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The Pomoca Free Pro is built specifically for backcountry skiers running wider freeride planks or those looking to shave substantial weight and bulk from their pack. Backcountry travel on fat skis often means carrying cumbersome, stiff skins that take up half a touring pack. Pomoca solves this by using a proprietary ultralight, supple backing membrane paired with a low-profile plush that compresses down to a fraction of the size of standard climbing skins. The plush consists of a 70% mohair and 30% nylon blend, hitting the sweet spot of low-drag glide and reliable mechanical grip. On long approaches and low-angle run-outs, the Free Pro glides with minimal resistance, saving noticeable leg fatigue over a full day of climbing. The factory waterproofing treatment prevents the plush from wetting out and clumping in moist spring snow, while Pomoca's signature glue formula provides solid adhesion without turning transitions into a test of upper-body strength. The primary concession here comes down to durability and cost. With a retail price hovering around $290, this is an expensive piece of equipment. Additionally, the thinner backing material requires more attentiveness around sharp ski edges and rocky bootpacks than standard-weight workhorse models. **Highlights** * Supple, highly compressible backing packs down small inside a jacket or pack * 70/30 mohair-nylon blend delivers fast, low-friction glide on flats and gradual ascents * Factory waterproofing membrane effectively resists snow water saturation * Balanced glue formula allows smooth, predictable rip-and-pack transitions * Reliable tip loop and low-profile adjustable tail clip system **Watch-outs** * High price point compared to entry-level and mid-range competitors * Thinner backing fabric demands careful handling around sharp ski edges
Pros
- Significantly lower pack volume and weight than conventional climbing skins
- Exceptional forward glide efficiency saves energy on long approaches
- Supple backing material folds easily to fit inside a jacket during laps
- Reliable glue adhesion provides smooth, low-effort transitions
Cons
- Premium price point near $290 sits above most competitors
- Thinner backing fabric requires careful handling around sharp ski edges
- Less mechanical grip on firm, icy skintracks compared to pure nylon
Best uses
- Wide freeride ski touring
- Fast-and-light ski mountaineering
- High-mileage backcountry traverses
- Mid-winter and spring touring
Specifications
- Plush Blend
- 70% Mohair, 30% Nylon
- Approximate Price
- Around $290
- Tail Attachment
- Adjustable low-profile camming tail clip
- Tip Attachment
- Fixed wire tip loop
- Membrane Type
- Ultralight waterproof backing barrier
- Intended Use
- Freeride touring and fast-and-light travel
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Best for
Wide freeride ski touring, Fast-and-light ski mountaineering, High-mileage backcountry traverses, Mid-winter and spring touring
Where to buy the Free Pro
Prices and stock change often, so check the current Amazon offer before you buy.
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The Pomoca Free Pro addresses one of the most persistent compromises in backcountry skiing: the sheer weight and bulk of climbing skins cut for wide freeride skis. Carrying full-coverage plush for fat planks traditionally means sacrificing an enormous amount of pack space to heavy, stiff backing materials. Pomoca tackles this problem directly by pairing an ultralight, highly compressible backing membrane with a low-profile plush that rolls tightly enough to stow inside an inner jacket pocket during descents. At the center of its performance is a 70% mohair and 30% nylon blend. Mohair fibers deliver exceptionally low glide resistance across flat approaches and gradual ascents, while the interspersed nylon provides the mechanical durability and purchase required for steeper skintracks. A factory-applied waterproofing barrier prevents water absorption and snow clumping, which protects the glue layer beneath from moisture-induced failure during long outings in wet spring conditions. While independent testing outlets consistently praise the Free Pro for its glide efficiency and minimal pack volume, it remains a specialized piece of equipment. The approximately $290 retail price represents a steep initial investment, and the minimalist construction demands more careful handling around sharp steel ski edges than thicker, heavier utility skins.
Target Audience and Design Intent
The Pomoca Free Pro is built specifically for two subsets of backcountry skiers: those touring on wide powder planks and those focused on fast-and-light mountain objectives. Traditional climbing skins for skis over 100 millimeters underfoot are notoriously stiff and heavy, consuming an outsized portion of a mid-sized touring pack. Skiers pushing long vert numbers or covering high mileage on broader skis benefit most from this design. It provides full edge-to-edge base protection on fat skis without the typical penalty of carrying a kilogram of stiff fabric. Conversely, resort-adjacent sidecountry users or skiers prioritizing pure longevity over packability will find the design overbuilt for their modest needs and under-protected against careless handling on rough resort bootpacks.
Plush Dynamics and Glide Efficiency
Skin performance hinges on the balance between grip and glide, and the Free Pro deliberately tilts the scale toward the glide end of the spectrum. The 70% natural mohair fibers lie flat and create noticeably less surface friction on the forward slide than pure synthetic plush. On extended valley approaches and low-angle logging roads, this reduction in drag translates directly into preserved leg energy. The 30% nylon content exists to provide directional friction, giving the plush sufficient traction to bite into packed skintracks. On steep, firm, or icy switchbacks, the skin requires deliberate technique and solid weighting, as it yields less raw grip than a 100% nylon alternative. For efficient skinners who favor a smooth cadence, the trade-off is well worth the saved energy.
