Maxiglide · Ski Wax
North Glidewax Universal 180g
Skip until composition is disclosed, wax glidewax formulations vary widely, and Maxiglide offers no transparency.
North Glidewax is a ski/snowboard wax product with no publicly available ingredient disclosure or PFAS statements from Maxiglide. Ski waxes historically may contain fluorinated compounds for water repellency, but this product's actual composition is unknown.
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Wax (composition unspecified)
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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
North Glidewax Universal 180g is a hydrocarbon-based ski wax, but Maxiglide has not publicly disclosed detailed composition, including whether it contains fluorinated additives or other performance chemicals. Ski waxes are applied directly to snow-contacting surfaces and typically melted onto skis, creating potential for inhalation of vapors and direct skin contact. The unspecified formulation makes it impossible to assess presence of solvents, hardeners, or other performance additives beyond the wax base.
The brand's record and disclosure
Maxiglide has not published safety data sheets, ingredient lists, or PFAS testing results for this product in publicly available sources. No major product recalls or safety controversies are on record for this brand. The absence of transparency around formulation is the primary concern, especially given the prevalence of fluorinated compounds in glidewax products across the industry to reduce friction.
How it compares in its category
Most ski waxes, particularly glidewaxes, have historically contained PFOA or other long-chain PFAS for performance. Some competitors (notably Swix and Toko) have begun phasing out fluorinated products or offering fluorine-free lines with third-party testing. North Glidewax Universal's positioning as a 'universal' product suggests broad temperature range, which typically requires additives; premium brands disclose this, Maxiglide does not.
If you buy it
Apply in well-ventilated spaces or outdoors; melting wax indoors without ventilation increases inhalation risk. Use gloves to minimize skin contact during application and removal. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources. If respiratory irritation occurs during application, stop use and ventilate. Request a safety data sheet from the retailer or manufacturer before purchase if you have sensitivities.
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.”
Vapor inhalation from heating/melting
Ski waxes release volatiles when heated to melting point during application. Without ingredient disclosure, the nature and toxicity of these vapors cannot be assessed. Inhalation risk is minimized by outdoor or well-ventilated application.
Skin irritation or sensitization from contact
Hydrocarbon waxes and their additives can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Maxiglide's lack of published safety information means pre-existing skin reaction data are not available.
Undisclosed solvent or hardener residues
Ski waxes often contain hydrocarbon solvents or cross-linkers to achieve desired hardness and melting point. Maxiglide does not list these, raising the possibility of exposure to unnamed chemical additives.
Environmental persistence in snowmelt
Wax residues and any fluorinated additives leach into snowmelt and eventually waterways. This is a category-level concern, but Maxiglide's fluorine status is unknown, making specific risk assessment impossible.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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
Start
Star Nf Non-Fluoro Ski Glide Wax 60 G
hydrocarbon ski wax (non-fluorinated)
Lower concern, non-fluoro wax avoids PFAS-laden fluorinated alternatives, but verify formulation transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Start
Kick Wax Synthetic
Synthetic hydrocarbon wax blend
Lower concern. Synthetic ski wax lacks typical PFAS applications, but composition opacity warrants caution.
⚠Risky category by default
Start
Basewax
Wax-based product (beeswax, plant waxes, or mineral wax blend)
Lower-concern choice; wax-based products typically don't require PFAS, but verify ingredient list.
⚠Risky category by default
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.