Star Nf Non-Fluoro Ski Glide Wax 60 G vs Universal Wax: which is safer?

Star Nf Non-Fluoro Ski Glide Wax 60 G is the clear pick. Swix Universal Wax carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.

Our pick

Star Nf Non-Fluoro Ski Glide Wax 60 G

Star Ski Wax

Star Nf Non-Fluoro Ski Glide Wax 60 G

PFAS grade

Excellent 100/100

Overall grade

Excellent 88/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

hydrocarbon ski wax (non-fluorinated)

Confidence

78%

PossibleVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and mineral oil vapor

PossibleSkin sensitization or contact dermatitis

PossibleIngestion risk in children

Swix Universal Wax

Swix

Universal Wax

PFAS grade

Poor 40/100

Overall grade

Bad 22/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Hydrocarbon wax blend with fluorocarbon water-repellent additives (typical for ski waxes)

Confidence

45%

ReportedFluorocarbon water-repellent additives (PFAS risk)

PossibleInhalation hazard from wax fumes and dust

PossibleThermal decomposition above recommended temperature

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and mineral oil vapor, Skin sensitization or contact dermatitis and Ingestion risk in children on the Star Ski Wax and not on the Swix.
  • We flag Fluorocarbon water-repellent additives (PFAS risk), Inhalation hazard from wax fumes and dust and Thermal decomposition above recommended temperature on the Swix and not on the Star Ski Wax.
  • The Star Ski Wax is hydrocarbon ski wax (non-fluorinated) where the Swix is Hydrocarbon wax blend with fluorocarbon water-repellent additives (typical for ski waxes), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 60 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Star Ski Wax is the one to buy.
  • We are less certain about the Swix grade, at 45% confidence against 78%, because it discloses less.

Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers 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