Image Source: @levi_lavallee
Snowmobiling is a great American pastime that can help you experience the best of the outdoors. But winter sports come with their fair share of risks. Whether you’re out on the trail for just a few minutes or days on end, you need to know how to dress for the occasion. Finding the right clothing and accessories will help you stay warm on the back of a snowmobile, so you don’t have to worry about losing the feeling in your arms and legs. Use this guide to plan for you next snowmobiling adventure to make the most of your time in the snow.
Knowing the Risks
Before you start filling up your online shopping cart with all kinds of winter gear, you need to know the risks of venturing out on a snowmobile.
The biggest challenge of being outside in the cold for long periods of time is avoiding hypothermia. This occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, which lowers your body temperature. Normal body temperature is set at 98.6 degrees F (37 C). Hypothermia starts to set in when your body drops below 95 degrees F. That’s a difference of less than four degrees.
When your body temperature starts to drop, your organs will start to shut down, which can lead to serious injury and even death. You and your crew should always watch out for symptoms of hypothermia on the trail, including:
- Shivering
- Slurred speech or mumbling
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Weak pulse
- Confusion or lack of coordination
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Bright red skin that’s cold to the touch
Getting wet on the trail only increases your risk of hypothermia. That’s why it’s so important to dress warm when spending time in the cold. If someone starts exhibiting these symptoms on the trail, the best way to treat it is to bring their body back to normal temperature.
Research your destination in question to get a sense of the temperature and weather conditions. Rain and excess moisture can increase your chances of getting hypothermia, so it’s best to stay home on these days. Don’t forget to include the wind chill when researching the climate, as this will further reduce your body temperature. The wind removes the warm air around the surface of your skin, causing your body temperature to drop that much faster.
Other factors can make you more susceptible to hypothermia as well, including your age, diet, and medications. Children and older individuals will have more trouble defending themselves from the cold. Exhaustion, fatigue, and alcohol will also make the problem worse.
It’s best to drink plenty of water on the trail to help your body regulate its temperature. This will also improve your thinking and problem-solving skills. Experts also recommend drinking coffee beforehand. The caffeine increases your metabolism, which boosts your body temperature, however you will start to get hungry sooner rather than later.
Eat complex carbohydrates and plenty of protein to stay nourished on the trail. If you need a snack along the way, bring along nuts, jerky, and granola bars to keep your energy up.
Medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, narcotic pain medications and sedatives can impair your body’s ability to regulate temperature, so use extra caution on the trail when using these substances.
Body Stock/Shutterstock.com
Snowmobile Clothing and Accessories
Once you know the risks of snowmobiling at your destination, it’s time to put together the ultimate outfit.
When choosing fabrics and materials, it’s always best to avoid cotton, which absorbs moisture. This will only slow you down on the trail. If this moisture doesn’t dry, it will start to lower your body temperature. Choose silk, polyester, and other synthetic materials that don’t absorb moisture.
Dressing in layers is key when it comes to insulating your body from the cold. These layers should extend over one another, so no part of your body is exposed.
Let’s start with the innermost layer and work our way out from there.
- Underlayers
The underlayers are designed to move moisture away from your body and towards the environment, so it doesn’t get trapped in between your skin and the fabric. It’s best to use synthetic materials, such as polypropylene and polyester, for the underlayers.
Start with a water wicking underlayer, usually thermal underwear, including a long-sleeve shirt and bottoms. This layer shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. Overly tight layers prevent your body from breathing, which makes it hard for moisture to dry. However, loose layers won’t insulate the heat, which can lead to a loss of body heat.
Now add another layer of thermal pants and another shirt on top of your underlayers. Items made of fleece and PolyPro are great options.
Overall, it’s best to go with three to five layers all together. If the temperature is likely to change, consider bringing along additional layers to give yourself more options. There’s nothing worse than getting cold halfway through your trip.
- Snowmobile Suit
As you continue adding layers, it’s usually best to top everything off with a snowmobile suit. This is either a one-piece suit or a pair of pants and matching jacket. They fit over all your other layers, including your coat, to protect you from the outdoors. Choose a suit made of acrylic or Gore-Tex. These materials are waterproof with an emphasis on heat retention to help you stay the perfect temperature.
Some suits are just water resistant, which may not be enough to keep moisture at bay. Others are wind resistant in addition to being waterproof, which will help reduce the wind chill.
