Purl All-Temp, Purple Ski Wax & Snowboard Wax - 65 Grams
Water-resistant ski wax likely contains PFAS. Undisclosed.
Ski waxes often use water-repellent finishes that may contain PFAS. Purl provides no PFAS claim or ingredient transparency.
The better-graded swap
Swix
Swix PS6 Blue Wax
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
wax blend, waterproofing treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during heating
Heating paraffin and hydrocarbon blends releases minor aliphatic and aromatic VOCs; risk is low in well-ventilated spaces but repeated indoor application without ventilation may accumulate exposure.
Skin contact or ingestion (incidental)
Ski wax is not intended for skin contact; minor dermal exposure during application is low-risk, but accidental ingestion (e.g.(if ingested by children) would cause mild gastrointestinal upset; store away from children.
PFAS
Undisclosed PFAS content is probable given the 'all-temp' and water-resistant claims typical of fluorocarbon-treated waxes; PFAS graded separately as Poor (40/100).
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Thermal degradation or composition instability
No recalls or safety alerts on record for Purl All-Temp. Standard hydrocarbon waxes are stable at skiing temperatures; degradation risk is negligible under normal use.
Heavy metals
No published data on lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Purl or comparable ski wax brands; paraffin and hydrocarbon wax bases are refined and typically low-contamination.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Purl All-Temp is a hydrocarbon wax blend designed for temperature-variable snow conditions, formulated to reduce friction and improve glide on skis and snowboards. Water-resistant ski waxes typically achieve hydrophobic properties through PFAS additives (fluorocarbon compounds) or legacy paraffin-based formulations. The 65-gram solid wax format requires heating to apply, which poses minimal volatilization risk compared to spray waxes, but the actual binding agents and water-repellent package remain undisclosed by the brand.
The brand's record and disclosure
Purl maintains no public PFAS transparency statement or third-party certification (e.g., GOTS, bluesign, OEKO-TEX) on their product labeling or website. The brand has not disclosed ingredient lists or manufacturing standards, which is standard opacity in the small-batch ski wax industry. Given that 'all-temp' and water-resistant claims are typical markers of fluorocarbon treatment in this category, the absence of any PFAS disclaimer is a red flag for silent inclusion.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial all-temperature ski waxes (Swix, Toko, Dominator) either explicitly state PFAS-free status or use legacy paraffin without fluorocarbon. Purl occupies the mid-market value segment where cost pressures historically favor PFAS additives for performance durability. The product's silence on water resistance mechanism is less transparent than competitors who market 'paraffin-only' or 'PFAS-free' formulations explicitly.
If you buy it
Apply wax indoors with ventilation; heat a ski iron or wax iron to 140-170°C and melt the solid onto skis, then scrape excess. Avoid breathing fumes directly; heating any hydrocarbon wax generates minor volatile organic compounds. Store in cool, dry conditions away from children and pets. Replace when performance drops noticeably (loss of glide) or every 3-5 seasons of regular use. Consider requesting ingredient transparency from Purl before purchase if PFAS avoidance is a priority.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Purl has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Ski & Sports Wax
Swix
PS10 Yellow Wax
Hydrocarbon-based ski wax (paraffin/synthetic blend)
Combustion by-products during hot application
Limited concern
Skin and eye contact irritation
Limited concern
Ingestion toxicity (accidental exposure)
Limited concern
Microabrasive particulates from worn base or scraping
Limited concern
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
Limited concern
Inhalation of wax dust during application
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
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)
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.