REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Inexpensive
Good grip
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited glide
Bulky and heavy
Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Review
Expect this lower-priced pair to give okay performance over many seasons of mountaineering and touring through the backcountry
Black Diamond Ascension Nylon 2023
Credit: Black Diamond
Our Verdict
The proven Black Diamond Ascension Nylon skins might be the most widely used skins on the United States market. They work for everyone. This is good. However, something else will likely work better for most of us. The Ascension is durable and grips very well on the uphill. The durability is likely overkill (these will far outlast your skis, for instance), and the grip enables skin tracks that are steeper than biomechanics require. With the grip you get compromised glide that affects your overall efficiency. With greater durability comes increased weight and bulk, both on your skis and in your pack. There are certainly people for whom the Ascension is well suited, but most will do better with one of our award winners. For barebones budget applications and for applications where you will want to use your skins for hundreds and hundreds of hard-charging days, the Ascension is a good choice. For maximum performance, look elsewhere.
Editor's Note: Black Diamond has updated the graphics since we tested these skins. We confirmed the performance characteristics of the current model are the same as the model we tested.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Black Diamond Ascension Nylon | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Ski Climbing Skins |  Best High-Performance Skin |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||
| Price | $151.89 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $167.96 at Evo Compare at 3 sellers | $179.96 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $183.96 at Evo Compare at 3 sellers | $220 List $219.95 at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Rugged, good gripping skins for those with limited dollars and desiring a proven product over maximum performance | Climbing skins inherently strike compromises; winner of our top award, it balances competing demands better than any other | All skin performance is balanced; given our experience with skiing and with reviewing, we find this skin strikes an ideal balance of a variety of factors | For skilled skinners and efficiency hounds on cold snow there are no better skins available | Budget-oriented skiers that want something reliable and widely available will do well with this product |
| Rating Categories | Black Diamond Ascen... | Pomoca Climb Pro S... | Contour Hybrid Mix | Pomoca Free Pro 2.0 | Black Diamond Glide... |
| Glide (30%) | |||||
| Portability (20%) | |||||
| Glue Integrity (20%) | |||||
| Grip (15%) | |||||
| Icing/Glopping Resistance (10%) | |||||
| Compatibility (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Black Diamond Ascen... | Pomoca Climb Pro S... | Contour Hybrid Mix | Pomoca Free Pro 2.0 | Black Diamond Glide... |
| Measured Weight | 1.43 lbs | 1.23 lbs | 1.21 lbs | 1.09 lbs | 1.25 lbs |
| Material | 100% Nylon | 70% Mohair, 30% Nylon | 70% Mohair, 30% Synthetic | 100% Mohair | 65% Mohair, 35% Nylon |
| Weight per Pair (Based on Ski Tested) | 650 g for Black Diamond Helio 105, 185 cm | 587 g for Black Crows Corvus Freebird, 183 cm | 551 g for Blizzard Zero G 105, 180 cm | 496 g for Kastle TX 103, 180 cm | 595 g for Black Crows Navis Freebird, 179 cm |
| Weight per Ski Width (grams/mm) | 6.2 | 5.9 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 5.8 |
| Glue | Traditional | Traditional | Hybrid glue technology | Traditional | Traditional |
| Tip Attachment | Rigid tip loop | Rigid tip loop | Rigid tip loop | Rigid tip loop | Rigid tip loop |
| Tail Attachment | Rubber strap and metal hook | Rubber strap and cam hook | Vinyl strap and cam hook | Rubber strap and cam hook | Rubber strap and metal hook |
| Ski Compatibility | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal |
| Precut Option? | Order for approximate width, cut to length and lateral shape | Order for length and approximate width, cut to lateral shape | Order for length and approximate width, cut to lateral shape | Order for length and approximate width, cut to lateral shape | Order for approximate width, cut to length and lateral shape |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
We currently have just one pair of all-nylon skins in our test. The Black Diamond Ascension Nylon are a classic, long-available product that is slowly being supplanted as market trends evolve. In certain instances, these all-nylon skins are worthwhile. As other nylon options disappear, the venerable Ascension forges on and recaptures that market share. Basically, for absolute durability the Ascension Nylon is great. In fleet or rental settings, these are likely the best skins you can get. For all others, the performance bump with mohair blend skins is worth the slight tradeoffs in price, grip, and durability.
