Spark R&D Zip Strips

Zip Strips are designed to reduce the friction between your skins and the snow. By minimizing drag, they allow your skins to glide more smoothly during the forward motion of your stride, which saves energy on long approaches.

Spark Zip Strips are primarily engineered for use with Spark R&D systems, but they are generally compatible with most standard splitboard skins. We recommend checking the width of your skin's base to ensure the strip adheres properly.

The primary purpose of Zip Strips is to enhance glide, not grip. While they significantly improve efficiency on flats and moderate inclines, you may notice a slight reduction in traction on extremely steep or icy terrain compared to using raw skins.

Installation is straightforward and requires no specialized tools. You simply clean the base of your skins, peel the backing off the adhesive strip, and apply it directly to the skin material.

The longevity of the strips depends on how often you tour and the abrasiveness of the snow conditions. They are durable, but like any skin accessory, they will eventually wear down and need to be replaced to maintain optimal glide performance.