Backing Membrane and Compressibility
The standout physical characteristic of the Free Pro is its backing material. Rather than the thick woven laminates used on entry-level skins, Pomoca utilizes a supple, ultralight membrane that sheds significant bulk. When rolled or folded, the skins take up roughly half the space of conventional high-durability models. This compressibility is a practical advantage during rapid transitions in cold or windy weather, as skiers can tuck the skins directly inside an outer shell to keep the glue warm without creating an awkward, rigid bulge against the chest. The integrated membrane also serves as an impermeable moisture barrier, preventing meltwater on the top fibers from penetrating through to the adhesive backing, which is critical for preventing mid-tour delamination.
Glue Performance and Transitions
Pomoca has developed a well-earned reputation for balanced adhesive formulation, and the Free Pro maintains that standard. The glue provides dependable adhesion across freezing temperatures without turning transitions into an upper-body workout. Pulling the skins apart tip-to-tail or peeling them from ski bases does not require excessive force, which speeds up turnaround times on exposed summits. Furthermore, the adhesive resists residue buildup on ski bases when maintained properly. However, because the backing fabric is lighter and more flexible than average, users must exercise care during windy transitions to avoid letting the adhesive surfaces fold onto themselves unevenly, which can cause premature glue wear if ripped apart aggressively.
Durability Realities and Handling
Weight reduction inherently comes with compromises in structural toughness. The thin backing membrane that makes the Free Pro packable also makes it more susceptible to lateral slicing if run over freshly sharpened ski edges during hurried transitions. While the 70/30 plush holds up admirably over multiple seasons of normal snow travel, early-season rock contact or abrasive spring crust will degrade the mohair fibers faster than thick synthetic nylon. Skiers who frequently navigate shallow snowpacks, rocky scrambles, or tight tree exits need to exercise deliberate care. To maximize lifespan, users must trim the skins accurately to maintain exposed steel edges and avoid careless dragging across non-snow surfaces.
Market Alternatives and Value
Priced around $290, the Free Pro sits at the premium end of the skin market. For skiers seeking maximum durability at a lower cost, standard nylon models like the Black Diamond Ascension provide bulletproof longevity and superior mechanical grip on firm ascents, but they carry a severe weight and packability penalty. Within Pomoca's own lineup, the Climb 2.0 offers a similar 70/30 plush blend at a lower price point, but it relies on a heavier, less compressible backing. The Free Pro justifies its price premium specifically for skiers who view packed volume and low glide resistance as indispensable assets on big days in the backcountry.
How we picked
We started with a long list of climbing skins that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Backcountry reliability
- How consistently the gear works in cold, wet and stressful conditions.
- Weight for the uphill
- Grams saved on the skin track against downhill performance given up.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
Free Pro — frequently asked questions
- Is the Free Pro worth it?
- We rank it #1 in Climbing Skins. The Pomoca Free Pro is built specifically for backcountry skiers running wider freeride planks or those looking to shave substantial weight and bulk from their pack. Backcountry travel on fat skis often means carrying cumbersome, stiff skins that take up half a touring pack.
- What is the Free Pro best for?
- Best for wide freeride ski touring, fast-and-light ski mountaineering, high-mileage backcountry traverses and mid-winter and spring touring. Standouts: significantly lower pack volume and weight than conventional climbing skins and exceptional forward glide efficiency saves energy on long approaches.
- What are the downsides of the Free Pro?
- Premium price point near $290 sits above most competitors, Thinner backing fabric requires careful handling around sharp ski edges and Less mechanical grip on firm, icy skintracks compared to pure nylon.
- What are the key specs of the Free Pro?
- Plush Blend: 70% Mohair, 30% Nylon · Approximate Price: Around $290 · Tail Attachment: Adjustable low-profile camming tail clip · Tip Attachment: Fixed wire tip loop · Membrane Type: Ultralight waterproof backing barrier
- Target Audience and Design Intent — what should I know about the Free Pro?
- The Pomoca Free Pro is built specifically for two subsets of backcountry skiers: those touring on wide powder planks and those focused on fast-and-light mountain objectives. Traditional climbing skins for skis over 100 millimeters underfoot are notoriously stiff and heavy, consuming an outsized portion of a mid-sized…
- Plush Dynamics and Glide Efficiency — what should I know about the Free Pro?
- Skin performance hinges on the balance between grip and glide, and the Free Pro deliberately tilts the scale toward the glide end of the spectrum. The 70% natural mohair fibers lie flat and create noticeably less surface friction on the forward slide than pure synthetic plush.
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