Hertel Super Hot Sauce has been sitting on shop benches for decades, but I never really paid attention to it until this season.
Everyone claims their wax is “all-temperature” and most of them ride the same after a few runs.
I wanted to see if this brick of white wax actually stands out.
So I threw it on my board and put it through a mix of icy mornings and choppy afternoons. Here’s what I noticed.
Full Review
Before I get into the details, I’ll say this: Hertel Super Hot Sauce isn’t hyped like some newer waxes, but it’s earned its spot in a lot of tuning kits for a reason.
My first impression? The packaging is old-school as hell — it looks like something pulled directly from the 90s. And the wax itself is just a big block of white wax.
But looks can be deceiving…
1. Speed
Super Hot Sauce isn’t built to win races, but it’s faster than most all-temp waxes I’ve used. On cold corduroy mornings, it gave me that smooth, no-drag feeling without needing multiple passes with an iron.
By the afternoon, when the snow got sticky, I was still moving well. It’s not magic, but it’s reliable and consistent across a really wide range of conditions.
2. Durability
I tend to judge wax on how it rides after a couple of hard days without re-waxing. This one easily gave me three or four solid days before I felt the base start to dry out.
It doesn’t disappear or wear thin after a single session, which is more than I can say for some of the other “budget” waxes I’ve tried. It’s not bulletproof like a race wax (nor does it last the advertised 7-days), but that’s not what it’s built for.
3. Ease of Use
One thing I like about Super Hot Sauce is how easy it is to work with. It melts quickly, spreads evenly and doesn’t feel like a fight when scraping it off.
You can even rub it on cold if you’re desperate, but it really shines when hot-waxed with an iron. It’s also all white, which is a nice touch – no weird dye marks left on your base.
4. Pros & Cons
Who is Hot Sauce For
This wax is perfect for riders who don’t want to buy five different temp-specific waxes or constantly swap formulas. If you just want one brick that works for pretty much everything from icy mornings to spring slush, this is an easy pick. It’s also a great value for the size, which makes it hard to beat as a daily driver wax.
Who is It NOT For
If you’re chasing every fraction of a second in a race course, Super Hot Sauce isn’t quite going to cut it. It’s not a high-fluoro race wax and won’t give you that ridiculous-fast glide for competition. Still fast though.
About the Company — Hertel Wax
Hertel Wax has been around since the early 70s when Terry Hertel started experimenting with ways to make skis and boards faster in all conditions. Super Hot Sauce was the result — one of the first true all-temperature waxes, and it hasn’t really changed since.
Unlike newer brands that lean on flashy marketing, Hertel has kept things simple. They focus on a small range of waxes that work, with Super Hot Sauce still their flagship product. It’s old-school, made in the U.S. and built for skiers and snowboarders who just want reliable wax without overthinking it.
Alternative Wax?
If you want something eco-friendly with a similar all-temp vibe, PURL Purple Wax is worth a look in. It’s made in Colorado, petroleum-free and has a nice, buttery feel when applying.
I’ve found it glides a little better on wet snow than Hertel, but it doesn’t last quite as long. It’s a solid option if you want something sustainable and easy to work with, especially for warmer conditions.
- ANY TEMP WAX: Universal ski and snowboard wax ! Purl Wax Purple is our best selling wax with our broadest operating range, suitable for snow temps ranging from as low as 10°F up to 32°F. Take the guess work out of waxing, this wax provides a fast, superior glide and durability in almost all snow conditions! Designed to make your ride fast for as long as possible.
- ALL SNOWSPORTS: Provides optimal glide on all bases! Purl Wax is the perfect all-around option for Alpine, Nordic, and Cross-Country (XC) skiing and Snowboarding, Freeride, and Snowboard Cross (SBX).
- ECO FRIENDLY: Purl Purple wax is made with non-toxic, biodegradable wax blends that are free of harmful chemicals and absolutely NO Fluoros/PFOAs/PFCs. As a member of 1% for the Planet, 1% of all sales are donated to environmental conservation.
- HOW TO APPLY: Hot waxing application! Using a ski-waxing iron, hold the Purl wax block against the hot iron to melt the wax (approx. 240°-250°F*- always keep iron below smoking point). Use the drip on or crayon on method to apply.
- PURL WAX: Committed to performance and the environment! A Colorado Company, family-owned and operated since 1999, Purl Wax was founded to accelerate the transition to eco-friendly, fluoro-free ski and snowboard waxes. We proudly offer a full range of performance-driven ski and snowboard waxes hand-poured in the USA.
Final Thoughts
Hertel Super Hot Sauce isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s the kind of wax you throw on without overthinking it. It’s not necessarily the fastest wax out there, but for an all-temp block that just works in damn near every condition, it’s tough to beat.
If you want one wax to keep in your kit all season, this is the one I’d grab.
This is Terry Hertel, and I want to thank you for your review.
At Hertel, we’ve never been about chasing speed—it’s always been about control. Because when you have control, you decide your speed. And that means more fun, more confidence, and more safety on the mountain.
We’re always pushing to make skiing and snowboarding better for everyone, and now we’re excited to introduce something brand new: Wax 4 Her. Specifically researched and designed for women, this innovation is built to make your ride smoother, more comfortable, and more in sync with your boots.
Check it out—available for the 25/26 season.
Hi Terry!
Super stoked to hear from you, thanks for reading and dropping by.
We’ve been riding your wax for many seasons now. Big fans.
Sounds like an interesting concept – we’ll be super to take a look.
Have a great season.
Mike