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The Rossignol Delta Comp R Skin Medium is engineered for dedicated classic skiers who want training- and race-level speed without the hassle of traditional kick waxes. It targets intermediate to advanced Nordic skiers who spend the bulk of their time on groomed tracks. Rossignol builds the ski around a Nomex honeycomb core combined with carbon reinforcement, resulting in an exceptionally responsive flex pattern and a low swing weight that keeps kick-and-glide mechanics crisp over high-mileage workouts. In field assessments by Nordic specialists, the integrated mohair skin insert earns consistent praise for delivering dependable purchase across fluctuating snow conditions, including hardpack, refrozen tracks, and glazed surfaces where standard fishscales slip. The medium flex camber balances easy kick engagement with clean glide phase clearance, meaning the skin stays lifted off the snow when your weight transfers forward. The primary trade-off is that this is an uncompromising track-only ski. With its narrow profile and lack of metal edges, it offers zero stability on untracked snow or steep, icy backcountry descents. Proper camber sizing is also critical; selecting a stiffness that mismatches your body weight will either cause dragging skins or require excessive downward force to set the kick. **Highlights** * Replaceable 100% mohair skin insert offers quiet, wax-free grip * Nomex honeycomb core reinforced with carbon delivers high torsional stiffness * Active Cap construction allows independent flex at the tip and tail * Light overall weight at approximately 2 pounds, 8 ounces per pair * Turnamic binding plate allows tool-free binding adjustment for fine-tuning grip and glide **Watch-outs** * Strictly built for groomed tracks; unusable in deep or off-piste snow * Demands accurate weight-based sizing to prevent the skin from dragging during the glide * Mohair skins eventually wear out and require periodic replacement
Pros
- Nomex honeycomb core offers race-tier swing weight and lively rebound
- Replaceable mohair skin delivers quiet, secure grip on glazed tracks
- Turnamic binding plate allows tool-free fore and aft tuning
- True high-speed glide when properly fitted to skier weight
Cons
- Strictly restricted to groomed tracks; unusable off-piste
- Demands precise body-weight camber matching to avoid drag
- Mohair inserts require specialized cleaning and eventual replacement
Best uses
- Groomed classic track skiing
- High-cadence fitness training
- Citizen classic marathon racing
- Variable snow temperature laps
Specifications
- Discipline
- Classic Nordic track
- Core Material
- Nomex honeycomb with carbon
- Grip Style
- Replaceable 100% mohair skin
- Weight (Pair)
- 2 lbs., 8 oz.
- Binding Plate
- Turnamic IFP
- Edge Type
- Edgeless track profile
Pricing
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Best for
Groomed classic track skiing, High-cadence fitness training, Citizen classic marathon racing, Variable snow temperature laps
Where to buy the Delta Comp R Skin Medium
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The Rossignol Delta Comp R Skin Medium is designed for classic Nordic skiers seeking race-inspired speed and responsive handling without the daily chore of kick waxing. Engineered for groomed touring centers and dedicated track networks, this ski bridges the gap between high-level fitness training and citizen racing. It eliminates traditional grip wax guesswork by pairing an integrated mohair strip with an aggressive classic camber profile. At the foundation of the ski is a Nomex honeycomb core reinforced with carbon laminates. This setup strips substantial swing weight from the extremities while maintaining torsional stiffness and an energetic rebound upon kick engagement. Rossignol's Active Cap structure permits the ski to track smoothly over minor track undulations without scrubbing hard-earned momentum. While high-performance skin skis were once considered mere training tools, the Delta Comp demonstrates how far skin integration has evolved. It produces crisp forward propulsion on glazed or refrozen tracks where fishscales tend to slip, yet preserves clean glide clearance during weight shifts. For track-focused skiers who demand precision over off-trail versatility, it represents one of the most efficient classic setups available.
Target Skier and Intended Use
The Delta Comp R Skin Medium is built specifically for intermediate to advanced classic skiers who log significant mileage inside pre-set machine tracks. It caters to recreational racers and endurance athletes who prioritize a swift, low-effort glide phase over stability. Because the ski uses an edgeless, narrow profile, it demands solid fundamental technique, including clean weight transfer and confident single-ski balance. Skiers stepping up from entry-level waxless skis will notice an immediate difference in responsiveness, as the ski rewards active, deliberate kicks rather than passive shuffling. Conversely, novice skiers or those looking to break their own trails across unmaintained meadows or golf courses will find this model unforgiving and tipsy, as it lacks the width and edge control needed for variable backcountry snowpacks.
Core Construction and Flex Dynamics
The structural backbone of the ski relies on a Nomex honeycomb core combined with carbon stringers. This construction method keeps overall weight around two pounds, eight ounces per pair, while ensuring a crisp, lively flex. Nomex consists of ultra-lightweight aramid fibers arranged in a honeycomb lattice, delivering an exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratio that significantly lowers swing weight during rapid leg turnover. Rossignol wraps this core in an Active Cap construction, which blends directional fiberglass with multi-directional cap materials. This allows the center of the ski to remain torsionally rigid under power, while the tip and tail retain enough longitudinal suppleness to ride micro-contours in the track bed. The resulting dynamic rebound accelerates the ski forward cleanly as soon as the skier unweights the kick zone.
