There is a lot of money to be saved by buying used ski equipment. New ski equipment that has only been used for a week already loses half of its value, so it goes quickly! However, there are also some disadvantages to buying used skis, and we would like to highlight them in this text.
TALK WITH THOMAS UHRSKOV
The biggest challenge when buying used skis is that you can't see into the core to assess how much the ski has worn. Therefore, we had Thomas Uhrskov visit the store to talk about how we ensure that the equipment is in order. Watch the video and read the rest of the blog post below to learn more about the topic, so you know exactly what to expect.
What to look for when buying used skis
When you buy used skis, there are several factors you need to be aware of to ensure you get a good set of skis that can last for many years:
- The quality of the bindings
- Wear on the top of the ski
- The edges and the base
- The inner core of the ski
The quality of the bindings
The bindings on the ski are crucial for your safety, as they keep you attached to the ski. It is important that the bindings are tight enough to hold you during sharp turns, but also loose enough to release you if you fall hard.
Check that there are no broken parts on the bindings, especially in the areas that hold the boot in place. Make sure the bindings are properly fastened to the skis and that no screws are loose. The bindings may rattle a bit when the boot is not fastened, but they should be tight when the boot is in place.
After checking the exterior of the bindings, you should examine the inner part, namely the DIN value. The DIN value determines how easily or difficult it is for your boots to click out and is therefore the most important part of the binding. You can adjust the DIN value yourself, but to ensure it is correct, the skis should be tested with a special machine. The DIN value is adjusted by tightening or loosening a spring, which can become slack over time. It is therefore important to test the bindings regularly to ensure the spring functions correctly.
We quality check all our bindings before resale, so you can feel confident buying used ski equipment from Secondskis.com. We also have the machines to test the DIN value and ensure the spring functions as it should.
Wear on the top of the ski
Skis quickly become worn on the top, often for cosmetic reasons. This is due to the sharp metal edges under the ski, which can make marks when the skis bump into each other.
When looking at the top of the ski, be aware of cracks, as these can affect the ski's stiffness. Most nicks and scratches do not reach the core and do not affect the ski's properties. If you have a deeper scratch or nick, feel free to visit our store so we can assess it.
Depending on the model, some skis have a metal or plastic edge on the top. This edge is often more for design reasons than for protection. If this edge has fallen off or is broken, you don't need to worry, as it will not damage the ski.
The edges and the base
The edges and the base are essential for gliding and cutting in the snow. It is important that the base is relatively smooth without major scratches or nicks and has a layer of wax. The smoother the base, the better the ski glides. Small scratches and nicks are not significant and can often be ignored, but deep scratches that protrude from the base should be sanded away to avoid feeling them. We ensure that all our skis are sanded and waxed, so they are ready for use. You can also have your own skis sanded with us. Before the skis are put up for sale, they undergo a thorough service where the outer part of the base is scraped off, and a new base is applied to ensure top quality.
The metal edges on the skis are used to cut into the snow and make turns. Therefore, it is important that the metal edges are straight and sharp without nicks, so they can grip the snow. However, they should not be sharp at the top and bottom of the ski, as this can impair the skiing properties. The thickness of the metal edge varies depending on the model. Some skis have thick metal edges, especially beginner skis, to allow for more sanding. Expert skis often have thinner metal edges to increase performance. There should be at least 3 mm of edge left to ensure the skis can be sanded many times. Sanding only removes a small part of the edge, so 3 mm can last for many years.
We ensure that all our skis have sufficient edge, so you can confidently buy used skis from us without worrying about future service.
The inner core of the ski
Assessing the quality of the ski's inner core is more complicated, as you can't just put the ski in a machine. It's about testing the ski on the slope and seeing how it reacts. If the ski has become 'slack', it will be noticeable immediately. Many say that a ski can be used for about 100 days before it loses its stiffness, but it depends on the ski's quality and how hard it has been used. As a regular ski enthusiast, you will rarely notice a difference if the ski is slightly less stiff.
To guard against this, we sort out skis that we suspect are slack, so the chance of getting such a pair is less than 1%. We also offer a 2-year warranty on all products, which covers if the ski should become slack. If this happens, you can return the skis and get a full refund. You can therefore confidently buy used skis from us, as we do our best to ensure quality. Should it still happen to you, you can return the skis and get a new pair at no extra cost.
What we do at Secondskis.com to ensure all skis are of good quality
To make it easier for you as a customer to assess the condition of our equipment, we have given all our products a condition description. This description indicates the ski's external quality and is divided into Gold, Silver, and Bronze condition. You can see our entire condition description here. All our skis are 100% functional, with quality-checked bindings and sanded and waxed base and edges. This means that all skis perform equally well, but the condition indicates how many cosmetic scratches and marks the ski has.
A rule of thumb for the ski's stiffness can often be assessed based on how many days the ski has been used. Cosmetic marks often correlate with use, and a Gold ski will therefore often be stiffer than a Bronze ski. However, we also have Bronze skis that have not been used much but have received an unfortunate scratch. The condition can therefore give an indication of the ski's stiffness, but it is not a guarantee.
Buying used skis from private sellers
If you choose to buy used skis from private sellers, you can visit our store so we can ensure they are correctly adjusted and that the quality is not lacking. We have also created a guide for you who wish to buy used skis privately, so you can feel a bit more confident about this. Click here for good advice on buying skis from private sellers!
