A steering bob is a plastic sled with a steering wheel. The steering wheel is either directly connected to the steerable runners of the bob, or directly to the front single steering runner. Products of this type are particularly popular because they can be controlled very precisely and offer a similar driving experience to, for example, a soapbox . There is usually a brake lever in the middle of the steering bob, which can be used to slow the bob down if necessary. Are you looking for a bob that can be controlled particularly precisely? Then the bob with a steering wheel is the perfect sled for your winter season !

Bob with brakes left and right

The plastic bob with brakes on the left and right is probably the most common model among plastic sleds. The two brake levers are not only used to reduce the speed, they are also used to steer the bob. If you want to go left, you simply ram the left brake lever into the snow and the sports equipment will turn left. Products of this type are very inexpensive and still offer children a lot of fun.

Sledge with steel frame (Stiga)

Sledges with steel frames have one crucial advantage: they are extremely robust and are therefore considered to be particularly durable. The models from the Swedish brand Stiga are particularly popular and are characterized by high quality workmanship. On a sledge with a steel frame, you sit slightly higher and steer the winter sports equipment with the steering wheel, which is connected to the middle runner. In addition, you should also shift your weight when cornering in order to make tight radii in the snow. Braking is done with the brake lever, which is usually placed in the middle and rams a metal claw into the snow.

Plastic sledge with runners

A plastic sledge with runners is essentially the same as a Davos sledge. The seat is raised and the sledge is braked and steered with the feet. This type of sledge is well suited to well-worn, rather hard sledge runs, but less suitable for fresh snow or deep snow. The narrow runners sink very quickly in soft snow conditions, which reduces the speed.

Tobogganing: fun for children and adults

Sledding is great fun for children, teenagers and adults – provided you have the right sled. Here's what you should look out for when choosing a sled:

Number of persons?

When choosing a sled, pay attention to how many people it is designed for. If you or your child only want to ride alone, a sled for one person is sufficient. If you want to ride with several people at the same time, the sled must be suitable for the number of people. In addition to the possible number of people, the manufacturers also specify a maximum weight. Make sure that you do not exceed this weight.

Plastic or wood?

Traditional sledges are made of wood. They have two narrow runners and a bench of varying sizes. In addition to the Davos sledges, more and more plastic sledges are becoming popular on the market. They differ in some ways from the classic Davos sledges in terms of their construction. The runners are often much wider. Some models even slide across the entire surface. Children's bobsleds made of plastic have a clear advantage over wooden sledges: they glide very well even in small amounts of snow.

Steering the sled?

Depending on the type of sled , the models differ not only in the material they are made of. With a classic wooden sled, there is only one way to steer: with your feet. To steer, the driver has to brake with one foot. Depending on whether you want to go left or right, you use the left or right foot. Steering is additionally supported by shifting your weight on the sled. There are many models of plastic sleds that have steering. Almost all of them have a brake. Instead of using your feet in the snow, you steer with the controls or the brake lever.

Sledge for babies

Plastic sledges with steering and brakes are particularly suitable for fast rides. This is often too dangerous for small children . But even the smallest children can ride on a sledge. Wooden sledges or Davos sledges offer clear advantages here. They can be converted into a baby sledge with a special attachment. The children then have a backrest that they can lean on. Even if it is still too early for them to go down the sledge run on their own, you can easily pull your child behind you on a baby sledge when you go for a walk . The best choice for babies: wooden sledges with child seats .

Safety when sledding

Anyone who wants to buy a sled is primarily interested in having fun in the snow. Regardless of whether you are using a wooden sled or a bobsleigh, you should not forget that sledding carries a high risk of falling over. Often, you cannot brake the winter sports equipment quickly enough on rapid descents to avoid an obstacle. It is not uncommon for other riders to get stuck on the sled run and those following behind to not be able to brake in time. To prevent head injuries , children and adults should always wear a high-quality helmet when sledding. We recommend the models from Melon, for example, which are equally suitable for sledding, cycling or scootering.

Good quality = long sledding fun

As with all products, it is worth paying attention to the quality of sleds . Bobsleds for children in particular are subject to high levels of stress, as the little ones often love to ride over obstacles such as jumps, which place a lot of demands on the material of the products. We therefore recommend investing a little more money when buying a sled and opting for products that are designed for a longer life cycle. One well-known manufacturer of high-quality sleds is the Swedish brand " Stiga ", which has made a name for itself for decades with very good control bobsleds, the so-called " Snow Racer ". The results of years of experience can be seen and felt. The products from the Stiga company impress with their cool design and very high-quality workmanship.