Snowmobile Hand Guards: Protecting Your Hands and Enhancing Your Ride
Snowmobiling is a thrilling winter activity, but it also exposes your hands to harsh elements and potential hazards. That’s where snowmobile hand guards come in, playing a crucial role in safeguarding your hands and enhancing your overall riding experience.
What are Snowmobile Hand Guards?
Snowmobile hand guards are protective shields mounted on the handlebars, extending outwards to cover your hands and forearms. They come in various shapes and sizes, constructed from different materials like aluminum, plastic, or a combination of both.
Benefits of Using Snowmobile Hand Guards:
Protection from the elements: Hand guards shield your hands from wind, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, preventing frostbite and ensuring warmth and comfort during your ride.
Reduced fatigue: By minimizing wind resistance and deflecting snow and debris, hand guards reduce hand fatigue and arm strain, allowing you to ride for longer periods with less discomfort.
Increased safety: Hand guards offer protection from branches, low-hanging obstacles, and potential impacts during accidental falls or crashes, minimizing the risk of injuries to your hands and arms.
Improved control: Hand guards can provide additional grip and leverage on the handlebars, especially in slippery conditions, enhancing your control and confidence while maneuvering your snowmobile.
Enhanced comfort: Some hand guards are equipped with features like hand warmers or heated grips, providing additional comfort and warmth in extreme cold conditions.
Aesthetic appeal: Hand guards come in a variety of styles and colors, allowing you to personalize your snowmobile and add a touch of flair to your equipment.
Investing in snowmobile hand guards is a wise decision for any rider who values safety, comfort, and enhanced performance. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a new enthusiast, hand guards offer a simple yet effective way to protect your hands and maximize your enjoyment on the snow.
Helmets are important for snowmobile safety and offer exceptional warmth as well. If you’re looking for a good helmet, check out my article on the best snowmobile helmets.
Recommended Hand Guards
I recommend PowerMadd 34404 handguards along with PowerMadd 34250 Star Series handguard mounting kit. They are strong and do not break easily. I have used them myself. I can say that they are reliable and far better than the stock ones.
Handlebar Muffs for Snowmobiles
While hand guards offer safety, protection, a bit of style and some level of warmth, that last feature – warmth – may be a higher priority and need for your snowmobiling situation. If that’s the case, handlebar muffs – often referred to as handlebar mitts – provide a simple yet effective solution to keep your hands warm and comfortable throughout your ride.
What are Snowmobile Handlebar Muffs?
Snowmobile handlebar muffs are insulated enclosures that attach to the handlebars, enveloping your hands and forearms in a warm and cozy environment. They’re typically constructed from water-resistant materials like nylon or polyester, and some models offer additional features like fleece lining or hand warmers for enhanced comfort.
Benefits of Using Snowmobile Handlebar Muffs:
Warmth and comfort: Muffs create a protective barrier against the wind, snow, and freezing temperatures, ensuring your hands stay warm and comfortable even during the coldest rides.
Reduced fatigue: By eliminating the need to constantly grip the handlebars to maintain warmth, handlebar muffs reduce hand and arm fatigue, allowing you to ride for longer periods with less discomfort.
Improved dexterity: Muffs allow you to easily operate the handlebars and controls while keeping your hands warm and protected. This is especially beneficial in situations that require quick reactions and precise maneuvers.
Enhanced safety: Muffs can help prevent frostbite and other cold-related injuries, protecting your hands and ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride.
Additional storage: Some handlebar muff models offer built-in pockets or compartments, providing convenient storage space for small items like your phone, keys, or snacks.
Weather protection: Muffs shield your hands from snow, rain, and sleet, keeping them dry and comfortable regardless of the weather conditions.
Extended riding season: By offering optimal warmth and comfort, snowmobile handlebar muffs can enable you to extend your riding season and enjoy the winter wonderland even when the temperatures drop significantly.
Investing in snowmobile handlebar muffs is a worthwhile investment for any rider who prioritizes warmth, comfort, and safety. They offer a simple yet effective way to make your winter rides more enjoyable and allow you to focus on the thrill of the ride without worrying about the cold.