The different kinds of glide wax

Today, all glide waxes sold are 100% fluorine-free, following the ban on fluorinated waxes for environmental and health reasons. Indeed, since 2020, European regulations have prohibited fluorinated compounds (PFOA) in these products, and the FIS (International Ski Federation) has banned their use in competition from the 2020–2021 season onwards. Manufacturers have had to meet this challenge by developing new fluorine-free formulations that are just as efficient, thanks to several years of R&D and field testing.

Before looking at the current wax categories, let’s briefly recall the former families of fluorinated waxes, now obsolete:

Former wax categories (fluorinated):

• CH (Hydrocarbon) – a basic maintenance wax without fluorinated additives. Used frequently to nourish the ski base, it does not damage it and helps keep it in good condition. Ideally, a layer of CH (often a universal blue CH) was applied after each outing to maintain long-lasting glide.

• LF (Low Fluor) – a low-fluorinated wax mainly used for training. More hydrophobic than CH, it provided better glide for training sessions and could serve as a race base (underlayer) before applying a higher-performance wax. However, it was less used for regular maintenance (as fluorine could eventually dry out the base).

• HF (High Fluor) – a highly fluorinated wax designed for racing, particularly effective on wet snow (high humidity) by reducing suction. It could be applied directly to the base (sometimes followed by a powder) or over an LF layer to save product. Highly hydrophobic, HF quickly repelled the water film under the ski, significantly improving glide on wet snow. It was the essential base wax for racers, as it enhanced wax durability in competition and optimised the efficiency of Cera-type finishes.

• Cera (ultra-fluorinated powder) – an ultra-high-performance finishing powder applied just before a race, over an HF wax. Extremely rich in fluorine, Cera provided maximum hydrophobic treatment for exceptional glide. Its use was limited to major events due to its high cost and application toxicity (mask required). Note: repeated use of these fluorinated products had harmful effects on technicians’ health and the environment, hence their ban since 2020.

Fluorine-free glide waxes: the new standard

Now, all glide wax ranges available are 0% fluorine. Each brand offers replacement products ensuring excellent glide quality without pollutants. For example, the Swix Bio series relies on innovative, eco-friendly formulations without compromising performance. Likewise, from 2021 onwards, Toko converted its entire wax line to fluorine-free versions. Even specialist manufacturers such as Vola now offer high-performance waxes: their HMach competition range incorporates new additives (ceramic-based lubricants, etc.) making it a genuine alternative to former fluorinated waxes, with a notable improvement in glide efficiency.

How to navigate the current glide wax ranges?

They can still be categorised by usage: maintenance wax, training wax, racing wax and finishing wax. Each comes in different hardnesses/colours depending on snow temperature, as in the CH/LF/HF days (colour codes still apply: yellow for warm conditions, red/purple for intermediate, blue/turquoise for cold, etc.). Here’s an overview of today’s fluorine-free wax categories:

Maintenance waxes (universal / recreational)

These are the basic fluorine-free waxes, the modern equivalents of the old CH range. Their main role is to protect and saturate the ski base to maintain your equipment and ensure consistent glide over time. They are used frequently, ideally after each day of skiing, to nourish the base and prevent it from drying out. Generally made from hydrocarbon paraffin (without special additives), these maintenance waxes are versatile and easy to apply. They are available either in universal versions (a single reference covering a wide temperature range, ideal for recreational users) or in temperature-specific variants (workshop waxes for fine-tuning to snow conditions). Universal or maintenance waxes suit most recreational skiers who want well-prepared, protected skis without seeking ultimate performance.

Training waxes (intermediate performance)

Fluorine-free training waxes replace the old LF range (mid-level performance). They deliver a more efficient and longer-lasting glide than maintenance waxes, thanks to technical additives (synthetic polymers, special wax blends, etc.), with fluorine replaced by other hydrophobic agents. These products are designed for regular skiers, clubs or amateur racers who train frequently and want good glide performance without using expensive race waxes every time. In practice, a training wax offers enhanced hydrophobicity (it reduces water/snow friction better than basic waxes) for higher speed and improved durability. It can be used before a local race or as a base layer before applying a racing wax on race day (saving high-end wax while improving its adhesion through prior impregnation). For a demanding recreational skier, this type of wax often represents an excellent performance-to-price compromise for everyday use.

Racing waxes (competition level)

These are the successors to the old HF and Cera waxes, now fluorine-free of course. Racing waxes are formulated to deliver the best possible glide for a given snow type, maximising water repellency (hydrophobic effect) and wear resistance. They incorporate advanced additives (new synthetic waxes, micro-particles such as carbon/graphite for dirty snow, molybdenum for transformed snow, high-tech lubricants like ceramics, etc.) to minimise friction and quickly evacuate moisture under the ski, just as premium fluorinated waxes once did. A race wax is generally applied the day before or the morning of the event on skis previously treated with a softer base wax (for better absorption). The goal is to achieve a genuine speed gain on glide sections, which is crucial in competition. As these products are costly, they are reserved for races and skiers seeking maximum performance.

Finishing waxes for racing

Finally, for top-level competitions, there are now fluorine-free 'top coat' finishing products (powders, accelerator sprays) applied as the final layer before the start, just as Cera was used in the past. These new-generation no-fluor powders further enhance speed and wax durability during the most demanding races. They deliver even more remarkable glide over the first kilometres of competition.

Summary table of fluorine-free glide waxes