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Best of the Best: Free Pro vs Tour Pro

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Best of the Best · Head to Head

Free Pro vs Tour Pro

Our #1 and #2 picks from The 10 Best Climbing Skins, compared spec-by-spec with clear pros, cons, and a verdict.

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.

#1

Free Pro

Pomoca

Free Pro

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

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#2

Tour Pro

Pomoca

Tour Pro

The Pomoca Tour Pro is widely regarded across independent gear outlets as the quintessential all-round climbing skin. It is aimed directly at dedicated touring skiers who want an uncompromising mix of low-effort glide, consistent traction on firm tracks, and dependable adhesive performance through varied temperature swings. It takes the guesswork out of skin selection for traditional winter touring setups. Like its lighter sibling, the Tour Pro employs a 70% mohair and 30% nylon plush. This proportion gives users the fast, effortless sliding properties of natural mohair fiber while retaining the mechanical wear resistance and climbing bite of synthetic nylon. The backing is robust enough to endure repeated transitions and abrasive spring conditions without stretching out of alignment or separating along the edges. Its traditional glue offers reliable stick even on third or fourth laps in biting cold. While the Tour Pro glides exceptionally well, pure nylon models will still hold a slight edge in raw climbing grip on excessively steep or slick skin tracks. At roughly $270, it also represents a notable financial investment, but its dependable day-in, day-out performance justifies the premium for frequent tourers. **Highlights** * 70% mohair and 30% nylon mix provides class-leading glide-to-grip efficiency * Traditional hot-melt glue remains tacky across extreme cold-weather transitions * Durable construction withstands edge contact and multi-season wear * Integrated anti-glopping treatment prevents slush accumulation * Straightforward universal tip and tail attachment hardware **Watch-outs** * Expensive initial retail price * Pure nylon skins offer more absolute traction on bulletproof, steep ascents

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Spec-by-Spec

Spec#1 Free Pro#2 Tour Pro
WeightApprox. 1,100 g/m² (~210 g per skin at 123mm)Approx. 1,150 g/m² (~230 g per skin at 120mm)
Materials70% Mohair / 30% Nylon blend100% Natural Mohair
Capacity/SizeWidths up to 140mm; S to XL lengths (149–190cm)Widths up to 120mm; S to XL lengths (149–190cm)
Price TierPremium ($220 - $250)Mid-to-High ($190 - $220)
Warranty2 years2 years
Best UseFreeride touring, steep approaches, wide skisClassic ski mountaineering, high-mileage traverses
PortabilityExceptional; ultra-thin Safer Skin Light backing rolls down tinyStandard; bulkier traditional backing requires more pack space
DurabilityModerate backing durability; highly durable plush blendHigh backing durability; mohair plush wears faster on hardpack
Feature HighlightsEverDry 3.0 treatment, Safer Skin Light membrane, Click Lock tipEverDry 3.0 treatment, Safer Skin membrane, 100% Mohair glide
#1

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
#2

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.