North Glidewax Universal 180g
Skip until composition is disclosed; wax glidewax formulations vary widely, and the brand offers no transparency.
North Glidewax is a ski and snowboard wax product with no publicly available ingredient disclosure or PFAS statements from the brand. Ski waxes historically may contain fluorinated compounds for water repellency.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Wax (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What North Glidewax Universal 180g is made of, ingredients and materials
North Glidewax Universal 180g is a hydrocarbon-based ski wax, but the brand has not publicly disclosed detailed composition, including whether it contains fluorinated additives or other performance chemicals. Ski waxes are applied directly to snow-contacting surfaces and typically melted onto skis, creating potential for inhalation of vapors and direct skin contact. The unspecified formulation makes it impossible to assess presence of solvents, hardeners, or other performance additives beyond the wax base.
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.
Vapor inhalation from heating/melting
Ski waxes release volatiles when heated to melting point during application. Without ingredient disclosure, the nature and toxicity of these vapors cannot be assessed. Inhalation risk is minimized by outdoor or well-ventilated application.
Skin irritation or sensitization from contact
Hydrocarbon waxes and their additives can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. The brand's lack of published safety information means pre-existing skin reaction data are not available.
Undisclosed solvent or hardener residues
Ski waxes often contain hydrocarbon solvents or cross-linkers to achieve desired hardness and melting point. The brand does not list these, raising the possibility of exposure to unnamed chemical additives.
Environmental persistence in snowmelt
Wax residues and any fluorinated additives leach into snowmelt and eventually waterways. This is a category-level concern, but the brand's fluorine status is unknown, making specific risk assessment impossible.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand has not published safety data sheets, ingredient lists, or PFAS testing results for this product in publicly available sources. No major product recalls or safety controversies are on record for this brand. The absence of transparency around formulation is the primary concern, especially given the prevalence of fluorinated compounds in glidewax products across the industry to reduce friction.
How it compares in its category
Most ski waxes, particularly glidewaxes, have historically contained PFOA or other long-chain PFAS for performance. Some competitors (notably Swix and Toko) have begun phasing out fluorinated products or offering fluorine-free lines with third-party testing. North Glidewax Universal's positioning as a 'universal' product suggests broad temperature range, which typically requires additives; premium brands disclose this, the brand does not.
If you buy it
Apply in well-ventilated spaces or outdoors; melting wax indoors without ventilation increases inhalation risk. Use gloves to minimize skin contact during application and removal. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources. If respiratory irritation occurs during application, stop use and ventilate. Request a safety data sheet from the retailer or manufacturer before purchase if you have sensitivities.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to North Glidewax Universal 180g?
- 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.