Skiing can be quite enjoyable and help to improve your health. However, to maximize the effect in the process of practicing this sport, it is necessary to carefully care for the equipment used. In particular, skis should be maintained in optimal condition, increasing their performance. In the old days, folk lubricants were used for these purposes - for example, lard, various animal fats or beeswax. Today, such tools have been replaced by a more effective ski ointment, which protects the material from swelling and snow sticking.
During walks, the result of the use of such a lubricant will be noticeable in two characteristics - slip and grip. Depending on the chosen product, one of these qualities or two will be improved at once. However, it is not easy to choose a suitable composition these days, since a wide range of such ointments is available on the market.
Ointments paraffins for sliding
As the name implies, the main purpose of such tools is to provide high speed skis. Quality ointments can be held on the surface at distances of up to 20 km. There are some nuances of choosing a lubricant. For example, you should consider the temperature regime, as well as running conditions. Humidity can make a difference in the case of wooden ski models. If a ski slip ointment is selected for classic running, then not the entire area needs to be processed. For example, a block of about 0.5 m in length is not smeared. That is, the ointment should be applied to the back and front zones.
If skating is planned, the mixture should be distributed over the entire surface. It is important to consider that greases come in different consistencies - liquid, hard and soft formulations are available on the market. The most lasting effect allows you to get a solid ski ointment, but in the process of applying it, you must use a special iron. Means in the form of emulsions are usually applied in thin layers, after which they are allowed to dry. Such ointments retain the performance of skis for 10 km.
Ointments for Retention
In skiing, in addition to sliding, traction is also required. This characteristic is also called holding and allows athletes to jerk. Actually, for this reason, ointments of this group should be applied to the block, which is the jerking zone. In the market, ski holding ointment exists in two main versions - solid and liquid. Liquid-type formulations are commonly used for icy trails in freezing conditions. These are klysters, choosing which, it should be remembered that they can stain things and leave stains.
Solid ointments are sold in jars. Such products are applied with a large coverage of the surface, since the adhesion effect is lower. For both options, there is one main rule of choice: the optimal “working” temperature of the product in the lower limit should be 2-3 ºC higher than the outdoor thermometer.
Plastic ski grease
Lubrication in the case of plastic is inevitable, therefore, the choice of product must be approached responsibly. First of all, the armament should have an ointment to ensure the slip with which the block is processed. As a rule, these are paraffin compounds. But the holding lubrication function is no less significant. Ultimately, a ski ointment for plastic skis allows them to glide when moving forward, but at the same time gives them the possibility of recoil. Much depends on the specific tool, but in most cases, the plastic surface requires a number of lubrication operations. Even non-professionals, in addition to ointment, are recommended to at least stock up with scrapers and primer mixes. Only with their help it is possible to polish, clean and grease plastic skis with high quality.
Wooden ski grease
The era of wooden skis is long gone, but technologically advanced plastic could not completely push them out of the market. Moreover, with regard to lubrication, such models are more profitable and practical. Compared to plastic, they can be used even without a special coating. Questions regarding the choice of ointments usually come down to means of containment. To ensure sufficient traction, a ski ointment for wooden skis is applied to the central area under the shoe. In this case, this is a kind of deflection on the surface.
Processing should begin from the back of the boot and to the point that is 50 cm from it in the direction of the toe. There are also disadvantages to wooden skis, among which is the need for protection from moisture. Therefore, before using ointments, surfaces should be ground. By the way, a ski ointment for plastic skis also provides a protective function, extending their lifespan. But nevertheless, this is a secondary requirement for lubricants and often especially low-cost ointments have an adverse effect on the surface structure of skis.
Reviews about ointment "Ray"
These are funds from the Ekaterinburg company Ray, which are used throughout Russia. In general, the reviews note the decent quality of the representatives of the Luch line, but only with a discount on the budget of these funds. According to users, slip paraffins and adhesion formulations in ideal conditions show themselves no worse than expensive foreign analogues. Basically the ski ointment "Ray" is used for training. This is due to the fact that in warm weather and in severe frost, such funds do not allow skis to reach their full potential. The optimum temperature for the use of ointments “Ray” is in the range from +4 to –5 ºC. Experienced skiers also recommend turning to fluorine-containing formulations, since it is in them that the best qualities that these ointments possess are concentrated.
Reviews about ointment "Visti"
Another domestic brand of ski lubricants, known since the mid-20th century. True, today this series was replaced by the ski mantle for wooden skis "Marathon". It is used as a means of adhesion, although paraffin lubricants for slipping can be found under this brand. Among the advantages of such compositions, users note that they are affordable (if compared with imported analogues), are presented in a wide range for any snow and temperature, and are also undemanding in use.
If you need a ski ointment for plastic, then you should initially focus only on the retention function. And this applies to all Russian paraffins. Their low cost discourages professionals, among whom there are often opinions that such ointments can harm skis.
Reviews about Swix ointment
Among imported ointments under the Swix brand, the most popular products come out, which are of high quality, but they are also expensive. First of all, it must be said that Swix ski ointment covers the entire range of lubricants for any conditions. Professionals recommend the brand’s paraffins to get the most gliding effect. Skis with this lubricant retain high performance for a long time, making it easier for the runner.
At the same time, the funds do an excellent job with temperature extremes. If in the case of budget paraffins, it is necessary to select compositions for certain temperature ranges separately, then the universal ski ointment Swix provides gliding in a wide range and regardless of the state of snow cover.
Conclusion
In addition to the key tasks of ensuring gliding and retention, ski products can also act as a kind of preservative and protective coating. This property is important in terms of maintaining the longevity of the inventory. However, not every ski ointment is able to provide such functions. Again, these are mostly imported products. They are expensive, but even in universal formulations, high-quality ingredients are used. At the same time, one should not refuse cheap Russian lubricants. Those who do not want to overpay, such compounds can be used in training and amateur skiing.