Indigo Snow Logic Shovel

Posted: 01/12/2004 In Category(s): Reviews :: Product Reviews

Plastic avalanche shovels have earned a bad reputation. Although polycarbonate (Lexan) blades are nearly unbreakable, they tend to flex which makes them bounce off hard snow. When seconds count, a shovel that cannot attack avalanche debris is almost worthless. Aluminum blades are stiffer so they chop much more effectively; although larger than plastic blades, these don't necessarily move snow any faster since they have shallower sides (a constraint of metal forming).

Indigo Snow Logic Shovel

The new Indigo Snow Logic shovel overcomes the weakness of previous polycarbonate models and the design limitations of aluminum. Similar in size to the Life-Link that has been around for ages, the blade has much greater structural reinforcement. Applying full bodyweight barely flexes this blade while other plastic blades bend easily. Slightly deeper walls also provide more volume for shoveling. And a well-designed flat surface on the bottom is ideal for smoothing out the wall of snow pits for evaluating conditions.

Indigo Snow Logic Shovel

The Snow Logic is super-fast to assemble with a little practice (there's a little trick that's easily figured out). Borrowing an idea from Ramer, the handle never has to be removed from the shovel blade; most others separate the two for transport and losing either half renders the shovel useless. The extendable aluminum handle is indexed so that pushbuttons always align. Even the gull-wing grip is an improvement over normal T-grips since it fits the hand more comfortably.

At 23 ounces (670 g) for the Standard Snow Logic with the extendable handle (why anyone would buy a non-extendable handle is a complete mystery), the shovel is reasonably light without sacrificing performance. This is the first plastic shovel we've tested that truly rivals aluminum models and, indeed, has some distinct advantages.

SNEWS Rating: 5 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection)

Suggested Retail: $40

For more information: www.indigoequipment.com


Rating: SNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full Clap

To learn more about how SNEWS® conducts product reviews, click here.



SNEWS® CHAT -- Have a comment, idea, retort, or an engaging thought that was inspired by this article or from our opinions expressed in the SNEWS® View? Just click here to comment now.
Products and Trends
GearTrends Ad Marketplace
Category Thumbnail
Rockbound Ridge Pant Rockbound Ridge Pant
Apr 25, 2009
Designed with a two-way stretch ripstop fabric, The North Face Rockbound Ridge Pant’s stretchy material is extremely resilient
Category Thumbnail
Mo Room™ Tent 2P & 3P Mo Room™ Tent 2P & 3P
Dec 16, 2008
The Mo Room tent (2P and 3P) is the epitome of livability.
Category Thumbnail
Minx GTX Minx GTX
Apr 25, 2009
TheNorth Face Minx GTX is a perfect lightweight trail shoe for hikers who want to move quickly.
SNEWS Headlines
Did you hear?...Health magazine announces fitness/gear award winners
Jul 2, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines
Power Players' Lounge: Opportunity knocks -- do you hear it?
Jul 1, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines
Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines
Industry Releases
Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group grows design team, brings R&D in-house
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases
Highgear Receives Health 2009 America's Healthiest Fitness Award
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases
Hydration at Elevation: nuun and Mountain Madness Team Up
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases
Featured Content
Product Reviews
Review ThumbnailMakoto Xergame
June 29, 2009
When the current owners of Makoto USA saw the game that would become Makoto at an arcade in 2002, they immediately realized its potential to provide both physical and mental fitness for anyone, from athletes to the elderly to folks in rehab. The SNEWS® team first saw a Makoto at the Health & Fitness Business show in Denver several years ago and, after playing it (over and over, we must admit), we had to get one for the office.
See all Product Reviews
Trend Reports
SNEWS Readers' Choice: Our readers pick their top 25 products of the last quarter-century
Jun 22, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance's Early Show offers early preview of trends and potential top sellers
Jun 19, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market ’09: You want new and cool?
Mar 23, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Layer up
Mar 4, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Outerwear makers shell out jackets and pants -- and kids get in on the action too
Feb 27, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Most Viewed Stories
Outdoor industry rugby players unite for match against Utah locals during Outdoor Retailer
May 27, 2009
Read story
SCAM Alert: Did you book your hotel rooms at OR or HFB with Travel House Services?
Jun 26, 2009
Read story
EU iodine ban worries -- SNEWS provides the facts
Jun 26, 2009
Read story
Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Read story
Power Players' Lounge: Opportunity knocks -- do you hear it?
Jul 1, 2009
Read story
SNEWS Reader Poll
Log in to view or participate in user polls.
SNEWS Blog
WS 100 endurance run observations: Product, privacy and sloshing packs
"I was hanging out helping brain-dead runners summit the Devil’s Thumb climb in the Western States 100 last Saturday, June 27. It’s a nasty, rocky, 1,500 foot climb over 1.8 miles that comes for most in the hottest part of the day. And it was pretty hot, dry and dusty last weekend. As I escorted runner after runner from the top to the medical aid weigh-in, got their bottles and packs refilled, and"


Read Comments
Community Chat
"denver show " by fabio ravasi (07/03/2009 16:22 MDT)
Comments
"HFB " by John Price (07/02/2009 10:03 MDT)
Comments
"Denver show. " by Dan Sharshel (07/02/2009 09:14 MDT)
Comments
Join the conversations -- Ideas, Community. Becoming a member of the community is free.
Click here to activate your membership now. Dark Blue Triangle