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
The first product from "mountainFLOW" was a water-based spray wax designed to prevent snow from sticking to skis during backcountry skiing. In the backcountry, snow sticking to skis during uphill hikes increases their weight, adding extra strain and tiring the skier out. This product gained widespread support due to its advantage of preventing snow from sticking to the skis.
After two years of development, during which they tested over 200 prototypes, a 100% plant-derived wax that uses no petroleum was released in 2018. Its performance is comparable to conventional petroleum-based waxes, achieving high gliding and durability.
a high-performance wax that allows skis to glide smoothly, while also being
to create
Conventional waxes use petroleum-derived ingredients and fluorine compounds, which are said to be non-biodegradable. When skiing, fluorine compounds dissolve into the snow, enter the ground as snowmelt in the spring, sometimes flow into well water, and end up in rivers. Naturally, this is not good for the natural environment. In addition, there have been reports of adverse effects on human health from inhaling fluorine compounds that float in the air during waxing. Fluorine, in particular, is banned from use in races by the International Ski Federation.
As a result of considering the impact on nature and human health, mountainFLOW has created a wax that is 100% plant-derived. mountainFLOW's mission is "to provide many skiers and riders with a high-performance wax that offers excellent glide, 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
List price: 3,250 yen (tax included)
Size: 130g
All temperature: -13° to -1℃
Cold: -21° to -9℃
Cool1: -12° to -4℃
Warm: -7° to 2℃
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