F.A.S.T. Snowmobile Suits: Survive Falling Through the Ice

You can feel it, can’t you? The adrenaline rushing through your body at the thought of sledding through breathtaking snowy landscapes, ice fishing for that trophy-sized walleye or ice skating on the smooth surface of a frozen lake. Get ready because that icy season is almost here! Wait a second; before you rev your machine, throw on those skates or grab your fishing rod, ask yourself if your winter gear is truly up to the challenge. In the world of icy escapades, ordinary snowsuits won’t cut it. This is where F.A.S.T. snowmobile suits come into play – the ultimate game-changer that unlocks a new level of safety and enjoyment for your frozen expeditions.

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Wait, What Are F.A.S.T. Snowmobile Suits?

Before we delve into snowmobile floater suits, let’s see what F.A.S.T. stands for. F.A.S.T. is an acronym for:

F – Float

A – Assist

S – Safety

T – Tech

These technologically advanced insulated snowmobile suits are designed to keep you floating should you break through the ice. Essentially, when it comes to traversing treacherous icy terrains or ice fishing, F.A.S.T. snowmobile suits reign supreme over traditional snow gear.

The Science Behind F.A.S.T. Snowmobile Suits

Within the world of snowmobiling apparel, what makes these snowmobile suits stand out is that they are meticulously crafted using advanced materials and innovative design.

One of the key scientific principles applied in the construction of F.A.S.T. suits vs non-insulated monosuits is the concept of flotation. These F.A.S.T. suits for winter riding feature a unique combination of insulation properties and buoyancy assistance, allowing you to stay afloat in icy waters for up to 2 hours. The insulation keeps you warm by trapping and retaining your body heat, while the flotation assistance of the expanded low-density polyethylene foam ensures you don’t sink.

The lower part of the F.A.S.T. snowmobile suit is where 55% to 60% of your buoyancy comes from. This means you can confidently ride without worrying about struggling to stay afloat should you break through.

Reinforcements

Another important aspect behind F.A.S.T. snowmobile gear is their strategic reinforcements. These durable snowmobile suits are reinforced in high-impact areas, such as the elbows, knees, and shoulders, using advanced materials that provide extra durability without compromising flexibility for the ultimate snowmobiling experience.

Moisture-wicking Snowmobile Suits

Additionally, F.A.S.T. suits for cold weather feature cutting-edge moisture-wicking technology. This technology actively pulls sweat away from your body and allows it to evaporate, keeping you dry and comfortable even during intense physical exertion.

By regulating your body temperature and preventing moisture build-up, this technology enhances your overall performance and minimizes the risk of hypothermia. Even during cold water immersion, the snowmobile flotation suit retains its thermal properties – buying you time to self-rescue even with a delayed cold shock response.

Why You Need a Floater Suit!

It’s an overconfident mindset that gets most of us into trouble. So what if you haven’t fallen through the ice in x number of years! It doesn’t mean you will never fall through. Even a short trip across the ice does not guarantee your safety.

Every year, either early or late in the season, by a glance, someone decides that the ice is thick enough for a quick trip to the neighbours. Unfortunately, it becomes a newsworthy story the next day!

Here’s a startling fact for you: according to the National Institutes of Health, an average of 200 snowmobilers die each year across North America alone, with an additional 14,000 suffering from injuries. Another fact to consider is that 44% of all non-vehicular drownings in the winter are children under the age of 9. These staggering numbers underscore the importance of investing in top-rated F.A.S.T. suits that keep you afloat.

Ice thickness and conditions change as you cross any waterbody. Safe ice in one area does not guarantee safe ice elsewhere. You can measure ice several feet thick, only to find areas on the same waterbody razor thin thanks to an underwater current. Of all things, we’ve even seen a natural underwater spring in a location that opened the ice right up.

Technically, NO ice is safe ice. That doesn’t mean we need to avoid the ice altogether, rather we need to mitigate those risks as best we can. With good judgement, patience and excellent safety equipment. 

Best Flotation Snowmobile Suits

There aren’t too many top brands that specialize in flotation suits for recreational snowmobiling, but out of the few FXR Racing has the best F.A.S.T. suits for snow and is our top pick. Not only is the FXR snowmobile suit superior in quality offering maximum protection, but it’s also stylish riding apparel! 

Our family has been sporting FXR snowmobile apparel for years, and we can attest that these insulated snowmobile suits can withstand the ill treatment from icy activities. From sliding down icy, snowy hills to playing ice hockey and snowmobiling, my children have definitely put their FXR monosuits through the wringer.

During the pandemic, they were outdoors in their snowmobile floater suits ALL DAY while never complaining about the cold – in fact, they were staying warm and dry. After a few years, their snowmobile suits still have no rips or tears, just some wear on the knees and staining.

As to snowmobiling, my husband and I can attest to their superior warmth even at sustained speeds over 100 km on lake crossings. Personally, hands down, FXR makes the best snowmobile suits for winter riding!

