Protection strips for SL skis - where to get them these days?

[mayski]

I am talking about the rubber/neoprene dampening protecting strips that one glues to the tops of slalom skis, to prevent damage from gates hitting them on the top surface. That could ruin and delaminate skis very quickly.

They used to sell them here and there online in the not-so-distant past, but I can not find them anymore. Does anyone sell them still?

I suppose I can go to McMaster-Carr and get something like that from there, but ... I am not sure exactly which of the many options there best fits this purpose.

Thanks!

PS: I think that maybe Atomic SL skis now might come with such strips, but I don't have Atomics.

 

[Doug Briggs]

Ask your friendly bootfitter. That is the same kind of foam that they use to take up volume in boots. And it comes with adhesive.

 

[Noodler]

Here's a link to what might work for you. Note that they have multiple foam densities and sizes available.

This is the stuff I use for my home boot fitting work.

 

[James]

Atomic has some special material they call dampening strips.

SL Dampening Straps

Atomic SL Dampening Strips provide shock absorption against slalom gates hitting the topsheet of your ski through the turn. Used by the best racers in the world, apply these to allow you to focus more on the run where it matters. To apply: Clean the top sheet of the ski and the bottom side of...

www.skibartlett.com

You could call a place like Race Place to see what they have.

 

[Joel R]

I have used silicone caulk from home depot / lowes with good success in the past. Just lay a strip down either side of the top of the ski where you want impact absorption. Can scrap it off with a razor blade if you don't like it.

 

[ScotsSkier]

Atomic has some special material they call dampening strips.

SL Dampening Straps

Atomic SL Dampening Strips provide shock absorption against slalom gates hitting the topsheet of your ski through the turn. Used by the best racers in the world, apply these to allow you to focus more on the run where it matters. To apply: Clean the top sheet of the ski and the bottom side of...

www.skibartlett.com

You could call a place like Race Place to see what they have.

Too funny! If you follow that link and look at the picture you can zoom in and very clearly see the Marker binding and plate on Hirscher's ski!

 

[Primoz]

What is more funny then Marker bindings is that someone would actually be ready to pay £45.00 (almost $60) for 4 stripes of foam, which costs less then 10 cents, and can be DIY even if you have 2 left hands and never did anything on your own I know this is special dampening. shock absorption foam, developed by NASA in space especially for Atomic, so it's not really just foam, but way more then that

 

[James]

What is more funny then Marker bindings is that someone would actually be ready to pay £45.00 (almost $60) for 4 stripes of foam, which costs less then 10 cents,

But it’s Atomic red...Surely that’s worth $59.90.
Are those boots Langes cast in Atomic red?

But wait, there’s more. The strips are more plastic like.
I’ve never seen anyone use so much superglue. It would be hard to breathe.

 

[cantunamunch]

I know this is special dampening. shock absorption foam, developed by NASA in space especially for Atomic, so it's not really just foam, but way more then that

FWIW, 3M 2552 is cheaper per unit area than the Atomic product.

3M 2552 Sound and Vibration Damping Foil Tape - 2

Absorbs vibration, reduces noise and wear in appliance, aircraft and HVAC panels. Seals out moisture, reflects heat and light. Chemical and solvent resistant. Handles temperatures from –25 F to 175 F. Aluminum foil backing with acrylic polymer adhesive and paper liner.ULINE offers over 41,000...

www.uline.com

 

[James]

FWIW, 3M 2552 is cheaper per unit area than the Atomic product.

3M 2552 Sound and Vibration Damping Foil Tape - 2

Absorbs vibration, reduces noise and wear in appliance, aircraft and HVAC panels. Seals out moisture, reflects heat and light. Chemical and solvent resistant. Handles temperatures from –25 F to 175 F. Aluminum foil backing with acrylic polymer adhesive and paper liner.ULINE offers over 41,000...

www.uline.com

It’s $172 per 2in x 36yd roll!
It does do a lot, but you’ve got to use like 3-4 deep.