Snowmobile riders are predisposed to some of the toughest, harshest and variable environments in the world during their snowmobile vacations or tours. The extreme weather conditions are intensified by the speed of modern sleds and by temperatures varying markedly during a long ride. Riders are prone to ice accidents as they may fall through the ice or can land in icy water if they cruise over a soft spot in a lake or river. Some riders opt for a floatation snowmobile suit to avoid such an emergency and keep themselves afloat. These snowmobile suits are an integrated combination of tough and smart technologies that offer consistent comfort regardless of the situation.
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What is a Floatation Snowmobile Suit?
A floatation snowmobile suit is designed for riders who go snowmobiling in regions with frozen lakes or rivers. It is generally a one-piece suit that keeps the wearer afloat if they fall in the water. The insulation in the suits keeps you warm even in wet conditions. These suits use materials that do not absorb water. Some of them assist in draining water out of the inner layer of clothing. The suit sheds water quickly to delay hypothermia if the rider accidentally plummets into a lake or river. It also means that the suit won’t freeze as it does not retain water. The unnecessary weight of absorbed water won’t weigh you down. You will be able to move faster, which can be crucial in emergencies. On the other hand, a regular suit will keep getting heavier as it absorbs water. It will make it harder and harder for the snowmobiler to get out of the water.
The insulation in the suit also prevents your body from the physical shock accompanying a dip in freezing water. Otherwise, you would gasp and take in cold water as you breathe. A floatation snowmobile suit can be crucial if you are all alone by yourself, and there is no way for you to call for help. They can assist in self-rescue by giving you a few extra crucial minutes to react.
How Does a Floatation Snowmobile Suit Function?
Floatation snowmobile suits have buoyant materials in addition to insulation and waterproof fabric. The material is placed strategically so that the suit automatically floats the wearer in a horizontal position. It makes it easier for the person to pull themselves out of the water and onto a dry surface. Its buoyancy may be beneficial if you are in shock, feel weak, or lose consciousness for a few seconds. Floatation snowmobile suits delay hypothermia by anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. It gives you precious time to reach a dry spot and change your wet clothes or wait for help to arrive in the case of an emergency.
A floatation snowmobile suit does not replace a personal floatation device but can complement it. The suit’s purpose is to give you a few extra precious minutes to pull yourself out of the water and reach a safe and dry spot. It can be a great way of protecting yourself and your fellow riders or loves ones, especially if they are not as experienced in snowmobiling.
Despite their extra insulation and protection, floatation snowmobile suits do not limit your mobility or movement. They do not weight significantly more than a regular snowmobile suit. The only limitation of a floatation snowmobile suit is that it may not be as comfortable as a standard suit. But sacrificing a little comfort for survivability is the obvious choice. If you don’t have lakes or rivers in your area or mostly stay on maintained trails, then a standard snowmobile suit will suffice.
Floatation Snowmobile Suit
If you are looking for floatation snowmobile suits, then here are a few excellent options for you. These products are specially designed and feature advanced technologies to protect the rider in extreme conditions.
FXR Racing F.A.S.T. Monosuit
A floatation snowmobile suits is a good idea for riders who like to push the edge around frozen waterways. FXR Racing has been incorporating their FAST technology, which means Floatation Assistance Technology, into their snowmobile apparel to add lifesaving floatation assistance. This Fast technology is basically an insulation membrane that is made from low-density polyethylene foam and offers buoyancy assistance for almost two hours. The FAST membrane allows you to stay warm when you have submerged in ice water and it also retains its insulation ability when it becomes wet. It is moisture-resistant as well which enables you to shed the water quickly once you get out of it. This allows you to lessen the amount of ice on your gear and keeps you mobile and warm.
When you are submerged in water it is extremely difficult to get out of it and snowmobile suits not containing floatation assist gradually fill up and hold water, making it harder to stay afloat and pull up on to the ice surface. This FAST equipped apparel is equipped with drain vent mesh that aids in water draining out of the garments. This, in turn, allows you to get lighter as you get out of water and dryer much as quickly as possible to avoid hypothermia. You must get both FXR jackets and bibs that possess the FAST membrane feature as only one garment is incapable to provide you enough floatation assistance in staying afloat. Therefore, FAST is definitely a step above a regular snowmobile suits.
FXR Racing has been providing the best quality monosuits, jackets, pants and layer wear for riders for many years. They have a vast variety of snowmobile apparel that gives full mobility without any restrictions and seals off the suit providing complete protection in extreme weather conditions to all snowmobile riders.
Mustang Survival Suits
Mustang Survival has been committed to offering lifesaving solutions to people susceptible to the most dangerous environments for over 40 years. Mustang Survival has maintained its position as a leading manufacturer of survival solutions to military, recreational and professional users. They offer all kinds of survival gears ranging from floatation jackets, coats, bibs to aviation suits. The amount of buoyancy in the floatation suit and the position of buoyant material in it, float the rider horizontally allowing to pull himself out on to the ice. The floatation suit consists of Airsoft closed-cell foam that gives thermal insulation from ice water to prevent hypothermia.
Onyx Flotation Jacket
There are not a lot of manufacturers that specialize in cold weather flotation devices. Similar to Mustang Survival, Onyx makes a variety of safety and flotation devices for the water. One product that is especially helpful when you need floatation in cold weather is the Onyx Flotation Jacket. The jacket is nice because it is comfortable and warm. It is made to be worn while snowmobiling, hunting or fishing, but it has the extra protection of being a Coast Guard approved TYPE lll PFD as well. Now, if you find yourself submerged in sub-freezing weather I can assure you that you will have to get out and get warm and dry as soon as possible, but if you have the Onyx Flotation Jacket on it will certainly help your chance of getting out and getting warm before you catch hypothermia.
Dennis Kirk Inc.
Dennis Kirk Inc. is one of the dealers of best FXR Racing’s snowsuits products. It carries FXR Racing products more than any of the aftermarket vendors at the lowest guaranteed prices. It has vast experience in the powersports industry since it has embarked in 1969. Dennis Kirk Inc. provides no-hassle return policy and free shipment on orders above $89. They offer Men’s, Women’s helix, Team FX and Slasher jackets and bibs, all having FAST membranes. FXR youth and children’s snowmobile bibs and jackets possess FAST system as well which ensures their safety as well.
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