FXR Racing F.A.S.T. Snowmobile Suit Review

Let’s be honest, safety gear is boring, as the sole purpose of it is to ensure your safety and not to look pretty. With trendy designs, choice of colours, and features, FXR Racing figured out how to make safety stylish.

My only compliant is that the FXR F.A.S.T. snowmobile suits are heavy. I understand why, as the built-in tech is there to keep you safe, warm and floating, but still, it’s heavy and thick. Some styles do not offer unrestricted movement. Other than that, the quality is definitely there, and I love that there are different styles to choose from and colours.

FXR fast flotation comes in two-piece snowmobile suits and monosuits (one-piece snow suit). Each type of suit has a multitude of colour options and features. Higher-priced FXR snowmobile suits feature an Omni-Stretch shell with YKK AquaGuard zippers and F.A.S.T. 3.0 insulation. They also have a higher A.C.M.T. (Advanced Climate Management Technology) value. All suits feature a HydrxPro laminate and a 3-year warranty. 

Other notable features include:

FXR’s Men’s Monosuit F.A.S.T. Comparison Chart

Price

Point blank, how much is your life worth to you? How much is your children’s life worth? I am going to venture a guess and say it’s priceless!!!

F.A.S.T. snowmobile suits are expensive, but the good news is that it’s not something that needs to be updated constantly. Our neighbours have had their flotation suits for what seems like forever. And they still work, even in the harshest winter conditions!!! So, yes, the initial financial outlay may be a lot to some, but the peace of mind that comes with it is priceless. We have heard remarkable stories of people floating in their FXR suits for hours before rescue and were grateful that they spared no expense to buy a F.A.S.T. snowmobile suit.

Depending on the style, pricing on a monosuit starts at $500 US, for F.A.S.T. snowmobile jackets $320 and pants $310. Think of it as an investment in preserving your life or the life of a loved one.

What Other Brands Make Flotation Suits

1. Mustang Survival Classic Flotation Suit is a monosuit that caters to all water activities and offers cold weather protection. We have friends who have owned theirs for many, many years and have not had any problems with it. The only downside is that it only comes in high vis orange.
2. Pro Max Flotation Suits is newer to the market and was a brand created by Royal Distributing. With it being a year old, there aren’t too many reviews on it, nor do we know anyone who owns one.
3. Klim is another well-known brand that makes highly durable, waterproof snowmobile jackets. Unfortunately, they do not have many options, nor are there any pants to go with the jacket. Reminder: Flotation in the legs is crucial.

F.A.S.T. Suits vs Other Brands

Brands like Mustang and Kilm do not have much to choose from. Pro Max is the only other brand that gives you some more options in snowmobile flotation suits. Personally, I find ProMax falls short in terms of the technology used and some of its features, but they are a more affordable snowmobile suit.

F.A.S.T. Snowmobile Suits for Children / Youth

Both FXR Racing and Pro Max make flotation snowmobile suits for children and youth. As noted earlier, these kids snowmobile suits are pricey but are worth every penny.

As a parent, these snowmobile floater suits offer peace of mind that my children are safe on the ice. I do not have to worry if my child will remember to hold their breath, look for their ice picks, and try to slide onto the ice, all while keeping calm and collected. The flotation suit will help them elevate their legs, keep their head above water and give you time to rescue them.

The other advantage to wearing a kids F.A.S.T. suit is that children have short attention spans. They can transition from yard to ice within seconds, forgetting about the dangers of ice. Because these suits offer maximum comfort and warmth, our children practically live in their snowmobiling monosuits all winter, which again helps justify the cost.

Something worth noting is when your child outgrows their snowsuit, the resale value of an FXR is excellent! If budget is an issue, try looking online for a used FAST snowmobile suit. Most often you can find a suit in almost brand new condition on Kijiji or Facebook Market Place. 

My kids, when they were little, loved their FXR Fast monosuits. These breathable snowmobile suits were no fuss, warm and comfortable. They never complained about the cold, even when temperatures were well into their -30’s C.

Being a one piece suit, there were no complaints of their backs being cold or that there was snow getting into their gear. Once the kids get into their teens, they may no longer find that the monosuit is cool enough to wear, in which case, they’ll be eyeing the two-piece floater suits for their snowmobile ride or winter activities.

Concluding Unleashing the Power of F.A.S.T.

If you thrive on revving the throttle of a powerful snowmobile, water skipping, going on snowmobile tours, cross-country skiing across the ice, or gliding down a frozen lake, opt for F.A.S.T. snowmobile suits to keep you safe and comfortable.

Risking your precious life for the thrill of a winter adventure or a visit with a neighbour is not worth it. When it comes to ice safety, there are no guarantees! Make sure you wear a personal flotation device or get your flotation assist suit today!

Comment down below your experience with floater suits or if you own a ProMax, what your thoughts are.

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