One of the most popular winter activities is tubing. These round products actively displace the usual sleds and ice. What is the reason for their popularity, what types of cheesecakes exist and how to choose them correctly - this will be discussed in this article.
Features
Tubing is an inflatable sled based on a car camera, which is covered with dense material.. The product has a bottom, handles and a tow rope. The bottom of the cheesecake is covered with two-layer polyvinyl chloride, due to which the friction of the tubing against snow is reduced and a higher speed develops.
Due to the fact that the tubings are inflatable, they better absorb the bumps and bumps on the ground, and due to their lightness they are more comfortable to use (compared to sleds and ice cubes). Even on loose snow, a cheesecake is easier to pull, it is stable, it is almost impossible to roll over on it. At the same time, the tubing is maneuverable and can unfold during a descent, which makes skiing more interesting and exciting from the hill.. Finally, the ability to bleed air from the cheesecake makes the product easy to store. All this becomes the reason for the popularity of tubing and the refusal of many parents to sled in their favor.
At the same time, it is worthwhile to understand that it is very difficult to control tubing, and for a child it is usually completely impossible. It develops a high (up to 60 km / h) speed, has no brakes, so the descent on the “cheesecake” can be dangerous.
Kinds
Tubing can be divided into several types, depending on what criterion is the basis of differentiation. Primarily they differ in diameter and maximum load. The minimum size is 50 cm and the maximum possible load is 50 kg. This product is for babies. The diameter of tubing for teens is 150-170 cm.Between these products there are "intermediate" options with a diameter of 60, 70, 80 and 90 cm.
Tubing can be made of various materials - PVC, tarpaulin, PVC and textile. They can have different colors and designs. Many manufacturers produce children's tubing for boys and girls, differing in appearance.
Depending on the form, they are isolated classic round and oval tubing. The latter are more elongated in the part where the child’s legs are located. Products for two are in the shape of a figure eight.
There are models for regular and intense skiing (usually they involve attaching a tubing to a snowmobile or ATV).
Products for intensive skiing have a reinforced bottom and sides, as well as reinforced seams.
Manufacturers
Consider the most popular brands and models of children's tubing.
Hubster Suite Pro
In the lineup of this inexpensive brand there are several models of tubing. The minimum diameter of the products is 65 cm, the maximum is 150 cm. That is, with this manufacturer you will find "cheesecakes" for both kids and adolescents. The bottom of the products is made of reinforced PVC, the top is made of fabric with a special water-repellent impregnation.
Tubing handles are sewn into the joints of products, which ensures their additional strengthening. The number of handles depends on the diameter of the product. On cheesecakes for toddlers from 2, on models for teenagers (and adults) - 4.
The Hubster Lux Pro tubing is sturdy, but it is not designed to be attached to snowmobiles or ATVs. With such an operation, they quickly wear out and become unusable.
Many users note the presence of a strong smell of rubber in the first weeks after purchase.
Igloo Tubing Snow Oxford 80 cm
TM “Igloo” is another manufacturer of the economy version of tubing, which nonetheless leads the rating of such products. The brand produces cheesecakes in 4 dimensional versions: with a diameter of 55 cm, 75, 90 and 105 cm.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the model Snow Oxford 80 cm.
The product is based on PVC and textile with a diameter of 80 cm. Maximum load - 110 kg. The model is equipped with 2 handles and a tow rope. Tubing is characterized by high quality materials, reliability, ability to hold the load well and slide. As a disadvantage, we can distinguish the absence of lightning on a cheesecake.
For intensive skiing, this model, like the rest from this manufacturer, is not intended.
Fani sani brilliant
Another manufacturer, traditionally in the top of the best. It produces many types of cheesecakes, which for convenience are "divided" into series. The children's models that interest us are combined in the Brilliant series. These are bright products with a rubber chamber inside and with a diameter of 60, 80, 100 and 112 cm.
The upper part is a dense water-repellent fabric, the bottom is reinforced PVC material. For the convenience of riding and carrying, the model has built-in belts.
The model is quite reliable, comfortable.
Of the minuses, one can note a not too deep bottom, soft not reinforced handles.
Tubing 1 TOY "Transformers" T57223
Bright, comfortable and durable tubing with a diameter of 92 cm. The sliding layer is made of two-layer polyvinyl chloride, the sides and the “top” are textiles. The maximum load is 100 kg. The product has 2 handles, a cable.
Users note the high quality of tubing, it does not deflate, and is rapidly gaining speed.
Yukon Saturn
Tubing with a diameter of 70 cm and a maximum load of 50 kg. For all indicators the product is intended for small children. However, this model has a small seat, which makes it not the most comfortable and safe for kids.
Cheesecake has a bright design, 2 reinforced handles and a cable. Thanks to the double-layer bottom made of PVC, the tubing glides well and quickly picks up speed.
The absence of lightning, as well as the specific smell that is felt for a long time after purchase - these are the obvious disadvantages of the product.
