Chasing Winters Thrill: A Guide to Top-Rated Snowmobile Gear

Snowmobiling isn't just a winter sport, it's an adventure that require the correct needed gear. As you look around to find that perfect Christmas gift, know that there is a lot of different gear out there, but there are only a few that I would recommend for the best experience. Having the right jackets, gloves, one-pieces, flak jackets, and goggles and needed for a fun a safe journey into the backcountry. So, let's get into it!

Jackets: Battling the Elements

Jackets are extremely important when it comes to keeping warm in the backcountry. Personally, I would never buy anything used in the department. Knowing that your gear is well made and can last a long time, is important for the longevity of your specific gear. A good place to start is buying that correct jacket. Personally, I would go Klim in this department, but there are a lot of different options. One of my uncles was part of Klim's brand ambassador along with being a rider for Polaris Snowmobiles. I always got a lot of feedback from him with the specific gear he would recommend. Going from the most recommended to the least recommended, I am going to give you some examples of some gear that may work best for you, and the type of riding you may do. Starting off with KLIM. The Keweenaw Parka is a very efficient cold weather jacket designed to withstand that harshest winter conditions. The outer shell is constructed from GORE-TEX fabric, which provides you with waterproof protection along with windproof protection, while still making it feel breathable while wearing it. The insulation within the jacket comes from a company called 3M Thinsulate. This offers exceptional warmth, without that bulk and bulge from your stereotypical snowmobile jackets. Yanno, the ones that make you look like Santa Clause. The next jacket I would recommend would be the FXR Racing jacket. Out of all the snowmobile gear brands that you can buy; I would say that FXR is the most underrated of them all. This jacket competes with the Klim and 509 brands, but for a much better price. Within this jacket, you'll find that it offers a lot of what the Klim jacket has, great insulation and waterproof and windproof. The only thing about this jacket is that this one does make you look a little like Santa Clause. It is not a shell; this is a full-on winter jacket. It's puffy and has some weight to it as you are putting it on. I feel that this new era of snowmobilers has gone from that "old school" look, with having the big puffy jackets, to moving to just wearing a nicer shell, and using riding to provide that necessary body heat to keep warm while in the backcountry. The last jacket that I'll leave you to ponder on is the Castle X Phase G2 jacket. This jacket follows the same outlook as the last jacket; much bigger in size but holds a lot of warmth. This jacket also has partnered with the 3M Insulation to provide the best insulation possible for the jacket. If price is a big indicator for you, this will be your best bet for the best quality. Compared to the Klim cost of $450.00 and the FXR of $400.00, Castle X Phase G2 are sitting at $329.00, which for the quality of gear, is an absolute steal. It's important that you take your time in finding the right gear. This equipment when taken care of correctly can last many, many years, so making sure you buy what you want, and what you need is very important.

Helmets: The Safeguard

I know I said that jackets are one of the most important items for gear you need, but that was a lie. Helmets are by far the most important piece of gear that you have by far. Deciding what helmet can be a little tricky considering how many companies are out there telling you theirs is the best. I'll put together bunch of different helmets you can buy, with an emphasis on one particular helmet that I have and love. The helmets I will briefly go over are, HJC, Artic Cat, and 509. Starting off with HJC, which stands for "Hong Jin Crown." They are a South Korean company that is recognized for their affordability without compromising on safety. They offer a wide range of different models that work in all different conditions. It's important you get a helmet that will work well with the region that you are in. If you are in Up-State New York, with the lack of recent snowfall during the winter and warmer temperature, you probably only need the base version of the helmet so that you can have the best ventilation possible. Now, if you are in the Alaskan Tundra, you'll most likely want to get the best helmet the offer with not only the safety aspect but also a warmth perspective as well. Your body losses 40-45% of its heat through your head, and as that is not comparable to losing 85% of your body heat through you skin while sweating, having that protective dome on will not only keep you warm, but safe in the process. The next helmet I'll go over is the Artic Cat. They are mostly known for the production of their snowmobiles, but Artic Cat makes about everything. They have been around since the 1960's and have been a pinnacle manufacture in the snowmobiling industry. They produce helmets that are specifically designed for snowmobiling. They incorporated EPS early within their production of helmets. EPS stands for "Expanded Polystyrene," which is a type of thermoplastic that can be melted or molded and reformed. They focus on 3 main points with this helmet. They are Insulation, Cushioning, and Versatility. The EPS is a closed-cell structure, which means that it traps all the heat trying to be transferred out of your head and keeps in stored within the helmet. The cushioning within the helmet is also unique, it is designed to absorb any abrupt movements within the head, helping with reducing the possibility of concussions and head related injuries. With versatility, because of the EPS technology, it is very easy to mold your helmet to your head to make a perfect fit. Almost like how they make cowboy hats, they use steam to help heat the inside structure to fit perfectly to your head. There's a lot of amazing technology out there with the design for helmets. With that being said, I've had a lot of different helmets, but only one has really stood out to me over the rest. Known for the creative designs and advanced technology, 509 helmets often feature a very slick look with a focus on speed! They prioritize functionality, ventilation, and visibility, making them popular among many different riders. This is the helmet I currently own, and I absolutely love it. I have always struggled with finding a helmet that fit my weird, shaped head the best. But one Christmas I came home to one of those underneath the tree, and I couldn't be more grateful. With the same technology as the Artic Cat helmet, the EPS, this helmet was very easy to fit to my head. There are ways that you can fit it to your head yourself, but if you don't feel like doing that, you can take it to almost any snowmobile dealer and get it done there. The great thing about this helmet is that you can get matching goggles, that custom fit to your specific helmet. One of the biggest things that drives me crazy is when my goggle fogs up and I can't see anything. Not only is that dangerous, but disappointing because now I can look around at the beautiful snowy landscape. The 509 helmet disables that from happening with the custom goggles. If I was going to recommend a pair of goggles, it would absolutely be the 509 X5 goggles. With the ability to have them heated as well, you'll never have to worry about your goggles fogging up on the trail while you rip up that backcountry. It's important to protect that noggin of yours so that you can snowmobile as long as your body will let you.

