Betamix Red Ski Wax vs PS10 Yellow Wax: which is safer?

Swix PS10 Yellow Wax is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Holmenkol Betamix Red Ski Wax

Holmenkol

Betamix Red Ski Wax

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Good 73/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

hydrocarbon-based ski wax blend

Confidence

72%

PossibleVolatile organic compound (VOC) emissions

PossibleSkin or eye irritation from wax dust

PossibleThermal decomposition by excessive ironing

Our pick

Swix PS10 Yellow Wax

Swix

PS10 Yellow Wax

PFAS grade

Excellent 100/100

Overall grade

Excellent 84/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Hydrocarbon-based ski wax (paraffin/synthetic blend)

Confidence

72%

PossibleCombustion by-products during hot application

PossibleSkin and eye contact irritation

PossibleIngestion toxicity (accidental exposure)

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, Skin or eye irritation from wax dust and Thermal decomposition by excessive ironing on the Holmenkol and not on the Swix.
  • We flag Combustion by-products during hot application, Skin and eye contact irritation, Ingestion toxicity (accidental exposure) and Microabrasive particulates from worn base or scraping on the Swix and not on the Holmenkol.
  • The Holmenkol is hydrocarbon-based ski wax blend where the Swix is Hydrocarbon-based ski wax (paraffin/synthetic blend), which is most of the difference in these two grades.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More ski & sports wax: see the full ranking