Buy It For Life
Snow Shovels

Updated Oct 07, 2026

Buy it for life: the most durable snow shovels,
according to r/BuyItForLife on Reddit.
Recommended by people who have owned them for years. How we pick.
Do you know of an item that should be on this list? Let us know!

Most loved on r/BuyItForLife: Ames Aluminum Grain Scoop and The SnowPlow 36" Snow Pusher.

Ames Aluminum Grain Scoop

Aluminum grain scoop used for snow, valued for long life and handling heavy snow.

Lasts for decades
Light enough for repeated use
Works in heavy, packed snow

I prefer a metal grain shovel, mine is going on 30 years
– CamelHairy

Look into buying a metal grain shovel. Mine is going on 30 years, and my sons on 10 years.
– CamelHairy

You actually want an aluminum grain scoop. I'm serious, there's no such thing as a snow shovel made of plastic that is BIFL caliber.
– SplitsAtoms

The SnowPlow 36" Snow Pusher

Wide pushing shovel for light snowfall, praised for speed and long-lasting plastic blade.

Clears light snow quickly
Durable plastic blade
Good for pushing large areas

I've had mine about five years? I haven't had to replace anything on it, and it only gets better.
– Evilgoat

I've tried many shovels and sold many at the family hardware store, these are by far the best I've ever seen.
– Evilgoat

Not great for scooping/tossing snow, but wonderful for clearing 3-4 inches quicker than a snowblower.
– losername4me2

Garant 24in Poly Sleigh Snow Shovel

Large sleigh-style shovel that pushes deeper snow while reducing lifting and back strain.

Good for deeper snow
Saves back strain
Pushes snow effectively

my friend's dad used to have one of these Garant® 24in Poly Sleigh Snow Shovels and it was soo legit, pushed the snow right off the driveway.
– diggory_venn

I actually have this exact sleigh shovel. While the scoop itself appears to be plastic, I'm probably into my 5th winter with it and it's going strong!
– MomentsInTruth

We had a snowblower but for a these shovels were amazing for anything under a foot of snow.
– Bandro

Available at Ace Hardware

Suncast SN2100

Steel-core plastic shovel that carries snow and stands up well to repeated winter use.

Steel core adds durability
Can carry snow well
Holds up to hard use

I have a Suncast shovel with a steel core. And if I ever need to replace it, I'll buy another one.
– NoFreeSpeechHere

I've used them to bash up the gigantic pieces that snow plows leave in front of the driveway. They hold up nicely.
– NoFreeSpeechHere

They are not as deep as pusher models, but will still carry a load of snow.
– NoFreeSpeechHere

Available at Suncast

Fiskars snow shovel

Plastic snow shovel owners say is sturdy, with better lifespan than many wood or metal ones.

Sturdier than expected
Good lifespan
Lighter than metal options

I usually went through one metal or one wooden shovel per winter, but the plastic fiskar ones seem to be the most sturdy.
– intelatominside

I've had it for 5+ years now
– intelatominside

Bully Tools snow shovel

Heavy-duty snow shovel line noted for tank-like build and made-in-USA construction.

Very heavy duty
Good for hard use
Useful around ice removal

Bully Tools. 100% they are built like a TANK
– unknown

Bully Tools for sure! They are built like a tank and made in the US.
– unknown

For ice, I personally use one of these. http://www.amazon.com/Bully-Tools-92200-Sidewalk-Chopper/dp/B000PAQEKU Very helpful in breaking up ice which I can then remove with a shovel.
– merikus

Back to Tools & Garden Equipment

Sources:
Best Snow Shovel (Electric) - How long has yours lasted?
Hindsight is 20/20. Let's talk about snow shovels.
Looking for the best snow shovel?
Looking for a basic snow shovel that won’t do this after only 2 winters.

Buy It For LifeSnow Shovels

Ames Aluminum Grain Scoop

The SnowPlow 36" Snow Pusher

Garant 24in Poly Sleigh Snow Shovel

Available at Ace Hardware

Suncast SN2100

Available at Suncast

Fiskars snow shovel

Bully Tools snow shovel

Buy It For Life
Snow Shovels