Snowmobiling

5 Best Snowmobile Studs 2024

For safety and more enjoyment on snow, studs come as a necessary addition to a snowmobile. Studs provide better traction, especially on packed slippery snow. These small metal pieces attached to the track of a snowmobile put you in better control over speed and when braking.

  Price Name Our score
Buy Now
buy now
Extreme Max 5001.5364 Stainless Steel Platinum Plus Snowmobile Studs 4.0
Woodys Gold Digger 60 deg. Traction Master Carbide Studs 4.2
Buy Now
buy now
Extreme Max 5600.5436 Stainless Steel Fat Head Snowmobile Studs 4.1
Woodys Grand Master Stud Package – 1.325in 4.3
INS Products Hornet Snowmobile Studs w/Nuts  4.9

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Here are 6 crucial questions you need to ask yourself before installing studs on your snowmobile<

 

1. Why install studs on my snowmobile?

As already mentioned, studs are important for your safety and for the performance of your snowmobile. They enhance your ability to maneuver, turn, and stop your machine within a short time. This is important in some unpredictable situations on the trail for you to remain safe. And because runs are nowadays congested, it feels much safer to know that your snowmobile can respond effectively when you need it to. Studs come with the following advantages:

  • They give you better braking ability. An enhanced braking ability is perhaps the most important aspect of studs. An icy slippery terrain needs a snowmobile that can stop in a moment as this could save your lives. What studs do is to sink in the snow to enhance its braking power.
  • They make maneuvering corners easier. When the terrain you intend to use is rugged and slippery, you’ll appreciate the ability to negotiate corners faster and more easily without the fear of being caught up in a slip-off.
  • They give you an easier time on parking lots and gas stations. Quite frankly, sometimes becomes difficult with a non-studded truck for the simple reason that it is difficult maneuvering through gas stations or parking lots. You end up getting stuck there for a while and spending more time than you intended to.
  • Better hook up especially on packed snow. You want to have better control and stay on course without spinning off-trail as your snowmobile gives you a better grip on the run. Studs make this possible and ultimately you’ll be safer. However, this would only be on packed snow or lakes with a layer of ice. Studs don’t perform well on deep powder.

 

2. Which type of stud should I consider using?

Two most common types of snowmobile studs include the push through type and the T-nut type. While push through studs is slightly larger hence easier to install compared to their counterparts, they come with added weight for your machine. Still, they are easy to maintain because they will not easily give in to the usual pull-off.

The T-Nut studs, on the other hand, are a bit smaller in size and light in weight. This gives them the ability to spin a bit quicker and because they add minimal weight to your snowmobile, they are great performers. Still, you could get yourself a pre-studded or pre-drilled snowmobile track. This makes it easy for you to purchase and install studs appropriately.

Overall, it is advisable to go for carbide tipped studs since they are better performers because they are sharper and offer better traction on the trail.

 

3. What stud length is the best for my snowmobile?

Stud length should be measured against the track of a snowmobile. Simply put, the length of your studs should not exceed ⅜ inches above the lug of your track. You may end up damaging your snowmobile including the traction pieces you have installed. This is because overly long studs tend to be a little more flexible with a likelihood of bending.

 

4. Which pattern should I use when installing studs?

Consider balance. A good pattern should create an effective balance between the front and rear of your snowmobile. If you install too many studs at the front, the rear of your track will not be firm. On the other hand, a concentration of studs at the rear will not deliver an easy-to-handle stable front.

You could also get a track that has already been pre-marked. This way, you will not bother about forming your own pattern.

 

5. Do studs have any disadvantages?

Certainly yes. However, we still think that their benefits far outweigh their disadvantages. Here are some cons you can consider as you think of installing studs on your snowmobile.

  • Your trailer could be on the receiving end for a good deal of damage. Studs could damage your trailer as you haul your snowmobile on during loading and offloading. Your way around this is to invest in protective track mats. Ideally, the thickness of your mat should be more than the length of your studs.
  • Some states have banned the use of studded tracks. Studded tracks have been known to cause damage to asphalt trails used by others.

 

6. Will my snowmobile warranty be invalidated when I install studs?

It depends.

For most brands, is you set your own stud pattern and install studs, it most probably will. What you need to do is use the patterns and studs recommended by the manufacturer to be on the safe side. Alternatively, take your snowmobile to an authorized dealer to install the studs for you. All in all, ensure that you first confirm with your dealer or manufacturer before installing studs on your snowmobile.

