What to wear for snow tubing? If you’re in the mood to go on a joyful ride down a snow hill, then one of the most important things to focus on while snow tubing is to wear proper clothing. So what should you wear for snow tubing? Snow tubing is an outdoor winter activity that will require you to dress appropriately to stay warm and dry.
For this, you will need three layers of clothing – a lightweight thermal base layer, a thicker fleece mid-layer, and a waterproof top layer. The other essentials would be gloves, sunglasses, waterproof or hiking shoes, and a warm cap.
If it’s your first time on a snow tube sled, then let us deep-dive into understanding all about snow tubing and what kind of apparel you will need to make the experience fun and memorable.
What is Snow Tubing?
Snow tubing is a fun recreational winter activity where you sit tight inside an inflated inner tube that looks like an oversized donut and slide down a snow hill. Sounds super fun isn’t it? It’s all the more exhilarating when it’s snowing and when the slope down the hill is higher and steeper.
Don’t worry, it’s not dangerous, it’s mostly like sledding, in fact, you can even do snow tubing with your family during the winter holidays. There is no special skill required to do this activity, you don’t need practice or training to do snow tubing.
It is an extremely entertaining activity to do if you haven’t tried it before. You can enjoy nature in winter and the beautiful snow-covered mountains with your family and friends and have an exciting time.
What to Wear for Snow Tubing?
As you will be spending quite a lot of time outside on the snow slopes, it is essential that you layer up with the right clothing to stay warm, comfortable, and dry. Let us go layer by layer to get a good understanding of what exactly you will need for this activity.
- Base Layer: The inner clothing which will be your base layer needs to be lightweight and form-fitting as you will be adding on more layers on top of this. Invest in a good set of thermals which includes a top and a pair of pants, preferably wool and not cotton. A thermal underwear set will help in wicking moisture, retaining body heat, and keeping you warm and comfortable all day.
- Mid Layer: The mid-layer goes over your base layer. This can be a full-sleeved fleece T-shirt, fleece jacket, hoodies, or a wool sweater. The synthetic fleece material is usually lightweight, super cozy, and will help in keeping you warm.
- Top Layer: The top layer will protect you from getting wet in the snow. So you will need to buy a waterproof jacket or a down jacket and waterproof snow pants to keep you warm and dry. These three layers of clothing are perfect to make snow tubing absolutely fun without having to worry about the freezing temperature.
- Accessories: Now comes the part where you will need to protect your head, hands, and feet which are equally important. Freezing cold and numb hands are not something you would want to be thinking about while riding downhill. A cozy pair of gloves or mittens for the hands, waterproof boots or snowshoes, and a warm cap or hat for the head will keep you comfortably warm in the cold environment. You can also wear a scarf to cover your neck.
What Pants to Wear for Snow Tubing?
Most of the time while layering up the focus is usually on the top layers and we tend to ignore the bottom part of our body assuming that we don’t feel very cold in our legs and thighs. Cotton trousers and jeans are a no-no unless you are wearing waterproof leggings or sweats underneath. Now, you wouldn’t want to spend the entire day in the snow wearing freezing wet pants, it would just ruin the whole experience.
This is why it is important to dress appropriately. Snow pants are the go-to option for snow tubing but let us look at a few other alternatives too.
Snow Pants: Snow pants or ski pants are recommended for snow tubing. These pants will help in keeping your legs warm and dry. Snow pants are made from synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester.
These fabrics are lightweight, waterproof, windproof, and durable, making them a perfect choice for this outdoor activity.
Rain/Wind Pants: If you don’t want to spend money on buying new snow pants, then rain or wind pants are a great alternative. These pants are again made from lightweight materials like nylon or polyester and are water-resistant. You can wear thermal pants underneath to stay warm and wear these rain or wind pants over them to keep yourself dry while sliding down the snow hills.
Fleece pants: Fleece pants are another great option as the outer material of fleece pants is water repellant and the inner fabric is warm, plush, and comfortable. Fleece fabric has anti-perspiration properties so it will wick away moisture and the fabric feels extremely soft and fuzzy on the skin.
Leggings: If you don’t want to look bulky, then waterproof leggings or fleece leggings are another alternative, just ensure they are thick enough to keep you warm. Leggings are a good option for women as they are flexible and easy to wear. You can wear knee-high snow boots on the leggings for additional protection and warmth.
What Shoes to Wear for Snow Tubing?
For footwear, you will need waterproof boots, hiking shoes, or snow boots that are designed to keep your feet dry. These types of shoes have a particular tread pattern on the soles to provide grip and traction on snow to prevent slipping. They are also waterproof and breathable making them a great choice to wear for snow tubing.
The higher the length of the shoes the warmer your feet are going to be. Do not wear your regular walking or running shoes for snow activities.
What to Wear for Inner Snow Tubing?
Indoor snow tubing will not require you to wear as many layers as outdoor snow tubing. It also depends on the place, most indoor snow tubing places recommend wearing a light jacket and regular clothes or shoes, and try to avoid wearing shorts, sleeveless tops, or flip-flops. It is best that you read up on the rules and instructions of the indoor snow tubing facility for optimal comfort.
With the advancement in technology, you don’t have to wait for wintertime to enjoy snow tubing. Indoor snow tubing allows you to enjoy this activity at any time of the year. However, the fun factor is increased tenfold when you do this activity outdoors in real snow, especially first-timers.
Additional Tips:
Always carry an extra pair of clothing, in case of unforeseeable accidents like falling into a body of water or unpredictable tears and damage. It could also be something as innocuous as a loved one playfully pushing you into the snow. It’s better to wear extra layers as you can always remove the outer layers in case you feel too hot.
Sunglasses are an optional but important accessory. This will protect your eyes from the harsh UV rays of the sun when they reflect off the snow.
Conclusion
Snow tubing is an exciting and refreshing outdoor activity that can keep you active during winter. It is a great way to bond and connect with the entire family, especially kids. Carry some hot beverages and snacks to make it all the more fun.
All you need to do is find a wonderful location for snow tubing and head there wearing your warm and cozy layers. Remember, you need your warm clothing layers, snow pants, and snow boots. Don’t forget to carry gloves, a beanie, and sunglasses to thoroughly enjoy snow tubing.
Now that you know exactly what to wear for snow tubing, it’s time you get dressed and enjoy the crisp cold winter air while sliding down the beautiful snowy mountains.