Grip and Glide Performance
Grip is handled by Rossignol's R-Skin system, which utilizes a replaceable 100 percent mohair strip set flush into the base kick zone. Mohair fibers feature natural directional properties that lie flat during the forward glide and stand firm under downward pressure to bite into the snow. In comparative analyses, this material consistently outshines mechanical fishscale patterns on hardpack, icy surfaces, and high-moisture snow where wax selection is traditionally notoriously difficult. The Medium camber profile holds the skin insert elevated above the snow deck during two-footed and single-ski glide phases. As long as the skier delivers sufficient downforce during the kick phase, the skin bites instantaneously without the grabby, braking sensation common on softer, recreational skin skis.
Tuning and Camber Selection
Proper sizing of the Delta Comp R Skin Medium is critical because classic skin skis offer almost zero margin for error regarding user weight. Camber stiffness must be matched directly to your dressed skiing weight rather than your height alone. If the camber is too stiff, your downward impulse will not fully compress the mohair against the snow, resulting in persistent slipping on uphills. If the camber is too soft, the skin will continuously drag along the track, robbing your glide and prematurely wearing the fibers. Fortunately, the factory-installed Turnamic IFP plate provides valuable fine-tuning. Skiers can slide compatible Turnamic bindings forward to enhance kick security on icy days, or shift them rearward to maximize glide clearance in colder, drier snow conditions.
Durability and Field Maintenance
While skin skis eliminate the daily kick-waxing ritual, they introduce unique maintenance needs that direct their long-term lifespan. The mohair strip will gradually collect pine resin, dirt, and glide wax residue from the tracks, which diminishes grip if left untreated. Regular application of dedicated skin cleaners and water-repellent skin proofers is mandatory to prevent snow clumping in freezing conditions. Under normal operating conditions on clean tracks, the mohair insert typically lasts between 80 to 120 ski days before the fibers thin out and require replacement. The ski bases surrounding the skin insert still require standard hot waxing or liquid paraffin treatment to maintain optimal glide. The ski's overall cap construction resists top-sheet chipping well, though running over hidden stones can permanently damage the lightweight Nomex core.
Realistic Trade-offs and Alternatives
The primary limitation of the Delta Comp R Skin is its singular devotion to groomed classic tracks. It has zero capability for off-trail touring, downhill snowplowing on crust, or icy logging roads. Skiers seeking a multi-purpose tool are better served by wider, metal-edged touring models like Rossignol's own OT 65 or Fischer's Spider 62. Within the performance skin category, close competitors include the Fischer Twin Skin Race and Salomon RC eSkin. The Fischer utilizes a split-skin design that can feel slightly smoother during the glide transition, while Salomon's eSkin offers tool-free magnetic skin swaps. However, the Delta Comp remains a standout value because it incorporates high-end Nomex core technology at a price point where many competitors still rely on denser foam or heavier wood air-channel cores.
How we picked
We started with a long list of cross country skis 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.
- Edge hold and stability
- Grip on firm snow and composure at speed for the intended skier level.
- Versatility across conditions
- How the ski or board handles groomers, crud and fresh snow in one day.
- 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.
Delta Comp R Skin Medium — frequently asked questions
- Is the Delta Comp R Skin Medium worth it?
- We rank it #1 in Cross Country Skis. The Rossignol Delta Comp R Skin Medium is engineered for dedicated classic skiers who want training- and race-level speed without the hassle of traditional kick waxes. It targets intermediate to advanced Nordic skiers who spend the bulk of their time on groomed tracks.
- What is the Delta Comp R Skin Medium best for?
- Best for groomed classic track skiing, high-cadence fitness training, citizen classic marathon racing and variable snow temperature laps. Standouts: nomex honeycomb core offers race-tier swing weight and lively rebound and replaceable mohair skin delivers quiet, secure grip on glazed tracks.
- What are the downsides of the Delta Comp R Skin Medium?
- Strictly restricted to groomed tracks; unusable off-piste, Demands precise body-weight camber matching to avoid drag and Mohair inserts require specialized cleaning and eventual replacement.
- What are the key specs of the Delta Comp R Skin Medium?
- Discipline: Classic Nordic track · Core Material: Nomex honeycomb with carbon · Grip Style: Replaceable 100% mohair skin · Weight (Pair): 2 lbs., 8 oz. · Binding Plate: Turnamic IFP
- Target Skier and Intended Use — what should I know about the Delta Comp R Skin Medium?
- The Delta Comp R Skin Medium is built specifically for intermediate to advanced classic skiers who log significant mileage inside pre-set machine tracks. It caters to recreational racers and endurance athletes who prioritize a swift, low-effort glide phase over stability.
- Core Construction and Flex Dynamics — what should I know about the Delta Comp R Skin Medium?
- The structural backbone of the ski relies on a Nomex honeycomb core combined with carbon stringers. This construction method keeps overall weight around two pounds, eight ounces per pair, while ensuring a crisp, lively flex.
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