the Original Swim and Snow Tube, 45" XL

I think when I bought this, the average star-rating was higher than it is now. I revisited looking for tips on using the tube with the recent snowfall. I started getting nervous when I read all of the recent lower reviews for the tube. Here's my impression after using the tube for a few hours: 1) used a nice bike pump to fill without too much effort 2) does have a large opening, but still workable; not all that bothersome; basically you need to lay down flat on the tube which is not that much of a challenge 3) we really didn't have too much trouble getting it work on snow; if you've never been sledding before, you need to know that you have to make your "run" first and pack down the snow; I was doing this with a the top of a plastic tub before I realized that just sitting on the tube and having my husband push me was more effective (and plus then I didn't do the work ;-) once the run is reasonably packed down, you should glide pretty well (without any cooking spray or other wax); after several runs, the tube was going pretty good, I think; my husband thinks the plastic coasters might be faster, which could be true, but the drawbacks seem to be that coasters are pretty cheap and flimsy and that they can be a little wild and toss you; the tube is comfortable and easy (we didn't flip over once). So, I think the tube is great. I'm happy that it deflates since we live in a one bedroom apartment. That's another drawback to coasters. I think I might invest in another one so that I don't have to share with my husband! They seem pretty durable to me so we'll see how long they last, but so far they seem to be exactly what was promised. (Also, the nozzle thing is not in the way at all, the cover provided works well and was completely unnoticeable.)

I bought 4 of these for tubing the Salt River in Arizona. They are FANTASTIC! We wanted something more durable than plastic because this river has rapids and brush overhang. We even put our cooler in one and float for several hours down the river. We were not disappointed. These tubes are highly durable, just like the ones the tubing place rents out. Everyone who is getting bulgy tubes is not following the instructions for inflation. These are commercial grade rubber. Rubber is very heavy. Air cannot move rubber. That's kinda the point. You have to put a couple pounds of air in and spin the tube around to make sure the air gets all the way in. Then a little more, and spin the tube around. Keep adding SMALL bursts of air and working it around to the opposite side of the tube from where you fill it. The air will NOT push the rubber out of the way like a plastic tube. You have to help it or it will get stuck and create a bulge. Instructed provided in then listing and in the Box. We have 4 bulge-less 45" tubes. Couldn't be happier!

It's lots of fun. Can fit 3 nine year olds and still bounce. Got it for it's sturdiness. Has not disappointed; it's one of the two remaining floats to survive the summer with lots of punishment. Kind of wish I would have gotten the even larger size, but our pool is pretty small so this is probably the best. Love that the inflating piece has a cover to avoid scrapes. Don't love the idea of paying $45 for a float, but seems like it will last awhile.

These are great classic tubes. What happened to the XL ones though? Kids loved the biggest ones.

Pros:These are great tubes and just what I had wanted to buy for tubing down hills. I was tired of spending $10-$20 per inflatable tube at the stores only to have them last a day or two before they got a leak. These, which are rubber, are much more durable and if they ever get a hole, you can use a bicycle patch kit to repair them. Unlike the little patch kits on those vinyl tubes, the rubber ones actually work. The ride is also very smooth and comfortable and they would be wonderful in a lake or river too. Cons: They really don't slide down the hill as fast. If you are on a steep hill, it is OK, but the backyard and park runs like so many of us have aren't quite enough. I've heard about and tried waxing or soaping them to make them slick, and it might work a little bit, but they are nowhere near as fast. If you really want them to be as fast as they can be, you'll end up having to buy one of those hard bottom covers for it like the ski resorts have on their tubing hills (which could be as much as $50 more)

I grew up with an innertube and it gave me years of joy and fond memories. I wanted my kids to have the same experiences but could only find the plastic/latex ones...until NOW. Tube in a Box was exactly what I spent years looking for! (It's just like the kind they have at snow tubing parks that they rent for big bucks.) Plus they have adult sizes accomodating up to 290 lb people, perfect for us "Big Kids". I got 2 of them as soon as I found them online wanting to test them out the following weekend with the family. They arrived on time, and took them to the slopes where they worked like a charm. SO much fun and actually pretty comfy...Not as rough and hard a ride as a sled, but bouncy like a boat or an old Cadillac. The rubber cap on the air stem was a very good idea -The old fashioned ones used to poke you. It stings a little to purchase multiple tubes (I only got 2 for the kids but now I need one for myself and the missus!) and I wish they had covers with handles for these already included in the price, but once you're on the snow and you see the kids happily experiencing something you remember fondly, it makes it worth it. Plus, the tubes should last quite a bit since they're much more durable than cheapy vinyl tubes and it's far more cost effective than renting, so I guess it's a good investment after all. BOTTOM LINE: I recommend these highly! I'm going to get 2 more. (It never occured to me to use them in rivers...we might have to try that on the Colorado sometime.)

It's hard to write a fascinating review of a rubber tube, but I'll try to at least lay some facts. First, I bought the 45" tube not really knowing how that would relate to the user, whether a kid or an adult. 45" is definitely a teenager to large adult size. It was perfect for my 6' 4" 230lbs. Some folks seem to have problems inflating their tubes. I did not. I used a typical, cheap 12v bike tire pump which took like 30 minutes. I did see some minor bulging as it started to inflate, but I simply pressed down (sat, stood, pushed etc) on that area and it all kind of evened out. I went ahead and over-inflated it and then I proceeded to jump on it while it was on the hard dining room floor. It easily held my weight and showed no signs of being anywhere near bursting. I probably could inflate it a lot more but it's good enough for a river. Final dimensions were, 47" outside diameter, 12" height of the tube when flat on the ground and 21" inside diameter. Attached are some pics to show you.

Unlike the new super-thin vinyl tubes that I see everywhere, these are more like the old "truck" inner tubes that we had when I was growing up (I'm 67). They even smell the same. The cushioned valve stem is an improvement over the old long metal valve stem that always seemed to be in the wrong place. This is the real deal. I fully expect them to outlast their vinyl cousins by years. They ain't pretty, but they do have a likeable (perhaps familiar) ugly about them. I bought three of them and of the three, one had some valve issues. Rather than send it back, I replaced the valve for around $0.60 and now all is well. In the event that you don't have one, I suggest you get a 12V compressor that will plug into the lighter socket of your vehicle. I just picked one up at the auto supply store for $50 and it is quite powerful (rated at 120psi) and very portable. I have already used it to "top-off" my SUV's tires as well as inflating the river tubes. Definitely worth the $$$. No clue why I didn't pick one up years ago.