Gear Review

Voile XLM Shovel

1. only 16 ounces
2. aluminum blade
3. won't compete w/full-size shovel

After extensive research here at SierraDescents.com, we've concluded that a shovel is of absolutely no value whatsoever if you don't have it with you when you need it. A shovel is probably one of the more tempting gear items to leave behind. Your pack is already full, your shovel is heavy, and you're thinking, don't I have enough stuff, already?

Winter campers have little choice but to strap that shovel somewhere, but day trippers especially will find it tempting to leave the shovel behind—even though its an indespensible tool when traveling in avalanche country.

All the more reason to get the lightest shovel you can find, giving you (hopefully!) one less reason to leave it in the car.

The XLM is Voile's answer to the demand for a light, compact aluminum shovel.

It weighs a modest sixteen ounces, making it a touch lighter than the popular Backcountry Access shovel.

You may be able to find still-lighter shovels with plastic blades, but the advantages of digging with an aluminum blade are worth the extra ounce or two. The XLM does not have a telescoping handle. The relatively short handle length, plus the small but relatively broad blade make for diminished digging performance compared to larger shovels. This is essentially a mini, even though its size is comparable to most other models.

For this reason, avalanche professionals such as guides or obviously ski patrol will want to find a more substantial blade before going off to work. I reserve the XLM for situations where I don't expect to do much digging at camp, but still want a shovel in my pack for avy insurance. If you know you need to carry a shovel, but don't expect to use it, the XLM offers a reasonable degree of performance at quite possibly the lightest weight you'll find.

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