Environmentally friendly, plant-derived 100% wax
For the 2020-21 season, mountainFLOW, an environmentally friendly wax brand made from 100% plant-derived ingredients and biodegradable materials, was born in Carbondale, Colorado, USA, and has arrived in Japan, with imports and sales already starting this fall
Its roots lie in the backcountry
MountainFLOW's first product was a water-based spray wax that prevents snow from sticking to skis during backcountry skiing. In the backcountry, snow sticking to skis during hikes increases the weight of the skis, putting extra strain on the skis and draining energy. This product gained widespread support due to its advantage of preventing snow from sticking to the skis.
After two years of development and testing over 200 prototype products, a petroleum-free, 100% plant-based wax was released in 2018. It offers the same high glide performance and durability as conventional petroleum-based waxes.
Our mission is to create a high-performance wax that not only makes the board glide smoothly, but is
also kind to the mountains, the natural environment, and people.
Conventional waxes use petroleum-derived ingredients and fluorine compounds, which are said to be non-biodegradable. These fluorine compounds dissolve in the snow as skiers ski, and in the spring they find their way into the ground as meltwater, sometimes flowing into wells and rivers. This is obviously not good for the natural environment. It has also been reported that inhaling fluorine compounds that become airborne during waxing can have adverse effects on the human body. Fluorine, in particular, is banned in International Ski Federation races.
Considering the impact on the environment and human health, moountainFLOW has decided to create a 100% plant-derived wax. moountainFLOW's mission is to "provide skiers and riders with high-performance waxes with excellent glide performance, while also creating something that is good for the mountains and the natural environment."
Eco-friendly items from manufacturing to delivery
The importer, STATICBLOOM Co., Ltd., has a similar idea and is also putting effort into shipping their products. They use recycled materials for product packaging and cardboard boxes when shipping, and do not use plastic cushioning. They say they are making eco-friendly choices by not using disposable materials. A staff member commented as follows:
"People in the outdoor industry often go out into nature, and I'm sure many of them are sensitive to environmental issues. We are trying to convey the joy of playing in nature, so we remind ourselves that we can't just sell products and leave it at that. I think we need to take action to protect nature, allow people to play in it for as long as possible, and ensure a sustainable Earth."
moutainFLOW eco-wax
Price: 3,250 yen (tax included)
Size: 130g
All temperature: -13° to -1°C
Cold: -21° to -9°C
Cool1: -12° to -4°C
Warm: -7° to 2°C
Related reading
