizing a unique combination of fibers that grip at the sides and glide at the center, it provides a perfect balance between Grip and Glide. This synergy offers unparalleled traction and glide, tailored for demanding terrains and serious mountain expeditions.
Good climbing grip is very important. So POMOCA has developed a combination of materials and weaving techniques to combine glide and durability with gripping power. Proper alignment and the fiber attachment systems make POMOCA skins very stable under all conditions and for the entire life of the skin.
These treatments provide waterproofing for fibers, which is key to preventing snow clumps from forming. Wet fibers can freeze with a change in temperature. When the fibers freeze they attract snow which sticks to the skin, forming clumps. They also give the color to the skins and help with fixing the fibers to the angle/backing, which is why it is important for durability and GLIDE/GRIP.
EVER DRY 3.0 represents our largest step forward with respect to the environment: this is the first skin treatment on the market which does not contain any perfluorocarbon, a chemical found to be harmful to the environment. In 2020, the EVER DRY 3.0 will be used to treat all POMOCA skins, making this the first PFC-Free skins brand!
Thanks to the exclusive GLIDE process, ski tourers get extra glide with less effort. This treatment, which is applied at the end of the production process and to the entire length of the fiber, makes the skin glide and resist moisture more effectively. Skins with GLIDE offer an effective process for the entire life of the skin, and unique antiglopping performance.
The membrane prevents water transfer from the plush to the adhesive. A membrane that is not waterproof causes dampness on the adhesive and reduces its tack (stickiness). The adhesive could come away from the skin and stick to the ski. A quality membrane guarantees the correct functioning of the adhesive and also increases resistance to the skin tearing.
The adhesive attaches the skin to the ski. In cold and wet conditions, adhesion may be difficult: in general, the adhesives do not perform well in water or cold, as it is harder for them to stick in a wet environment (mist or heat in spring/damp snow) or in the cold.
Technologies
Everdry 3.0
EVER DRY 3.0 represents our largest step forward with respect to the environment: this is the first skin treatment on the market which does not contain any perfluorocarbon, a chemical found to be harmful to the environment. In 2020, the EVER DRY 3.0 will be used to treat all POMOCA skins, making this the first PFC-Free skins brand!
Grip
Good climbing grip is very important. So POMOCA has developed a combination of materials and weaving techniques to combine glide and durability with gripping power. Proper alignment and the fiber attachment systems make POMOCA skins very stable under all conditions and for the entire life of the skin.
Edge Grip
Edge Grip is POMOCA’s innovative bi-component velvet technology, designed for optimal performance. By utilizing a unique combination of fibers that grip at the sides and glide at the center, it provides a perfect balance between Grip and Glide. This synergy offers unparalleled traction and glide, tailored for demanding terrains and serious mountain expeditions.
Safer Skin Light
POMOCA has succeeded in making its classical SAFER SKIN membrane lighter. Thanks to finer layers in the membrane, SAFER SKIN LIGHT is 12% lighter (150g/m2 less). While remaining 100% waterproof, and with slightly less wear resistance, SAFER SKIN LIGHT makes the pair of skins about 60-75g lighter.
Safer Skin Ultra Light
Safer Skin Ultra Light (SSUL) is a membrane combining optimal lightness with the durability of the Safer Skin Light. With the SSUL, POMOCA not only reduces the weight but also the size of the skin while maintaining the same level of performance.
Safer Skin Vertical
SAFER SKIN VERTICAL is the lightest membrane on the market. The membrane is reduced to its minimal form for the best possible weight optimization. Certainly more fragile, but still 100% waterproof, it offers a light weight that previously was unavailable.
Glide
Thanks to the exclusive GLIDE process, ski tourers get extra glide with less effort. This treatment, which is applied at the end of the production process and to the entire length of the fiber, makes the skin glide and resist moisture more effectively. Skins with GLIDE offer an effective process for the entire life of the skin, and unique anti-glopping performance.
Glide Pro
POMOCA has developed a new GLIDE process. With the same application technology, but a new, very high-quality GLIDE PRO product, skins with GLIDE PRO offer exceptional extra glide, which is essential for high-level competitors.
Cold Formula Glue
Engineered specifically for the North American market, and exclusive to POMOCA branded skins, POMOCA’s cold formula glue provides excellent skin adhesion and performance in all weather conditions… especially the coldest.
How do we produce a Pomoca climbing skin?
It has been a century since ski touring skins were made out of real sealskin.
But, how do we manufacture POMOCA skins today?
At POMOCA, we believe in authenticity and transparency. That's why we decided to present you with a short film tracing the origin of the manufacturing of our skins, from the sourcing of our raw material in South Africa, the mohair, to the sewing of the tip and tail attachments in our factory in Switzerland.
The manufacturing of a ski skin is a long and very complex process. This process requires the involvement of various talented suppliers, very specific know-how, great anticipation of needs, and rigorous planning of many resources to ensure the quality of our product at the right deadline. It also implies responsibility in terms of control of the entire production chain to ensure ethical respect at every step, such as during the shearing of the Angora goats.
The production of a skin requires these aspects - and more. It requires the collaboration of our talented employees, closeness to our athletes and customers, and the pleasure, fun, and experience of living the passion that brings all of us together.