Riding your snowboard regularly always requires some maintenance. The most common way to take care of your board is waxing. But, people often wonder whether their new snowboards come waxed when bought. More specifically, some YES. brand lovers want to know if this brand’s boards come factory waxed.
As the YES. says, all their snowboards can go straight to slopes out of the package. All boards are factory waxed, so you can get riding as soon as you get your new winter friend. But that doesn’t mean your board won’t need to be re-waxed after a few days.
So, today we are talking about board waxing. Do you really need to do it regularly, and if, how to choose the right wax type.
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What Are the Benefits of Waxed Snowboards?
The main advantage of snowboard waxing is that it will make your board glide easier, and you may gain some speed. Many riders say they can see the difference with a waxed board on any terrain and snow conditions, but it may be the most noticeable on the flat terrain.
During your ride, you may come across various terrains. A flat terrain can be seen as a trail connector, so you will need to go this road between your downhill runs. Many riders find this flat part of the trail as an issue.
Therefore, if you want to make your movements easier on flat terrains, you should regularly wax your snowboard. That way you might be able to skip all unstrapping or walking. So, an easier, more effortless ride is one of the benefits of the waxed board.
Another perk of wax comes when you need to do some park features. Sometimes you will have a very short runaway, but with a waxed board, you’ll be able to gain much-needed speed from a closer range.
In the end, waxing is also good for your base because it prevents it from dryness, and therefore it can prolong the boards’ lifespan. In addition, waxing is necessary for treating snowboard scratches and other damages.
Do You Need to Wax a Brand New Snowboard?
Many brands sell their snowboards with some factory wax (such as YES. brand), so you don’t have to wax your board straight from the shop. But, you should bear in mind that factory wax is not the same as true hot wax.
Very often it’s just some kind of spray or a rub-on type of wax. So, its effectiveness won’t be good as a hot wax one. Some brands may apply hot wax on the boards, but you should check with the manufacturer.
So, when you buy your new board, you should check the state of the wax. If the snowboard has been sitting in the shop for a longer time, chances are the wax has dried out. That’s especially true if it has been spayed with just a factory spray or rub-on wax.
So, if you want to be sure you’ll have a great long-term performance with your new board, you could apply some fresh wax when you get a new board.
Types of Snowboard Waxes
It’s good to know there are many types of board waxes out there. That way you can choose which one suits you best. Some snowboarders even use hockey wax for their snowboards as these two are quite similar.
Waxes can be placed in different categories, such as waxes for general use, high performance, and instant waxes. But, here is a list of various types of waxes, so you can have an easier time while choosing them.
Hot Wax
The hot wax is a bit specific, so it has its own categories. We made a shortlist of them, so check it out.
Hydrocarbon Wax
Hydrocarbon waxes are often the basic ingredient of all waxes. These ones are often used for recreational types of rides. Considering they are not pricey, you can use them as storage or cleaning wax.
Molybdenum Wax
You may remember these by their peculiar name. Molybdenum wax works as it prevents some electrostatic forces from slowing down a rider during dry snow conditions or cold weather. These waxes also can be more dirt-resistant. So, that’s a good thing to know.
Fluorinated Wax
Fluorinated waxes are faster than hydrocarbon ones. But, you should have in mind fluorinated are more toxic.
So, before their application, you should find a nice, vented spot. You can opt for various mixtures. A range usually goes from low to high-fluorinated.
If you want to try some higher versions of this wax, be prepared they cost more and they come in a powder.
You can use fluorinated waxes as a second layer on top of the hydrocarbon layer. These two combined can give your board some nice speed on slopes.
Racing Wax
Racing waxes are the pricey ones, and you can find them in the forms of base and top layers. These waxes are a form of fluorinated wax. You have the base layer that makes a place for the top one. Therefore, the boards’ performance is increased.
Eco-Friendly Wax
If you love an eco-friendly lifestyle, then these waxes may be the right choice for you. These ones are great if you wax your snowboards at home while having kids around. It’s interesting that the basic ingredient of this wax is soy.
So, eco-friendly waxes are 100% biodegradable. That means you won’t need to clean every bit of leftover wax if you’re doing your waxing outside.
Rub-On Wax
If you’re a recreational type of rider, you may find these waxes very handy. You won’t need to use iron, and you can use them between riding sessions. Even though rub-on waxes are a great option for recreational riders, some pro riders find them very handy between their hot wax treatments.
Spray-On Wax
We are all sometimes too lazy to wax our boards. So, it’s nice to have spray-on waxes to make this process quicker and easier. If you don’t want to spend your time on rub-on waxing, you can use this even simpler version. All you’ll have to do is remove the cap and spay some wax on your board. Just like that.
What Snowboard Wax Temperature to Choose
When you are choosing the right snowboard wax temperature, you should know it’s related to the snow temperature, not the air one. So, you need to consider two things when opting for your new wax:
- Use some universal hydrocarbon wax for various temperatures. This is a nice option for all recreational riders.
- Check the weather. This way you can opt for the most suitable wax for a specific temperature range. If you’re a hard-core rider, racer, or professional, this option may be for you.
You should bear in mind that some brands color their waxes in order to indicate temperature ratings. But, some of them may do it just for selling purposes. So, to be sure, always check with the brand you use and don’t rely purely on the color.
Do You Need to Clean Your Snowboard Before Waxing?
It’s best to clean up your board before waxing. That way you can make sure there is no leftover dust or dirt on the board. Cleaning your board is very important, as it removes particles that can reduce wax effectiveness. So, a nice and clean board is a recipe for a good ride protected from water.
How Long Does Snowboard Wax Last?
Waxing frequency depends on many factors. A general rule is that you should wax your board after three days from the last day you went on a ride.
However, you should consider the conditions you were riding at, your board’s design, and the hours you spent riding the board. During spring rides, wax can wear off easier due to lower snow quality and some mud particles.
So, you can expect your board wax to last a bit longer if you’re riding powder or during very cold weather. But, besides mentioned, you should check your base’s fabric.
A board has different bases, some are extruded, while others are sintered. Sintered ones need frequent waxing than extruded ones.
You can notice more easily that the wax is wearing off from a sintered base, but you’ll be able to notice a fresh wax on an extruded base more than on a sintered one.
How to Tell If a Snowboard Needs Waxing?
Waxed snowboards shouldn’t be dry. If the snowboard is dry you will notice dryness on the edges, and the p-tex base fabric may become a bit whitish. Slowing down during a ride can also be a sign that the board needs some waxing.
You can try checking out the base with the fingernail, if your nail is not picking up wax in any way, it’s time to re-wax your board.
The Bottom Line
Whether you need to wax your new snowboard depends on the brand and your personal choice. Some brands like YES. place a factory wax on their boards. But, you should remember that is not the same as hot wax.
So, to be sure, always check in the store which board comes with wax. If you love to put some wax on your new board, you can do that too. Just make sure you use proper snowboard wax and enjoy your ride.
