Does Swix ski & sports wax have PFAS?
We graded 22 Swix ski & sports wax products, averaging Excellent (90/100). 19 of them grade Good or better. Against the other 32 ski & sports wax brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 81/100, Swix is better than typical.
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.
Swix ski & sports wax worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
Swix
PS10 Yellow Wax
Hydrocarbon-based ski wax (paraffin/synthetic blend)
Combustion by-products during hot application
Iron-on application of hydrocarbon wax at 120-150°C can generate low-level thermal…
Skin and eye contact irritation
Molten wax can cause thermal burns on contact; dry wax dust may irritate eyes or mucous…
Ingestion toxicity (accidental exposure)
Paraffin and synthetic hydrocarbon waxes are waxy solids that soften in the mouth but are…
Microabrasive particulates from worn base or scraping
Repeated scraping and brushing of dried wax can generate fine particles of wax and ski…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
PS7 Violet Ski Snowboard Glide Wax
Hydrocarbon wax blend (paraffin/synthetic hydrocarbon base)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from heating
Hydrocarbon waxes can release low levels of VOC fumes when melted with an iron. Risk is…
Inhalation of wax dust during application
Dry brushing or scraping cooled wax may generate fine particulates. This is a general…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
PS6 Blue Wax
Hydrocarbon wax blend (paraffin/mineral wax base)
Inhalation of friction particles and fumes during application
Ski wax application by iron or scraping generates fine wax dust and localized heating…
Thermal decomposition at high iron temperatures
Paraffin wax begins to break down above 200 degrees Celsius, potentially releasing…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
BP88 Base Prep Wax
Hydrocarbon base wax blend
Environmental persistence and bioaccumulation
While the manufacturer claims this product is PFAS-free (addressing the fluorinated wax…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
UR6 Blue Bio Training Wax
Bio-based paraffin blend wax
Combustion/heating fume inhalation
Paraffin wax heated above ~100C releases low levels of volatile organic compounds; risk…
Microplastic shedding during use
Paraffin wax scrapes and sheds small fragments during removal and glide wear; these…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
Universal Glide Wax
hydrocarbon wax blend
Inhalation of hydrocarbon vapors during heating/application
Wax melting or friction heating during use may release low-level paraffin and…
Ingestion risk if swallowed incidentally
Paraffin wax is generally non-toxic if small amounts are swallowed and poses minimal…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
V30 Blue Hard Wax
Hydrocarbon wax blend
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inhalation risk
Hydrocarbon waxes release minor VOCs when heated during application; risk is low with…
Thermal degradation of ski base material
Overheating wax during application can damage polyethylene or sintered bases on skis.…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
HS10 Liquid Wax
Hydrocarbon ski wax, liquid formulation
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from hydrocarbon carrier solvents
Liquid ski waxes typically contain hydrocarbons or light petroleum distillates as…
Skin or eye contact irritation
Hydrocarbon waxes are not designed for dermal or ocular contact; accidental exposure may…
Ingestion risk (accidental)
HS10 is not food-safe; hydrocarbon waxes are not acutely toxic in small quantities but…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
PS10 Liquid Wax Yellow
Hydrocarbon wax blend, paraffin or synthetic base
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from heating or friction
Hydrocarbon waxes may release low levels of volatile organics when applied to warm skis…
Coating degradation or residue on ski base
Over time, wax buildup can become uneven or partially degrade, reducing performance. This…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
PS7 Liquid Wax
hydrocarbon wax blend
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during application
Liquid waxes may contain minor solvents to maintain fluidity; inhalation of spray or…
Petroleum distillate ingestion risk (accidental)
If ingested in meaningful quantity, hydrocarbon waxes can cause gastrointestinal upset.…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
F4 Glidewax 900g
hydrocarbon-based ski wax blend
Volatile organic compound (VOC) inhalation during application
Melting hydrocarbon wax on a heated iron releases low-level VOCs and combustion…
Thermal degradation products if overheated
If the wax is heated beyond recommended temperature (above ~160°C), hydrocarbon chains…
Ingestion hazard (children, pets)
While the wax itself is not acutely toxic, it is not food-safe and could cause…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
PS6 Liquid Wax Blue
Hydrocarbon wax blend (paraffin/synthetic base)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) / inhalation during application
Hydrocarbon wax blends release low levels of VOC during heating and application. Risk is…
Thermal degradation and fume emission
If overheated significantly above its designed melting range, hydrocarbon wax may release…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
F4 Glidewax with Cork
Paraffin wax with cork
Particulate inhalation during application
Ironing paraffin wax and cork onto ski bases generates vapor and fine particulate. While…
Thermal degradation byproducts
When heated above 100°C during application, paraffin may release minor quantities of…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
