Burton · Ski Wax & Winter Sports Wax
Dakine High Octane Rub On Wax
Ski wax with no known PFAS triggers. Brand silent on composition.
Dakine High Octane is a paraffin-based ski wax with no disclosed Teflon-family coating or water-repellent treatment. No public lab testing or PFAS claims available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Hydrocarbon wax blend
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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
Dakine High Octane is a hydrocarbon wax blend, meaning it combines paraffin or mineral wax with additives to lower melting point and improve glide on snow. This material class does not typically bioaccumulate or persist in the body when used as applied (topical contact during skiing). The formulation is opaque; Burton discloses no specific additive list, so independent verification of minor components is not possible from public sources.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burton (owned by Vans/VF Corporation) has not published detailed safety data sheets or hazard transparency for this wax line. The brand maintains general corporate environmental commitments but has not issued certifications (e.g., Cradle-to-Cradle, bluesign) specific to wax products. No recalls or safety incidents are on record for this product or line. Silence on full composition is typical for ski wax manufacturers but limits third-party verification.
How it compares in its category
Ski wax is a low-hazard category compared to cookware, cosmetics, or textiles; waxes are applied externally and not ingested. Dakine High Octane sits in the middle-performance tier; premium alternatives (e.g., Toko, Dominator) rarely disclose more toxicological data. Budget waxes and premium blends carry equivalent regulatory oversight, which is minimal in most jurisdictions for topical sports products.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent phase separation. Apply in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling volatile compounds released during friction warming; ski wax does not off-gas significantly at room temperature. Wash hands after application to reduce residual contact. Replace when the surface becomes visibly dull or cracked, typically after 5-15 ski days depending on snow temperature and usage.
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.”
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) during application
Hydrocarbon waxes may release trace volatile components when friction-heated on skis. Exposure is minimal outdoors but could accumulate in poorly ventilated indoor waxing spaces; not quantified in public sources for this product.
Skin irritation from undisclosed additives
No reports of dermatitis or contact sensitization from Dakine High Octane. Hydrocarbon waxes are generally inert, but unknown minor additives (colorants, thickeners) carry low theoretical risk if skin contact is prolonged.
Microplastic shedding
Ski wax is not typically classified as a microplastic source because it remains bound to skis and does not shed into water as a powder or particle. Environmental fate after snow melting is not quantified for this product.
Heavy metals in pigments or mineral fillers
No disclosure of pigment or mineral composition. Ski waxes do not routinely use lead or cadmium colorants, and this product carries no known contamination record. Verification would require manufacturer SDS.
Respiratory irritation from inhalation during application
Indoor waxing in confined spaces could produce localized hydrocarbon vapor; ventilation during application is prudent but acute toxicity is not established for this product or class.
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 & Winter Sports Wax
Purl
Natural Ski Wax and Snowboard Wax
Natural wax blend, hydrocarbon base
Lower concern; natural wax formulation with PFAS-free positioning.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Purl
Eco Ski & Snowboard Wax
hydrocarbon wax blend
Lower concern. Brand claims PFAS-free, wax is inherent low-risk material.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Burton
Fastest Wax
paraffin or hydrocarbon wax blend
Ski wax formulated from inherently PFAS-free wax; lower concern.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
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.