Basics
What You Really Need in Your Backcountry First Aid Kit
You Don’t Need a Fancy Washing Machine to Clean Your Down Garments
Our Gear Editor Loves His Crag Wagon Climbing Pack. Here’s Why.
You’ve Skied and Now You Want to Party. Here’s How to Achieve the Perfect Après.
Finding a Multi-Purpose Bike That Fits Your Needs
Do This Before Your First Ski Tour of the Season
Cold Legs? You Need Puffy Pants.
Nordic Skiing Is the Best Beginner-Friendly Winter Sport
The Essential Camping Gear That Lives in My Car
The Gear That Makes #Dadlife Happen
Save Money and Wax Your Skis at Home
Our Senior Gear Editor Explains How She Stays Warm in Winter
Our Editor’s Shoulder-Season Running Kit
Watch and Learn How to Clean Your Yoga Mat
Trying a “Self Healing” Jacket
When to Retire Your Climbing Gear
Essential Sewing Stitches to Fix Your Gear
How to Care for Your Cast-Iron Pan
Watch How to Re-Waterproof Your Tent
How to Replace Your Tent Pole Cord
Save Money and Wax Your Skis at Home
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
It’s no secret that waxing your skis consistently is one of the best ways to ensure they stay in top condition and last as long as possible. However, getting them professionally waxed every week will cost you quite a bit of money. I was privileged enough to have parents who launched me into the ski racing world, although they understandably didn’t want to spend on getting my and my siblings’ skis professionally waxed for every race. So we picked up a few tips from our friends at the local tuning shop, invested in the right equipment, and learned how to wax our skis at home. These are some of my favorite tips I’ve kept with me—including which gear to skimp on and what’s worth the money.
Outside associate gear editor Kelly Klein recommends:
MountainFlow Eco-Wax Black Diamond wax kit ($250)
Happy Norwegian tuning stand ($120)
Waxing iron ($50)
Base prep ($16)
Performance wax: cold, cool, and warm ($65)
Brass wax brush ($24)
Wax scraper ($8)
