7 Best Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kits
- November 16, 2020
For the ski fanatics or DIY lovers out there, waxing and tuning your skis is a great way to have control over your own gear and keep things in tip top shape. The best ski and snowboard tuning and waxing kits should have all you possibly need to get started maintaining your gear at home.
Not only will you save some money along the way, but it is also a surprisingly calming and soothing activity! For additional info, check out our other articles on how to wax your skis and how to sharpen your edges.
Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kits: Product Overview
#1. Demon Hyper Speed: Best Home Ski Tuning and Waxing Kit for Beginners — View on Amazon — Read Our Review
#2. RaceWax Complete Ski and Snowboard Wax Tuning Kit — View on Amazon — Read Our Review
#3. Demon Charger: Best All-In-One Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kit — View on Amazon — Read Our Review
#4. XCMAN Complete: Best Value Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kit — View on Amazon — Read Our Review
#5. Swix North: Best Budget Ski and Snowboard Tuning Kit — View on Amazon — Read Our Review
#6. Dakine Super Tune: Best Value Ski and Snowboard Tuning Kit — View on Amazon — Read Our Review
#7. Demon United Snow Ready Ski and Snowboard Tuning Kit — View on Amazon — Read Our Review
- 2 varying temp-specific waxes
- Edge tuner, file, 2 tuning stones
- Brass, nylon, horsehair brushes + wax scraper
- 1 cold temperature wax
- Edge tuner and file with guide
- Brass, nylon, horsehair brushes + wax scraper
- 3 universal blend waxes
- Edge tuner, file, tuning stone
- Brass, nylon, shavings brushes + wax scraper
- 1 universal wax
- Edge tuner, file, and tuning stone
- Brass/nylon combo brush + wax scraper
| Kit | Wax Tools | Tune Tools | Brushes | Iron | Vices | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demon Hyper Speed Kit | 1 All-Temp | Edge tuner + file + tuning stone | Brass + Nylon + Horse Hair | Yes | No | $$$ |
| RaceWax Complete Kit | 1 Cold Temp + 1 Warm Temp | File guide + File + Medium Grit Diamond Stone + Gummi Stone | Brass + Nylon + Horse Hair | Yes | No | $$$ |
| Demon Charger Kit w/Vices | 1 Large All-Temp + 4 Various Temp | Edge Tuner + 3 Varying Grit Diamond Stones + Gummi Stone + Tuning Stone | Brass + Nylon + Horse Hair + Cork/Felt + Buffing Pads | Yes | Yes | $$$$ |
| XCMAN Complete Kit | 3 Various Temp | Edge Tool + File | Brass + Nylon + Horsehair | Yes | No | $$$ |
| One Ball Jay Basic Kit | 1 All-Temp | Edge Tool + File | None | No | No | $ |
| Dakine Super Tune Kit | 1 All-Temp | Edge Tool + File | None | Yes | No | $$$ |
| Demon United Snow Ready Kit | 1 All-Temp | Edge Tool + File + Tuning Stone | Nylon | Yes | No | $$ |
Best Ski Tuning and Waxing Kit Reviews
At a Glance
- Waxes: (1) Cold temperature and (1) warm temperature wax
- Tuning Tools: Edge guide/tuner, metal file, gummy stone, and fine grit diamond stone
- Brushes: (3) Brass, nylon, and horsehair
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Has professional-level tools for tuning and waxing
- Convenient carry case for organization
- Includes adjustable temp waxing iron
The Details
The RaceWax Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kit comes complete with two pounds of warm and cold temperature wax, iron, multiple brushes, a wax scraper, two tuning stones, and a whole lot more. In fact, in this kit you’ll find more than a dozen tools that help keep your ski or snowboard in excellent condition.
The edge tuner offers nine different angles angles, and the varying brushes are there to renew the base structure and provide a nice polish. In short, the RaceWax Elite kit comes with all of the tools you’ll need to easily wax and tune your skis or snowboard.
In addition, an adjustable temperature waxing iron with a double-thick baseplate dimpled and grooved for excellent wax distribution is included. Considering the number of ski care items you get, this kit provides excellent value for any skier or boarder wanting to take care of their, especially those first learning.
