Sledding is one of the classical modes of snow transport which seamlessly evolved into a fun time winter sport for anyone and everyone, no experience required. It’s simple, it’s fun and simply cuts across all ages. The difference between sleds then and sleds now is the improvement in design and functionality. Today’s sleds are more comfortable, more accommodative, and more inclined to safety.

Sleds come in a wide range of design. While some are engineered for speed, others are built for the recreational freestyler.

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Types of Snow Sleds

• Snow tube. These are literally inflatable tubes popularly made of strong plastic material. They are good for a speeding downhill experience but can sometimes be difficult to slow down or bring them to a stop. They are the most portable since you simply fold and pack in your backpack or car trunk. On arriving at your destination, simply inflate them with an air pump and you will be good to go. For safety purposes, some come integrated with handles.
• Saucer. Saucer sleds are round in shape and resemble a saucer. One sits inside of them with legs crossed. Like the tubes, they are not easy to control especially using the legs. Saucers offer a more thrilling experience since they spin. Saucers come with side handles and are mostly made of tough metals like steel.
• Toboggan. The more traditional form of a sled, the toboggan is popularly made of plastic or wood. In the past, it was used as a means of transport, today it part and parcel of sledding. With wooden toboggans being the toughest, more reliable, and ultimately safer to use compared to the plastic ones, they don’t come cheap. These sleds are long and narrow and with an upward arc towards the rear and the front.
• Runner Sled. The runner is designed for speed. They come integrated with a functional steering column making control and braking easier for them compared to others.
• Foam sled. A good entry level type of sled that’s good for kids as they are soft, comfortable, and lightweight. These come in varying thickness and this is what determines their speed downhill although in general they are not built for speed.

 

Factors to consider when selecting a sled

Now that we are conversant with the different types of sleds and you have perhaps picked the type that you think fits your needs well, you need to go a step ahead and consider the following factors before making a purchase.

• The number of users. Some sleds like tubes and saucers are designed strictly for single use while others have enough room and the capacity to accommodate multiple users. For a family or a parent with kids, toboggans present the best choice.
• Performance. As far performance is concerned, we look at speed and ease of control. This depends greatly on the design and construction of the sled. For instance, lightweight sleds with a slick underside will glide much faster on snow. Same as steel and plastic sleds.
• Durability. This factor is largely pegged on the material used to construct the sled and how carefully it is handled. Popular materials used on sleds are steel, vinyl, and polyethylene. Steel is the toughest but a little too heavy compared to plastic. Some sleds are made of high-grade plastics like HDPE polyethylene which is tough and durable.
• Safety. Raised sides, high backs, handles, safety belts, and tough construction are some safety aspects one should consider especially where toddlers are involved.
• Portability. Portability goes beyond merely ferrying your sled to the place you intend to have your adventure. It also involves carrying your sled uphill after gliding downhill. Some heavy steel models come attached with a tow cord used to drag the sled back up the slope. Some plastic lighter ones are simply light enough to be carried manually upslope.

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The Best Snow Sleds Out There 2024

Our review takes a look at 8 of the best snow sleds. We checked their design, quality, durability, performance, and of course safety.

 

1. Goplus Gear Snow Racer Sled

Snow Racer Sled comes with all the features you would look for in a sled. A solid tubular-steel frame and wide-track solid skis for better balance, stability, and ultimately a comfortable smooth ride on snow. While this may be a little heavy for the younger kids, it offers a plus as far as stability is concerned. This also gives it a weight rating of 300 lb making it ideal for both adults and kids.

This 56 1/4 x 24 x 17 ¼-inch sled comes with long steering, a molded seat that has been raised to enhance its performance and the user’s experience, along with a foot brake for effective handling. It also comes with a retracting towing cord that you will need to pull it uphill.

 

2. Lucky Bums Toddler Kids Youth Mini Pull Sled

This mini pull sled by Lucky Bums is a great product that will guarantee not just fun but also maximum comfort and support for your toddler. It comes with a weight rating of 40 lb ideal for children below 3 years of age. It has been designed with a high back and extended sides giving it a wide 26 inches width for enhanced support and stability.

