Page 1 of 1
Why choose wax over waxless for hauling a pulk?
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2024 9:39 am
by Rideperfect
Greetings, I am new to the club, but not new to XC skiing. I have done my research on ski brands and models for XC trekking with gear and it seems the ski of choice for this purpose may be the Asnes Amundsen. I intend to either haul a pulk( which I formerly did with snowshoes) or support a back pack. Seeing how I'm not looking for any downhill performance/sophisticated turning on downhill, and my speed and efficiency will be compromised, do the glide advantages of wax outweigh the ease of daily maintenance (waxing)? I have always waxed with XC, but never used skis for trekking with gear, though I definitely want to start. Is it your opinion that the artic type expeditions would be using Wax or Waxless? I appreciate there are skins for both designs when extra grip is required. Would love some input here from the more savvy skiiers.
My best
Re: Why choose wax over waxless for hauling a pulk?
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:42 pm
by Crayefish
For pulk hauling you need skins, which attach more easily/securely to waxable skis. Hence why nearly all pulkers tend to use waxable skis, even if they don't actually use grip wax on them.
Re: Why choose wax over waxless for hauling a pulk?
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2024 3:28 pm
by lilcliffy
Crayefish wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:42 pm
For pulk hauling you need skins, which attach more easily/securely to waxable skis. Hence why nearly all pulkers tend to use waxable skis, even if they don't actually use grip wax on them.
Yes-
and I am not aware of any waxless-scaled ski that would reliably offer enough traction to pull a fully-weighted sled...
Objectively, one could use/add grip wax- on cold snow- to the point that one could pull a significant amount of weight- but, that would require kick wax over the entire ski base- which would completely kill any glide...
Re: Why choose wax over waxless for hauling a pulk?
Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:24 am
by Rideperfect
Thank you very much for responding. I appreciated you sharing your knowledge.
My best
Re: Why choose wax over waxless for hauling a pulk?
Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:46 am
by lilcliffy
I am no expert-
but, in my limited experience- the ideal is for a kicker skin to offer enough traction to pull the sled/pulk- so that you still get some glide- especially on the tail of the ski.
Regardless- personally- I wouldn't go on a multi-day expedition- pullying weight- without full-length skins as well.