I picked one up at Costco a couple of weeks back for $20. It looks and feels pretty sturdy. I have a older collapsible shovel but I doubt it would hold up to heavy digging out. So this new one is going in when snow is in the forecast.

Can't get the link to work but search for Suncast Power Blade.

my car was frozen in last winter,i had to move it to a side street so ours could be cleared curb to curb.over night the wet snow froze, the car was up to the bottom of the door in snow.i used a short handled shovel but i wished i had taken one with a long handle to get under the car to get the frozen slush away from the oil pan and steering gear.

I like a Voile Telepro D-handle avalanche shovel, but I don't shovel every day, this just goes in the trunk during the winter, and I only shovel if I have to (not like someone who has to dig out from their Minnesota carport 6 months of the year). I'm more likely to take it on my pack while snow camping, its great for moving alot of snow quickly and efficiently. It has a collapsible length and is made of tempered aluminum. They run about $30-40, but I've also seen pretty equivalent knockoffs at Fred Meyer for $15-30.

Plastic telescoping shovels wirk fine...in my 20 years of blizzards. Got one in every car.

Plastic, ymmv - might depend on the snow. I've dug snow shelters with Scouts and the plastic shovels tend to break under the weight of PNW Cascade Concrete (TM).

I personally keep a compact snow shovel and a cold steel shovel in my car. I realize they're both sub optimal in that I'll wish I had a full size shovel when I need them, but thus far I have needed neither and I can't justify the space for a full size space.

Lots of discussion in this thread: http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=190632&page=1

If you go through serious snow then 1 shovel is never enough.

I like to have the army style folding and a full size snow shovel. One to break up the ice, or in compact areas, and one to move some serious snow.

If we are going deep into snow country on our 4x4s then having a full size spade shovel is important too.

2-3 shovels per-vehicle when venturing far into snow country as far as shovels are concerned. Shackles, straps, etc, if you have a winch.

Thanks for all the info and input i think im gonna settle for the Tractor supply shovel and a collasping snow shovel in the end Ty

I only carry around an E-tool in my truck(California boy). My wife carries a full size snow shovel in her civic's trunk (Wisconsin girl). Maybe there's some wisdom right there.

I carry two.

One is a 48" or so square tipped spade, with a blade about 8" wide. Fit across the back of the trunk with an inch to spare, and it is a good compromise shovel IMO becuase the square tip is less likely to damage tires and it's narrow enough to get under move vehicles. Similiar to but longer than this:

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Garden...catalogId=10053

The other is a Cold Steel spetnaz e-tool. I don't like hinges in my shovels, and while it isn't a very good hatchet, when I have to go someplace where a hatchet or machete might get an ugly eyeball, a shovel doesn't.

I won't carry a plastic shovel- they don't do anything but break when they meet ice. If I was going to get hard core, a grain scoop would be added.