Background of Mohair - alternative for kick waxes
Kick waxes are used for classic cross-country skiing style enabling forward movement on skis in the ski track. Unlike the skate style, the classic cross-country skiing style requires the use of an agent enabling the “kick”. To enable the “kick” and thus the forward movement in the classic cross-country skiing style kick waxes - as hard waxes or liquid waxes - were used for many years.
Problems with kick waxes
Kick waxes - especially the liquid ones - are hard to be applied on the ski base. There are plenty of kick waxes for different snow types and temperatures ranges. Use of kick waxes was connected with many troubles = they did not enable the “kick”, they froze and rubbed off while sliding...
Skate style
All these problems of kick waxes accelerated the development of the skate style where no kick waxes need to be used. We could also say that popularity of the skate style originates in the problems of kick waxes.
Problems of skate style
Skate style can afford advanced skiers only and skiers in a good physical condition. If you are skiing uphill in skate style, you have no support of the kicks, you need to skate and glide up to the top of the hill which can be very challenging especially for untrained skiers.
Other alternatives for kick waxes
Especially the high requirements for physical condition and skills in the skate style re-started the search for other alternatives for kick waxes as it was clear and obvious that skate style is not the right option for ski tourists. Beginner skiers and especially ski tourists need for their cross-country skiing trips the kick to move slowly and comfortably in the country. They are ready to give up some of the gliding qualities - if skiing downhill - for a reliable and easy kick - if skiing uphill.
Mohair as a modern alternative for kick waxes
Mohair seems to be the right solution for these tasks. It worsens the gliding qualities of the skies acceptably and in the most of snow conditions it provides a more or less reliable and easy kick enabling an easy and comfortable forward movement on skis uphill.
Mohair limits and problems
Especially in cold and icy conditions and in very wet spring snow conditions mohair cannot provide a reliable kick because there is nothing to catch the hair on. In cold and abrasive snow conditions mohair can be worn quite fast. In moist snow conditions close to zero mohair can have the tendency to freze and needs to be protected by anti-freze agents.
Despite the limits and possible problems mohair seems to be a very good alternative for kick waxes especially for ski tourists and beginner skiers.