There are plenty of ways to spend money on a snowmobile. Suspension, skis, storage, handguards, controls, riding gear... the list gets long pretty quickly.
But which snowmobile upgrades are actually worth doing first?
After more than 20 years in the snowmobile business, we've learned that the best snowmobile upgrades aren't necessarily the most expensive ones. They're the ones that solve a problem, make your sled work better for the way you ride, or make your time on the snow more enjoyable.
So instead of asking, "What's the best upgrade for my snowmobile?" start with a different question:
What do I want to improve?
Want a Better Ride? Start With Suspension
If you're getting beat up on rough trails, bottoming out, struggling with control, or simply aren't happy with the way your sled rides, suspension is one of the first places we'd look.
A good snowmobile suspension upgrade can improve comfort, handling and control, but that doesn't mean every rider needs the most expensive shocks available.
Your weight, riding style and terrain all matter. A trail rider looking for a smoother ride has very different needs than someone riding aggressively off trail.
If FOX is on your radar, we've put together a guide explaining the differences between QS3, QSL, QSE, iQS and other FOX shock options.
Read: FOX Snowmobile Shocks Explained: QS3, QSL, QSE, iQS & More
Shop Snowmobile Suspension & Shocks
Not sure which shocks are right for your sled? Ask us. Tell us what you ride and what you're trying to improve, and we'll help you sort through the options.
Need More Storage? Think About What You Actually Carry
Phones, gloves, goggles, tools, snacks and tow straps all need somewhere to go, but the best snowmobile storage setup isn't necessarily the biggest bag you can fit on the sled.
Think about what you carry, how much space you really need and where you want to access it.
This one is especially close to home for us. Sled Solutions started developing our own snowmobile storage products because we wanted something that worked better for the way we rode. That eventually led to our E-Series Carry All and Quick Lock storage systems.
Read the History of the Sled Solutions Carry All
The right storage should make riding easier without constantly getting in your way.
Cold Hands? Don't Just Buy Thicker Gloves
Cold hands can ruin an otherwise great day on the snow.
Before simply buying heavier gloves, look at your entire setup. Snowmobile handguards can help block wind and snow, while gauntlets and heated gear may make sense depending on your riding style and conditions.
We're big fans of a good handguard setup and have tried plenty of different combinations over the years.
Read Why We Use ROX Speed FX Handguards
The right solution for an active mountain rider may be completely different from what works for a trail rider spending hours at speed in below-zero temperatures.
Trail or Off-Trail? Your Priorities Are Different
The way you ride should determine where you spend your money.
For mountain and off-trail riders, we'd put more emphasis on suspension, protection, controls, storage and keeping weight down. For trail riders, priorities tend to shift toward ride quality, handling, comfort, storage and wind protection.
There's no reason to add parts just because they're popular on somebody else's build.
Spend your money on upgrades you'll actually notice when you ride.
Sometimes the Best Upgrade Is Your Riding Gear
Not every worthwhile snowmobile upgrade bolts onto the machine.
If you're cold, uncomfortable, can't see because your goggles keep fogging, or spend half the ride adjusting your gear, another sled part probably isn't going to solve the problem.
Your helmet, goggles, balaclava, gloves, jacket and bibs should work together as a system.
A mountain rider who's working hard all day may need a very different setup from a trail rider cruising at speed in extremely cold temperatures. More insulation isn't automatically better.
Good snowmobile riding gear should help manage warmth, moisture and wind for the conditions you're actually riding in.
Shop Snowmobile Riding Gear, Helmets & Outerwear
Fighting Fogged Snowmobile Goggles?
Fogging is one of the most frustrating problems snowmobilers deal with, and buying another pair of goggles isn't always the answer.
Your helmet, goggles and balaclava all need to work together.
If warm, moist air from your breath is being directed toward your goggles, even a good lens can struggle to stay clear. Helmet ventilation, goggle fit, lens choice, your balaclava and even how warm you're dressed can all contribute.
We've dealt with it ourselves and learned quite a bit through years of trial and error.
Read: The Great Debate Over Goggle Brands and How to Fight Fogging
If you're constantly fighting fogged goggles, look at the whole helmet, goggle and balaclava combination, not just the goggles.
Just Bought a New Snowmobile? Ride It First.
So what should you upgrade first on a brand-new sled?
Sometimes our answer is:
Nothing.
Ride it.
It's easy to bring home a new sled and immediately start shopping for everything you could change. But until you've spent some time riding it, you may not know what actually needs changing.
Maybe you love the stock suspension but hate the storage. Maybe your hands are getting hammered by wind. Maybe after a few hundred miles you realize the suspension isn't keeping up with the way you ride. Maybe your goggles drive you crazy.
Or maybe the sled does exactly what you want it to do.
Solve the problems you actually have instead of building your sled from somebody else's shopping list.
That's usually money better spent.
So, What's the Best Snowmobile Upgrade?
There isn't one.
For one rider, it's shocks. For another, it might be skis or controls. Someone else may get more enjoyment from a good handlebar bag, warmer hands, better riding gear or finally solving a goggle-fogging problem.
The best snowmobile upgrades are the ones that make your sled and your riding experience better for you.
And you don't have to figure all of that out by yourself.
Not Sure What Your Sled Needs? Ask Us.
You don't need to know exactly which shock you need, which part fits your sled, what storage setup will work best, or why your goggles fog every time you stop moving.
That's what we're here for.
Tell us what sled you have, how you ride, what's not working for you and what you're hoping to improve. We'll help you sort through the options.
Sled Solutions has been helping snowmobilers find the right parts, accessories and riding gear for more than 20 years. We ride this stuff, we use it, and we've learned a lot about what works along the way.
Have a question about your sled or riding gear? Give Sled Solutions a call at 586-215-6849. We'd be happy to help.