- 3 varying temps + 1 universal wax
- Edge tuner, file, and tuning stone
- Brass, nylon, horsehair brushes + wax scraper
At a Glance
- Waxing Tools: (1) All-temperature, universal wax block
- Tuning Tools: Edge guide/tuner, basic file, and tuning stone
- Brushes: (3) Brass, nylon, and horsehair
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Has professional-level tools for tuning and waxing
- Convenient carry case for organization
- Includes adjustable temp waxing iron
The Demon Hyper Speed ski tuning kit comes complete with one pound of wax, iron, nylon and brass brushes, a metal scraper, a polish pad, and a whole lot more. In fact, in this kit you’ll find more than a dozen tools that help keep your ski or snowboard in excellent condition.
The edge tuner offers 88- and 90-degree side angles, and the 10 mm brass brush is there to renew the base structure and open pores while you’re prepping before you wax. In short, the Hyper Speed kit comes with all of the tools you’ll need to keep your skis or snowboard in excellent condition.
In addition, an adjustable temp waxing iron is included. Considering the number of ski care items you get, this kit provides excellent value for skiers first learning to care for their skis at home, as well as those who are already familiar with caring for their gear.
At a Glance
- Waxing Tools: (3) Varying temperature specific waxes
- Tuning Tools: Edge tuner and basic file
- Brushes: (3) Brass, nylon, and horsehair
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Simple kit with all of the essentials
- Provides three different brushes
- Includes varying temp-specific waxes
The Details
The XCMAN is a comprehensive kit that includes an edge tuner, wax scraper, brush, P-Tex, waxing iron, and of course, the wax itself. The side angle is precise and goes from 86 to 89 degrees. In addition, the large tool bag holds all of these items (and more) until you decide you need them.
There is a total of three brushes – horsehair, nylon, and brass – and it even comes with three types of wax to accommodate three different temperature ranges. A small, but important element missing in this kit for skiers is strong rubber bands to hold your ski brakes up while waxing and tuning.
Additionally, for casual or beginner riders, it’s better to have a universal, all temperature wax, rather than having a temperature specific wax. This helps simplify the process a little bit. Unless you live in a colder weather climate, you may need to purchase an additional bar off all-temperature wax to complement the cold weather wax included with this kit.
At a Glance
- Waxes: (1) Universal wax and (4) varying temperature specific waxes
- Tuning Tools: Edge tuner, flat file, tuning stone
- Brushes: (4) Brass, nylon, horsehair, and cork/felt + buffing pads
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Most variety of waxes and brushes
- Includes base cleaner and apron
- Dual voltage, adjustable temperature waxing iron
The Demon Charger Complete Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kit gives you all the necessities to take care of your gear in any conditions. Packed with a wide of tools, this kit provides enough supplies for a full season for most skiers and riders. A durable carry case, in addition to an apron, are also part of the kit.
Use the edge tuner, which as 88/90 degree side edge angles, and metal file for sharpening and the brass brush to open up the pores of your base before waxing. The waxing iron is easy to use to apply one of the many waxes included, and you can finish the job by polishing your gear with the buffing pads. All in all, this is a great kit with the essential tools needed for ski and snowboard maintenance.
At a Glance
- Waxes: (3) universal blend waxes
- Tuning Tools: Edge tuner with shavings brush, flat file, tuning stone, and two ski brake retainers
- Brushes: (2) Brass file brush and nylon hand held base brush
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Included
Favorite Features
- Sturdy, two-piece vise
- Dual voltage iron, with waxing apron and base cleaner included
- Every possible item you could need to perfectly maintain your skis is included in an organized carry bag
The Details
If you REALLY want to dive into caring for your skis or snowboard, then the Demon Podium Ski and Snowboard Tuning Kit is by far the best all-in-one tuning and waxing kit. The primary item that most other kits don’t include is the vises. While you can get away with simply putting your skis on some 2x4s or some saw horses, dedicated vises make the process much simpler and easier.
In addition to all the tools necessary for any kind of ski or board maintenance, the kit comes with an edge tuner for 88/90 degree side edge angles, a tuning stone, and a shavings brush for perfect edge repair. Furthermore, two brushes of varying stiffness and a polishing pad help you get a professionally smoothed base.
