Sledding is an exciting activity that will keep the whole family active in the wintertime. But using traditional snow sleds can lead to a sore body because of the bumps, jostles, and rattles on hard packed snow. An inflatable snow tube sled can elevate the sledding experience and provide additional cushioning that makes sliding down the hill more comfortable. Many popular brands have tubes that are suitable for kids and adults to use. The best inner tubes for sledding will be durable, comfortable, safe, and easy to use.
But choosing a new tube will be the hardest part of sledding. Not all snow tubes have the same construction, and finding quality sledding tubes will be the first step to conquering the hills. To help families in their search, we have listed below the ten best snow tubes in 2023. Every design on this list offers quality performance. With the newest design features, these tubes will turn a winter landscape into your playground.
OUR TOP PICK
GoFloats Winter
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Whimsical animal designs
- Perfect for a snow day
- Packed with innovative features
- Material is cold weather treated for durability
- Rapid inflate valve makes setup easy
- Wide seat fits adults and kids
- Repair patch included for emergencies
- Build with high quality materials
Product Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 5 inches
Weight: 5 pounds
Material: Premium cold-weather material
Valve: Rapid inflate
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Flamingo, Penguin, Ice Dragon, Polar Bear, and Unicorn available
EDITORS CHOICE
Tube In A Box Original
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Heavy duty and extremely durable
- Made of 100% commercial grade rubber that is latex free
- UV protection prevents sun damage
- Tear proof so that it won’t pop
- Safety valve system erases metal to make it safer
- Large size suitable for kids and adults
Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 9.1 x 5.1 inches
Weight: 4.4 pounds
Material: 100% commercial grade rubber
Valve: Safety valve system
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Black
BEST VALUE
A-DUDU Inflatable
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect streamline design provides comfort
- Amazing cold tolerance means you can adventure in frigid temperatures
- Large size can be used by kids and adults
- Thicker bottom is scratch resistant and provides stability
- Deeper seat is comfortable and safer
- Conveniently carry with the included waterproof bag
- Perfect for snow tubing
Product Dimensions: 47 inches
Material: Non-toxic
Valve: Not specified
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Not specified
Tricam Black Inflatable
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- All year-round fun
- Suitable for snow and swim
- Tear resistant rubber
- 250-pound weight capacity for adult use
- Safe for kids
- Low profile valve system for safety
- Heavy duty and extremely durable
Product Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 32 inches
Weight: 9 pounds
Material: Rubber
Valve: Low-profile
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Black
Bradley Heavy Duty
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Double the fun
- Toboggan design allows for two riders at once
- Two tubes have a comfortable cover
- Weight capacity of up to 200 pounds
- Smoothest ride that cushions impacts
- Easy to setup
- Quick air release for storage and portability
Weight: 24 pounds
Material: Rubber, vinyl
Valve: Quick release
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Black
Flexible Flyer Fireball
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Carry 3 riders at once
- Heavy duty construction and double welded seams for optimal support
- Slick bottom makes it fast
- Won’t dig into the snow
- Cushioned protection to absorb bumps
- Six handles for safety and a secure grip
Product Dimensions: 60 x 60 x 8 inches
Weight: 5.2 pounds
Material: 18 gauge PVC
Valve: Not specified
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Red and black
BigMouth Inc. Polar Bear
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- 4 feet wide for riders of all ages
- Ultra-durable construction
- Comfortable and easily tackles rugged terrain
- Handles for a firm grip
- Easy to clean and store
- Comical design makes it unique
- Perfect for snow tubing
Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 10.8 x 18.5 inches
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Material: PVC vinyl
Valve: Not specified
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Polar Bear
Slippery Racer Grande
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Super fast
- Hard shell absorbs impacts and provides optimal glide
- Resists damage from the snow for all day play
- Double reinforced nylon webbed grip handles for safety
- Pulley rope for more fun
Product Dimensions: 18 x 17 x 8 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
Material: Nylon
Valve: Not specified
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Blue
Bradley Multi-Rider
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Extra-large diameter for multiple riders
- Pick up speed with the RapidGlide anti-friction technology
- 425-pound tensile strength for durability
- Sewn in handles and tow look for security
Weight: 12.2 pounds
Material: Vinyl
Valve: Not specified
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Blue
Lucky Bums Rugged
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Durable with a tough cover, plastic-coated bottom, and heavy duty inner bladder
- Ideal for rough terrain
- Two padded handles for comfort and security
- Easy inflation and deflation
- Compact storage for transportation and off-season
Product Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 12 inches
Weight: 5.7 pounds
Material: Polyester, plastic
Valve: Anti-flow and easy-fill
Use: Adults and kids
Color: Red
How To Choose The Best Snow Tube – Buying Guide
Durability
A popped or torn tube will quickly lead to disappointment on the hill, which makes durability is an important feature that should be incorporated into the design. A durable tube will be made of quality materials to ensure that it can withstand the weight of the rider, bumps on the run, and friction with the snow. A cold-resistant treatment also makes an inner tube sled more durable and suitable for use in wintertime. A great way to access whether a design is durable is to read tubes reviews.