- Gloves
Gloves are a must when hitting the trail. You need to keep your hands warm, so you can easily adjust the steering wheel. If you lose the feeling in your hands, you may have trouble responding in an emergency.
Your hands will likely start to bear the brunt of the cold. Find gloves made of synthetic fabrics to keep your hands at the proper temperature. They should have a solid grip that meshes with the handlebars on your vehicle. Things can easily get slick on the trail. Your gloves should produce traction, so you don’t have to worry about losing your grip.
They should be both waterproof and windproof for maximum protection. Choose gloves that are designed for snowmobiling to make sure they’re up to the task at hand. The gloves should also fit your hands without being too loose or too tight.
- Face Mask
You need to cover as much of your skin as possible when riding a snowmobile. Anything left exposed to the elements will likely freeze over. That’s why it’s important to wear a face mask on the trail. It wraps around your head while leaving enough room around your eyes, so you can still see. Find a mask made of polyester or fleece for maximum protection from the cold.
- Goggles
Your goggles will fit over the opening in the face mask. They will insulate your face while protecting your eyes from debris flying through the air.
You won’t need googles if you use a full-face helmet. However, if you helmet only covers your forehead, you will need to wear goggles over your eyes.
Consider the light outside when choosing goggles. If it’s bright out, choose darker lenses that will block out the sun. Go with amber or blue lenses if the sun is behind the clouds.
- Socks
You will likely need to wear more than one pair of socks, depending on the temperature. Bring along a few extra pairs just to be safe. They should be made with wool, silk, fleece, or some other synthetic fabric to keep the cold at bay. Water wicking socks can also help remove perspiration for drier feet.
- Shoes
Having the right kind of boots will also make a big difference on the trail. Use insulating boots made with rubber and waterproof materials, so your feet don’t get wet. Some types come with breathable vents to help reduce perspiration. Nothing will ruin your trip like cold or wet feet.
- Snowmobile Helmet
It’s always best to wear a helmet while riding a snowmobile. This device will protect your head if you get into an accident on the trail. Be sure to choose a helmet that’s designed for snowmobiling. Many people will also use a visor to block the glare of the sun. Choose a full-face helmet for maximum protection. It will also help insulate the air around your head.
The helmet should fit your head without moving out of place. Use the chin strap to attach the helmet to your head. Try moving your head around to see if the helmet moves.
Snowmobile helmets come with vents to keep the air flowing around your head, while providing enough warmth to keep your body temperature at the proper level. It’s important to remember that we lose most of our warmth through our foreheads, so keeping your head covered is always essential.
The helmet should also be approved by the Department of Transportation, which shows that it is both safe and reliable.
- Bluetooth Snowboard Helmet Speakers
Last but not least, don’t forget to pack snowboard helmet speakers that let you communicate in real time. The speakers fit into your helmet, so you can look up directions or dial a call without taking your hands off the wheel. They won’t obstruct your view or distract you from the task at hand. The device uses voice-recognition technology to connect to your phone or a radio, so your loved ones are always within reach.
Using a hands-free communication device becomes even more important when riding a snowmobile. You shouldn’t have to look down when dialing a call. If you get into an accident or hit a rough patch of snow, you may be unable to physically pull out your phone. With a built-in communication system, all you have to do is use your voice to dial a call in an emergency.
Delpixel/Shutterstock.com
What to Do in an Emergency
You and your crew should always know what to do in an emergency. If you get stranded or lost, you should be able to contact the authorities or a local park ranger for help.
Use a skiing communication device that fits into your helmet to stay in touch with the outside world. You can coordinate your location with local officials to make sure they know where you are. You can also call your loved ones or radio for help in an emergency. Time is of the essence when someone’s body temperature is dropping. They should be moved indoors as soon as possible to prevent serious injury.
Accidents can easily happen on the trail as well. A sudden avalanche or thin piece of ice could send you and your companions tumbling into the snow or icy water. This can pose a serious risk to your health and safety. Do your best to avoid dangerous environments that could leave you stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Riding a snowmobile comes with great responsibility. Preparing for your trip takes time and planning. You can never be too careful when hitting the trail, especially for long periods of time. Use snowmobile helmet communicators to stay in touch with your team in real-time.
Use this information to make the most of your time outdoors this winter. You will be able to explore without worrying about your health and safety. Have fun and stay warm!
