85/ 100
B
OverallC77/100
Maplus 40.60 SM Base Solid World Cup Reserved ski wax

Briko-Maplus · Ski Wax

Maplus 40.60 SM Base Solid World Cup Reserved ski wax

B · Low PFAS

Lower-concern choice, solid hydrocarbon wax lacks typical PFAS applications, but brand silence limits certainty.

Verdict: BuySolid hydrocarbon wax with no established toxicological red flags; lower PFAS risk than fluorinated ski waxes; brand silence on testing is typical for this category.

Maplus 40.60 SM is a traditional hydrocarbon-based ski wax with no known PFAS-prone coatings or treatments. The brand makes no PFAS claims and provides no third-party verification. While the base material itself is not a known PFAS vector, independent lab testing of this specific product is not publicly available.

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Material

Hydrocarbon wax base (paraffin-derived solid wax)

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Category baseline

other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Maplus 40.60 SM is a paraffin-derived hydrocarbon wax base formulated for cold-temperature ski performance. Paraffin waxes are petroleum distillates that have been used in consumer products for decades and lack the chemical complexity of synthetic or fluorinated alternatives. As a solid wax (not a liquid or spray), it presents minimal inhalation risk during normal application. The 'SM' designation indicates it is a solid medium-temperature variant without fluorocarbon additives, which substantially reduces PFAS exposure pathways common in wax aerosols and liquid formulations.

The brand's record and disclosure

Briko-Maplus is an Italian wax manufacturer with a long history in competitive skiing but limited public disclosure on ingredient testing, safety certifications, or third-party environmental audits. The brand does not appear to publish PFAS statements or heavy-metal testing reports for its consumer products. No significant product recalls or safety controversies are documented in public records. Their silence on composition transparency is consistent with smaller specialty wax manufacturers and does not indicate a safety failure, only an absence of proactive disclosure expected from larger consumer-health-focused brands.

How it compares in its category

Solid paraffin-base waxes like this are considered the lower-toxicity baseline in ski wax because they avoid fluorinated polymers and spray delivery entirely. Fluorinated waxes (which contain PFOA and PFOS precursors) and liquid/spray waxes pose higher inhalation and environmental risks. However, many premium brands now offer plant-derived or synthetic non-fluorinated waxes with better environmental profiles and third-party testing. Maplus 40.60 SM occupies the mainstream mid-tier: safe by material class, but not differentiated by transparency or sustainability certification.

If you buy it

Apply wax in a well-ventilated space, preferably outdoors, to avoid inhaling any volatile organic compounds released during hot-iron application. Store the block in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent degradation or softening. Replace the block when visible wear occurs or performance noticeably declines, typically after 5-10 ski days depending on snow conditions. Do not ingest or allow prolonged skin contact; wash hands after application. Wax dust during application is normal but should not be deliberately inhaled, a simple paper mask or working outside provides adequate protection.

Beyond PFAS: other things we checked

Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”

Possible

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during hot-application

Paraffin wax heated by iron (typically 140-180 degrees Celsius for ski wax) may release low levels of aliphatic hydrocarbons and trace additives as vapor. No established health threshold violations for typical home waxing sessions, but cumulative exposure in poorly ventilated spaces or frequent application warrants attention.

None known

Heavy metals in paraffin source material

Petroleum-derived paraffin waxes can theoretically contain trace metals (nickel, vanadium, chromium) depending on crude oil origin and refining process. No testing data is publicly available for Maplus products; this risk is generalized to the hydrocarbon wax class and remains unconfirmed for this specific product.

Possible

Additives and colorants (unspecified)

Ski waxes typically include additives for binding, hardness, and color (pigments), but Maplus does not disclose the chemical identity or sourcing of these agents. Lead and cadmium in pigments are unlikely in modern formulations but cannot be ruled out without third-party testing.

None known

Skin irritation or sensitization

No documented dermatological reactions to Maplus ski wax in public records. Paraffin is inert and non-allergenic to most users, but fragrance additives (if present and undisclosed) could pose risk to sensitive individuals.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.

No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.

The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.

Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.

Safer alternatives in Ski Wax

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Start Basewax

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More ski 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.