Ice rink

How Grip Wax Works

Grip wax is applied in the grip zone to provide traction in the kick without hindering glide. The right wax and correct application make skiing both efficient and gentle, whether it's crisp cold conditions or milder spring snow.

Types of Grip Wax

• Can Wax - for cold and dry conditions. Available in different hardness levels and temperature ranges.
• Klister - for wetter, coarser, or icy tracks. Provides strong grip when can wax is not enough.
• Base Wax - a thin base that allows subsequent layers to adhere and last longer.

How to Choose Grip Wax

• Cold and dry: harder can wax (blue-purple spectrum).
• Zero degrees and humid: softer can or klister.
• Changing conditions: base wax + several thin can layers.

How to Apply

1. Clean the grip zone and lightly roughen with sandpaper.
2. Apply several thin layers of wax. Cork or heat each layer evenly.
3. Let cool between layers and finish with a thin top layer for durability.

Follow the temperature recommendation on the can, and it usually works well. If snow sticks under the ski, you've chosen too warm a wax. If there's poor grip, you've waxed with too cold a wax or too few layers. Always apply several thin layers and cork them out properly. A ski is made for 4 to 7 thin layers of grip wax, and each layer must be corked out with synthetic cork.

Quick Guide

• Can: thin base wax - 3 to 5 thin working layers - cork between each.
• Klister: shorter zone, thin zigzag - smooth out - let set.
• Durability: better to have more very thin layers than one thick.

Common Mistakes

• Too thick a layer - the ski becomes sluggish and uneven.
• Wrong temperature range - slipping or snow sticking.
• Skipped base or roughening - poorer adhesion and shorter durability.

FAQ - Common Questions About Grip Wax

How many layers should I apply?
4 to 7 very thin layers. Cork out each layer with synthetic cork.

When should I use klister?
In wet, coarse-grained, or icy tracks and around zero degrees when can wax is not enough.

Do I always need base wax?
Not always, but in cold, icy, or high wear conditions, the grip holds much better with a thin base.

Snow sticks under the ski - what do I do?
Switch to colder wax or cover a thin klister with can wax to reduce icing.