Looking to upgrade your shredding abilities this winter? Consider investing in a snowboard wax kit.
In science-y terms, snowboard wax is a hydrocarbon-based wax that’s applied to the underside of your board. The wax improves the board’s coefficient of friction performance. In normal terms, snowboard wax is some stuff that makes you slide easier down the mountain. This means you won’t get stuck in flat areas, and you’ll get more speed.
Besides offering a smoother ride, wax also protects the base of the board, greatly improving your sled’s lifetime. Some guys take their board to a pro to get waxed, but it’s actually easy to do on your own and can save quite a bit of cash.
Applying wax isn’t quite like rubbing wax on a surfboard, however. It typically requires a hot iron to melt and then spread the wax along the base of your board. After letting the wax dry (usually about 30 minutes to 1 hour), use a plastic scraper to remove excess wax until it appears as if there’s nothing there (don’t worry, it’s in the pores of the board). Then it’s best to brush the board a bit (about 15-20 strokes) to bring out the texture. Lastly, don’t forget to do all your wax applying, scraping and brushing from tip to tail.
If you’re ready to elevate your game and invest in a snowboard wax kit, read on. We’ve rounded up some of the best kits (including the best sticks of wax) that you can order right now.
1. Demon Complete Basic Tune Kit
BEST OVERALL
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better wax kit than this one from Demon. The kit comes with everything you need for a sleek wax job, it all fits in a convenient travel bag (included), and at $70 you get some real bang for your buck. On top of an iron, two brushes, two scrappers and high-quality wax, you also get a few tools for tuning your board as well. Keep this thing stashed in your car or luggage for wax jobs on the road.
Related Stories
2. XCMAN Snowboard Waxing and Tuning Kit
BEST BUDGET
Waxing on a budget? Go for this affordable kit from XCMAN. It doesn’t come with an iron, so you won’t be able to do a professional wax application, but you can still touch up your board before hitting the slopes. The kit includes three brushes –– brass, horsehair and nylon –– allowing you to get your board as smooth as possible. Plus, it comes in a small rigid carry case that fits nicely in your bag. This is a great option for beginners or occasional snowboarders who don’t need a fresh wax job very often.
3. Swix North Ski Snowboard Wax Tuning Kit
BEST FOR TUNING
If you’re looking for a complete waxing and tuning kit, check out this kit from Swix. You get a specialized 850W iron, wax, a scrapper and a brush, plus a complete tuning kit that includes a pocket ratchet driver with 4 bits and a wrench. The kit also comes with a guide for successfully tuning and waxing your board.
4. RaceWax Ski Snowboard Wax Tuning Kit
BEST HIGH-END
This wax and tuning kit from RaceWax is a higher-end option for serious shredders. The iron features a thick plate that holds a consistent temperature for an even wax spread and 1,000 watts of power for fast heating. Plus you get a 20-angle edge tool that gives your rails race-worthy precision. In short, you’re getting a variety of the best tools available with a slightly higher price tag. But if you put a lot of mileage on your snowboard, it’s a great investment.
5. ZUMWax Rub-On
BEST RUB ON WAX
Rub on waxes can be hard to come by, but they’re a lifesaver in hotel rooms, ski lodges or out on the mountain. There’s no need for melting or prepping; just rub the wax directly on the board and use the attached cork to buff. This makes it super handy for touching up your sled before heading out or even while you’re on the slopes. Reviewers love it, and also suggest melting it with a hairdryer for easier application in the hotel bathroom.
6. RaceWax Ski Wax Brush Kit
BEST BRUSH KIT
Brushes need to be replaced fairly often as the bristles wear down. If yours are in need of an upgrade, pick up this set from RaceWax. It includes three high-quality brushes with nylon, horsehair and brass bristles at a reasonable $32.
7. Demon All Season Snowboard Speed Wax Kit
BEST WAX PACK
Besides making the best wax kit on the market, Demon also makes some of the best sticks of wax. This 5-pack is a pretty great deal at $30, as it comes with warm wax, cold wax, universal temp wax, modified hydrocarbon universal wax and Black Gold graphite universal wax. Each also comes with a nice scent that’ll make you want to bend over and sniff your sled.
8. Hartel All Temperature Racing Wax
BEST RACING WAX
If you want some high-quality racing wax, pick up some of this Hartel all temperature. It’s engineered for racing or base prep in all conditions, so we recommend it to serious boarders and enthusiasts. The wax uses a double micro-encapsulation process which reduces surface tension on the base of your ski or snowboard even more than normal wax. This means even more slidey goodness on that fresh powder.
Safely Hit the Slopes With These Top Rated Ski and Snowboard Helmets