If your hand is constantly slipping on your
Which type of wax should you buy for your bodysurfing
Still unsure? The rest of this post uncovers exactly the type of wax you should buy based on your climate.
types of handboard wax
Not all surf wax is created the same. I never realized there were specific types of wax that worked better for certain climates. There are also many different types of brands that claim their wax is the best. This guide will discuss both topics to help you find the best one for your needs.
First, here is the best tip I’ve ever come across regarding which surf wax to buy.
The temperature of the water can impact the performance of your wax. So choose the correct one.
If wax experiences an external temperature outside of the ideal temperature range it was
There is a direct correlation between
The hardness of the wax is directly proportional to the water temperature.
So, the colder the water, the softer the wax. Conversely, the warmer the water, the harder the wax.
Why is this the case? Different types of wax use different properties in the ingredients to prevent it from melting in warmer waters.
Handboard surf Wax Temperature Guide
Using the correct type of wax is important when it comes to temperature. To help you shop for the best
It displays the different types of wax and corresponding temperatures. I also recommend the wax brand to
| type of wax | F | C | recommended wax |
| Cold surf wax | < 60 | < 15.5 | Double Barrel Cold |
| Cool surf wax | 60 – 70 | 15.5 – 21 | Sticky Bumps Cool/Cold |
| Warm surf wax | 65 – 75 | 18.3 – 23.8 | Double Barrel Warm |
| Tropical surf wax | 75 + | 23.8 + | Sticky Bumps Original Tropical |
| Basecoat | all | all | Double Barrel Basecoat |
Choosing the correct wax that matches your climate can make all the difference. Buying the wax best suited to the temperature of the water that you body surf in will help to maintain your overall grip and control.
Remember: Ocean temperatures tend to fluctuate throughout the year, this means you may more than one type of wax.
Therefore make sure to use the table above as a guide to finding the best
*Is there a surf wax that works in any temperature? There is a specific type of surf wax that works great in all climates. It is the basecoat surf wax. It is actually excellent for warmer temperatures because it is very hard. Using basecoat wax helps to improve the overall stickiness of your board.
Other surf wax features to look for
Aside from the temperature of the water, there are a few other features to look for when searching for the best wax. I have listed a quick checklist below for you to review.
Stickiness – Some
Ingredients: Typical surf wax contains beeswax as the main ingredient. There may be other natural or unnatural products in the mixture. A common toxic chemical found in surf wax is paraffin. You can get eco-friendly surf wax if that is your preference.
Size: The amount of wax you receive will impact its total lifespan. Usually, wax is packaged in small, breakable bars. However, some brands may give you more wax per dollar, which will enable you to use it for a longer period of time.
Price: Surf wax is fairly cheap. You are not going to break the bank purchasing wax. You do want to be mindful of the bundled prices so you can get a better deal.
After trying lots of different surf wax, research, and price shopping, I think I finally found the best on the market. Here is my favorite handboard wax for cold and warm waters.
Best handboard wax for cold water
What is the best handboard surf wax for cold water? Sticky Bumps Cool/Cold Water Surfboard Wax will keep you stuck to your board in the coldest of waters. This is one of the most popular brands manufacturing surf wax today.
It conveniently comes in a 5 pack so it will last you a long time. At such an affordable price, this wax is a great investment for keeping your handboard sticky all year.
The wax formula is non-toxic to help keep our environment clean. It is very durable and designed for water temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The chillier the weather the better. If this is the first time waxing your board, make sure to use this. It will become your favorite wax to use.
Best handboard wax for warm water
What is the best handboard surf wax for warm water? Go with the Double Barrel Surf Wax for warm water. It is designed for water temperatures that range between 64 – 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
This wax hails from Santa Barbara, CA and has taken the surfing world by storm. This wax provides excellent traction and works even better with a base coat.
This high-performance wax is definitely a great option for your handboard. It is very sticky and will provide optimal grip during gnarly bodysurfing conditions.
