We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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Snow tubing is wild and fun winter entertainment. It hasn’t been around as long as sledding, but most accounts seem to agree it has existed at least since World War I. Early snow tubes were little more than black rubber tubes from ordinary tires. As the sport grew in popularity, manufacturers responded by creating tubes that were designed just for recreational riding.
Although a snow tube can be used as a flotation device, a normal floater tube can’t be used for snow tubing due to temperature and friction considerations. Snow tubing is inherently rougher on the material than floating in a swimming pool or lake, so you need to get a tube that’s winter tough. The size and weight capacity of your snow tube also matter and can make all the difference between a fun afternoon and a soggy, miserable time.
Our top pick is the Bradley Heavy-Duty 50-Inch Snow Tube, which is super durable and comfortable to ride on.
Editors’ Favorite
Diameter: 50” | Material: Rubber | Maximum Weight Capacity: 200 lb
The Bradley 50-Inch Heavy-Duty Snow Tube is built for durability, with a reinforced rubber inner tube paired with a rigid vinyl bottom. It’s designed to handle fast descents, bumpy hills and regular winter use without wearing out too quickly.
It includes two sturdy handles for a secure grip and a 6-foot tow leash that makes pulling the tube up hills easy. The rapid-inflate valve also lets you set it up or pack it away quickly, making it convenient for frequent snow-tubing adventures.
Its RapidGlide anti-friction technology helps you speed downhill with minimal resistance, and it’s suitable for both adults and kids, supporting riders up to 200 pounds. Plus, it comes in various colors, including purple and red.
Great Value
Diameter: 44” | Material: Rubber | Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 lb
The GoSports Duratube Snow Tube is a 44-inch tube that’s excellent for beginners. It features a reinforced, commercial-grade tire tube that handles both snowy hills and lazy river rides, making it versatile for winter sledding and summer water tubing.
Its thick, puncture-resistant rubber provides superior durability, and the inflation valve works with any standard pump for quick, simple setup. The short valve and solid overall design help keep you comfortable throughout your ride.
Built to accommodate riders up to 250 pounds, its extra-large size delivers reliable stability whether you’re floating on the water or sliding down snowy hills. It’s highly durable and also one of the more affordable snow tubes, making it a solid option for younger riders.
The Instagrammable Option
Diameter: 44” | Material: Plastic | Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
The GoFloats Winter Snow Tube boasts a fun, whimsical design that’ll make your friends jealous the next time you’re out sledding. This snow tube is made from ultra-durable plastic that’s built to withstand snow and last for many winters.
Its spacious 45-inch design provides a comfortable riding surface, and the raised center seat helps keep you off the ground and absorbs bumps. It features two sturdy handles for improved rider grip during fast descents, and a rapid-inflate valve lets you inflate and deflate the tube in seconds.
You can choose from four stylish designs, including Penguin, Pink Flamingo, Ice Dragon and Unicorn. Plus, each tube comes with a repair patch kit, making it easy to fix punctures and other minor damage.
Easy to Haul Up Hills
Diameter: 48” | Material: PVC | Maximum Weight Capacity: 330 lbs
The ZMLM 48-Inch Heavy-Duty Snow Tube is excellent for both adults and kids, thanks to its spacious 48-inch seat and weight accommodation of up to 330 pounds. It has a three-layer laminated bottom for enhanced durability and cold resistance, keeping it rigid even in freezing temperatures.
Its smooth, slick-coated base means you’ll glide down hills with minimal friction, and the reinforced soft handles offer a secure grip even while wearing thick gloves. The durable PVC material is puncture-resistant, and the contoured seat helps prevent slipping during high-speed rides.
Inflating and deflating is effortless thanks to the three-in-one fast valve, and the double-locking design keeps air sealed in tight. Plus, the tow rope and handle make hauling it up hills a breeze.
Best for All Ages & Sizes
Diameter: 48” | Material: Canvas, Polyvinyl Chloride | Maximum Weight Capacity: 400 lb
The ASKPULION Snow Tube is a 48-inch tube with an impressive design that’s highly durable and delivers elite performance. It has an enormous 400-pounds capacity and is made from durable PVC and canvas material for improved comfort and reliability.
