There are many factors you must consider before going surfing.
But first, you must know what you’re most concerned with. Looking for fun? Summer activity? Making surfboards?
If it’s your first time, you must get out of the ocean fast and find a more experienced surfer to teach you the basics.
Your first time surfing, you must have proper equipment, including the best surf wax.
Otherwise, you will be in the water lots of time before you finally get the strength of handling a surfboard. Your board will either be hard to stop or tip over in the water, so the surfer will have a hard time staying on top of it.
As a beginner, you must focus on the safety level of the surf wax which gives you powerful traction in difficult conditions.
To help you in that regard, these are our best 10 options of surf wax to buy.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Sticky Bumps Original Surf Board Wax | Best Overall |  |
| Mr. Zogs Original Sexwax | Budget Pick |  |
| Outdoor Wax Works' Longest Lasting Surf & Paddle Gripping Wax 3-Pack | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Sticky Bumps Original Surf Board Wax
Pros:
- Great quality
- Heat-resistant
- Comes with piece wax warmers
- Has a high concentration of natural carnauba wax
- Melts quickly and deeply into the fiberglass
- Repels sand
- Has a pleasant smell
- Has excellent performance in even the wettest of environments
Cons:
- Not pourable
- May damage floors and finished surfaces
- Won’t work well if you don’t have a polishing pad
By far one of the most common waxes that is used by most surfers is the tacky bumps. This is a product that has had a great amount of success. It provides waxes that are used by individuals that surf using a variety of different surf boards and accessories.
The tacky bumps, also referred to as the sticky bumps, can be used with a number of different sponges and pads. Using this product will ensure that you do not require a significant amount of additional maintenance.
The tacky bumps are made from a large amount of plastic, so that is is resistant to the damage that is generated by extreme heat. If you are looking for a product that will be able to go the distance, it may be worth taking a look at the sticky bumps.
2. Mr. Zogs Original Sexwax
Pros:
- Provides good grip through colder winds, even on rougher water conditions
- Keeps your board free from dirt and sand
- Easy to clean
- Tropical Coconut fragrance
- Not too greasy
- Leaves a good shine to your board
- Good wax for the price
Cons:
- May not last the whole day
- Might melt in the water
Based in Florida, Mr. Zogs produces quality surf wax products, focusing on cold water conditions and keeping the cost low so that you can wax on any budget.
Beyond waxes, they produce other products to help you pass a fun day at the beach without having to spend too much.
We are reviewing here one of their best-selling and most raved about product – cold water temperature Sexwax with a tropical coconut fragrance.
3. Matuna's Surf Wax 6 Pack
Pros:
- Comes with a non-sticky formula: this means you don’t have to worry about getting stuck to your surfboard when rubbing wax on it
- Can be applied on top of existing wax
- Cocoa butter enhances grip and adds to the glide of your wax
- Comes with a buffer cloth for a smooth finish
- The package includes six different temperature waxes
Cons:
- Does tend to be on the sticky side
- Comes in a single bar, which costs more than a package of multiple bars
The purpose of surf wax is simple: to add friction to the surface of your surfboard and to enable you to catch a wave. This wax from Matuna is designed to perform these basic tasks. It is made from paraffin and has both a non-sticky formula and a non-staining formula. You can apply this wax in temperatures ranging from 60F to 95F. It’s also non-petroleum-based, so it’s better for the environment, having a better and safer melting point and biodegradability rate.
4. Outdoor Wax Works' Longest Lasting Surf & Paddle Gripping Wax 3-Pack
Pros:
- Safe around kids and pets
- Heats up quickly and holds firm for various weather conditions
- Affordable
The thing that most people worry about with wax is applying it to their clothes or furniture. This product uses a hard shell so that you can apply it to your surfboard and spread it around without worrying about making a mess.
This wax can be used for numerous different weather conditions. You can use it during warmer months and it will not come undone when it is colder outside.
Use this wax and you will discover how much easier it is to apply to your surfboard, how much better it performs, and how much safer it is for you and your surfboard.
