Skins are usually made of mohair or synthetic materials. Mohair skins make gliding on snow easier, but they wear out relatively quickly. Synthetic skins are usually made of nylon. They are hydrophobic and more durable.
Skins are equipped with different attachment systems. First there are the simple self-adhesive skins, and then there are the self-adhesive skins with a tensioner on the top of the ski, leaving the tail free. Other models have a tip and tail tensioner: this ensures that the skins hold extremely well but will glide less efficiently on the snow.