Choosing the right snowboard wax can significantly impact your performance on the slopes. Purl wax has gained popularity among snowboarders for its performance and eco-friendly approach. This article delves into a comprehensive review of Purl wax, examining its various aspects, including performance, environmental impact, and user experiences.
What is Purl Wax?
Purl Wax offers two primary types of waxes: Microcrystalline Wax and All Natural Wax. The unique all-natural wax blends are crafted using ingredients from natural and renewable resources, emphasizing their commitment to environmental sustainability. The Purl Wax development team has also introduced a Silicone Microcrystalline blend that combines the durability of microcrystalline with the lubricity of Silicone.
The Science Behind Purl Wax
Purl Wax's Silicone Microcrystalline blend offers superior performance and increased longevity at a fraction of the cost of fluorinated ski and snowboard waxes. The stability of this bond allows Purl Wax to glide well in a broad range of temperature and humidity variations. Contrary to the mechanical weakness of fluorocarbon waxes, Silicone - Carbon bonds are particularly stable.
If you are more concerned with the toxic nature of fluoro waxes and would prefer to get your performance from a healthier source, please check out Purl All Natural Wax. Our All natural Waxes are from natural and renewable resources which are 100% biodegradable and non toxic.
User Experiences and Performance
Many users have reported positive experiences with Purl wax, citing its durability, ease of use, and great glide across a wide range of temperatures. A local shop I trust and frequent started using and selling Purl wax.
Read also: Is the Gnu Antigravity Snowboard Worth It?
One user mentioned using Purl purple for 3-4 years in Tahoe for the 3 skiers in their family, accumulating over 1000 days of use and attesting to its reliable performance. Another user in the Midwest has been using Purl for a year and is very happy with the results.
I am just about out of the wax stash I got from Marc at racewax.com (basic Red and Green combo). Was going to get the same again but I do like supporting the local shops when I can. There are a lot of fans of Purl wax. (We're currently out of the purple and the Briko-Maplus Universal Red or Race Base Medium (purple) are excellent substitutes.) I understand it (from a wax chemist), paraffin wax and micro crystallines are basically inert and found in many brands of hydrocarbon wax.
I have no issue with what I have from Marc - simple, easy, performs well, cheap - but I can't help myself from tinkering! Will probably try the Purl and get some Briko RBM that you and others love!
Some users have found that Purl wax can be a bit sticky if not applied correctly, emphasizing the importance of proper application techniques and temperature ranges. Make sure you have the right temp ranges. Right now in colorado you should use blue and purple mixed togather. A lot of snow has been pretty sticky in Colorado for a week or so.
Mixing and Matching
Purl blue mixes nicely with Hot Sauce - so you can use Purl Blue as an alternative to Cold Snap. And then switch to 100% blue if needed.
Read also: Battle Bindings: Performance and Value
I used the Purl purple today as did my wife - air temps were in the 23-29 range - assume snow was in the low 20's. Worked great - skis were fast and they look greater after a 1 day.
Used hertel air temps in th ~0 range, we are having a 'normal' winter this week in minny, and it worked fine, but did notice on our girl skis some minor edge burn. If we continue to dip into our what should be 'normal' temps ill mix in some cold wax, but was more interesred in the similarities/differences b/w the two.
Environmental Considerations
Purl Wax stands out due to its commitment to using natural and renewable resources. If you are more concerned with the toxic nature of fluoro waxes and would prefer to get your performance from a healthier source, please check out Purl All Natural Wax.
Our All natural Waxes are from natural and renewable resources which are 100% biodegradable and non toxic. I dont think flurocarbon wax is too good for the environment but i use bluebird wax made from soy and that cant be bad at all.
Purl Wax Product Line
Purl offers a range of waxes tailored to different temperature ranges and snow conditions. A local shop I trust and frequent started using and selling Purl wax. Big blocks - decent price - Purple is their all temp and supposedly has a large temp range. I see they are eco friendly which is always nice.
Read also: Renting Snowboards in Whistler Blackcomb: What You Need to Know
Hard to believe it has a 30 degree range (5-35) but the shop here loves it.
Some users have noted that the yellow (warm wax) can be fairly hard to scrape compared to other waxes. I have the yellow (warm wax) and its alright to me. Its fairly hard to scrape compared to the other waxes I have delt with, Does anyone else experience this issue?
Here’s a brief overview of some popular Purl wax products:
- Purl Purple: All-temperature wax suitable for a wide range of conditions.
- Purl Blue: Designed for colder temperatures.
- Purl Yellow: Warm wax.
Pros and Cons
Here's a summary of the pros and cons of Purl wax:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Conclusion
Purl snowboard wax offers a compelling option for snowboarders looking for a balance of performance and environmental responsibility. With a range of products designed for various conditions and a commitment to sustainability, Purl wax is worth considering for your next waxing session.