Ames True Temper 1641200 Arctic Blast 18-Inch Lift-Rite Aluminum Snow Shovel

I live in Wisconsin so snows can be deep and heavy. I have a nice big snowblower so I don't use a shovel as the primary snow removal tool, but I use it often enough when the snow plows bury the end of my driveway that I wanted something with some durability.

The shovel this replaces also had the ergonomic handle (a must for all shovels I think) but was hard plastic with the steel wear strip on the bottom. So this one is a step above being all metal.

I wish the sides were scooped up some so the shovel was more of a bowl shape to keep snow from sliding off the sides as you use it, but that's about the only thing lacking in the design.

Nice solid feel, with a "save your back" handle - it should work out fine.


***EDIT***

After our first snowfall, I found out that this shovel really only deserved one star... The ergonomic bend in the handle is far too shallow so you still end up bending over too much. And the...Read more

This is a decent shovel. It has great leverage and can handle snow that is not too heavy (the aluminum construction is light and cannot handle heavy snow). The problem is that the handle is attached to the shovel with a cheap sheet metal screw - which lasts about 15 minutes. I have since bought a larger screw and it lasted another 3 minutes. So, if you buy this shovel, be prepared to drill a proper hole through the other end of the handle and attach the shovel to the handle with a bolt, lock nut and washer. Then you're all set. But Ames could have spent another 35 cents on the shovel and saved you the hassle.

Buyers should be aware that this shovel is a very soft aluminum, and consequently, if you have any ice or hard packed snow to shovel, this shovel will bend quite easily.