When you’re on top of the mighty waters, the last thing you want is your board to let you down. If you’re into surfing, I’m sure you know how vital of a role grip plays.
Surf wax is exactly the helping hand you need; not only does it help with grip, but it also helps protect your board. It softens sharp edges as well. Wax is the way to go if you want that extra grip.
Although their purpose is simple, not all waxes are the same. Using the right surf wax is important for maximum grip and performance.
In today’s blog, I will share my list of the best surf waxes in the market. I’ll also talk about how you can choose the right surf wax for your board. Let’s dig in!
Best Surf Waxes to Buy in 2023
1. Sticky Bumps
Sticky Bumps Surf Wax is the best surf wax you can buy. It is a popular brand of surf wax used by surfers worldwide. Made from a blend of natural waxes, including beeswax and carnauba wax, it provides a strong grip on the board and helps keep the surfer’s feet in place.
When applied cold, the wax will harden and provide a more secure grip. In contrast, a warm application will provide a soft, rubbery feel that is easy to adjust while surfing.
Thanks to its reliable grip, Sticky Bumps is a favorite among surfers, and staying in control of the board is essential for making quick maneuvers as needed. It also repels water, making it ideal for use in wet conditions.
Buy Sticky Bumps Surf Wax on Amazon
2. Mr. Zog’s Sexwax
It comes in small bars in five colors, each for different temperatures. Yellow, purple, and green are for cold waters, while red and blue are made to work with warmer waters.
Apart from the surfing world, it’s popular among drummers and people with clunky sliding doors. But the best part is that it’s biodegradable and non-toxic to minimize its environmental impact.
Mr. Zog ensured the cardboard boxes used to pack the bars were also made from recycled cardboard.
Buy Mr. Zog’s Sexwax on Amazon
3. Bubblegum Surf Wax
Bubblegum is one of the better-known waxes, simple to apply and grippy enough for beginners and pros alike. It’s not the stickiest, yet it is acclaimed to have one of the best feels while using it.
Bubblegum was joined by an unexpected ally, Rob Machado himself. Together they came up with something they like to call “Rob’s Organik Blend” (aka, R.O.B), which makes bubblegum fit for environment-conscious buyers.
Eco-friendly is often no more than fancy advertisement stuff. Still, bubblegum takes it further by exclusively wrapping its bars in recycled paper.
Buy Bubblegum Surf Wax on Amazon
4. Matuna’s Organic Surf Wax
Matuna’s was made with comfort in mind. Unsurprisingly it can come at the cost of stickiness sometimes. Surfers claim it feels much lighter; the term lighter has many attributes here but usually describes the grip, which isn’t particularly harsh on the feet.
With Matuna’s, you can slide around a bit without lifting it completely. Those with great control can make good use of it, while others stand the risk of slipping. That’s also why I wouldn’t recommend these for beginners. This one is a little harder when it comes to handling.
Matunas claims their bars to be 100% natural, by which they mean to imply these are biodegradable and free of petroleum. They sell a few wax variations, including the basecoat, and have maintained their reputation thanks to quality products.
Buy Matuna’s Surf Wax on Amazon
5. Mrs. Palmer’s
I will say it; the packaging does not lie when it says, “The best grip around.”
Mrs. Palmers, indeed is one of the stickiest in the market. Now that doesn’t mean it’s notorious for its ungodly amount of grip. Instead, it’s quite popular among folks who love a tighter grip on their rides.
These little easy-to-split bars are just around 3 bucks each, they come in cardboard boxes, and the benefits for the price are huge. One round of these gets you covered with grippy bumps spread uniformly throughout.
These stand up to their reputation pretty well, but there’s always someone ready to complain about the wax being too sticky. I recommend judging based on your requirements here.
If you’re looking for an even tighter grip, opt for the competition formula instead of the original formula.
Buy Mrs. Palmer’s Comp on Amazon US
6. Catch Surf
The Catch Surf surf wax, or the CS Surf Wax, is a soft board formula exclusively used for soft-top boards. Simply put, the deck is soft, soft-top boards much more rounded and widely marketed towards beginners.
This goes along best with Catch Surf’s boards. At 3.5 bucks per bar, it’s a bit expensive compared to others but is efficient enough to justify the price.
Softboards, in particular, are much similar to bodyboards, so if you’re stocked up on some bodyboard wax, you can also use those here.
Buy Catch Surf surf wax on Amazon US
7. EHomeA2Z
EHomeA2Z brings us another all-natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable surf wax. It’s handmade in the USA. It’s straightforward in terms of use.
It has a variety of bars available, ranging from basecoat to cold wax. It’s a cheaper alternative to sex wax.
Usually, the bumps differ from the cheaper alternatives, and removing the wax after use is harder. EHomeA2Z manages to overcome those limitations while still maintaining a low price.
Buy EHomeA2Z surf wax on Amazon US
How to choose the right surf wax for your board?
1. Temperature
Surf wax comes in different varieties depending on the temperature of the water. There are four broad categories when it comes to water, namely, cold, cool, warm, and tropical. Selecting a wax suited to the water temperature you are surfing in is important.
For warm water, you’ll need to use hard wax. This wax will provide maximum grip and traction, which is important if you surf in warm conditions. Hard wax usually has a temperature range of 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-29 degrees Celsius). It’s important to note that hard wax can melt in temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius).
For colder water, you’ll need to use soft wax. As the name suggests, this wax is softer but hardens under cold water and serves the intended purpose. It’s designed to hold up in cold temperatures. Soft wax usually has a temperature range of 50-68 degrees Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celsius).
In between these temperatures, you can use a combination of wax. This wax is designed to provide grip and traction in temperatures between 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit (10-29 degrees Celsius).
2. Types of boards
Different boards require different wax types to ensure optimum performance. With the suitable wax, you can maximize your board’s traction and grip when you’re out in the water.
You’ll want to choose a wax for warm water temperatures for shortboards. A too-soft wax will not provide enough grip when turning in the water and could cause your board to slip out from underneath you.
Longboards are typically heavier, so you’ll want to choose a wax that provides extra grip and stability. This will help you stay in control and maneuver your board better when you’re out in the waves.
Fish boards require a surf wax that is designed for speed. This type of wax is designed to reduce drag and increase speed when you’re out in the water.
3. Stickiness
Different brands of wax vary in their stickiness. Some provide better grip than others, so selecting a wax best suits your needs is important.
Too little grip means a risk of slipping. On the other hand, too much grip can take away comfort and ruin the overall fun of surfing.
4. Price
Consider your budget and select a wax that is within your price range. The usual price for surf wax is $2-3 per bar. There are very few above that price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is surf wax made of?
Generally, in the United States, surf wax is made from natural and synthetic waxes, such as bee wax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and petroleum jelly.
2. What is the best way to store surf wax?
The best way to store surf wax is in a cool, dry, dark place. The wax should be in an airtight container or zip-lock bag to prevent air from entering.
Keeping the wax away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures is important. This will prevent the wax from melting, softening, or becoming brittle. You should keep the wax away from pets and children to prevent them from becoming accidentally exposed to it.
