They just don’t make sleds today like the antique wooden runner Flexible Flyer sled my family has used for generations. Wipe a year’s worth of dust off and put a little wax on the rails and it was good to go for another season of sliding. Most of today’s sleds just aren’t made like that anymore. The folks at Hammerhead Sleds have taken that old adage to heart and embraced it to create a modern sled that rockets down the slopes and offers something extra – comfort.
The designers wanted to take what people loved about those old Flexible Flyer sleds and use modern materials and manufacturing methods to create a sled that is both comfortable and blazing fast. Mesh seats, a 6063 aluminum frame, a responsive steering system and skis that can be changed to match conditions are what makes Hammerhead sleds one of the hottest sleds on the slope. Hammerhead has been awarded the IDEA silver award from the Industrial Designers Society of America and Business Week. In 2009, it was named Outside magazine’s Gear of the Year “covet” item.
The reviews we found would indicate that this is finally a sled for adults who have grown up bodies but haven’t grown out of playing in the snow. We’ve seen very few complaints amongst the reviews we found. One owner reported a problem on a Sunday and by Wednesday they were with their Hammerhead sled on the slopes. If you like a slow, sedate ride through the snow, these sleds are definitely not for you – they are speed demons. Several owners and the company suggest wearing protective gear.
Speed demons, who might find the low profile and unique seating of the lower-priced Zipfy something that should been left to youngsters, will fall in love with their Hammerhead Sled. Like the Zipfy, families often purchase multiple Hammerhead sleds and proclaim they are the envy of the sledding hill. But, unlike the Zipfy, Hammerhead sleds provide a true luge-like sledding experience where riders can ride on their stomachs or in a more traditional seated position.
The Hammerhead line of sleds use four separate runners. The two in the front are attached to the steering mechanism. In the Hammerhead Pro XLD and Pro X models, there’s an optional set of Pro Carving Skis that can be attached to the rear runners to attack hills with loose snow. They also offer a set of Performance Ski Clips to ensure the carving skis remain firmly secured to the runners. With the optional, mountable head and tail lights, you can often enjoy a couple of extra runs when other sliders are heading home or back to the lodge.
These sleds aren’t for the faint of heart. They ride super fast, provide an almost hammock like seat and will make you the envy of the hill. Speeds of over 40 mph are not unheard of.
Last year Outside magazine rated the Hammerhead Pro XLD the second best sled of 2010. They admit to placing a perhaps unfair bias against the sled due to its high price. The reviewers admitted that the Hammerhead Pro XLD was their favorite among the 15 sleds they tested, that it smoked everything else on the hill and was exceptional for steering around trees, small children and other sliders. It’s doubtful that the apparently discontinued $15 plastic toboggan, which relied on the passenger’s ability to shift their weight to steer, could ever match the Hammerhead Pro XLD being ridden in this YouTube video down an alpine canyon in Utah.
This is one case where spending more will get you a better product.
So, if you want to upgrade from the traditional, un-steerable and often slow sleds that you’ve been using to what one reviewer called the Aston Martin of sleds, try one of the Hammerhead Sleds this winter season.
Hammerhead Pro XLD Sled
The Pro XLD is their top of the line sled. It comes with the Pro Carving (wide) rear skis, Ski Clips and a custom carry strap and is ready for full mountain, adult performance.
Hammerhead Pro X
The Hammerhead Pro X sled comes equipped with the General Purpose (narrow) rear skis for sliding on hard pack slopes. It is designed for full mountain, adult performance.
Hammerhead Sport VLD
The Hammerhead Sport VLD is perfect for backyard and big hill sliding. It’s slightly smaller making it a better option for kids but it still has the nimbleness and speed of the Hammerhead Pro sled lines.
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