I have not had a good experience with the pre-cut hybrid skins for the Atomic Backland 85 UL. I've held off writing a review until I've been able to give them a fair shake but I'm convinced, they don't stick to the ski. The hybrid glue just hasn't worked. I do live in WA where the spring snow does typically become quite saturated so that might be the whole issue. I've used them on over a dozen outings and without fail, there has been an adhesion problem leaving me to resort to ski straps. So maybe if you live in an area with a maritime snow pack, stay away from skins with contour hybrid glue.
All other aspects of the skins have been great, good attachment systems, good climb/glide, good fit and easy to cut to length.
Atomic Hybrid Precut Skins
Fast, user-friendly, easily customizable, with built-in race bungees? Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Pre-cut to match Atomic’s Backland 65, 78, 85, and 95 skis, these 100% mohair skins are the quickest way to ride your fancy new skis. The skins are pre-trimmed to accommodate the Backland sidecut and expose just enough edge to use as an edge. If you plan on using the included tail-hooks, Atomic has included a handy paper template that eliminates the guess-work when cutting to the proper length. Out of the box, simply measure the skin to length and cut the excess material and attach the tail clip. The new Hybrid glue makes ripping skins at the top a breeze and can be cleaned with water. This helps keep the skins sticking throughout the life of your skis. With a touch of creativity, these skins have the potential to work on any ski with a tip notch that is similar or smaller in dimension. The Atomic Hybrid skins will get you to the top so you can get back down to where you started.
- Full mohair is the only way to rock and will get you to the top faster than ever.
- Hybrid glue is easy to manage and can be washed with water.
- Skins are sized for two length skis.
Update 2019/20: The new skin for the Atomic Backland UL 65 2.0 is a tip fix only, race-style skin. It is also made from Atomic's 100% Race Mohair.
Update 2020/21: The UL 78 size ranges have changed to accommodate the new shapes and lengths. The tail clips are now riveted on versus the shark clips that just clamped on.
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Questions & Reviews
6/3/2021
jack
(used product regularly)
Comment on this review:
I will come back and update this after more use, but so far I'm not in love with these skins. They grip and glide just fine, but they SUPER saturate with water in spring snow and become extremely heavy when wet. I didn't have problems with them sticking, but I didn't do a ton of transitions. The metal tail clips are pretty annoying, and these skins are kind of heavy for the ultra light skis they pair with. I got these and also homemade a pair of SkiTrab skins (tailless) for my Atomic 85 ULs, and on a recent trip found myself reaching for the SkiTrabs every time.
Comment on this review:
3/20/2021
Is it possible to change the tailclip? I'm using the one that comes with the skin and they are getting bend out of shape. Is it a common problem? Would it be better with a riveted tailclip?
3/22/2021
Thanks for your question, Antoine. It would be possible to install another tail hook, you just need to drill out the rivets and reinstall a new hook. Typically, these hold up quite well and don't require frequent replacement. You could definitely install a tail kit from another brand, however, with the bungee tip, sticking with a fixed hook might be the best option. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
3/22/2021
Hi Antoine, I think riveted ones work a bit better than the hammer-on shark clips that used to come with these skins. Atomic has switched to riveted tail clips going forward. They are available in kits here.
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2/9/2021
chris cawley
(used product regularly)
I've been using these for about a month on Atomic Backland 95. For the most part they are excellent; the skins are easy to pull apart but stay adhered to my skis; the glide is outstanding and the grip is sufficient; they're very compact and light. The tip and tail attachments take some practice coming from 20 years of BD/Pomoca-style tip and tail attachments, but it's worth the learning curve. 4 stars instead of 5 because I have seen the adhesive fail when the skins become saturated. I will seek out a hydrophic product and see how it goes in the springtime. I hear it's critical to keep these skins in your jacket while descending in order to preserve adhesion and that seems worthwhile because the marsupial effect of jacketing these compact skins is pretty mild. The cutting template and tail attachments are both very easy to apply.
Comment on this review:
6/22/2020
I got these skins with the Backland UL 85 skis in late in the spring. When conditions became wet later in the day these skins lost almost all of their adhesion strength. To get them to stick I would have to completely dry my ski and skins with fabric (which is tough when you are wearing all synthetic clothing) for transitions. Is anyone else having the problem of no adhesion when wet?
6/23/2020
Hey Kevin, sorry to hear that you have been experiencing issues with your skins. I would suggest trying to use a water-proofing treatment like the Kohla Dry Climb. Hopefully adding the treatment will keep your skins from getting saturated with water if you continue to have issues with your skins don't hesitate to reach out by emailing us at help@skimo.co.
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I've struggled with these on my Backland UL 78s. The provided template for cutting the tail to the correct length had markings for the 175cm and 169cm lengths, but not my 163cm. The tail clips have come off several times (operator error, no doubt). I've also had multiple glue failures after several laps in warm, wet conditions (in one case resulting in a DNF in a race). I'm probably quite sloppy with my skins, but I've never had such problems with conventional glue.
On the bright side, they grip quite well, are very compact, and the tip bungee is great. I do wish both sides weren't white--it gets confusing when folding the skins.
On the bright side, they grip quite well, are very compact, and the tip bungee is great. I do wish both sides weren't white--it gets confusing when folding the skins.
2/22/2020
Hi dauwhe, the current skins have different sizes for 151-163 and 169-175, so the longer version would wouldn't have the shorter markings. For very wet conditions, you can apply a water-proofing treatment such as the Kohla Dry Climb.
Comment on this review:
11/28/2019
I recently purchased Atomic Backland UL 78 skis and the corresponding hybrid skins. In the instruction book, it suggests they come with skin savers, but there weren’t any in the box. Do the skins come with savers or do I need to buy them separately?
