Are the Papa Woody Synthetic Waxes made from the same stuff as the Blue Industrial Hydrocarbon Waxes?
No. Synthetic waxes are similar to petroleum hydrocarbon paraffins in crystal structure but are much harder and more durable. Synthetic waxes can be formed from chemicals such as ethylene glycol for polyethylene wax or from catalytic processes that convert coal to synthetic oil. Papa Woody blends synthetic waxes of several different densities along with modifier waxes to produce the Sierra Synthetic line. This wax blend has demonstrated a very wide temperature range and probably the best durability of any waxes in the Papa Woody Wax line. The synthetic waxes are a little trickier to apply than most off-the-shelf waxes, but the ride is juiced so this is what we have been riding exclusively for several years. The synthetics are excellent cold powder waxes as well as great all around performance waxes. Although Papa Woody tries for the most durability possible in a wax, it is still wax. This means it will still wear off based on the firmness of the snow. Hard, icy spring mornings are toug
