Hertel Review, Is Hertel Non-Toxic?
Across 5 graded products, Hertel averages Excellent (76/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 4 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Worth buying from Hertel Good or better, best-graded first
Hertel
All Temperature Ski & Snowboard Wax - 340g Rub On Or Iron On Wax For All Conditions
Hydrocarbon wax blend (paraffin/synthetic base)
Thermal decomposition / fume inhalation (wax overheating during ironing)
Hydrocarbon waxes produce irritant vapors if overheated above 180-200C. Risk is low if…
Skin irritation from direct contact (long-term or sensitive skin)
Paraffin waxes are generally non-irritating, but hand-rub application involves prolonged…
Environmental persistence and bioaccumulation (water contamination post-use)
Ski wax runoff from bases contaminates alpine streams; hydrocarbon waxes are slower to…
Labeling and instruction clarity
Product labeling does not specify iron temperature range, ventilation requirements, or…
Lower concern likely, but no transparency from brand.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Hertel
Super HotSauce All-Temp Ski & Snowboard Wax - 340g Rub-On Or Iron-On For All Conditions
Hydrocarbon wax (paraffin/mineral/natural blend)
Thermal degradation / inhalation of wax vapors
Iron-on application generates heat; if overheated, hydrocarbon wax can release low-level…
Skin irritation or burn from hot wax application
Molten wax during ironing can cause thermal burns if contacted directly. This is an…
Lower concern, traditional wax unlikely to contain fluorochemicals, but no transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Hertel
SpringSolution Spring Ski & Snowboard Wax 5oz / 141g, 2 Packs, Made in USA
Paraffin wax blend (hydrocarbon-based)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from minor additives
Traditional paraffin has low volatility, but performance additives (solvents, dyes…
Skin sensitization from hydrocarbon or additive residue
Paraffin itself is hypoallergenic, but minor additives (hardeners, accelerators) may…
Inhalation of paraffin fume during iron application
Heating paraffin wax above 70-90 degrees Celsius can produce low-level fume; continuous…
Lower concern; traditional wax rarely contains fluorochemicals, but no disclosure.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Hertel
Rub N Go All-Temperature Ski & Snowboard Wax 2.5 oz, No Iron, 8+ Applications, Made in USA
Hydrocarbon ski/snowboard wax (paraffin or blend)
Petroleum hydrocarbon residue and skin contact
Paraffin wax can leave oily residue on hands and skis. Extended or repeated skin contact…
Dust inhalation during scraping and buffing
Rubbing and scraping ski wax generates fine particulate matter. Prolonged inhalation in…
Thermal decomposition fumes if misused with heat
If heated above 150°C (e.g., on an iron despite 'no iron' label), paraffin wax will smoke…
Microplastic shedding into snow and waterways
All ski waxes, including paraffin-based products, shed into snow and can fragment into…
Lower concern for typical paraffin-based ski wax; no red flags evident.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Hertel
Super Hot Sauce All Temperature Ski and Snowboard Wax
Hydrocarbon wax blend with undisclosed water-repellent coating
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from undisclosed coating
Water-repellent coatings on wax often release VOCs during application heat. Without…
Coating durability and microparticle shedding
Proprietary coatings may degrade unevenly during snow contact and skiing friction…
Thermal decomposition of wax/coating blend
Overheating the wax during application or excessive friction can break down both the…
PFAS
If the water-repellent coating contains PFAS (strongly suspected but unconfirmed)…
Avoid until the brand reveals water-repellent coating materials.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Hertel and PFAS, common questions
- Does Hertel have PFAS?
- We graded 5 Hertel products, averaging Excellent (76/100). 4 grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Hertel non-toxic?
- Hertel All Temperature Ski & Snowboard Wax - 340g Rub On Or Iron On Wax For All Conditions is the highest-graded Hertel product we have scored, at 85/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which Hertel products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded Hertel products we have scored are Hertel All Temperature Ski & Snowboard Wax - 340g Rub On Or Iron On Wax For All Conditions, Hertel Super HotSauce All-Temp Ski & Snowboard Wax - 340g Rub-On Or Iron-On For All Conditions, Hertel SpringSolution Spring Ski & Snowboard Wax 5oz / 141g, 2 Packs, Made in USA. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
- Which Hertel products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded Hertel products we have scored are Hertel Super Hot Sauce All Temperature Ski and Snowboard Wax. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →