Briko-Maplus · Ski Wax & Winter Sports Wax
Maplus Super Glide All Temperature Ski Wax
Ski wax with undisclosed water-repellent treatment, PFAS risk unclear.
Maplus ski wax formulation details and coating treatments are not publicly disclosed. Water-repellent ski waxes often contain PFAS; no independent testing or brand PFAS statement found.
The safe swap
Purl
Purl Natural Ski Wax and Snowboard Wax
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its A.
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Material
hydrocarbon wax blend with water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Maplus Super Glide is a hydrocarbon-based paraffin or blend wax designed for multiple snow temperatures, with an added water-repellent surface treatment to enhance glide performance. The water-repellency layer is the critical unknown: ski wax manufacturers have historically used fluorocarbon compounds (including PFAS-based Teflon-family coating) to achieve low-friction hydrophobic properties, though some brands now offer non-fluorinated alternatives. Without Briko-Maplus disclosing the specific chemistry of this coating, the fluorine content and PFAS presence cannot be ruled out from available information.
The brand's record and disclosure
Briko-Maplus is an Italian manufacturer with a long history in the ski wax market but maintains minimal public transparency regarding water-repellent treatment chemistry or PFAS content in their product lines. The brand has not published certifications (such as bluesign or similar fluorine-free claims) for this product, and no independent testing data is available in open literature to confirm or deny PFAS presence. This silence on a chemically sensitive input is notable given regulatory and environmental pressure in the ski industry to move away from legacy fluorocarbons.
How it compares in its category
Ski wax products span a spectrum from basic hydrocarbon blends (minimal additives, lower glide) to advanced formulations with fluorinated water repellents (higher performance, PFAS concern). Maplus Super Glide positions itself mid-to-high performance; competitors like Swix, Toko, and Dominator offer comparable all-temperature products with some brands now marketing PFAS-free or low-fluorine variants explicitly. This Maplus product offers no such designation, placing it in a less transparent segment despite similar price point to greener alternatives.
If you buy it
Apply wax in a well-ventilated space; brief heating to iron-melt the base coat should not produce concerning fume profiles from the hydrocarbon core, though fluorinated coatings can emit trace volatile compounds at moderate heat. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent degradation of the wax matrix and preserve coating integrity over time. Replace when glide noticeably diminishes (typically 3-10 ski days depending on use and snow type) rather than attempting indefinite reapplication. If environmental PFAS concerns are a priority, consider requesting fluorine content disclosure from Briko-Maplus or switching to brands with explicit fluorine-free certification.
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.”
PFAS in water-repellent coating
Undisclosed hydrophobic treatment on ski wax formulations has historically relied on fluorinated compounds; without manufacturer specification, presence cannot be ruled out. PFAS in wax is primarily an environmental concern (eventual snowmelt transport) rather than direct dermal or inhalation hazard during application.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during application
Hydrocarbon wax base typically has low volatility at ski waxing temperatures (around 60-70°C iron application). No specific VOC complaints or test data for this product are on record; standard practice (ventilation, brief heat exposure) should mitigate any risk.
Skin irritation from direct contact
Pure hydrocarbon waxes are generally non-irritating and not dermal sensitizers. No known allergic reactions or contact dermatitis incidents associated with Maplus Super Glide have been reported in available safety literature.
Thermal degradation byproducts at application temperature
When heated to iron-melt (50-70°C), hydrocarbon waxes are stable; however, any fluorinated additive layer may release trace fluorine volatiles if overheated or if iron temperature exceeds manufacturer specification. Risk is low under normal use but increases with careless application (excessive heat).
Microplastic shedding into environment
Ski wax is designed to remain on skis and eventually shed into snow/water with normal use. This is not a unique hazard to Maplus but a category-wide environmental issue; wax particles themselves are not classified as microplastics (they are wax, not plastic polymers) and biodegrade more readily than synthetic polymers, though fluorinated coatings persist longer in the environment.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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.
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More ski wax & winter 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.