This sled is made of premium durable plastic. In addition, it comes with excellent cold resistant properties to keep your little one from freezing up. For safety, the foot area has been designed with raised non-slip panels and a tough towing strap for easy maneuver. It comes in 5 exciting color options in keeping with the fun-packed snow adventure.

 

3. Slippery Racer Downhill Pro Saucer Disc Snow Sled

This 3-pack sled by Slippery Racer is designed in the form discs and doesn’t fall short in terms of quality and performance. It is made of top-quality durable plastic that has been treated with SR’s very own innovative IceVex cold resistance technology. Along with a high flex ratio, these discs are best suited for the most rugged conditions.

It features dual grip handles on either side and is wide enough with 26 inches in diameter to fit the average individual comfortably.

 

4. Flexible Flyer Aurora Snow Sled

Aurora Snow Sled has been designed with maximum comfort in mind. Designed for kids aged 5 and above, this sled comes with a long-lasting topside, followed by a thick 1-inch polyethylene foam padding in between the top and underside to deliver a smooth ride lacking the feel of bumps from objects on the trail.

Its underside is made of tough streamlined plastic allowing it to glide smoothly downhill without cracking even in the harshest weather conditions. This sled performs better on snow with a waxed underside. It measures 36 x 20.5 x 2 inches and only weighs 2.3 lb. This, however, does not compromise its toughness. Rather, because of its lightweight, it is easier to take it up the slope. It comes attached with handles on either side.

 

5. Zipfy Freestyle Luge Snow Sled

The Zipfy Luge snow sled is stunning at a glance thanks to a creative blend of two colors. More than that it is designed to be lightweight at only 3.5 lb, safe, easy to handle, and maneuver thanks to the rail design on its underside and the feet-first design. This makes it a good bet for kids of all ages at least 5 years old. On the high, it has a maximum weight capacity of 250 lb meaning that it is equally suitable for some grown-ups.

This sled is constructed with hard-wearing tough HDPE plastic that has been UV stabilized. It comes compact and is best suited for fresh powder with packed snow underneath. With a sturdy front control lever that doubles up as a handle, this sled is remarkably easy to maneuver and quite stable downhill. Secondly, it has a skid-free vinyl seat for a memorable snow experience.

 

6. Flexible Flyer PT Blaster Steering Ski Sled

Flexible Flyer’s PT Blaster model is one unique sled outfitted with spring operated brakes for easy deceleration and stops. This, together with a fully functional steering column, puts the user in better control of their sled. Secondly, this sled is made of high-density HDPE polyethylene that will hold up well in all snow conditions and offer you a lifetime of useful service.

PT Blaster’s seat is padded to enhance its comfort. This sled is designed for kids of 8 years and above with an average but not tall in height. It runs in a little heavier than other sleds at 12 lb and comes with a weight rating of 300 lb. some assembly is required which may take no more than half an hour. It measures 45 x 20 x 18 inches.

 

7. Flexible Flyer Metal Snow Disc Saucer Sled

The Metal Snow Disc Saucer Sled by Flexible Flyer is one of a kind and quite simplistic in design yet with excellent performance. It features durable heavy gauge Bethlehem steel construction with a powder coat finish and won’t break or damage easily like its plastic counterparts.

This sled is designed to offer you a unique spinning around experience, in addition to gliding downhill thanks to its slick bottom. It comes with to roped nylon handles on either side and measures 26 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height giving adults and kids above 5 years ample comfortable sitting space. Weighing just 6 lb, this disc is light enough to be carried upslope.

 

8. GoFloats Winter Snow Tube – Inflatable Sled

We have seen several sled designs, but here is a design idea that goes a step ahead to resemble a flamingo, polar bear, a penguin or other creatures. This is just the way to go if you need to add some fun to your sledding adventure. The GoFlats inflatable sled is 48 inches wide and weighs between 5 and 6 lb making it easy to handle and comfortable to sit in. what’s more, this plastic sled has been treated to withstand cold weather. Comes with a weight rating of 200 lb and is great for children above 5 years as well as for adults whose weight fall within the recommended rating. It comes with a patch repair kit and integrated safety handles on either side.

 

Conclusion

Sledding knows no age. It is a safe and fun winter sport which the entire family can be involved in. It is also pretty much cheaper than others like skiing and snowboarding. However, to make the most of your sledding adventure, you need to get the right sled bearing in mind the different types and their functions.