5. Mrs. Palmers Tropical Surfboard Wax 5 Pack
Pros:
- Cheap
- Easy to apply
- Natural formula which is safe for the environment
- Non-clumping formula
- Made in the USA
- Easy-to-handel packaging
Cons:
- Needs to be applied by hand
- Not very long lasting
- Doesn’t work for all conditions
We’d like to thank manufacturer Mrs. Palmers for sending us the Tropical Surfboard Wax kit for our review. The Tropical wax kit was part of series of three kits in total; this review is for the Tropical kit. The other kits in the series are for snowboards and SUPs.
In the kit we received, there were three small sticks made from beeswax and tree resin. These can be split into three smaller portions if necessary.
Of the three items in the kit, the wax stick was the easiest to use. We simply rubbed it onto an old surfboard, where it stuck and dried.
6. Double Barrel Surf Wax
Pros:
- Wax works great
- Good price per wax
This wax is great for warm water as it lasts on the board quite well, about 80 minutes. It also takes a long time to melt, great for the cold winter months!
It smells really good and doesn’t have a harsh or chemical smell. This means that it doesn’t have the usual fruity or tropical smell that other waxes have.
I have some really sticky wax and this is the best! Goes on like butter and lasts for a while.
7. Vegan ECO SURF Wax
Pros:
- Product contains Vitamin E to repair wax
- Ingredient blend holds well in both wet and cold conditions
- Wax is biodegradeable
- Easy to use
- The wax is all natural and has a pleasant tropical melon-lime scent
- The product comes in a wide range of scents
- Thanks to Eco-Eco for using recycled product utensils
- Eco-Eco claims that this product is vegan
- Bar will last for a long time
- Customer service is fast, friendly and helpful in case you have a problem with the product
Melon-Lime Scented Bar, Tropical melon-Lime-Scented (12 bars, 4 oz total).
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8. Santa Barbara Surfing SBS Surf Wax Comb & Scraper
Pros:
- This model comes with a bottle opener attached to it
- You can get it for an inexpensive price
- The wax was will still work right after it has been exposed to water
- The wax is self-heating, which makes it easy to use
- Comes with a wax comb to help you apply the wax easily
- Comfortable size
- Works great with surf boards
Cons:
- The wax may be harder to remove from the surface if it is hot
- It may be hard to get out of the package, but that is easy to fix if you store it in a large space on your board
9. Famous Basecoat Single Bar Wax
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic
- Extreme temperature durability
- Single bar makes waxing quick and easy
This is always our cheapest choice if you are on a budget. Famous Baseshell (formerly known as Basecoat) has been one of the best waxes since the early 2000s. It is very noticeable, and the dark blue is very visible for the first few runs until the wax gets heated up.
You will get a solid day of surfing out of one bar, depending on ocean temperature and how much you scrape it, which is really one of the best benefits. Scooping wax is time consuming and the cool dark blue color is awesome when you first get it.
The other cool wax is that you can get a bar for any size board, which is great when you go with friends as you won’t have to worry about what size board they have and what size bar they are using.
10. Wax Buddy Surf Wax Combs
Pros:
- Excellent durability
- Packaged well
- Works with any brand of wax
- One of the highest customer ratings for a waxing kit
- Blends and separates wax transfer sheets perfectly
This surf wax comb has been carefully crafted with a flat side for a comfortable grip even when your hands are all slicked up with wax and a pointed side for the application of wax to your board.
The comb comes in metal for a sturdy, extra-rugged feel that will be sure to hold up to the natural wear and tear that comes with using a wax comb.
You can use this wax comb on a variety of different surfaces, from sintered to polyurethane-based waxes.
11. FU WAX Warm
Fu Surf Wax has a great consistency for surfers looking for something that will grab the water and stick to their board. It leaves a residue behind that can extend the life of your board with proper care and maintenance. If you are looking for a wax that will provide you with a great grip, you will like this wax.
Fu Wax is a surf wax that you do not have to heat up to use. You simply take a wax comb and wipe it on any board where you can see the wax crumbles off, making it easy to work with.
Fu Surf Wax leaves a residue behind on your board that you can add grip to for multiple uses. This wax is great for those who want to use wax that will not be like a magnet to water.
