Waxing on the snow

[kalteis]

I don't know either - please take it with a grain of salt. I did drink it, I live to tell the story, however I'm not saying that is actual evidence of anything just an anecdote.

Swiss Toni, I can get you in touch with our chemist if you want to talk or ask about the details of the test?

 

[Tom K.]

I got some of this -- seems like we've got a couple threads going on this product? -- but, being a bit of a cheapskate, I'm waiting for the "A" skis to come out before trying it. Have not used on my rock skis.

If the weather forecast is worth anything, the A skis will be out by the middle of the week, and I'll report back.

 

[cantunamunch]

I got some of this -- seems like we've got a couple threads going on this product? -- but, being a bit of a cheapskate, I'm waiting for the "A" skis to come out before trying it. Have not used on my rock skis.

If the weather forecast is worth anything, the A skis will be out by the middle of the week, and I'll report back.

Stuff the 'A' skis. Give us the XC report.

 

[Tom K.]

Stuff the 'A' skis. Give us the XC report.

N = 1 so take it with a grain of salt, but not that great. Felt a bit slow at classic xc speeds. Could just as easily have been the snow.

Have not tried skating.

 

[kalteis]

N = 1 so take it with a grain of salt, but not that great. Felt a bit slow at classic xc speeds. Could just as easily have been the snow.

Have not tried skating.

Thanks for your feedback, may I ask, which product did you use?

 

[Sibhusky]

Thanks for your feedback, may I ask, which product did you use?

Maybe I misread what he said, but I thought he'd bought it for his "A" (alpine?) skis, so he hasn't used it yet.

 

[Tom K.]

Thanks for your feedback, may I ask, which product did you use?

Gigaglide Pro.

 

[Teumie]

so anyone skied with Gigaglide yet?
I'm only leaving for Geneva in 18 days

 

[Lilledonmarco]

so anyone skied with Gigaglide yet?
I'm only leaving for Geneva in 18 days

Ok, I have tested it. 1 full day at my local (Oslo hill). I used the "race" variant. I applied it on Friday, and had them at room temp for 16 hours. Skiied them on Saturday.

My skis are always well waxed (usually after 2-3 days of them seeing snow), so the bases are built up nicely.

I noticed that they felt a little "sticky" at first. It could have been the man-made snow, or colder temps (-10c). Not sure. but, after the first run, they were great. Felt the same as a regular wax. Obviously I will be testing them more and seeing how long it actualy lasts - I am thinking another few days.

*MY* initial thought is that it is a great product for people who are looking for a fast, idiot-proof way of "waxing". As we are on a sub-forum that specialises in ski prep, as in true ski nerds, I personally do not think that it will replace traditional waxing but it is a great product - especially for the general public who think that waxing is time-consuming, etc.

I will also be using it as a top-up on longer ski trips where I do not have access to a wax room.

All in all, a very nice product, and I happily endorse it.

 

[Swiss Toni]

Swiss Toni, I can get you in touch with our chemist if you want to talk or ask about the details of the test?

Thanks for your offer, Kalteis, but I don’t think there is much point. As I see it the problem concerns the test procedure and not the chemistry. The test report was written by Michael Hasler, who is responsible for coordination at the Snow, Ski and Alpine Sports Research Center.

A research group from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology recently tested the glide performance of Polydimethylsiloxane oil vs hydrocarbon ski wax using the ski-snow linear tribometer at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. You might find it helpful to compare the procedure they used in their tests https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.894250/full with the procedure used in the Gigaglide tests.

You could also take a look at the Swix test protocol for testing of glide products https://swixracing.us/nordic/pdf/swix-test-protocol-for-testing-of-glide-products.pdf

 

[Teumie]

Ok, I have tested it. 1 full day at my local (Oslo hill). I used the "race" variant. I applied it on Friday, and had them at room temp for 16 hours. Skiied them on Saturday.

My skis are always well waxed (usually after 2-3 days of them seeing snow), so the bases are built up nicely.

I noticed that they felt a little "sticky" at first. It could have been the man-made snow, or colder temps (-10c). Not sure. but, after the first run, they were great. Felt the same as a regular wax. Obviously I will be testing them more and seeing how long it actualy lasts - I am thinking another few days.

*MY* initial thought is that it is a great product for people who are looking for a fast, idiot-proof way of "waxing". As we are on a sub-forum that specialises in ski prep, as in true ski nerds, I personally do not think that it will replace traditional waxing but it is a great product - especially for the general public who think that waxing is time-consuming, etc.

I will also be using it as a top-up on longer ski trips where I do not have access to a wax room.