 

Some handy tips

  • Quantity is not necessarily traction. Having too many studs on your snowmobile may give you more traction but not necessarily the performance that you need. You need to balance the number of studs you intend to install against the length of your track while still considering your riding style. Remember that more studs on your track mean additional weight and ultimately reduced maximum speed. On the other hand, the lesser studs you have, the more the more the weight on the installed studs. This reduces their useful life and could possibly lead to a damaged track. A 121-inch track, for instance, will need no more than 96 to 120 studs with about 100 hp snowmobiles.
  • Knowing your riding location and your riding style determines how well you will install your studs. If you are the full-throttle kind of a rider, penetration will be your priority. Recreative riders, on the other hand, need to be in a good position to turn and stop.
  • Whether you are using your own stud pattern or a template, install studs at least an inch off the outside rails and the center of your track. This helps eliminate any possibility of scratching.


 

5 Best Snowmobile Studs 2024

 

Here are 5 best snowmobile studs you should consider investing in this 2024.

 

1. Extreme Max 5001.5364 Stainless Steel Platinum Plus Snowmobile Studs

The Platinum Plus 1.4-inch snowmobile studs by Extreme Max are made of military-grade stainless steel making them tough and abrasion-free for all-weather use. They come with a radius shoulder design making them suitable for just any track. They are designed with 1-inch heads which is an excellent design as a larger area of the head comes into contact with the track for a smooth turn and reduced pull-throughs.

Each pack contains 48 pieces of Platinum Plus studs together with nuts. They come with industrial 80° carbide tips giving them better traction. Their tapered design works well to protect the carbide tips. Again, these studs heads can only be installed or uninstalled using a Torx to prevent stripping and give them a strong grip on to the base.

 

2. Woodys Gold Digger 60 deg. Traction Master Carbide Studs

These 1.325-inch push-through studs from Woody’s are your ultimate choice if you are in for a great grip and better holeshot. Gold Digger studs feature a 60° carbide tip to deliver a strong grip for that aggressive performance. They come with a unique 1-inch arc-shaped head allowing them to be installed over your snowmobile idler wheels without worrying about damage. These studs also feature a one-piece design so you will not need T-nuts during installation. The package includes 96 steel studs all with carbide tips along with 5/16-inch nuts.

 

3. Extreme Max 5600.5436 Stainless Steel Fat Head Snowmobile Studs

Here is an excellent option for your one-ply track. The Extreme Max Fat Head studs are made of the tough military grade stainless steel metal and will hold-up even through full throttle ice racing. They come with large 1.16-inch heads and measure 1.345 inches in length giving them a larger surface area for contact with your track to eliminate pull-throughs. They feature an 80° carbide tip and three-stage brazing treatment for an enhanced bite and exceptional abrasion resistance. The 36-pack studs package includes nuts and will work with all types of tracks.

 

4. Woodys Grand Master Stud Package – 1.325in

Another great option for the single-ply track is Woodys Grand Master studs. These studs head measure 1.2 inches in diameter giving them a wider contact surface area that sits well on a thin track. They feature a 60° carbide tip for deeper firmer penetration. These steel studs are 1.325 inches in length and are strong enough to last a while. They need a square and double grand digger support plates for a firm installation.

 

5. INS Products Hornet Snowmobile Studs w/Nuts

Hornet Snowmobile Studs by INS Products have been designed with a 70° carbide tip. Their rimless tips are narrower to penetrate a little deeper on ice to provide a firmer grip. Their head and barrel, on the other hand, are a little slimmer reducing the overall weight of the stud. They are tough and durable thanks to the nickel finish on them.

 

Conclusion

Studs are vital in your track to give you better acceleration, turning, and braking power. They give you the confidence of knowing that you are safe riding on slippery trails. On the other hand, they could be destructive if not well taken care of. In this case, ensure that your track is well protected. Invest in a good protector mat that is thicker than the length of your stud to keep your snowmobile safe.

If you do not like excessive additional weight, consider aluminum studs as they are a little lighter but less durable compared to others. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is heavier but strong and durable. Overall, try to keep a balance on the number of studs you will install, the stud length you will select, as well as the pattern you will use during installation. Getting these three right will help you achieve optimum performance and safety for your snowmobile.

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