While a crisp layer of snow may look beautiful atop roofs and mountains, it can be a pain to deal with when it comes down in buckets and you’ve got places to be or things to do. And surprise, and that’s exactly what’s being forecasted this weekend for large portions of the country. Luckily, we just spotted an ingenious, folding and collapsible mini shovel that won’t take up too much space in your trunk or home but that reviewers say is a real workhorse for lifting snow and ice.
Even better? It’s just under $40 and will ship by Friday if you have Amazon Prime (without Prime, you’ve got a weeklong wait). Pretty good for a tool reviewers call a “life-saver,” and “the best made compact automotive shovel I found.”
At 2 pounds, it’s a go-to gadget you can stick anywhere and several reviewers report it being super durable.
With a folding shovel head and collapsible shaft, it gets super compact when it’s not in use, then easily expands when you need to dig out your car or walkway. At its lowest, it measures 23 inches and can extend to a generous 34, with a shovel head that’s 9 inches wide. As one reviewer puts it, “you fold it up to almost nothing and put in the trunk or back seat and you’re set for the next time you need it.”
Made from aluminum, this 2-pound handy shovel is durable without being bulky. Users call it a “well-engineered” tool that shovels well, keeps its shape, has a nice grip and is even tough on ice. Some even mention how the shovel’s design doesn’t hurt their back when they use it. While it’s “an extra few bucks” more than cheaper, plastic models, reviewers say it’s worth every penny.
Reviewers also report it going beyond shoveling soft snow blankets! “It cut through the compacted ice under the snow (courtesy of a plow) so easily,” one person shared. “I was able to shovel out some heavy icy snow super fast.”
“Last winter, I bought a different one which did not last,” Salvador Vallejo wrote. “This one is not only sturdier but also is more convenient to fold. And for the small price difference, I should have gotten this one for the first time.”
While it’s great for snow, you can use the shovel for sand, mud, dirt and more. Stick one in your camping gear or beach bag or tuck one away with your emergency kit. They even sell a 2-pack if you’re looking to stock up.
People are loving their folding shovel for its convenience and durability. Grab one for yourself before the snowflakes really start to stack up.
“Just came in from using the snow plow and it performed as advertised. The best part is you fold it up to almost nothing and put in the trunk or back seat and your set for the next time you need it.” — John Cash
“Not certain how much I like these shovels but they look great and fit perfectly in a bag that I’m going to start carrying in my car as I am moving to the mountains to retire and they’re part of a kid I’ve put together for snow conditions. I’ve talked to some snow veterans in the mountains and they recommended this particular brand and this particular kit to carry all these things in and this was at the top of the list for collapsible fold down shovels.” — Amazon Customer
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Also, I spoke with my own mechanics about other winter emergency supplies to keep in your car if you could stand to prep better. Here’s what they suggest:
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A portable car jumper and jumper cables (36% off)
Though he’s never used them personally, Philip said he’s heard good things about these portable tools that come with jumper cables and can charge your phone or devices. If you’re alone and need to jump your car, this device is easy to manage and compact enough to store in your car. It also doubles as a power bank. Get it for 36% off.
If you’re not in the market for a car jumper, you should ensure you have a set of normal jumper cables in your car. “Jumper cables should be in everyone’s car,” Philip said.
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A rechargeable hand warmer (47% off)
“If you’re cold, a handwarmer goes a long way,” Nick said. If you get stuck in the cold or you’re waiting for a tow, he recommended getting a rechargeable electric warmer to keep in your car. It’s currently on a Lightning Deal for 47% off, if you act fast.
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LED flares and reflective triangles
“If you break down, you want to be visible,” Philip said. He recommended keeping flares as well as reflective triangles in your car to ensure your visibility in the dark or in bad weather.
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A car escape multi-tool (11% off)
The Campione brothers recommended keeping an emergency escape tool in your car all the time, but especially in the winter when the chances of accidents can be higher. “People don’t realize how hard it is to break glass,” Carmen said. Philip added that in a moment of crisis, your seatbelt may lock and you may struggle to get out of it. Get it for 11% off.
If you’re in a bad accident, your car ends up in water or you have a totally electric vehicle with door handles that may malfunction during an accident, a multi-tool like this one from Swiss Safe can help you get out of the car with a Tungsten steel hammer to break windows and an emergency seat belt cutter.
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Rubber tire traction mats
Philip and Carmen Campione, part of the third generation of the family-owned AC Auto Repairs in Philadelphia, recommend keeping a set of traction track mats in your car, especially if you live in a city or park your car on the street where it could be blocked in by plowed snow. Carmen specified you’ll want to grab rubber mats, not plastic ones. “Rubber is better than plastic because plastic can shoot backward and doesn’t flex as much,” he said.
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)
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