Free Pro vs Tour Pro
top ten:best climbing skins
Choosing the right climbing skin from Pomoca often comes down to a battle between specialized packability and pure forward-striding efficiency. Both the Pomoca Free Pro and Pomoca Tour Pro represent Swiss engineering at its finest, featuring dependable glues, hydrophobic treatments, and precision tip and tail hardware. However, they cater to distinctly different backcountry missions. The Free Pro is purpose-built for the modern freeride tourer pushing wider skis uphill who cannot afford bulk or excessive weight in their pack on the descent. Its ultra-thin membrane folds down to nearly half the volume of traditional skins. On the other hand, the Tour Pro is tailored toward traditional ski touring and alpine traverses where glide efficiency over long horizontal distances and rolling ascents reigns supreme. Deciding between them requires evaluating your typical ski waist width, your local snowpack conditions, and whether you prioritize the compact stowability demanded by steep, descent-focused freeriding or the low-friction endurance required for high-mileage backcountry slogs.
Spec-by-Spec
| Spec | Free Pro | Tour Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 1,100 g/m² (~210 g per skin at 123mm) | Approx. 1,150 g/m² (~230 g per skin at 120mm) |
| Materials | 70% Mohair / 30% Nylon blend | 100% Natural Mohair |
| Capacity/Size | Widths up to 140mm; S to XL lengths (149–190cm) | Widths up to 120mm; S to XL lengths (149–190cm) |
| Price Tier | Premium ($220 - $250) | Mid-to-High ($190 - $220) |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Best Use | Freeride touring, steep approaches, wide skis | Classic ski mountaineering, high-mileage traverses |
| Portability | Exceptional; ultra-thin Safer Skin Light backing rolls down tiny | Standard; bulkier traditional backing requires more pack space |
| Durability | Moderate backing durability; highly durable plush blend | High backing durability; mohair plush wears faster on hardpack |
| Feature Highlights | EverDry 3.0 treatment, Safer Skin Light membrane, Click Lock tip | EverDry 3.0 treatment, Safer Skin membrane, 100% Mohair glide |
Free Pro
Best for: Best for aggressive freeride tourers on mid-to-wide skis who prioritize steep climbing grip and pocket-friendly packability.
Pros
- Incredible packability takes up minimal room inside a jacket or touring pack
- Balanced 70/30 mohair-nylon plush delivers confident bite on steep, icy skin tracks
- Tailored specifically to maintain low overall weight on wider freeride ski shapes
- Safer Skin Light membrane prevents water saturation while cutting bulk
Cons
- Noticeably more expensive than standard touring skins
- The ultra-thin backing requires careful handling around sharp ski edges
- Slightly more friction on dead-flat valley exits compared to pure mohair
Tour Pro
Best for: Best for fast-and-light ski mountaineers and long-distance traverse enthusiasts seeking frictionless glide on low-angle approaches.
Pros
- 100% mohair construction yields frictionless, effortless forward glide
- Saves significant aerobic energy on long horizontal flats and gradual climbs
- Slightly lower price point compared to the ultralight freeride flagship
- Proven, rugged backing holds up well to repeated transitions and bootpack abuse
Cons
- 100% mohair provides less mechanical grip on slick, steep skin tracks
- Mohair plush fibers wear down quicker on abrasive spring refreeze
- Noticeably bulkier to roll up and pack away compared to the Free Pro
The Verdict
While both models showcase Pomoca's benchmark glue chemistry and anti-glopping treatments, the Pomoca Free Pro edges out the Tour Pro as the overall winner for modern backcountry skiers. The Free Pro strikes a near-flawless balance: its 70/30 mohair-nylon blend provides the dependable uphill traction critical for steep skin tracks, while the Safer Skin Light membrane produces unrivaled packability that fits effortlessly into an avalanche pack or jacket pocket. The Tour Pro remains an exceptional specialty tool for flat valley bottoms, multi-day endurance traverses, and rolling alpine terrain where maximum glide efficiency conserves valuable physical energy. However, its 100% mohair fibers demand precise stepping technique on firm steeps and degrade faster on abrasive refrozen crust. For the broader range of modern touring setups, snow conditions, and steeper descents, the Free Pro delivers a superior blend of security, low pack volume, and rugged versatility.
See where both rank in the full list: the complete Top 10 →