12. Famous Green Label Warm Single Bar Wax Organic Surf Wax
Pros:
- Provides excellent grip on to complete beginner boards and water
- Lasts a long time and there’s no need to reapply wax
- Good for surfers who want to start and stop surfing
- Doesn’t leave a sticky residue on the nylon or make the board sticky
- Tons of people like the smell, saying it’s a really nice scent, not too strong
- Adds grip without making your skin sticky
- You don’t need to wait too long to go surfing again after it’s applied
- Easy to apply
- Makes a good present for a surfer too
- Surfers who prefer hot wax also found it to be very good
Just a few dabs of wax on each of your feet gives you sufficient grip for the board. You shouldn’t need to apply more. If you do find you need more you can always choose another brand.
13. Bubble Gum Surf Wax Cool 12 Pack
Pros:
- Keep the loose, dry sand off your board and your feet
- There is enough wax in the family pack to last for a long time
- Comes in a pack of 12 refills
Cons:
- Comes with a plastic tray that only holds approximately five pieces of wax
- This product only holds five sticks of wax in comparison to the other brands that carry nine sticks
- Not very sticky
When it comes to the attention to detail and the quality of the wax included in the Bubble Gum Surf Wax Cool 12 Pack, many people say that you are definitely getting your money’s worth with this purchase. This product is definitely one of the more expensive ones that you can purchase. The product is a nice deep red color and has a nice shine to it.
The degradable garbage included in this kit is also a nice touch. According to reviews, reviewers stated that this is by far the easiest wax to use on the market. It comes in a nice soft container, and the wax comes out of the container pretty easily and just feels nice in your hands.
Another plus for reviewers is that no matter how you store the wax, it doesn’t seem to melt, even outside in the hot sun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Surf Wax do the pros use?
Surf wax is a substance applied to a surfboard to improve performance, most often that of speed and grip (though waxes are also available that are designed to add grip strength but reduce speed). The term "wax" is usually used to refer to hard surfboard wax, as opposed to soft grip wax, which is often called "balm". Surfers typically apply hard board wax to their boards towards the end of their run up (the time period immediately before riding a wave) in order to facilitate a quick, smooth, and long ride down the face of a wave. However, soft wax is also applied to the deck of a surfboard, to protect it from sun damage. Soft wax is often referred to as balm.
What is the best surf wax?
This is a frequently asked question by surfers in the market for a new wax, I was actually in the same situation just a few weeks ago looking for a replacement for my Jacky coating (which was just too expensive), The vast number of options can make it a bit confusing, we have reviewed the top 10 surf wax options here to help you.
To make things easier I have also broken it up into categories, based on the main component that is used to make the wax. Whilst there are a few differences between the blends, generally the waxes that are made from the same component have very similar characteristics which makes this a helpful option.
How do you get the perfect bumps from waxing?
This is the result of a combination of factors. Firstly, the hot weather will make it harder to build and maintain good grip. Secondly, all the different materials and particles in surf wax will work to create the texture you’re looking for and lastly, a few practical hacks will up the game. Here’s how:
How much wax should I put on my surfboard?
This is a highly individual decision, but generally speaking, it’s better to have too much wax than to not have enough. If your board slides too much, you’ll need to scrape some off, but if it’s too sticky it could cause your board to do unpredictable things. To figure out the optimum amount of wax, try putting the same amount of wax on both rails and rub them together. When you slide your hand across the rails, you want enough of a “just right” amount of wax that it makes a noticeable difference in how your board slides.
Conclusion
It's important to firstly note that there's an association of surfers that prefer to call the term surf wax a misnomer. They call it surfboard wax. If you're trolling around online boards, you'll notice that some refer to it as surfboard wax and others refer to it as surf wax. This section is called surf wax, so we will use that terminology here.
There are a small number of surfboard products that don't require surf wax. One example is the old foam rubber stick-on surfboard traction material. It turns out that the term is widely used and it's somewhat of a misnomer, but for the sake of simplicity, we will stick with surf wax.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Sticky Bumps Original Surf Board Wax | Best Overall | |
| Mr. Zogs Original Sexwax | Budget Pick | |
| Outdoor Wax Works' Longest Lasting Surf & Paddle Gripping Wax 3-Pack | Upgrade Pick | |