F.A.S.T. Snowmobile Suits: Powerful Gear You Need to Know About

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 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 Does F.A.S.T. Mean?

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 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 winter gear.

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

Within the world of snowmobiling apparel, what makes these flotation 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 is the concept of flotation. These suits feature a unique combination of insulation and buoyancy, 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 buoyancy ensures you don’t sink. The lower part of the F.A.S.T. floater 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 crucial aspect of the science behind F.A.S.T. suits is their strategic reinforcements. These suits are reinforced in high-impact areas, such as the elbows, knees, and shoulders, using advanced materials that provide extra durability without compromising flexibility.

Moisture-wicking

Additionally, F.A.S.T. suits incorporate 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 when you fall through the ice, the snowmobile flotation suit retains its thermal properties – buying you time to pull yourself to safety.

Why Consider a Flotation Snowsuit?

It’s an overconfident mindset that gets most of us into trouble. So what if you haven’t fallen through 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 gear that keeps 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 brands that specialize in flotation suits for snowmobiling, but out of the few FXR Racing is our top pick. Not only are FXR suits superior in quality, but they are also stylish! 

Our family has been sporting FXR snowmobile suits for years, and we can attest that these snowsuits 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. After a few years, their snowmobile suits still have no rips or tears, just some wear on the knees and some staining. As to snowmobiling, my husband and I can attest to their warmth even at sustained speeds over 100 km on lake crossings. 

FXR Racing F.A.S.T. Snowmobile Suits

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.

FXR offers two-piece snowmobile suits and monosuits. Each type of suit has a multitude of colour options and features. Higher-priced 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. value. All suits feature a HydrxPro laminate and a 3-year warranty.

Other notable features include:

• padded knees
• 2-way waterproof zipper
• shock-cord adjustable collar
• adjustable cuffs & hems
• thermal seat and knees
• storm cuffs
• leg length adjusters
• reflective inserts
• goggle wipe (not all styles)
• removable hood (not all styles)
• inner beacon pocket (not all styles)

Let’s look at a few of FXR’s Men’s Monosuits for a quick comparison.

	Maverick	Ranger	CX	Recruit
Heat Level	5	5	6	6
DryVent	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
F.A.S.T.	90g	90g	180g Combined	180g Combined
HydrxPro	✔️	✔️	10,000mm / 8,000g/m²	✔️
Thermal Flex	60g	60g	✔️	✔️
A.C.M.T.	35,000mm / 25,000g/m²	20,000mm / 8,000g/m²		10,000mm / 8,000g/m²
Omni-Stretch	✔️	✔️
YKK AquaGuard	✔️	✔️
Price	$899 USD	$789 USD	$689 USD	$569 USD

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.

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!!! 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. 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 the high vis orange.
2. Pro Max Flotation Suits is new 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. Snowmobile Suits for Children / Youth

Both FXR Racing and Pro Max make flotation snowmobile suits for children and youth. As noted earlier, these 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 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 are comfortable and warm, 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!

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

In conclusion, if you thrive on revving the throttle of a powerful snowmobile, cross-country skiing across the ice or gliding down a frozen lake, opt for a F.A.S.T. snowmobile suit to keep you safe and comfortable.

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

Comment down below what your experience with flotation suits is or if you have any winter safety tips.

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