Did you know that the average snowfall expected for this winter is 12 to 16 inches for the season? Considering that this snowfall will happen, anyone who loves to be out in the snow having fun on their snowmobile is in for a great winter.

If you’re one of those people, then you’re probably thinking of getting the right snowmobile gear to get ready for the season. Especially if you’re going out with your family, you’ll want to think about what you need as well as what they do.

There are so many options, though, that it can be confusing to decide what to buy. What do you need and what don’t you? Are there snowmobiles that are safe for your kids to use? If there are, how much are they?

We’ve put together this guide to clear up that confusion. By learning about the must-have snowmobile gear for men, women, and children, you’ll be buried in the snow instead of questions. You’ll be able to enjoy the winter season!

Read on to learn more.

Snowmobile Gear for Men

When it comes to snowmobile gear that men need, one of the most essential gear types is the clothes they wear, layered to keep them warm. Without these accessories, you can’t enjoy the outdoors—which completely defeats the purpose of having a snowmobile in the first place.

The most important clothing for keeping men warm is the snowmobile jacket. Depending on your preference, you might want to buy the snocross jacket, backcountry/mountain jacket, or the classic trail jacket.

The Snocross Jacket

If you’re a bit of a wild snowmobile driver who likes to make tight turns and go fast, the snocross jacket is right for you. These jackets are flexible, prioritizing the ability to move instead of keeping you warm.

They end at the waist, which means you really do have a ton of flexibility.

The Backcountry/Mountain Jacket

Backcountry jackets—also known as mountain jackets—have a high degree of flexibility and end at their waist. They’re perfect if you prefer to stand while driving your snowmobile fully.

The Trail Jacket

This is the classic, popular jacket for snowmobile driving. Even though these are also flexible, they provide a bit more insulation, which is great if you’re driving through different conditions. The cut is better if you prefer sitting on your snowmobile.

Helmet for Safety

The most important gear you need is your helmet. When choosing a snowmobile helmet, make sure it has air vents, a sun shield, a breath box so that you don’t fog up your vision, and a chin curtain.

For safety, it needs to be approved by Snell or DOT—which you’ll know if one of those stickers is on it.

Additional Accessories

There are additional accessories men should use while on a snowmobile. These include pants and bibs to keep you warm, base and mid-layers made with flexible, insulating materials, gloves, and appropriate boots.

Remember that gloves should be both flexible and keep you warm; otherwise, you may not drive safely or end up exposing your fingers to cold. Make sure your gloves are waterproof and have grips, too.

Snowmobile Gear For Women

Because a lot of snowmobile gear is made for men, it’s important to point out what’s available for women. Even though women usually have more fashion options than men generally, this isn’t the case in the snowmobile world.

Picking the Right Helmet

Snowmobile helmets are essential for any rider, not just women. But if you’re a woman, you’ll want to choose a helmet that is actually designed for you instead of a man.

When considering your helmet, you’ll want to think about what style, weight, size, and type works best for you.

For example, if you prefer riding your snowmobile in a relaxed way, driving through the countryside while taking in the sights, then you’ll want to get an open-face helmet. It’s more breathable, and you can use goggles.

For colder weather, you’ll want a helmet with full coverage.

As for styles, popular colour choices in pink and black include the Bell Qualifier Matte Pink/Black Snowmobile Helmet and the houndstooth style GMAX GM-11 Pink Ribbon Riders Snowmobile Helmet.

Snowmobile Clothing for Women

Once you’ve chosen a stylish, comfortable helmet, it’s time to get the right clothes. Like with men’s clothing, snowmobile jacket options include the snocross jacket, the backcountry/mountain jacket, and the trail jacket, which we’ve already covered in detail.

Like men, you’ll also need the same pants, bibs, and gloves that insulate you and keep you warm. Some brands to look out for that offer sizes and styles for women are KLIM, Polaris, Castle, and FXR.

Snowmobile Sized for Women

When it comes to snowmobiles for sale, women will have to find ones that fit them properly. Unless you’re a tall woman, then chances are the length of the snowmobile will actually be too long for you since many are designed for the arm and leg length of the average man, not woman.

So you have to get creative and find options that make snowboarding for you easier. One example is the Yamaha Phazer, a light sled with a forward stance, which means the arm length will be closer to yours.

Other options include the 2000 Ski-Doo 440 MXZ with the 121-inch track, the Polaris Pro-RMK, the Polaris Indy 340 Deluxe 121, and the Polaris Trail 550. These are smaller, lighter sleds that are better suited for women.

You can also replace handlebars with more comfortable ones for you or make other adjustments on a snowmobile you prefer—but then you’d have to pay for the snowmobile and the changes.

Snowmobile Gear for Kids

If you’re enjoying the snow without your kids, then are you actually enjoying it? The winter season is the perfect time for your family to enjoy the outdoors before gathering around the fire together—and getting the right snowmobile gear for your kids is the perfect way to do that.

Kids Snowmobile

The first thing you’ll want to get for your kids is a kids snowmobile. As you can imagine, it’s not the safest for them to ride an adult-sized snowmobile. Fortunately, many companies have designed snowmobiles that are both the right size and perfect for learning on.

Yamaha and Arctic Cat have partnered to create snowmobiles designed especially for youths. One example is the Yamaha SRX120R/Arctic Cat ZR 120, which has lights that come on when the motor is turned on, a whip flag for visibility, and a kill switch.

Other examples include the Polaris Indy 120, the Yamaha SnoScoot ES/Arctic Cat ZR 200 ES, and the Polaris Indy EVO.

Many of these options come in fun, bright colours your kid will love, are easier to steer and have added safety features that mean you won’t have to worry.

Kids Clothes for Snowmobiles

Like with women’s clothes for snowmobiles, you’ll want to get your kids smaller-fitting sizes when it comes to jackets, pants, bibs, and gloves. It’s key to their enjoyment that they layer properly and that everything is insulated so that they don’t freeze in the weather.

Some kid-friendly snowmobile clothing brands include FXR and KLIM.

Kids Helmets for Snowmobile Riding

Finally, you need to get the right kind of helmet for your kid. When choosing the right helmet, you need to think about features such as comfort, the right fit, and durability. That way, your kid will be both safe and comfortable.

When it comes to comfort, you’ll want to make sure the helmet has a vent and mouthpiece so that the visor doesn’t fog up. Your kid needs to see if they’re riding safely!

As for the right fit, look for helmets with liners made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) since this will protect your child’s head best if there is any crash.

Additionally, it’s more comfortable, which means that they won’t take the helmet off when you aren’t looking.

In terms of durability, you want a helmet for your kid with a shell made from polycarbonate or poly-alloy. This material is strong and protective while still being light, which is the safest option and comfortable.

Have More Questions about Snowmobiling?

Maybe you have more questions about snowmobiling. Maybe you’re looking for the best classes for your kids to take so that they’re ready to snowmobile with you. Or maybe you’re wondering, “Where can I find snowmobiling near me?”

Whatever your questions are, we’d be happy to answer them. Here at Westshore Marine & Leisure, we’re experts in snowmobile gear and more. To ask your questions, visit our contact us page.