Your vehicle is your best ally when it comes to surviving the unexpected — so long as you equip it with the proper gear. Sure, you know the importance of keeping a spare tire, a jack, and a first-aid kit for the likeliest issues. But what about the damage you don’t see coming? No one thinks they are going to end up in an avalanche when turning the keys in the ignition — though it does happen. That’s why every trunk should come equipped with a reliable avalanche shovel.
You’re probably picturing a scene from a movie where snow cascades downwards and you have to drop a pebble to find which way’s up. However, the extreme is the least likely. What’s more probable is getting snowed in by a plow or buried in a mudslide during a storm. In these situations (and more) avalanche shovels are a lifesaver — literally. So, to help you prepare your vehicle for anything, we’ve compiled a list of the best avalanche shovels on the market.
Best Overall
Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel
Best Value
Red Camp Military Folding Shovel
Honorable Mention
Sog Folding Survival Shovel
Benefits of Avalanche Shovels
- Survival tool for emergency preparedness. By having an avalanche shovel, you improve your odds of making it through a natural disaster where either you or your vehicle is buried by snow, dirt, rocks, or sand.
- Fits in your trunk. The compact nature of an avalanche shovel makes it ideal for storing it in your vehicle alongside your other emergency preparedness gear. Many include a storage container; which, paired with the lightweight design, makes the shovel an ideal addition to your car.
- Provides leverage. Unlike trying to scoop away avalanche material with a makeshift tool, an avalanche shovel provides the proper leverage to work quickly. The curved angle of the shovel grips and holds the material while the handle lets you dig more efficiently.
- Cuts through thick matter. Most avalanche shovels will have both a pointed tip, for breaking through a surface, and a serrated edge, for sawing through something. Together, these features help you escape from danger promptly.
- Protects your hands. The handle of these folding shovels saves your hands from damage, preventing them from getting too cold or injured. In emergencies, it’s important to prevent injury (and the shock which can result). The handle design facilitates this.
- Saves time and energy. In an avalanche, your access to oxygen is compromised, making it essential to function efficiently. Though the vehicle protects you from damage, it can’t supply you with air. Using a shovel can let you escape quickly so that you don’t run out of time.
- Versatile applications. While putting an avalanche shovel in your trunk is great for actual avalanches, it is also helpful to dig out cars if your tires get stuck, as well as for camping and hunting.
Types of Avalanche Shovels
Folding Shovels
This type of avalanche shovel is the most prevalent due to the compact structure that enables easy storage in a trunk. Generally, the shovels are made either out of steel or aluminum, usually with a powder coating to prevent corrosion risks. The tools include a broad handle and a relatively short shaft. With a point at the front of the shovel and, usually, a serrated edge on one of the sides, these are meant to be multipurpose tools. However, because of the metal, the shovel can be harder on the hands and vulnerable to rust at the hinges.
Plastic Shovels
While less common, plastic shovels are still popular avalanche preparation gear. They are lightweight by design and usually don’t fold down. Designed for moving large scoops of less packed-down snow, they are good at handling bulk. Usually, these shovels have a somewhat longer shaft to offer improved leverage. However, since they are made out of polymer material, the shovels can get brittle in the cold and are more prone to cracking.
Top Brands
Rhino USA
Founded in California, Rhino USA is a purveyor of a whole host of sports-focused supplies and camping gear. Proudly American, this family-owned and operated business is dedicated to crafting high-grade supplies that are built to last. One of its best-favored products is the Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel.
Lifeline
A widely-known and popular company, Lifeline Systems opened its doors in 1990 as a non-profit business focused on providing emergency services and supplies to the elderly living alone. Since that time, it has evolved into a reputable supplier of survival gear. Among its leading products is the Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel.
Avalanche Shovel Pricing
- Under $20: Shovels in this price range can be either plastic or folding and are usually fairly simple and straightforward. While effective, they are not designed for continual use over time.
- $20 and up: Most avalanche shovels fall within this price range, varying in size, material, and type. You can expect them to include a durable head, strong handle, and reliable shaft.
Key Features
Shaft
The shaft of the shovel is the part connecting the blade and the handle and is made of either plastic or metal, depending on the type of shovel. With folding shovels, it’s important that the hinges on the shaft lock reliably so you get the angular force needed when shoveling. The shaft should be sturdy enough to withstand substantial force. It also must be long enough to give you suitable leverage without being too large to maneuver from beneath an avalanche.
