A Soy Wax in a Cardboard Box
Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct, and every time it sheds off a deck it ends up in the sea. Surf Organic's answer is a soy-based wax in a recycled cardboard box. Surfers who talk about organic wax often mention it as a classic, alongside Matunas, which says something about how long it has been around.
This review covers the Cool bar I surfed, with the ranges for the rest of the line.
Quick pick:
- Cold water: Cold Water (purple corner)
- Spring and fall water: Cool Water (teal corner)
- Summer water: Warm Water (green corner)
- Hot water, or a base under any of them: Tropical/Base (red corner)
How the Surf Organic Range Works
Every bar comes in the same plain kraft box, and only the colored corner tells you the grade. The brand lists these ranges:
- Cold Water: 59 F (15 C) and below
- Cool Water: 59 to 68 F (15 to 20 C)
- Warm Water: 68 to 77 F (20 to 25 C)
- Tropical/Base: 77 F (25 C) and above, and as a basecoat
The brand describes the wax as a non-toxic, biodegradable soy base. That is the brand's claim, not a lab result. The neat part of the lineup is that Tropical and Base are the same bar, so a warm-water surfer needs only one.
Cool Water
- Water temperature: 59 to 68 F (15 to 20 C)
- Hardness: Medium soft
- Scent: Neutral and mild
- Rating: 7.6/10
- Check the price on Amazon
The soy formula feels waxier and less plastic than paraffin. Starting a base takes a touch more pressure, but once the first strokes are down the bumps build in the familiar way. It is not as stringy as some competition waxes, and it is not overly sensitive to the heat of your hands, which can be a problem with soft eco formulas. The scent is neutral: no artificial coconut, no fake fruit.
In its range the surface stays firm but tacky, more like firm rubber than glue. Fresh paraffin can feel more aggressively tacky, but for standard turns and pop-ups it is plenty. The mid-session fade, where wax smooths out after an hour of paddling, is mild, and owners say it holds its texture through a long session. A bar lasts about as long as a standard bar.
Pro tip: Over a firm base, a thin coat of Cool keeps the layers from building up too fast when you move between temperatures.
Does Organic Wax Work?
Owner opinions split. Some surfers tried natural brands and found them too sticky, too mushy or otherwise worse than the big names. Others have used them for a decade without issues. The most common reason people stay with petroleum wax is cost, not performance.
My read: Surf Organic is a functional, honest eco wax. If you are a high-level aerialist who wants a very sticky feel, add a more aggressive top coat.
Waxing and Care
Keep the bar in its box and out of direct sun. Start on a clean, cool deck, cross-hatch, then small circles. A comb brings the bumps back between sessions. When the deck goes smooth, scrape it and start over.
On a Snowboard Topsheet
A soft surf wax rubbed between the bindings makes a cheap, low-profile traction patch. From this line, the Cold bar is the one to try, since harder bars go glassy in freezing air. Expect to refresh it every few days and to scrape it off with a plastic scraper at the end of the season.
Where Surf Organic Falls Short
It is not the stickiest bar on the rack. Starting a coat takes more pressure, and the Cool bar softens and smears if the water or the sun gets too warm. It is also harder to find than the big brands and priced above bulk petroleum wax, the same trade-offs that come with most organic options.
Verdict
Surf Organic proves you do not have to give up a session to keep petroleum off your board. My picks: the Cool bar for temperate water, and the Tropical/Base bar if you surf warm water or want one hard bar to go under everything.