11/29/2019
Patrick, I checked these and the 85 and 95, they do not come with skin savers. The instruction book can be generic, old or misleading. Sorry
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1/14/2019
Hi guys, wondering what is the Hybrid glue made of? I've tried silicone "glueless" before (from 4 Front) and they were not good in cold conditions (iced up easily). For multilap glue is critical as it can ice up and lead to non adherence on the second go.
Also, 100% mohair seems like it will be pretty fast for glide, but not great for icy conditions. Any comment on how well these grip would help as well.
Thanks for your help!
Also, 100% mohair seems like it will be pretty fast for glide, but not great for icy conditions. Any comment on how well these grip would help as well.
Thanks for your help!
1/14/2019
Hi Jared, the Hybrid is a "glue" based adhesive and not a silicone. Feedback on multi-lap performance has been good with these skins. 100% mohair does have slightly less grip than a mix formula, but my personal experience is that grip is largely a function of technique and not skin material.
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11/7/2018
I have the Backland UL 85 skis in the 169cm length. Do you know when you'll have the 85mm skins back in stock?
11/9/2018
Hey Josh! I don't believe we have any on order at the moment, although there's no shortage of skin options to consider from here. Send me an email at help@skimo.co if you'd like to get some recommendations on skins though!
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5/2/2018
Just to clarify- these are pre-cut mohair skins that will fit the atomic backland 95 2018 ski, with the only mod required being cutting to length and attaching a clip for the tail notch?
Thanks!
Andrew Burns
Thanks!
Andrew Burns
5/2/2018
Andrew,
You are correct, the skin will fit. There will be no major changes to the Backland 95 and yes you will just need to trim length and attach tail hooks.
You are correct, the skin will fit. There will be no major changes to the Backland 95 and yes you will just need to trim length and attach tail hooks.
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4/4/2018
Hi- I'm a little confused by the atomic skins. I see that you carry the hybrid glue 100% mohair skins. If I read the website correctly, atomic also makes a 70/30 skin with conventional glue for the backland 95 ski ( that is precut to fit). Have I got this straight and do you carry them? Thanks
4/4/2018
Hi Al, only the Hybrid skins are available in the U.S. as it's the more popular formula. It's also the only one that uses the tip-notch attachment system.
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3/22/2018
Hi - I'm confused about the hybrid designation - does it only apply to the glue? If so, I don't really understand about being washed with water. I want my skins to stick, and am not concerned about how clean they are, as I don't really have that much trouble picking up stuff on the skin side, and am careful about keeping the glue side clean. I have had to renew the glue on various pairs of skins over the years, which is no big deal. Is glue renew available for these? Thanks
3/22/2018
Hi Steve, the Hybrid designation does refer to the type of adhesive on the skin. The ability to clean it refreshes the glue and eliminates the need to re-glue.
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3/22/2018
so the hybrid designation refers to the glue? And this glue can be renewed by being washed but cannot be reapplied?
3/22/2018
Hi Steve, I believe I answered your question above, but yes on both accounts. It is the glue designation and
washing it negates the need to reapply the glue.
washing it negates the need to reapply the glue.
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3/10/2018
For Atomic Backland UL 85 skis 169 cm long you have to cut the skins to shorten them, correct? If so, how do you re-attach the tail-hooks to the skin after cutting? Thanks!
3/10/2018
Hi Gaston, yes you have to cut them. The tailhooks are not attached. They are shark clips that just hammer on.
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2/22/2018
I have skins which came originally with Atomic Backland 85 skis. Midway thru their 2nd season the glue is losing its grip. Can the glue be reapplied? And if so, what product do you suggest? Tks!
2/23/2018
Hey David! The skin/glue formula is made by Contour and unfortunately all of their glue renew kits and whatnot are for the non-hybrid glue formulas that weren't used in this skin formula. They can be washed though, are the skins just dirty and that's causing them to not stick? If so, find the wash stuff here.
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2/14/2018
Hi,
any idea what is the difference to the previous year's model (https://skimo.co/atomic-backland-ul-skins) ? Just the glide zone in the tip got ditched or is there something else (material, thickness, etc.) ?
Thanks a lot.
Best, Petr
any idea what is the difference to the previous year's model (https://skimo.co/atomic-backland-ul-skins) ? Just the glide zone in the tip got ditched or is there something else (material, thickness, etc.) ?
Thanks a lot.
Best, Petr
2/14/2018
Hi Petr, vs the prior model, the biggest changes are that the glide zone in the tip is gone, and the glue is a new formulation of the Hybrid glue said to be more durable and reliable.
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11/7/2017
Hi,
I have a question regarding these 17/18 skins for my UL 78 skis. On the picture the skins have a race type tip notch that that is perfect for me, but on the atomic web site the 85mm and 78mm skins seem to have tip buckles and an adjustable tail attachment, which I do not want. Can you clarify?
Thanks
Benoit
I have a question regarding these 17/18 skins for my UL 78 skis. On the picture the skins have a race type tip notch that that is perfect for me, but on the atomic web site the 85mm and 78mm skins seem to have tip buckles and an adjustable tail attachment, which I do not want. Can you clarify?
Thanks
Benoit
11/7/2017
Hi Benoit,
These have tip notches and come with an optional tail hook. Not sure what is up with the photos on Atomic's site.
These have tip notches and come with an optional tail hook. Not sure what is up with the photos on Atomic's site.
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9/5/2017
Will you match Cripple Creek's price of $170 shipped to 81611?
Thanks!
Thanks!
9/5/2017
Hi Jeff, thanks for pointing out the discrepancy. I've updated our price to match. Please note the skins do not have a rocker section this season (17/18) as show on that site. We do have a few of that style left here.
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