Three blocks of universal wax are provided, in addition to a metal ski wax scraper, two ski brake retainers, and base cleaner. This complete kit rounds out by even providing you an organized carrying bag and a waxing apron. The Demon Podium is a true skier’s or snowboarder’s at-home DIY maintenance kit.
At a Glance
- Waxes: (1) Cold temperature and (1) warm temperature wax
- Tuning Tools: Base-side bevel file guide multi-tool, medium grit diamond stone, gummy stone, and two-sided metal file
- Brushes: (3) Brass, nylon, horsehair, and cork
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Included
Favorite Features
- Includes sturdy vises
- Elite edge tuner is highly adjustable
- Every possible item you could need to perfectly maintain your skis is included in an organized carry bag
If you REALLY want to dive into caring for your skis or snowboard, then the RaceWax Complete is by far the best all-in-one tuning and waxing kit. The primary item that most other kits don’t include is the vises. While you can get away with simply putting your skis on some 2x4s or some saw horses, dedicated vises make the process much simpler and easier.
In addition to all the tools necessary for any kind of ski or board maintenance, the kit comes with two tuning stones for perfect edge repair, deburring, and polishing. Furthermore, three brushes of varying stiffness help you get a professionally smoothed base.
Two blocks of wax are provided for different temperatures, in addition to a ski wax scraper and snowboard wax scraper. This complete kit rounds out by even providing you an organized carrying bag, with a separate storage case for your brushes. A true skier’s or snowboarder’s at-home DIY maintenance kit.
At a Glance
- Waxing Tools: (1) All-temp, universal wax
- Tuning Tools: Basic edge tool, file, and tuning stone
- Brushes: (1) Brass/nylon combo brush
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Waxing iron delivers constant and even heat across the dimpled base plate
- Includes a file, tuning stone, brush, and wax scraper
- Reasonable price without missing any essentials
The Details
For a reasonable price, the WSD Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kit has everything you need to maintain your skis or snowboard. You get one block of all temperature wax, an iron, a cleaning pad, a basic edge tuner and tuning stone, and a plastic scraper.
The edge sharpening tool and diamond polishing tool are for side use only (88 and 90 degrees). The kit comes in a convenient case with a useful inner mesh pocket to hold your tools. Since this kit focuses solely on the essentials, it’s great for travel. The iron is also dual voltage so it can easily be used on international trips.
At a Glance
- Waxes: (1) Cold temperature and (1) warm temperature wax
- Tuning Tools: Edge tuner, basic file, medium grit diamond stone, and gummy stone
- Brushes: (3) Brass, nylon, and horsehair
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Edge tool that adjusts to many different angles
- High quality, temp-specific Swix race wax
- Includes a diamond and gummy stone
The Details
The RaceWax tuning kit for skis and snowboards comes with everything you’ll need for successfully taking care of your skis and snowboards. This includes a temperature-adjustable 1,000-watt wax iron, an edge tool to accommodate every angle, 70 mm diamond stone, and a two-sided metal-cutting file, just to name a few.
It also comes with a large carrying bag to make storing your tools a lot easier, and the bag contains zippered pockets and compartments in case you want to store more than just your tools there. You get a total of three different brushes to accommodate the job, as well as enough tools to take care of your skis for a long time.
RaceWax also offers a tuning kit that includes vises at a bit of a higher price point, but is worth a look if you want dedicated vises to hold your skis or snowboard while tuning. Overall, this is a high quality kit that provides anything you would need to take care of your gear on your own.
At a Glance
- Waxing Tools: (1) All-temp, universal wax
- Tuning Tools: Edge sharpening tool, file, and diamond side edge polishing tool
- Brushes: (1) Brass/nylon combo brush
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Great for beginners
- Comes in a large case for storing the tools and iron
- Includes all-temp universal wax
For a reasonable price, the Swix North Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kit has everything you need to maintain your skis. You get one block of all temperature wax, an iron, some P-Tex sticks for base repair, a basic edge tuner and diamond stone, and a plastic scraper.
The edge sharpening tool and diamond polishing tool are for side use only (88 and 87 degrees). The kit comes in a deluxe case with a useful inner mesh pocket to hold your tools. Some extras include a pocket ratchet driver with four bits and two 8 and 10-mm wrenches.