F4 Glide Wax Liquid
Hydrocarbon wax blend (paraffin/synthetic base)
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) and inhalation risk
Hydrocarbon wax liquids release trace solvent vapors during application. Risk is minimal…
Skin irritation or sensitization
Paraffin-based waxes are generally non-irritating, but some individuals may react to…
Ingestion risk (children/pets)
Hydrocarbon wax is non-toxic in small amounts but is a choking or aspiration hazard if…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
PS8 Liquid Red Wax
hydrocarbon wax blend
Hydrocarbon volatility and inhalation risk
Liquid hydrocarbon waxes release vapor and fine mist during heating and application.…
Skin contact irritation
Hydrocarbon wax blends may cause mild irritation or defatting of skin with prolonged or…
Environmental persistence of hydrocarbon residue
Hydrocarbon wax presents lower concern than PFAS, though residues on ski bases accumulate…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
HF6 Cera Nova High Performance Glide Wax, Blue, 40gm
Hydrocarbon ski wax blend
Inhalation of wax vapors during application
Heating hydrocarbon wax to iron-on temperature (140-160°C) may release minor organic…
Skin contact with hot melted wax
Thermal burn risk is inherent to iron-on wax application across all brands. Not a…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
F4 Glidewax Paste
hydrocarbon wax blend (synthetic/paraffin-based)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wax vapor
Hydrocarbon waxes release low levels of VOCs during application, especially if heated or…
Inhalation exposure during heating or buffing
Paste wax application typically involves hand buffing or gentle heat; overheating or…
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Swix
F4 60g Rub-On Glidewax 60 g
hydrocarbon ski wax blend, composition unspecified
Hydrocarbon vapor inhalation (acute)
Heating or friction-applying hydrocarbon wax can release volatile organic compounds; risk…
A coating of undisclosed chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
⚠Undisclosed proprietary coating
Swix
F4 Easy 100MLASY Glide 11667-SWXF4100
Ski wax base and glide coat, composition unspecified
Thermal decomposition / fume inhalation
Ski wax is applied by heated iron, which can generate organic vapors if temperature…
Skin sensitization from undisclosed additives
Direct skin contact with raw wax is uncommon during intended use, but incidental contact…
Oxidative degradation and rancidity over time
Hydrocarbon-based waxes can oxidize if stored improperly (heat, light, moisture)…
A coating of undisclosed chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
⚠Undisclosed proprietary coating
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Swix
Universal Wax
Hydrocarbon wax blend with fluorocarbon water-repellent additives (typical for ski waxes)
PFAS
Ski waxes commonly contain PFAS-based fluorocarbons for performance; Swix has not…
Inhalation hazard from wax fumes and dust
Heating and scraping hydrocarbon wax releases volatile organic compounds and…
Thermal decomposition above recommended temperature
Overheating hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon blends beyond 160°C may release uncharacterized…
Skip until Swix discloses water-repellent ingredients; ski waxes commonly contain PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Swix
Skin Impregnation
Fluorocarbon-based water-repellent coating treatment for ski/snowboard bases
Teflon-type coating fume risk (thermal degradation)
If the fluorocarbon treatment is heated during storage, transport, or near heat sources…
Inhalation exposure during application
Aerosol or powder impregnation products can shed fine particles during spraying or…
Aquatic ecotoxicity and bioaccumulation
Fluorocarbon water-repellent coating treatments wash into snow and water during use and…
Skin and eye irritation from direct contact
Impregnation products may contain surfactants or solvents as carriers; direct contact…
Ski base treatment with likely PFAS use but unconfirmed by brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Swix
Pro Top Speed Liquid Spray Ski Wax TS10L Yellow
Liquid hydrocarbon wax with unknown fluorinated additives or water-repellent treatment
PFAS
Swix does not disclose whether TS10L contains perfluorinated water-repellents. Industry…
Hydrocarbon solvent inhalation (spray form)
Liquid ski wax sprays emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine aerosol particles…
Skin and eye irritation from direct contact
Hydrocarbon-based wax sprays can cause dermatitis or conjunctivitis on contact. Risk is…
VOC off-gassing and environmental fate
Liquid hydrocarbon waxes release solvents during application and storage. If fluorinated…
Formulation unknown. Waterproofing agent PFAS risk remains unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Better ski & sports wax from other brands
Graded higher than the Swix average of 90.
Maplus
Arctic Base Fluor Free 1 kg
ski wax base, fluorine-free formulation
Hydrocarbon volatiles and inhalation risk
Limited concern
PFAS
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Star Ski Wax
Star Nf Non-Fluoro Ski Glide Wax 60 G
hydrocarbon ski wax (non-fluorinated)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and mineral oil vapor
Limited concern
Skin sensitization or contact dermatitis
Limited concern
Ingestion risk in children
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Purl
Eco Ski & Snowboard Wax
hydrocarbon wax blend
Thermal degradation and fume emission
Limited concern
Microplastic or particulate shedding
Limited concern
Ingestion risk (children or pets)
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
See every Swix product we grade on the Swix brand page, or the full ski & sports wax ranking.