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#2 on this list
Alugator Ride / Pro
Ortovox
Full-size aluminum blade with a hoe-mode option. Fast in dense avalanche debris, well-thought-out ergonomics.
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#3 on this list
Deploy 7 / Deploy 3
Voile
American-made, telescoping, minimalist. The workhorse ski-mountaineering shovel — the '7' handles serious digging, the '3' is the ultralight pick.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Alugator Ride / Pro | Deploy 7 / Deploy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Material | Hardened Anodized Aluminum | Hardened 6061-T6 Aluminum |
| Shaft Material | Aluminum | 6061-T6 Aluminum |
| Handle Type | D-Grip | — |
| Key Feature | Hoe Function | — |
| Intended Use | Backcountry Safety, Avalanche Rescue | — |
| Manufacturer | — | Voile |
| Models | — | Deploy 7 / Deploy 3 |
| Shaft Type | — | Telescoping |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Alugator Ride / Pro
- Hoe mode significantly speeds up snow removal in dense debris
- Robust hardened aluminum blade withstands abuse
- Excellent ergonomics with comfortable D-grip handle
- Fast and secure assembly, even with gloves
- Durable construction ensures long-term reliability
- Slightly heavier than some ultralight competitors
- Higher price point compared to basic shovels
- Blade size might be overkill for casual use in light snow
Deploy 7 / Deploy 3
- Extremely durable and reliable construction
- Efficient blade shape for moving snow quickly
- Quick and secure telescoping shaft deployment
- Deploy 3 offers excellent weight savings for its category
- T-handle less comfortable for prolonged digging than D-grips
- No hoe-mode or serrated blade edge features
- Lacks advanced ergonomic shaping of some competitors
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