The Essential Guide to Snowboard Wax Types

There are three main snowboard wax types, including cold-weather wax, warm-weather wax, and all-season wax. But there are also different snowboard wax applications to consider, such as hot waxing and rub-on waxing. In this comprehensive guide, Burton’s expert tuners outline everything you need to know about waxing, including descriptions of common snowboard wax types, the differences between wax application methods, and some science behind why waxing a snowboard is important.

Want to go fast? Keep reading.

There’s a lot of pretty cool science that goes into modern ski/snowboard waxes, but the main thing to remember is that, when riding down the mountain, the base of the snowboard melts the snow creating a thin layer of water which it glides on top of.

High performance snowboard waxes are made from hydrophobic (water repelling) chemical compounds like hydrocarbons or fluorocarbons that, when properly applied, provide an optimal sliding surface, reducing the friction coefficient caused by snow and ice and reducing the adhesion of the melted liquid water. This allows your snowboard to achieve a faster glide.

How does waxing protect a snowboard?

Snowboard bases are commonly made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, commonly referred to as P-Tex. While there are a handful of different types of P-Tex, including extruded, sintered, and wax-infused, the important thing to understand is that P-Tex is microscopically porous and can absorb and retain wax.

However, with use over time, snow and ice crystals create more and more friction against the base of a snowboard, reducing the glide performance. While it can be difficult to see this wear with the naked eye, a common symptom of a worn-down snowboard base is a cloudy, whitish look on the contact points near the nose and tail, and adjacent to the edges. This cloudy appearance is wear; or more accurately, tiny strands of P-Tex which create even more friction between the base and the snow. In turn, the board won’t slide as easily, making it harder to initiate turns.

Why should you wax a snowboard?

Regular waxing prevents base wear by filling the pores of the snowboard base to create a protective barrier and reduce friction from the snow surface. In the long run, this quick and easy maintenance extends the usable life of your snowboard, keeping the P-Tex healthy and lessening the likelihood of delamination at the edges.

When should a snowboard be waxed?

It’s generally a good idea to wax your snowboard at least a couple of times every season. At a minimum, our experts recommend waxing your snowboard after every three uses and doing a full tune at the beginning and end of the season.

And remember, waxing protects the base of your snowboard and increases snowboard performance. The more you wax, the better the benefits.

Broadly speaking, there are three main snowboard wax types, and each type is distinguished by its recommended temperature rating: cold-weather snowboard wax, warm-weather snowboard wax, and all-season snowboard wax. Snowboard wax types are engineered to deliver the best glide at a specific temperature due to their physical hardness.

Cold-weather Snowboard Wax

Cold-temperature waxes are harder, allowing them to hold up to the more abrasive nature of colder, dry snow. Cold-temperature waxes work by reducing the friction caused by snow and ice.

Warm-weather Snowboard Wax

Warm-temperature waxes are designed for the wettest snow and are generally spray-on or rub-on varieties. These waxes are designed specifically to reduce adhesion (kind of like suction) caused by water.

All-season Snowboard Wax

The most versatile of waxes, all-season snowboard waxes provide reliable glide and cruising speeds in all conditions and temperatures, all season long.

Other Types of Snowboard Wax

Mid-temperature waxes are softer and perform better on wetter snow, where more water is present. Mid-temperature waxes strike a balance between reducing friction against snow and ice, while also reducing adhesion of liquid water.

Pro tip: Some manufacturers use a color-coding system to identify the temperature range of a snowboard wax. For example, one popular snowboard wax brand produces cold-temperature waxes that are blue, and warm-temperature waxes that are yellow.

What type of snowboard wax do I need?

For most riders, a general all-season wax will provide the best performance for the widest range of conditions they might experience. Consider this type of snowboard wax if you plan to tune infrequently throughout the season and still keep up with your buddies.

There are many different types of snowboard wax application methods currently on the market, including bars, powders, liquids, pastes, and sprays.

Rub-on Snowboard Wax: Liquids, Pastes, Powders & Sprays

Rub-on snowboard waxes include powders, liquids, pastes, and sprays. These waxes can be applied immediately before you ride, and periodically throughout the day. This application method allows you to reactively match your wax to the temperature at the hill, as well as reapply any time you notice your glide suffering. The main downside of rub-on snowboard wax is that it wears off quickly because it is not completely absorbed into the base.

Hot Snowboard Wax: Bars

Hot snowboard waxes, which generally come as a solid bar, require specialized equipment, like a snowboard waxing iron, snowboard vises, scrapers, and brushes, to apply properly. Hot waxes require more tuning time, but the performance-enhancing benefits of this type of snowboard wax generally lasts longer. This is because the application process, which heats up the base of the snowboard, allows the wax to be thoroughly absorbed into the microscopic grooves of the base structure.

Pro tip: Burton offers a complete line of snowboard tuning tools and accessories.

Now that you have a general understanding of snowboard wax types, including temperature ratings and application methods, let’s dive into the range of Burton Snowboard waxes. We offer the following products in Europe:

All Season Fast Wax: Burton’s all-purpose hot wax, with a hydrocarbon formula that performs best between 32°F to 14°F (0°C to -10°C).

All-Season Speed Sauce: This rub-on paste wax is easy to apply slopeside for some added speed if your snowboard is feeling sluggish. Performs best between 32°F to 14°F (0°C to -10°C).

Shop all Burton snowboard waxes.

Waxing your own snowboard is a skill that many people enjoy learning, and there's an advantage to having the tools and know-how; you can select the proper snowboard wax type for the conditions that you are going to be riding the next time you head to the hill, all without needing an appointment.

Pro tip: How to Wax a Snowboard (and other basic maintenance) will give you an overview of the process and tools that you will need.

If you don’t want to learn how to wax your own board, never fear. Having your snowboard waxed at your local Burton Flagship Store is quick and affordable. Just make sure you plan services in advance, especially around the start of the season as most shops are usually inundated with waxing orders from eager riders. When you drop off your snowboard, confirm which wax you need to get good performance in the conditions you ride most frequently.