teton powda wax racing
why do i care about TPW proprietary srs ratings?
tpw Wax Product characterization
SRS (Skatey rating system) explained
- SRS is a 0–10 handling metric that rates the risk of “skatey” behavior (loss of tracking / lateral stability) caused by the wax + finish interacting with the snow surface at speed. SRS is not a speed rating.
- The Good:
- When SRS is High, skis feel: Like they are on tiny ball bearings, effortless to keep moving.
- When SRS is High, skis: Accelerate on small pitches where other waxes just... don't.
- Transitions feel cleaner because you're not fighting a sticky base.
- They carry speed out of turns with less "speed bleed."
- That "riding on glass" feeling that makes you go: "holy hell, these things are fast."
- Acceleration can be either Steady or even Rapid and Profound.
- LAT (Low Angle Traverse) Speeds are often High.
- Top Out Speeds May, or May NOT Exist and often at different levels / snow conditions.
- Release is instant; Skis want to run!
- The Boring:
- When SRS is Low, skis feel: Grippy
- When SRS is Low, skis feel: Like "micro-breaking" that you can feel in the feet.
- Needs more pitch or more push to wake up. Acceleration is very controlled.
- Speeds are Often Lower to Moderate with Top Out Speeds Very Noticeable.
- Offers great directional control, can win some jr. races, but rarely, if ever, at the Elite level.
- The Ugly: SRS = 10+
- When SRS is Too High, skis: Wobble, Darting, Move Independently, feel Uncontrolled despite Stiff, Rigid Feet.
- When SRS is Too High, skis: Feel like they want to go in two different directions. (because they are)
- When SRS is Too High, Acceleration isn't a problem. Directional control IS the problem.
- When SRS is Too High, skis: Feel like you will do the splits at 50+ MPH and face plant.
- When SRS is Too High, Your Confidence Erodes Very Quickly as the Real Danger is Realized. Stop Immediately.
- When SRS is Too High, skis: Can Washout in High Speed Turns Causing Sudden Racer Loss of Control.
- When SRS is Too High, Your Race Can Result in a DNF, Missed Gates, Exiting the Course/Run, or Worse.
"Chemically speaking, there is a fine hidden line between maximum world cup performance and loss of control"
SRS is NOT a speed rating!
SRS is not a hardness rating.
srs is not simply a low CoF.
srs is a relative value / racer feeling that will change with rider weight and optimal temperature.
e.g., srs-160=x vs. srs-260=y
Recerational riders care about srs because it can give a very buttery floating feeling to their ride that is highly desireable.
elite racers care about srs at high speeds because flying off the course means a race "DNF" or worse... serious injury. this is what we mean by loss of lateral control.
srs correlates with effective cof, but also includes water film behavior, suction, static contamination sensitivity and release dynamics
TPW does as much product testing as possible to provide relative srs values so you can have additional metrics / expectations of how the race wax will perform in its optimal temperature and performance window. these aren't guarantees, but starting points so you have an idea how the wax is designed and likely to perform and feel.
think of an SRS rating of 1 to mean "extreme directional control"
TPW won't sell waxes we've determined interally to have an SRS rating of 0 (non-functional) or 10 (really unsafe, high risk of lateral loss of control).
very few waxes with an SRS rating of 9 are offered for sale and those ratings are marked for your decision making and risk appetite, which will very greatly across activity type: REcreational riding vs. elite racing vs. Tree skiing vs. backcountry cliffs / chutes. the risks vary widly from nil to extensive and you should select a wax / activity combination that suites your personal adventure & safety goals.
teton GLASS ELITE RACing
a RISING COMPETITIVE EDGE
YOU GOT THE GUTS & THE SKILL,
WE GOT YOUR SPEED