Race Wax vs. All-Temperature Wax: What's the Real Difference?
One of the most common questions we get: what's the difference between Super HotSauce and Racing 739? And do I actually need race wax?
The honest answer is more nuanced than most wax brands will tell you.
Both Are All-Temperature Formulas
First, the important thing to understand: both Super HotSauce and Racing 739 are all-temperature waxes. Neither requires a temperature chart. Neither needs base prep. Both work from 6°F to 52°F.
This is different from how most brands position their race wax — as a narrow-range, high-maintenance product that requires precise temperature matching. Hertel's race formula doesn't work that way.
What Racing 739 Actually Does
Racing 739 is a higher-performance version of the same surfactant chemistry in Super HotSauce. The differences are real but specific:
- Faster glide — Racing 739 runs measurably faster than Super HotSauce on groomed snow, particularly at higher speeds
- Longer durability — Racing 739 lasts up to 7 days in ideal conditions, compared to 3–5 days for Super HotSauce
- Better performance under pressure — at race speeds and on hard, aggressive snow, the higher-grade formula holds up better
What Super HotSauce Does
Super HotSauce is the everyday workhorse. It's 100% biodegradable, runs as fast as most LF (low-fluorocarbon) waxes on the market, and is significantly easier to apply and maintain than traditional race wax systems.
For recreational skiers, families, and anyone who isn't timing their runs, Super HotSauce delivers everything you need — consistent glide, easy application, and all-condition performance — without the cost or complexity of a race formula.
Who Should Use Racing 739
Racing 739 makes sense if you're:
- Racing competitively or training seriously
- Skiing hard, aggressive terrain where speed and durability matter
- Waxing less frequently and want maximum longevity between applications
- A technician or coach who wants the best available performance
Who Should Use Super HotSauce
Super HotSauce is the right choice if you're:
- A recreational skier or snowboarder who wants great performance without complexity
- Waxing for a family or group with mixed ability levels
- Looking for an environmentally responsible formula
- New to waxing and want a forgiving, easy-to-apply product
The Bottom Line
Both waxes are genuinely good. Racing 739 is faster and more durable. Super HotSauce is more accessible and more sustainable. Neither requires a wall of temperature-specific products to work properly.
That's the Hertel difference. Want to understand why no other brand can make this claim? Read Why One Wax Works in All Temperatures or the full story in The Wax Industry's Dirty Secret.
— Terry Hertel, Hertel Ski Wax