Hubster Hype
The product is based on PVC and textile with a diameter of 90 cm and a maximum load of 100 kg. The design of the model is quite restrained, made in classic shades.For some buyers, this is a plus, while others dream of buying a brighter tubing.
It has handles and a cable, but the restrictor nozzles in this model are rather weak. Generally reliable and functional, robust model.
Nika TB1K-85
The product has a diameter of 85 cm and can withstand user weight up to 90 kg. It is made entirely of PVC, but it has a bright design.
The model is characterized by a comfortable seat and reinforced seams, has 2 comfortable handles, a tow rope.
Among the shortcomings are weak handles, the camera is larger than the case in size.
Small Rider Snow Cars 3 BM
The elongated tubing, the dimensions of which are 106x86 cm. It withstands the user's weight up to 180 kg. The model has a seat belt, a comfortable seat and, on the whole, a very comfortable design in operation.
The manufacturer declares the possibility of riding a tubing for two, however, the model is equipped with only one pair of pens. A serious omission.
Some buyers note fragile cover material, but the manufacturer gives a guarantee on their products.
Criterias of choice
When choosing cheesecakes, you should focus on a number of criteria. First of all, you need to determine the compliance of the product with the child’s height and age (the table will help to do this).
Then, the selected model should be evaluated in terms of quality.
According to the age
It is important to choose tubing based on the age and weight of the child. The smaller the age of the children, the smaller the diameter of their cheesecake. For kids, products with a back (it is removable) and additional seat belts are produced.
The choice of tubing depending on growth is due primarily to the fact that in a too small product it will be simply inconvenient, and in an excessively large child it will not reach the pens.
Choose a suitable tubing will help the table.
Height and approximate age of the child | Cheesecake Diameter |
Not higher than 100 cm (children under 3-4 years old) | 55-85 cm |
100-140 cm (5 -7 years) | 95 cm |
Over 140 cm (from 8 years and older) | 110-125 cm |
When choosing should first focus on growth, not on the age of the child. Due to individual characteristics, a child at 8 and 10 years old may be of the same company, and may have a significant difference in growth.
If we are talking about tubing for two or group skating, then when buying you should focus on the growth of the highest participant in skating. Do not forget to summarize the weight of all participants in the entertainment and make sure that the figure does not exceed the weight of the maximum tubing load.
In addition to matching the diameter of the tubing to the growth of the child, conduct an additional test. Let the child sit on a “cheesecake” - his legs should not touch the ground.
Otherwise, at the moment of slipping it may cause injury.
By quality
Pay attention to the quality and density of PVC - the material with which "cheesecakes" are fitted. Its density should be at least 700 g / m2, and the seams should be closed with a nylon tape. If tubing is chosen for a teenager - a drift enthusiast, then preference should be given to models with a sealed bottom (for example, with a plastic bottom) and reinforced seams.
If you need a cheesecake to slide behind a snowmobile or ATV, a model with reinforced sides is suitable (look on the label for information about the material density of at least 650 g / m2).
There are also products made of canvas or polyester, however, such models glide worse. It is permissible to manufacture tubing, the bottom of which is made of PVC, and the sides are covered with other material. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain a bright product design.
An important aspect is the rubber quality of the inner chamber. It should not emit an unpleasant odor. Given the winter operation of "cheesecakes", it is better to choose products of domestic production, they can withstand greater frosts than Chinese. The latter are at risk of bursting.
Check the quality of the outer surfaces of the tubing - there should be no cracks, dents, protruding threads on them. The camera itself should be inflated evenly.
How to pump up?
Do not overcharge the camera, it should be slightly squeezed by the hand in an inflated form. This will provide better depreciation of the tubing and will extend its service life.
After the chamber is inflated, it is important to check if the valve is bleeding air. If everything is in order, you need to close it with a zipper.
When entering from a frost into a warm room, you can slightly blow out the camera. This will avoid situations when the camera bursts due to heating and subsequent expansion of air.
In the inflated form, tubing is recommended to be stored for no more than 10 days.
If the product is not planned to be used for longer, it is better to bleed air from it, dry it and put it into storage.
Safety Tips
As stated at the beginning of the article, tubing can be traumatic. This is due to the tubing's ability to develop high speed, the absence of brakes and the inability to control the cheesecake.
For skiing, you should use specially designated tracks with an inclination angle of not more than 25 degrees, cleared from shrubs and without other obstacles.
In view of these facts, it is especially important to explain to the child the rules of safe riding:
- You can ride only in places specially provided for this;
- when descending from the mountain, be sure to hold on to the handles;
- roll forward only;
- it is unacceptable to brake with hands or feet;
- there should not be obstacles on the descent route - pillars, trees;
- it is unacceptable to slide down inclined streets, icy slides in the yard, jump out of the tubing during the descent, hook it to a car, motorcycle, etc.
You can watch the video tutorial on choosing a tubing below.
