My name is Lorraine, I’m a certified snowboarding instructor and this is my review of the best snowboard wax iron.
Waxing up your snowboard is an important part of getting the best experience on the snow. While you can have someone else tune up your board, learning how to apply wax yourself makes you more self-sufficient and saves you some money in the process.
In order to perform this tune-up on your own, you need to have the proper tools. Remember, you can’t wax a board without an iron.
Below you will find some of the best snowboard wax irons available to help you get the job done right and get your board ready for some epic days on the mountain.
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Who Should Get This
If you want the ability to wax your snowboard yourself, you need all of the proper equipment and tools to do so.
A wax iron is absolutely essential for the task because it serves the important purpose of melting the wax so you can drip it on and spread over the base of your board.
You might think that just any iron will work for waxing, but the ones listed here will do a far better job than any standard household iron.
If you don’t want to wax your board, you won’t need one of these irons. Any snow shop (along with many other outdoor stores) should be able to wax your snowboard quickly.
Just know that you will pay a small amount every time you want a wax job and tuneup. That may not seem like a lot at first, but over time it can add up. In fact, enough tuneups can easily cost more than what you’ll pay for a good wax iron.
Top Snowboard Wax Iron
Here are my top picks for the best ski and snowboard wax iron.
1. Wintersteiger Ski/Snowboard Waxing Iron
This an awesome waxing iron that comes highly recommended by everyone who uses it. The compact model has an ergonomic design that’s easy and comfortable to use, which makes it great for travel.
The fully adjustable temperature control lets you dial in your desired setting and the soft rubber grip provides a great hold so you can get the job done right. The baseplate is smooth and thick as well.
Pros:
- Adjustable temperature
- Compact
- Rubber grip for great control
- Thick base plate
- Good travel iron
Cons:
- Temperature can be uneven across base on thicker wax
==> You can also get it at Utah Ski Gear.
2. WSD Ski and Snowboard Wax Iron
Another excellent waxing iron is the WSD Ski and Snowboard Wax Iron. This option is appealing due to its affordable price as well as its effective, reliable performance.
It features temperature adjustment with the turn of a dial and has a symmetrical design that makes it easy to use with either hand.
This iron also comes with a long 1.9-meter power cord that stays out of the way when you’re working. It also easily wraps around the handle for travel or storage.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Adjustable temperature
- Compact
- Long power cord
- Feels great and works well in either hand
Cons:
- Temperature control can be hard to adjust when the iron is hot
==> You can also get it on Sears or Newegg or Walmart.
3. TOKO T14 Digital Wax Iron
If you have to wax a lot of boards, regardless if they’re in your garage or at the shop, you need an iron that can handle the task.
The TOKO T14 Digital Wax iron is an awesome, professional-grade wax iron that can wax all day long both efficiently and effectively.
Featuring a digital temperature control, extra-thick base plate, and serious durability, this iron will deliver quality waxing time and time again.
Pros:
- Great, professional-level performance
- Digital temperature adjustment
- Thick base plate for excellent heat retention
- Durable
- Ergonomic design
Cons:
- Expensive
==> You can also get it on Utah Ski Gear or Jans or Gospodin.
Best Snowboard Wax Iron: What to Consider
Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for a good snowboard wax iron.
Adjustability
A nice feature to look out for in a wax iron is temperature control. You can wax a board with an iron that only has a single temperature setting, but adjustable temperature settings give you more control over the entire process.
Adjustable irons will have a dial or other means to change the temperature. The lower the temperature, the slower your wax will melt and vice versa.
Size
Waxing irons are generally smaller in size than clothing irons, but there is a lot of variation from brand to brand. If you travel a lot for snowboarding, chances are you wax your board yourself and you need an iron.
A smaller, compact wax iron is best for travel because it’s easier to pack in your bag. If you just plan on having a home setup for tuning and waxing your board, you can get a larger iron that will get the job done faster.
Base Plate
The base plate is the part of the iron that heats up. This is the most important part of any iron, but the plate’s size should be considered when you’re deciding which model to choose.
A thicker base plate is more ideal because it will lead to the iron holding and retaining heat for longer periods of time. That means you will get better performance with a thicker base plate rather than a thinner one.
You also want a smooth baseplate. This is the biggest difference between clothing irons that have holes in the plate and wax models.
When using an iron for waxing, you don’t want these holes because they will get clogged up with wax.
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Useful Tips & Resources
Waxing up your board is a simple task that anyone can learn how to do. If you want the best performance out of your board at all times, it pays off to learn this simple skill.
The first step is getting iron and some wax along with a few other tools to get the job done right. If you want to learn how to properly wax your board, take a look at this video.
One tip to always remember when you’re waxing your snowboard is to keep the iron moving at all times. Just like with a clothes iron, if you leave it in place for too long, you can burn whatever’s underneath.
While your board won’t quite burn as easily as a t-shirt, it is still more than possible to cause serious damage to your base if you don’t keep the iron moving. Smooth motions from tip to tail are key.
Final Words
I would recommend that every serious snowboarder learn how to wax their own board. You might not always want or need to do it yourself but once you learn this simple skill, you will have the ability to.
Make sure you get a quality iron that will help you complete the task and you’ll be sure to have a freshly waxed board every time you hit the slopes.
About Lorraine