Note that we've reviewed (and photographed) the Ascension through iterative improvements and changes over many years now. The biggest difference each time has been in fabric pattern. A subtler change, more recently, is the tip loop. The latest version has a rigid tip loop while previous iterations used a cable.
Performance Comparison
Deep in the Canadian wilderness with the Black Diamond Ascension skins. For reliable function, you can't go wrong with these.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Glide
All nylon construction means that the Ascension skins glide more poorly than any of those that include mohair. Efficient skinning means sliding your skis forward with each step. Skins that do this with less resistance save you energy. Mohair and mohair blended skins glide better than the Ascension. Discerning users on our test team, anecdotally, report that the restricted glide of the Ascension costs 5-10% of uphill energy over a long day.
The absolute latest version of the Black Diamond Ascension climbing skin. The functional elements haven't changed in decades, but the color and pattern does change. This is the 2020 pattern.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Grip
Grip is inversely related to glide. All nylon construction grips really well. These are the best gripping skins in our test. Now, this seems like a good thing. And, indeed, there is little more frustrating or draining than skins that slip backwards. First, though, your technique will improve. Good skinners can ascend more steeply than beginners, all else equal. Next, no matter your level of experience, biomechanics are a greater limiter on your angle of ascent than skin grip. Even all mohair skins grip more steeply than your legs operate best. Maximum grip is unnecessary for maximum efficiency.
Spring time means dry approaches and abrasive snow. For that abrasive springtime snow, full nylon skins can be the best choice. Here, the absolute latest pattern on Ascension skins in June of 2020 on Mount Shasta.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Glue Integrity
After slipping backward on your skins, skins that fall off your skis are one of backcountry skiing's greatest frustrations. First, align your expectations. In some conditions, all skins will fail. It is “par for the course” to have skin glue failure a time or two during your backcountry ski season. Even the most fastidious care will get snow and liquid water onto the glue. Both of these forms of H2O contamination will prevent your skins from sticking. Next, realize that Black Diamond glue is great. It is just sticky enough, and stays where you want it to stay. Finally, overall glue integrity is a function of the glue itself, fabric stiffness, and tip and tail attachments. The Ascension fabric is super stiff. This is good for keeping your skins on your skis. The tip and tail attachments are among the least sophisticated in our test, but they do the job.
The tip and tail profile of the Black Diamond Ascension skins. This is proven and simple, but the G3 system is better all around.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Icing/Glopping Resistance
Synthetic nylon fibers in the plush of the Ascension Nylon absorb virtually no liquid water. It is liquid water that precedes (sometimes immediately) icing of your skin fabric. Ascension skins are very resistant to glopping. We can't say that they won't ice up at all. In the right conditions, all skins will ice up. But the Ascension is better than most. They are certainly better than skins that include mohair in the mix.
You will see tons of Black Diamond Ascension skins out and about. They work well, for sure. However, we'd argue that their predominance is more a function of inertia than of performance.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Packability and Weight
The Ascension skins are the bulkiest and heaviest skins we tested. You don't get this durability without a trade-off. Bulk and weight are the price you pay for plush that will last for millions of vertical feet. For a given size of ski, the average competitor is about 2/3rds the weight and bulk of the Ascension.
The stiff backing of the Ascension skins is durable but bulky in your pack or pocket.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Compatibility
Black Diamond sells the Ascension skins to work with any skis on the market. Shop and measure carefully, but know that you can cut them to work on anything.
Durable, strong-gripping skins for beginning users that wish to use them for a long, long time.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Value
Initial purchase price of the Ascension is lower than most. Further, they are widely available and often deeply discounted. Finally, the long service life brings down your “per day” price even more. These are a good value. However, for just a few bucks more you can get the Best Buy Black Diamond Glidelite Mix and get considerably better performance.
Conclusion
Climbing skin purchase is often an afterthought. We don't advise this. If you don't put much thought into it, you might end up with the Ascension. It isn't a wrong choice, and it might be your best choice. However, you will likely be better served with a different product. Read our reviews to see what will work best for you. Because of their bulk, weight, and glide characteristics, the Ascension scores near the bottom of the pack.
—
Jediah Porter
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