The dual-valve system makes it easy to inflate and deflate this tube in no time, and the double-locking seal is 100% airtight. The slick-coated bottom facilitates ultra-smooth gliding, even on bumpy hills, and the oversized padded handles provide a comfortable grip. It stays flexible and rigid even in temperatures as low as -13, and the leash makes it easy to pull uphill.
It’s a highly durable snow tube that’s suitable for all ages and riders of various sizes. The canvas cover gives it a premium feel, and the triple-reinforced impact base makes it ideal for all-terrain use. Plus, it’s available in blue and pink.
We selected snow tubes for our top picks list based on build quality and performance. The best snow tubes are made of durable yet flexible materials that stay rigid even in freezing temperatures. We also considered additional features, such as towing systems and technology, that reduce friction and facilitate smooth gliding for maximum fun.
The size of the snow tube you select involves a bit of a trade-off. The bigger the tube, the easier it is to stay on it and the larger the person who can safely ride it. The flip side is: the bigger the tube, the more surface area it has, which can slow down the ride due to friction.
Friction is the reason a large snow tube will always be slower than a small one. A larger tube will start slower and take longer to accelerate. If you want a safe snow tube for the kids, get the biggest one you can find. If kids aren’t riding it and you want a snow tube that takes off like a rocket, go small.
Closely related to the size of the snow tube is how much weight it can hold. A larger tube is normally able to support more weight. Weight capacity also depends somewhat on the materials used in the snow tube’s construction.
Where you’re going to go snow tubing is a big consideration. If you’re heading to a ski resort that has plowed snow tube runs with high banks to keep you on course, you can choose any snow tube you like.
If you’re going snow tubing “in the wild,” so to speak, along wide-open slopes or on dirt roads, you might want to get the biggest snow tube you can find. The reason is simple. Snow tubes seem to have a magnetic affinity for trees. If you’ve ever ridden one, you know there’s no such thing as steering them. So, it’s only a matter of time before one goes off track, resulting in you getting up close and personal with a tree trunk. All it will take is one close encounter of the tree kind to make you a true believer in safety.
Bigger tubes provide more cushioning in case of an impact. Additionally, since larger tubes generally move slower, you won’t crash into a tree like a runaway freight train. That slower speed will also give you the option to roll off the tube to safety before you get a face full of bark.
Typical materials for snow tubes are tear-resistant rubber and cold-resistant PVC. The thicker the material, the less likely it is to be punctured. It will last longer, too. The covers are often made of polyester canvas that breathes and resists mildew.
Snow tube makers are all in for color and design. Blue and black are common colors, but so are red, orange, gray, silver, white, pink, violet, and green. Many inflatable snow tubes are two-tone or are decorated with intricate designs and patterns.
Handles are required for safety on snow tubes. If you see a snow tube without handles, get something else. It’s fun to feel wild and free but think safety first.
Two lines aren’t required for snow tubes, but it makes it easier to drag them back uphill after you ride them to the bottom. Snow tubes can be rather heavy, or at least they may start to seem that way when you’re walking uphill, so a tow line is a nice option to have.
Inexpensive: Under $20 is the bargain bracket for snow tubes. You definitely get what you pay for. Cheaper tubes are made from thinner, weaker material with less quality control.
Mid-range: From $20 to $80 is the medium price range for snow tubes. Here, you’ll find decent tubes in a variety of colors that you can ride for quite a while.
Expensive: Over $80 is the high end for inflatable snow tubes. These tubes will be rugged, durable models that will give you years of fun on the slopes.
Q. What is the best way to store a snow tube during the summer?
A. Completely deflate it, dry it off, and store it flat if possible
Q. What do I do if my snow tube is heading for a tree or rock?
A. Roll off the tube to one side or the other. Steering isn’t an option with inflatable snow tubes, but snow is softer than the alternatives.
Q. Should I snow tube on a slope where people are using sleds?
A. No. Sleds and snow tubes don’t mix. The chances of a crash are just too high.
