Checklist · 11 picks · 5 categories
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Class canceled, roads closed, a foot of fresh snow outside: it's sled o'clock. The big rule is staying dry, because wet jeans end the fun in ten minutes.
Snow pants and gloves here are OutdoorGearLab award winners, the sleds come from Popular Science and BestReviews, and the snowball makers are BestReviews picks for proper snowball fights. Outdoor Life and Bob Vila picked the hand warmers, and Food Network and Serious Eats reviewed the thermoses that keep the cocoa hot. Each card shows the drawback the testers called out. Start with a sled, snow pants and gloves, then add the warm-up extras.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you're heading to the slopes; the Ski Trip list has goggles, helmets and ski socks.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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Best sledbudget pick · 47 in
Best for cheap thrills that pack away flat
BestReviews' Top Pick for easy storage: an inflatable tube made with kids in mind but sturdy enough for adults, with a patch kit and a storage bag.
Heads up. Blowing it up is much faster with an air pump
1 outlet. BestReviews top Pick snow tube.
$25-50
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splurge pick · 47 in long
Best for riders who want to steer, stop and send it
Popular Science's best sled for jumps and tricks: a high-performance sled that's easy to steer and stop, and still works for casual runs.
Heads up. Expensive, and what it can do may tempt riders into risky moves
1 outlet. Popular Science best sled for jumps and tricks.
$300-500
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Best snow pantsmid pick · Many size options
Best for staying dry through a full day in the snow
OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy for ski pants: warm, waterproof and functional, in lots of sizes, for a price that's easy to like.
Heads up. Bland, bulky style and small thigh vents
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Buy ski pants.
$100-150
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splurge pick · Pick by size
Best for the coldest snow days and ski trips
OutdoorGearLab's Top Pick for best insulated pant: warm and protective at a price that's hard to beat.
Heads up. Bland style and small vents
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab top Pick insulated ski pants.
$150-200
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The North Face Montana Ski Gloves | mid | $50-100 | snowball fights without frozen fingers | 1 outlet |
| Grabber Hand Warmers (10 Pairs) | budget | $15-25 | stuffing in gloves and pockets | 1 outlet |
| Ocoopa UT3 Pro Rechargeable Hand Warmers | mid | $25-50 | reusable warmth that can also top up a phone | 1 outlet |
Top pickmid pick · Pick by hand size
Best for snowball fights without frozen fingers
OutdoorGearLab's best buy for ski gloves: among the warmest and most comfortable gloves it reviewed, and one of the most affordable.
Heads up. Fits slightly large, with mediocre dexterity and a faux leather palm that is not as durable as leather
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Buy for Ski Gloves.
$50-100
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budget pick · 10 pairs
Best for stuffing in gloves and pockets
Outdoor Life's best overall hand warmer: cheap, light, and about 11 hours of warmth in its test.
Heads up. Single use
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best overall hand warmer.
$15-25
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mid pick · Compact
Best for reusable warmth that can also top up a phone
Bob Vila's best overall rechargeable hand warmer: the longest runtime and most heat in its reviews, the only one that met its advertised temperature, and it doubles as a power bank.
Heads up. Can be too hot to hold bare-handed on high
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall rechargeable hand warmer.
$25-50
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Best thermosbudget pick · 1 L
Best for a liter of cocoa for the whole crew
Food Network's best value thermos for drinks: a well-priced alternative to its top pick that kept drinks hot for hours in reviews.
Heads up. The lid dented badly in the drop test, and it's not dishwasher-safe
1 outlet. Food Network best value thermos for beverages.
$15-25
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mid pick · 1 L
Best for hot drinks that stay hot all afternoon
Serious Eats' thermos for tea: it kept water above 175°F for six hours in reviews, doesn't leak, and the lid doubles as a cup.
Heads up. Hand wash only
1 outlet. Serious Eats Thermos pick for hot tea.
$50-100
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Best snowball makerbudget pick · 4-pack
Best for full-on group snowball fights
BestReviews' Best of the Best snowball maker: thick plastic, an anti-slip grip and a travel bag, in four colors so every team gets one.
Heads up. Costs a bit more than other snowball makers
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the Best snowball maker.
$15-25
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budget pick · 2-pack
Best for perfect snowballs for a two-person duel
BestReviews' Best Bang for the Buck snowball maker: a long handle keeps your hands dry and warm, and it's easy to use.
Heads up. May not work well if the snow is packed too tightly
1 outlet. BestReviews best Bang for the Buck snowball maker.
under $15
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Waterproof layers: snow pants, a winter jacket, waterproof gloves and boots, plus a hat. Skip jeans and cotton, which soak through fast and leave you cold.
A snow tube is cheap and packs away small, and the Coodoo comes with a patch kit for repairs. A hard sled like the Mad River Rocket costs more, but Popular Science found it easy to steer and stop.
Snowball makers need packable snow. Very dry, powdery snow won't hold together, and BestReviews notes the Hey. Play. can struggle if snow is packed too tightly.