Skins - make a tip-loop with a bungee

The easiest way to tour or race faster is a good pair of mohair skins. Most of your time in the backcountry is spent skinning - it only makes sense to move more efficiently with mohair.

For racing heel-hooks are never used and the tip attachment is replaced with a bungee cord. Note that some brands of skins will come with a pre-made tip cord or loop - but most skins require a custom job.

All you need is a plastic washer (or flattened bottle cap or similar), a sewing kit (a Velox tubular repair kit is perfect) and a piece of bungee. See the attached photos. Make sure the loop is short - and if your skis don't have a center slot, sew a loop without the washer to go around the tip.