Hey there!

I have K2 Burning Love Skies but they are about 3 years old. They are 160s and I am having a hard time finding skins to fit them (most start around 170). Also, I cannot figure out how wide I need them...am I measuring from the shaped top of the skies? I'd like to order some asap so any help you can give on skins for 3 year old 160 Burning Loves would be awesome. Thanks

Just want to make sure, these burnin love's have an AT binding, right? No point in putting a skin on an alpine binding as your mobility would be next to nothing. The skin question was answered sufficiently already, so thought I'd turn over this stone.

G3 makes the Alpinist Elle climbing skin, which is, in theory, for women. The advantage being (besides the cool - not pink - color) that It comes in a "short" size. I bought the short size for my skis, which are 158s at a width of 115, which is just slightly less than the widest part of the ski. I trimmed the skin to fit the skis and maximize coverage. I have used these skins for 2 seasons and really like them. The attachment system is the same as the expedition. They will definitely work for 160s and the short size comes in a variety of widths. Check out the size chart for details.

Sarah, You will be able to trim the tips and move up the tip attachment if you need to....but I'm guessing that if you order the 170's, the tail attachment range will provide you with enough room to fit those 160's without having to trim the tip. Again....if you do have to...it's no big deal...if you want extra security for the tip after you trim it...you can always sew it back in if you want but in my experience, the adhesive is enough to keep things together especially considering that this area does not get as much stress as you would think it does simply because the adhesive along the running length of the skin as it sticks to the base is distributing any tug and pull forces. As for width....if you want wall to wall carpet...then measure from the widest portion of your ski....otherwise you can get away with less....I prefer wall-to-wall....YMMV.

There are several skins that come LONG, assuming you will cut them (that way they can just sell in widths, not lengths too). I had a pair of the Black Diamond skins (Ascension) which I cut to fit some 160 Rossis I had. Looks like BC.com has those in stock. The good thing about those is that you cut, then fold over. I knew I'd be getting longer skis eventually, so I left about 8 inches folded over, so I could make them longer for the next skis I had. As far as width- there are a few trains of thought on this. Some people like a skinnier skin, and they cut it to expose the ski edge , and leave a strip of skin in the middle of the ski. Some people prefer "full-coverage", where you would get a fatter skin (as wide as the widest part of your ski), and then cut it to fit (http://www.backcountry.com/g3-trim-tool works wonders). Everyone has an opinion on this- but basically, the more exposed ski you have, the more glide you'll have. The less exposed ski, the more grip. Have fun!