All in all, a very nice product, and I happily endorse it.

thanks for the update.

I for one am one of those that are looking for an easy / foolproof way to get the benefits of waxing.
I realise most people here seem sort of hardcore but for me the reason why I got it is convenience.

If I can have 80% of the benefits for 20% of the effort I am all game.

Probably will have my skis serviced every year by a professional but applying this gigaglide seems like something even I can manage I don't have any waxing gear yet so avoiding that hassle (and cost) is worth a lot for me.

Keen to hear your impression after 5-7 days of skiing.
They claim it will last a whole week of skiing, which would be perfect but maybe too good to be true

 

[cantunamunch]

I will also be using it as a top-up on longer ski trips where I do not have access to a wax room.

What is your usual wax combo at -10c/14F and manmade?

Most of the Eastern US is going to be this cold or colder (and almost 100% manmade) from this weekend on.

Also interested if anyone tries it as an underlayer for a wax of the day, particularly on warming days that go from -7C/20F to 1C/34F.

We used to do underlayers with Zardoz (google Felix process) and Swix and Toko on top, those worked well for very changeable days and for days with lots of altitude change during the day.

Very keen to hear from users on sun-warmed snow at -3C to 2C, the sort that sticks to skis when one stops and stands for a moment.

 

[Lilledonmarco]

@

thanks for the update.

I for one am one of those that are looking for an easy / foolproof way to get the benefits of waxing.
I realise most people here seem sort of hardcore but for me the reason why I got it is convenience.

If I can have 80% of the benefits for 20% of the effort I am all game.

Probably will have my skis serviced every year by a professional but applying this gigaglide seems like something even I can manage I don't have any waxing gear yet so avoiding that hassle (and cost) is worth a lot for me.

Keen to hear your impression after 5-7 days of skiing.
They claim it will last a whole week of skiing, which would be perfect but maybe too good to be true

basically, its so simple to apply...If you can put on deodorant, you are skilled enough to use Gigaglide

 

[Lilledonmarco]

What is your usual wax combo at -10c/14F and manmade?

Most of the Eastern US is going to be this cold or colder (and almost 100% manmade) from this weekend on.

Also interested if anyone tries it as an underlayer for a wax of the day, particularly on warming days that go from -7C/20F to 1C/34F.

We used to do underlayers with Zardoz (google Felix process) and Swix and Toko on top, those worked well for very changeable days and for days with lots of altitude change during the day.

Very keen to hear from users on sun-warmed snow at -3C to 2C, the sort that sticks to skis when one stops and stands for a moment.

my usual combo for -10c is Swix CH6. I don't do overlays. As its warmer this weekend, I will report back on those ranges you mentioned.

 

[cantunamunch]

Okay, excellent.

We know CH6 very well and will be using that or CH5 as baseline for most stuff next week.

FWIW, an underlay would be when one starts with a freshly Gigaglide ski and puts CH6 on top of that.

 

[Lilledonmarco]

Okay, excellent.

We know CH6 very well and will be using that or CH5 as baseline for most stuff next week.

FWIW, an underlay would be when one starts with a freshly Gigaglide ski and puts CH6 on top of that.

Interesting. Goes against what gigaglide recommends, but I’ll give it a try. Would CH4 be too hard a wax?

 

[cantunamunch]

Interesting. Goes against what gigaglide recommends, but I’ll give it a try. Would CH4 be too hard a wax?

Probably. My best success with that process has been in CH6 changing into LF7-LF8 conditions.

 

[Teumie]

@

basically, its so simple to apply...If you can put on deodorant, you are skilled enough to use Gigaglide

so after you apply it, do you use a cloth to wipe any excess off?
or you do that the day after?
or you don't at all and just ski it away?

think I'll ski 1 day without, apply in the evening and see if I notice a difference the day after
will probably brush the base before applying it, figure it cant hurt

 

[Lilledonmarco]

so after you apply it, do you use a cloth to wipe any excess off?
or you do that the day after?
or you don't at all and just ski it away?

think I'll ski 1 day without, apply in the evening and see if I notice a difference the day after
will probably brush the base before applying it, figure it cant hurt

I just applied it, and left it like that. Dunno if I should wipe the excess away the next day after its dried.

 

[Yo Momma]

You guys peaked my interest but I can't find a reliable non-sketchy US source for Gigaglide.... they are also sketchy about what's in it. "Secret" ???... NOPE... That doesn't fly nowadays.


sticking w/ my Zardoz pucks for now as it's easy to find, cheap just about anywhere and they work great... but willing to try GG if I could easily order it and knew what I was using and putting out in the environment.