At a Glance
- Waxing Tools: (1) All-temp, universal wax
- Tuning Tools: Basic edge tuner and file
- Brushes: Wire-file cleaning brush
- Waxing Iron: Not Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Professional-level tuning tools
- Large wax scraper is perfect for getting leverage
- Includes high quality waxing iron
The Details
The Dakine Deluxe Tuning Kit is simple toolkit that provides the minimum tools needed to maintain your skis or board. The kit includes an edge tuner, 10-inch file, metal scraper, scuff pads, all-temperature wax octane bar, wire file-cleaning brush, and pocket stone, among others. Dakine is known for quality products, and this kit is no exception.
At the price point, there aren’t quite as many tools as compared to other kits, like a wider variety of brushes, but it has most of the essentials. The biggest item missing is the waxing iron, which you can purchase separately if needed. The items that are included are top notch and are conveniently organized in a compact carrying case, which is great for travel.
At a Glance
- Waxing Tools: (1) All-temp, universal wax
- Tuning Tools: Basic edge tuner and file
- Brushes: Wire-file cleaning brush
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Professional-level tuning tools
- Large wax scraper is perfect for getting leverage
- Includes high quality waxing iron
The Dakine Super Tune ski tuning kit is a professional-looking tuning kit that even comes with a large multi-pocket case that stores all of the tools away neatly when they aren’t in use. The tools include an edge tuner, 10-inch file, metal scraper, scuff pads, all-temperature wax octane bar, wire file-cleaning brush, and pocket stone, among others. Dakine is known for quality products, and this kit is no exception.
At the price point, there aren’t quite as many tools as compared to other kits, like a wider variety of brushes, but it has all of the essentials. The items included are top notch, and the overall kit has everything you need to get started with tuning at home.
At a Glance
- Waxing Tools: (1) All-temp, universal wax
- Tuning Tools: Basic edge tool, file, and tuning stone
- Brushes: (1) Nylon
- Waxing Iron: Included
- Vises: Not included
Favorite Features
- Includes over 1 lb. of wax
- Waxing iron temp is easily adjustable
- Affordable option with both essential and nice-to-have tools
The Details
This ski tuning kit lasts up to 20 ski or snowboard tune-ups. It consists of a little more than one pound of wax, as well as materials and tuning equipment that include P-Tex, a wire file brush, nylon waxing brush, edge tuner, metal scraper, flat file, and more.
The iron accommodates both skis and snowboards and has an easy-turn dial temp gauge that can be switched from 110 to 220 quickly and easily. This kit is slightly more affordable than some of the others that include an iron, which makes it a fantastic complete kit for tuning and waxing on a budget.
The files and tuning stone are enough to get sharp edges and keep them maintained throughout the season. Meanwhile, the large block of all-temp wax gives you plenty to work with and should last awhile. The polish pad and nylon brush are really nice extras to help you get that extra smooth base and go a long way. Overall, this set is one of the best tuning and waxing kits for the money.
More Ski and Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kits
Considerations for Ski Tuning and Waxing Kits: Buying Guide
Your primary consideration when looking for tuning and waxing kits for your skis or snowboard is simply understanding what items you want. Are you planning on doing all the waxing and sharpening at home yourself? Or are you just looking for enough to do quick touch ups and having a ski shop do a more thorough job once a season? You need to decide how involved you want to be in the process since the primary difference to pay attention to is what tools are included in each kit.
Why is Tuning Necessary for Skis and Snowboards?
Simply put, tuning and waxing your skis or board keeps them in optimal condition and provides you the best performance on the snow. Unwaxed skis will be slower and can feel “sticky” in the snow, while un-sharp skis or edges with irregular burrs can affect grip and turning performance.
Whether you are going the DIY route or going to a ski shop, you will need to wax and sharpen your skis every so often to maintain them. Of course, purchasing your own tuning and waxing kit and learning to do these tasks yourself can save you money and time.
Wax for Your Skis or Snowboard
Wax is applied to the bottom of your ski or snowboard using a wax iron. You then scrape the excess off to achieve a smooth base.
