16 Ways Climbing Skins are like Condoms.

1. You don't like to wear them, but sometimes you have to to get to where
you want to go.

2. They are 99% effective, but it is that 1% of the time in which they
aren't that worries you.

3. Don't buy really long ones if you have short skis.

4. There is only a very thin layer between you and sliding over a
precipice.

5. If used in conjunction with certain waxes they may not be effective.

6. Thinner skins let you feel the snow better.

7. If not put on properly a terrible accident can occur.

8. If your fingers are cold or you are in a hurry they are hard to get
out of the package and put on.

9. You have to put them on each time you go up a hill, you can't just
put them on in the morning and leave them on all day.

10. It is more fun if someone else puts them on your skis for you.

11. You can get them in a variety of colors, but no one really ever sees
them.

12. They come in synthetic and natural fibers, and although the
synthetics are said to be more effective, there is still a small group
of people who insist on using the natural ones.

13. You have to make sure you roll them all the way back to the tail of
the skis otherwise they won't work.

14. Once you take them off you have to store them properly or they will
drip all over the gear in your pack.

15. You can practice putting them on in your living room, but the real
test is putting them on in the backcountry.

16. Don't put them on in the dark, use your mini-maglight.

by Tony Long and Craig Martens.