Gloves: Keeping those Hands Warm!

Like I've said, over and over again, there are a lot of different companies out there that make gear. It's important that you find the ones that make great gear. Keeping your hands warm is very important for exploring the backcountry. If your hands get cold, it can be very hard to hang onto the handlebars, and that is dangerous as it is. Two of the most prominent companies that make the best winter gloves for snowmobiling are going to be Klim and FXR. I personally own Klim gloves because those are what have been passed down to be, and they work great. I have never had any problems with having cold hands while riding my sled. They have Gore-Tex wind stopping technology that blocks any airflow in but allows airflow out to be breathable on those hot spring days. They call it selectively permeable technology, which allows for air to travel out, but not in. You may have heard about that in you high school biology class, well, Klim is using it in the design of their gloves. FXR is very similar to Klim gloves in the technology that they use. FXR uses a technology called Hipora Membrane, which is a waterproof and breathable layer that allows for air flow out, but not in. The primary function of the Hipora Membrane is to make the gloves waterproof but designed to be breathable. The micropores allow water vapor to escape from the inside the glove, which allows you to have a comfortable dry hand as you ride through-out the day. You'll see this technology in about every snowmobile glove in this generation.

Boots:

Boots are very important for consistency on a snowmobile. You don't want boots that slide around on the running boards, and you definitely don't want boots that get wetter, and wetter and you ride through-out the day. I'll talk about a few different types of boots that'll keep your foot warm and dry, as well as uninjured and in one piece. The first one I'll go over is the Klim Adrenaline GTX. This boot has a Gore-Tex performance package on it that helps trap heat inside the boot. It creates a waterproof layer, and a breathable layer, allowing moisture to escape so that you don't have wet moppy feet while you're riding your sled. It also has a Boa lacing system. This system is in fact laceless, but more or less just one big strap that helps snug the fit up perfectly even through-out the entire boot. These boots also have partnered with Thinsulate which allows the boots to be very balanced between warmth and mobility. The high-performance design behind these boots is engineered for snowmobilers who demand top performance. Moving on to the next boot, the FXR Racing Excursion. This boot features a waterproof design that uses similar technology to their gloves. With the waterproof membrane within the boot, it allows for no water to enter, but allows moisture to escape through the super tiny micropores, which allows your foot to be to warm and dry on the long excursions through the backcountry. These boots also offer a reinforced toe and heel, which is great especially if you are hopping back on forth between the running boards. I don't know how many times I have wacked my toe on the front of my running board, but if I had these boots, it would have helped with my clumsiness. With this design emphasizing durability and comfort, these boots are ideal for those who prioritize longevity within their gear without a total compromise on the total comfort.

Prepare for your upcoming snowmobiling season as the choice of gear can be the game-changer in your winter adventure. With jackets that are designed to keep you warm and dry, to helmets that help protect that head while ensuring comfort, along with your gloves, boots and goggles that can help elevate your entire riding experience. The significance in investing in premium snowmobile gear extends beyond safety. Whether you've been riding for many years or are trying to plan your first year ever on a sled, the correct gear has the potential to elevate your ride from bad to "WOW." Embrace the excitement of snow-covered landscapes and get ready to start your winter adventures with extreme confidence. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish great things. Practice those hop-overs, the side hills and wheelies. But remember, safety is a top priority, and it's important that you're able to snowmobile for the rest of your life, so don't push it too hard, but have some fun.

Enjoy this snow and get after it this winter!

Stay Wild!