Glide wax - basic single layer
Avoid until the brand reveals wax type and PFAS status.
Keeps wax blend composition secret with no PFAS data disclosed. Glide waxes don't typically need PFAS, but ingredient transparency is impossible.
The better-graded swap
Holmenkol
Holmenkol Alphamix Yellow
85/100 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 (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Glide wax - basic single layer is made of, ingredients and materials
The brand does not publicly specify whether this wax is paraffin-based, hydrocarbon, or synthetic blend. Ski wax composition directly affects toxicity risk during application (inhalation near heat) and skin contact. Without ingredient labeling, you cannot assess whether heavy metals, solvents, or banned additives are present. This opacity is unusual even for budget wax brands.
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.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
Unidentified solvent or additive toxicity
Composition unlabeled; unknown whether wax contains aromatic hydrocarbons, formaldehyde resins, or other volatile compounds that may off-gas or irritate respiratory tract during application.
Inhalation risk during application
Skin sensitization from unknown additives
No fragrance or surfactant disclosure; if wax contains undisclosed dyes, emulsifiers, or antimicrobial agents, skin contact during application or handling may trigger allergic reaction in sensitive users.
PFAS
Brand provides no statement on fluorination; basic glide wax in this price tier may contain fluorocarbons for performance. Risk cannot be ruled out without ingredient confirmation from manufacturer.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or test results on record for wax containing lead, cadmium, or antimony. However, budget wax batches occasionally contain contaminants from recycled feedstock; opacity of supply chain prevents verification.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand maintains silent stance on PFAS content and does not publish safety data sheets or third-party certifications for this product. No public recalls or controversy involving wax appear in consumer safety databases. However, silence on PFAS in a wax product is a red flag, as ski wax has historically been a source of intentional fluorocarbon addition for glide performance.
How it compares in its category
Budget single-layer glide waxes typically rely on paraffin or recycled hydrocarbon blends with minimal disclosure. Mid-tier brands (Swix, Toko, Rex) publish ingredient breakdowns and PFAS statements. The brand appears to undercut on price while offering no transparency, making direct safety comparison impossible. If the wax is paraffin-only, risk is moderate; if fluorinated, risk rises significantly.
If you buy it
Apply in ventilated space and do not inhale fumes during ironing or scraping. Store in cool, dry conditions away from children and pets. Replace when discolored or granular. Do not use on skis intended for young children unless composition is confirmed non-fluorinated. Contact directly to request a safety data sheet before purchase if possible.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 25% 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 Glide wax - basic single layer?
- 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.