Why wax? Wax makes your skis hydrophobic, which means they repel water. Because of this inverse relationship with water (i.e. – snow), the snow doesn’t stick to your skis or snowboard and allows it to easily glide over.
Why Temperature Differences Matter in Wax
You’ll notice in stores and in waxing kits that ski wax either comes as universal (“all temperature”) or temperature specific. Obviously as the name implies, the universal wax is designed to work in any snow conditions throughout the year and is often all most recreational skiers and snowboarders need.
However, temperature specific wax provides even better performance within the specified temperature ranges. The downside of this more tailored wax is the additional maintenance it requires. As large shifts in weather patterns occur throughout the season, you have to reapply the appropriate temperature wax.
Why Brushes are Important
After waxing and scraping your ski or snowboard bases, brushing them off is an important step many people skip at home. However, this can further enhance your speed and performance on the snow. Brushes vary by how stiff the bristles are. Brass is the stiffest, then nylon, and horsehair brushes are the softest.
Having a set of different brushes going from stiffest to softest does the best job, but using even just one of these brushes can be beneficial. The idea is for the brush bristles to remove the finer bits of wax from the ski bases to get the absolute smoothest base possible.
Sharpening and Beveling Tools
Most ski tuning kits come with file guide tools with several files. Your basic metal file that fits into the file guide is what you will need to sharpen edges. On the other hand, diamond stones come in a variety of grits ranging from course to fine. Course grits are more useful specifically for repairing damaged sections, while medium grits can be used for more common maintenance.
Gummy stones are nice little tools used for polishing and detuning ski edges, or even removing small burrs occasionally. These are convenient enough to carry in your ski pack and use fairly frequently for very light ongoing maintenance.
Base Repair Materials
Most ski tuning kits will come with sticks of P-Tex. This is a polyethylene substance that you melt into any holes or gauges in your ski or snowboard bases. When the substance cools, it effectively fills in the damage to prevent further damage or from moisture getting in and ruining the core materials. Significant damage will likely need to be taken to a shop, but minor damage can easily be repaired at home with nothing more than P-Tex and a lighter.
How to Tune and Wax Your Skis
Shop Related Products
Ski Waxing and Tuning FAQs
What is Fluorocarbon wax?
You may see some waxes marketed as Fluorocarbon wax. Technically, all waxes are either Hydrocarbon, Low-Fluorocarbon, or High-Fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbons increase glide and tend to be used in more competition-oriented capacities to gain speed advantages. Most recreational wax is Hydrocarbon and you will see noticeable price increases for Fluorocarbon waxes.
How much does tuning and waxing cost at ski shops?
Costs for ski and snowboard maintenance vary by ski shop, but in general a basic edge and wax will cost around $30 every time. A wax only may cost around $15. Additional work on the bases and base grinding will increase your tuning costs further. So, at-home ski tuning kits can easily save you money after even one ski season if you are a frequent skier.
How often should you sharpen your ski or snowboard edges?
Sharpening edges can easily be an ongoing maintenance item that you can frequently check for whenever you take your skis off. However, you should definitely check for burrs every 4-5 days of use and use a diamond stone to remove them to keep edges performing well.
How often should you wax your skis or snowboard?
Waxing frequency is subjective and advice varies wildly. You can’t really over-wax your skis, so whenever you feel like your skis aren’t gliding well, a quick wax is probably appropriate. Another way to check is if the bases look “foggy” or have a mild white film on them. This indicates they are ready for a fresh wax.
Can I use a normal clothes iron to wax my skis or snowboard?
Theoretically, yes a traditional iron can be used to wax skis or a snowboard. However, clothes irons can easily be set to a much hotter temperature than wax irons which can damage your bases. Also, clothes irons have holes on the face that wax can clump up in, potentially ruining the iron for its intended purpose. Wax specific irons are cleaner, safer, and more hassle-free than using a clothes iron.
Final Thoughts
If you have the bug to wax and tune your skis and board at home, it is definitely best to get the right tools. Not only is it fairly affordable (especially compared to having to pay a ski shop at least once per season), but it is actually a pretty fun hobby. Anyway, the best skiers intimately know their gear and how to care for it, so think of DIY ski wax and tunes as just another skiing skillset.
