You Don’t Need a Ski Pass to Hit the Slopes With These Snow Tubes

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As winter draws near and we look forward to hitting the slopes, there's one snow sport that won't require you buying a new ski boot bag or wondering how lift tickets keep getting more and more expensive. All you need is a decent snowfall and some incline to enjoy a thrilling ride on a snow tube.

Snow tubes beat sleds hands down when it comes to enjoying a faster, more comfortable ride down the hill or mountainside. They're lightweight, aerodynamic, and easy to store, plus some have inflated inserts to absorb shock from bumps and a hard plastic bottom that can be waxed like a snowboard or skis for extra speed. While there are tons of options on the market, the majority aren't built to last. If you're looking for top-quality snow tubes that are well worth the investment, read on for our recommendations.

The Best Snow Tubes

• Best Overall: Flexible Flyer Heavy-Duty Commercial Snow Tube

• Best Budget Option: GoSports Heavy-Duty Snow Tube with Premium Canvas Cover

• Best Design: L.L.Bean Sonic Snow Tube

• Raddest Print: Rigma Heavy-Duty Snow Tube

• Best Premium: Bradley Sport Ultimate Towable Snow Tube

What to Consider

Basic v.s. Commercial Grade

The materials used will determine which type of snow tube you have. Commercial snow tubes start at roughly $125 and feature a heavy-duty inner tube covered with a durable fabric—like polyester canvas or Cordura nylon—and a hard plastic bottom. Like graded nylon in your favorite outerwear, commercial grade materials are noted with a "-denier" rating—the higher the number the stronger the material.

A basic snow tube can cost under $20, but if it hits a rock on the way downhill it’ll likely puncture and/or cause an accident, so if you plan on hitting the snow tube park a lot, it’s worth spending a bit more for better quality. Basic snow tubes will see you through winter if you plan to hit your closest park hills or small slope with kids.

Safety

Everyone should follow sledding safety guidelines while snow tubing—adults included. Kids should wear a ski helmet, but a bike helmet also offers decent protection if you don't have a winter helmet. Always go downhill feet first, and never sled down driveways or in parking lots. Commercial snow tubes with hard plastic bottoms can careen downhill as fast as 30 miles per hour, so they’re better suited for older kids.

We've also listed the weight capacity of each snow tube where available. Adhere to the weight limits of these and don't overload them or you run the risk of popping your tube and posing a risk to yourself or others in the area.

Key Features

Aside from construction and safety, there are other features to consider that'll give you a fun ride and make toting your snow tube up a hill easier. Handles offer you stability while zipping downhill and give you a place to hitch yourself to another snow tubing buddy. Attached tow lines make hauling them back up a hill for another go easier than having to awkwardly hold them from a small handle. An included insert will save your bum form being sore after a bumpy trail and give you a more comfortable ride overall.

How We Selected

To find the best snow tubes for you winter excursions, we checked out options from our favorite retailers that used quality materials and employed thoughtful construction. We pooled both basic and commercial grade models to suit a variety of needs and price points. To narrow it down, we combed through user reviews to ensure these snow tubes delivered on their promised features, and to identify any pain points for customers. We've featured options from multiple trusted brands, including Flexible Flyer, L.L.Bean, and Bradley Sport, along with basic and commercial-grade styles. We chose snow tubes across multiple price points and in an assortment of sizes

Heavy-Duty Commercial Snow Tube

Flexible Flyer has been in the sled business since 1889, so it's no surprise that it makes a top-quality commercial snow tube to zip down the mountain in comfort.

The Cordura nylon top is in the brand's signature red, and the snow tube features a hard shell plastic bottom, a thick rubber inner tube, a built-in tow strap, and a cushioned insert.

Speed demons can get an even faster ride with this model by waxing the tube's bottom. This model has a 250-pound weight limit.

Heavy-Duty Snow Tube with Premium Canvas Cover

Go Evel Knievel with this GoSports model. It's an excellent value and your best bet if you're in the market for a commercial-grade, reasonably priced snow tube. It spans 44 inches and features a reinforced inner tube, double-stitched canvas cover, and slick-coated bottom, plus two grip handles and a tow rope.

Heavy-Duty Snow Tube

This commercial-grade snow tube features a well-designed cushioned insert to absorb shocks and give you a comfortable ride. The rubber inner tube is covered in vibrant 900-denier oxford prints, and there's a hard plastic bottom, plus two hand straps and a built-in tow rope.

The snow tube is made for two people and is available in three prints, which have either a blue or pink background.

Ultimate Towable Snow Tube

While this pick may be pricey, it's also 50 inches wide—the largest we cover—so you're getting more tube for your buck. It's made to commercial snow park standards and features a rugged 1,100-denier polyester canvas top, coated in vinyl for extra durability and UV protection, plus a slick vinyl-coated bottom.

There are four sewn-in handles, a tow assembly with a 5,000-pound tensile strength, and it comes in a variety of colors.

109 Slopemaster Snow Tube

For more extreme sledding adventures at snow tubing parks, this option from Toobski checks all the boxes for must-have features.

In addition to top quality, one of the best reasons to buy this snow tube is its attachment system, which makes it easy—and safe—to connect additional tubes for a group run. There's a spring-loaded aluminum carabiner and long webbing strap included, plus a seatbelt for extra safety.

The snow tube has a rubber inner tube, plus a slick fabric bottom.

Sonic Snow Tube

L.L.Bean's Sonic Snow Tube comes in two sizes—this small 34-inch-wide option and a larger 40-inch-wide version—making it perfect for kids and adults alike.

Both models are covered in 600-denier polyester winter-themed prints and feature two handles and a nylon strap with a handle. They're made with a heavy-duty butyl rubber tube and have a hard plastic base rated to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Original Swim and Snow Tube

This no-frills, old-school snow tube is priced right—under $40 at the time of this writing—and does a fine job escorting you downhill. It's made of commercial-grade rubber and is UV protected for durability over time, with a safety cap over the rubber-coated air valve so you won't get poked.

The snow tube comes in three sizes—36 inches, 40 inches, and 45 inches—and has a 175-pound weight limit.

Heavy-Duty Two-Person Snow Tube

If you’re seeking double the fun, go for a two-person snow tube like this one from GoSports. In terms of material, construction, and features, it’s the same as the one-person GoSports pick above, including a reinforced inner tube, double-stitched canvas cover, and slick-coated bottom. Each rider has two handles to grip, plus there’s a tow strap in front.

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