Handle
An essential feature of any avalanche shovel is the handle. It is the part you hold onto while shoveling, meaning a comfortable and slip-resistant grip is essential. Some handles are larger, meant to let you place two hands within it. Others are more compact and designed for you to place one hand on the shaft and the other on the handle. Look for a textured grip and an ergonomic structure to prevent your hands from getting sore while you dig.
Blade
Also called the head or the spade of the shovel, this is the part that makes contact with the ground and does the digging. The surface must be able to pierce through the edge of the material, resulting in thin and sharp tips on plastic models and pointed angles on folding shovels. To add versatility, if the blade is made of metal, many shovels feature a serrated edge. Perhaps the most important feature is the curved angle of the blade, there to support the avalanche material and move it out of the way.
Other Considerations
- Volume. After you’ve assessed the merit of the essential features for your avalanche shovel, there are still a few things to consider. The first is the volume the blade can hold. Consider the reality of digging your way out of an avalanche from inside your vehicle and find a shovel that will accommodate the volume you need. The more material the blade can support per haul, the faster you will be able to escape.
- Leverage. Consider that you are likely to be working from inside of your vehicle and the shaft can’t be so large that you won’t be able to move around. However, if you are concerned about preserving energy, increased leverage enables you to work quickly. It’s about balancing size with effort, meaning the standard varies based on who is handling the shovel.
- Storage. If you can access your trunk from inside your vehicle, this is less of a concern. However, if you can’t, then it helps to find an avalanche shovel which you can tuck beneath your seat. Survival tools only work if you can actually access them in the case of an emergency, so plan ahead and make sure the shovel fits where you need it.
- Versatility. While avalanches happen all the time, and it’s great to plan ahead, if you’re going to take up space in the vehicle, it helps to be able to use the shovel for more than one thing. Be sure that the shovel will be strong enough to work on all types of materials (mud, sand, snow, ice, etc.) to get the most value out of it.
- Durability. Finally, you want the shovel to be able to last over the long term. Though, if you use it once and get to tell the tale, it is more than worth the investment, if something works, you want to keep it around. Check on the quality of the materials used in construction and their vulnerability to damage. The stronger it is, the better able it will be to last over the long term.
Best Avalanche Shovels Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel
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Best Value
Red Camp Military Folding Shovel
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Largest Shovel Capacity
SOG Folding Survival Shovel
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Best Portable
Lifeline Sport Utility Shovel
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Most Versatile
FiveJoy Military Folding Shovel
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Honorable Mention
Red Camp Aluminum Snow Shovel
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Honorable Mention
Iunio Folding Survival Shovel
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Honorable Mention
Tyger Heavy-Duty Auto Shovel
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Tips
- Practice using the shovel before needing it in the event of an emergency. This way, you’ll be more efficiently able to move the avalanche out of the way in a survival situation.
- Store it somewhere accessible such as underneath your driver or passenger’s seat; or, if you can get to it without leaving the vehicle, inside of the trunk.
- Check on it once in a while to make sure that it can still unfold and collapse efficiently and withstand a reasonable amount of force.
- After every use, clean off and dry all parts of the shovel and return it to the designated spot in your vehicle.
- Pick something you’re comfortable using, regardless of what type that causes you to settle on. The best survival equipment is the products you can use.
- Keep gloves with your supplies. Even with an ergonomic handle and slip-proof grip, your hands will still get tired. Gloves can protect against blisters and keep you warm.
FAQs
Q: How is an avalanche shovel different from a regular snow shovel?
Avalanche shovels are designed to be compact so they can fit into your vehicle without being too bulky. The shaft (even when expanded) should be small enough to let you dig with the necessary leverage even in tight quarters, like those you encounter beneath an avalanche.
Q: What makes the bomber shovel so strong?
This type of shovel is made out of a specific kind of aluminum alloy that is typically used to build things like airplanes. This highlights the ability to withstand strain as a result of pressure, making the shovel a reliable option when handling survival situations.
Q: How do I attach the external shovel carry attachment to my float pack?
Often, folding avalanche shovels will come with a carrying case that can tie directly to your float pack. Otherwise, connect the handle to your float pack using a reliable strap that, while easy to remove, is still secure.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re fluent in the wide world of avalanche shovels, you can find the best fit for your vehicle. It could be the Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel or the affordability of the Red Camp Military Folding Shovel. There’s a survival tool for every driver. Happy digging!