Holmenkol Grip Wax
PFAS risk is lower for hydrocarbon grip wax without special coatings.
This hydrocarbon grip wax avoids Teflon-type coating and Teflon-family coating typical of water-repellent goods. No independent verification of composition exists.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Hydrocarbon wax blend (ski/snowboard grip wax)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Holmenkol Grip Wax is made of, ingredients and materials
Holmenkol Grip Wax is a hydrocarbon-based blend designed for ski and snowboard base friction and traction. Unlike fluorinated waxes, it relies on paraffin and other saturated hydrocarbon chains, which carry no known acute toxicity or persistent bioaccumulation concerns. The wax melts at moderate temperatures (typically 40-60°C) and is applied by friction or gentle heating, so complete combustion or fume generation is unlikely during normal ski prep.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Hydrocarbon skin contact and sensitization
Prolonged skin contact with mineral oil and paraffin wax can cause mild irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Risk is low with brief handling, but gloves are recommended during application.
Thermal degradation fumes if overheated
If applied with excessive heat (e.g., iron set above 60°C or open flame), hydrocarbon waxes may release volatile organic compounds or smoke. Risk is minimized by following low-heat application guidance.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Refined hydrocarbon waxes are not documented to concentrate lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals. No contamination has been reported for Holmenkol products.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastic or particulate shedding
Solid wax does not shed microplastics. Wear particles from the wax layer on skis are hydrocarbon-based and not classified as synthetic microplastics.
Inhalation hazard from aerosol or powder dust
Grip Wax is a solid block; no aerosol propellants, powder particles, or volatile solvents are involved in normal use.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Holmenkol is a long-established German ski-wax manufacturer with no major product recalls or safety controversies on record. The company does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient lists or third-party test results for this product, which is standard practice in the ski-wax industry but limits independent verification. No certifications (e.g., eco-label, toxicology testing) are prominently advertised for Grip Wax.
How it compares in its category
Grip wax products typically use hydrocarbon blends and are considered lower-risk than liquid or aerosol wax sprays, which pose inhalation hazards. Holmenkol's formula sits in the mainstream category, solid wax, no fluorine additives, no reported heavy-metal contamination. It is functionally and chemically comparable to competitors like Swix, Toko, and Briko-Maplus in the non-fluorinated grip-wax segment.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent unwanted softening or oxidation. Apply with minimal heating (fingering, cork application, or low-temp iron) to avoid smoke or thermal degradation. Wash hands after application to avoid skin contact over prolonged periods. Replace when the wax becomes waxy or loses grip effectiveness, typically every 1-2 ski seasons depending on use frequency.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Holmenkol has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Holmenkol Grip Wax?
- hydrocarbon ski wax (non-fluorinated)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and mineral oil vapor
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- hydrocarbon wax blend
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Thermal degradation and fume emission
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Wax-based ski base, fluorine-free formulation
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Inhalation of wax particulates and volatiles during application
More ski & sports wax grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.