Size
The vast majority of snow tubes will be reasonably large so that they can accommodate kids and adults. However, not all are the same size, and there are variations from smaller to extra-large. Most adult tubes designs will be at least 45 inches wide, but some may be up to 50 inches. But size also matters for the number of riders that you want on the tube. There are commercial tubes that can fit multiple riders.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity is related to the size of the tube because larger sledding tubes can hold more weight than smaller tubes. Adult snow tubes should be capable of holding 200 pounds, or more. Tubes for snow should indicate their weight capacity in the product specifications.
Material
The material of your inner tube sled should be heavy-duty and durable. The most common materials used in snow tubes are vinyl, PVC, and rubber. However, some commercial tubes use a nylon cover for extra protection. Rubber is the most durable material, but vinyl and PVC can be high quality if they have been treated to resist the cold temperatures.
Portability
Inflatable snow tubes have the edge over snow sleds because they are more portable. Tubes for snow can be easily deflated for transportation and storage. With increased portability, you can easily pack your tube in the car or a bag and take it wherever you go.
Ease of Use
Tubes for snow are straightforward in how you use them; sit and slide. But the hardest part of using your inner tube sled will likely be the inflation process. Top rated heavy duty snow tubes should be easy to inflate and have clear instructions on how to set them up. Riders will want to be sure that they have correctly inflated their sledding tubes to the correct PSI.
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Style
There are a variety of styles of commercial snow tubes, and riders can choose from many different options. The best inner tubes for sledding will be functional and stylish. For a comical look, some snow tubes have an animal shape and design. Other snow tubes are a traditional ring with little markings. Some styles use colorful covers to provide additional protection and style. It will be your choice of what style you choose, but don’t let style get in the way of function.
Speed
The best inner tube for sledding will catch speed to make sledding thrilling. For optimal speed, towable snow tubes should have a smooth bottom, be treated to resist the cold, and be made of durable material. A durable bottom will be the fastest and ensure that your tube never pops.
Handle
Handles are a great way to hold on when you’re going fast. Most snow tubes will feature handles in their design, which makes it easier to hold on as you’re sliding down the hill. Flat handles are safer, but reinforced nylon handle can provide a secure grip. However, not all snow tubes have handles. If handles are a feature you want, be sure to check the product specifications to see if they’re included in a design.
Valve
The valve is how you will inflate and deflate your inner tube sled, which means it needs to be functional and durable. In the past, many valves were made of metal. But today many valves are made of durable plastic or feature a low-profile to enhance their safety. A valve that doesn’t stick out very far from the side of your tube will be the safest in case of wipeouts, so look for a low profile valve design.
Bottom
The bottom should be extremely durable and smooth to help your tube glide easier across the snow. Durability will also ensure that your snow tubes are long-lasting because the bottom will frequently be rubbing against the snow. A traditional tube design that has a hole in the middle is ideal because it can reduce the chance of wearing a hole in the material. Additionally, with the hole in the middle, your weight will be more evenly spread around the entire circumference of the tube, which means less chance of wearing through a spot on the tube.
Accessories
An essential accessory that should be included with your commercial snow tubes is a repair kit. Many brands will include a repair kit, which ensures that you can quickly patch up and tear or hole on the hill. Other accessories may consist of a tow strap, which means you can travel across flat surfaces, as well as slide down the hill.
FAQs
Q: Are snow tubes safe?
Yes! Snow tubes are designed to be used by families as a fun activity in the winter, so many brands are incredibly conscious of the safety of their design. Parents are concerned with how to dress their kids in winter, so they will also be looking at the safety of sledding tubes too. Certain features like handles and a sunken in seat make tubes safer for kids to use. But you should also look for a low-profile valve, which sits closer to the surface of the tube and can reduce the risk of a valve injury if you wipeout on the hill.
Q: How fast can you go?
The speed of a tube will max out depending on the hill's steepness, the weight of the person, and the overall design. Many tubes for snow can go quite fast on slippery slopes, which makes sledding more fun. The fastest design will be a towable tube because you can attach it to a vehicle and pull riders along. However, be careful as speed can often lead to accidents.
Q: What PSI would I need to inflate a snow tube?
The PSI of a tube will be dependent on the specific design and size. There isn’t one universal PSI recommendation. Instead, you should look at the setup instructions for the PSI of your specific tube.
Globo Surf Overview
Whether you’re encouraging your kids to use their fitness trackers or you want to make memories in the snow, sledding is an activity for the whole family. But sledding can be a rough activity because of bumps and uneven ground under the snow. Luckily, having the best snow tube make sledding more comfortable and cushion the impacts on the hill. With the a tube for sleeding, your kids will be eager to stay active and excited for their next snow day.