It smells like coconut, which I thoroughly enjoy. It reminds me of sipping on a pina colada. Furthermore, this wax will last a long time. You will not have to reapply often, which will save you money in the long run. Plus, the customer service is amazing.
Best eco-friendly surf wax
Who doesn’t want to help keep the environment clean? The best eco-friendly handboard wax on the market is Matunas organic wax. This company recycles remaining materials from local farms. No chemicals are utilized in their wax formula.
A harmful bi-product of manufacturing wax is paraffin. This flammable, dangerous substance can jeopardize aquatic life. By using an organic product like beeswax and soy will help protect underwater ecosystems.
If you want to help keep our planet healthy, use biodegradable products like Matunas surf wax. This will significantly protect the health of our ocean environment.
Best Surf Wax Brands
There are so many choices when it comes to surf wax. If you want to find the best wax for your handboard, you should have knowledge of the top brands in the industry. Here are a few of the most popular brands that have become some favorites to surfers across the world.
Sticky Bumps
Sticky Bumps is a surf wax made by surfers. It is by far the most popular brand of surfboard wax across the world. This is the first surf wax I used and still use today.
Their wax is super sticky and easy to apply. It will help glues your hand to your board. I know my grip will never fail when I use this wax.
This company has been around for over 20 years. The compound used in their formula helps to form tiny bumps on your board for optimal traction. The wax is very comfortable to the touch.
Their eco-friendly formula is another benefit to using this wax. There is zero waste produced during manufacturing, which helps to protect the environment.
The wax is 100% biodegradable so you do not have to worry about losing it in the water. It will simply disintegrate leaving all aquatic life unharmed.
The company offers a few different lines of wax that you can choose from. Since I live in a warm climate, I use their tropical surf wax on my handboard and surfboard.
Double Barrel Surf Wax
Double Barrel consistently receives raving reviews from all surfers. This brand of wax provides amazing grip. If you want a cheap wax that will never let you down, make it a Double Barrel!
This surf wax lasts really, really long and provides excellent traction. It also smells like fresh coconuts!
There are many product lines to choose from. No matter what climate you live in, there is a Double Barrel wax for you.
Mr. Zog’s Sex Wax
It’s hard not to notice this wax with a name like this. If the name doesn’t grab your attention, the quality of this wax will. You will experience some amazing traction when you put Mr. Zog’s Sex Wax on your handboard.
You can choose from a variety of different fragrances to make your handboard smell absolutely delightful. There are a few different lines to choose from. This wax produces some excellent bumps for increased friction.
Mr. Zog’s is easy to apply to your handboard. It goes on very smooth and can work as both a base coat or top wax. This is a very durable wax so you will not be finding yourself reapplying often.
You really can’t go wrong with this world-famous wax. Many professional surfers are sponsored by Mr. Zogs Sex Wax so you know it is a reliable brand.
Mrs. Palmers Surf Wax
The last brand of surf wax I want to share with you is Mrs. Palmers. This is a best-seller in Australia.
Surfing and handboarding are very popular in Australia. You will find that Mrs. Palmers is the choice of wax that all surfers alike choose there. This is by far one of the best surf wax to use in a tropical climate.
What makes this wax so great? Mrs. Palmers surf wax provides excellent traction so your hand will never slip. It will last a long time so you don’t have to worry about reapplying during your surf session.
What else you need
In addition to wax, you may need a scraper and surf wax comb. In order to fully remove the wax, a scraper is needed. To apply the wax more efficiently, you will need a comb. You can have the best of both worlds when you get the SBS surf wax comb & scraper. This 3-in-1 product also includes a bottle opener in case you get a little thirsty!
I know you may think this accessory is unnecessary but trust me, it helps, especially if you are lazy. This little tool will allow you to easily scrape the wax from your board quickly. The comb will also enable you to spread the wax across your board evenly and effortlessly for ultimate traction.