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ErgieShovel 18-Inch Ergonomic Push-Scoop Shovel Review

The shovel designed around your posture: an offset steel shaft and second grip that let you move snow with your legs instead of your back.

8.2
/ 10
ErgieShovel 18-Inch Ergonomic Push-Scoop Shovel

The verdict

The ErgieShovel takes ergonomics further than a bent handle. Its offset steel shaft and second, mid-shaft handle position your hands so that the scoop-push-dump motion comes from your legs and arms โ€” you stay upright almost the whole time. It's excellent for people with back problems and anyone clearing long walks. The 18-inch push-scoop blade is a pusher first and a lifter second, and at 4 pounds it's not the lightest, but owners with bad backs swear by it.

Typical price: ~$49 (typical street price โ€” current price shown on Amazon)

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What we like

  • +Offset shaft plus a second handle โ€” push and lift without bending
  • +18-inch push-scoop blade moves a lot of snow per stroke
  • +Steel shaft is rigid under wet-snow loads
  • +Great for long sidewalks and anyone protecting a bad back
  • +Durable; no plastic joints to snap in the cold

What to know

  • โˆ’Different motion โ€” takes a storm or two to get the hang of it
  • โˆ’4 lb is on the heavier side
  • โˆ’Less nimble than a short shovel on stairs

Full review

Most 'ergonomic' shovels just bend the shaft. The ErgieShovel rethinks the grip: one hand on the end of the offset steel shaft, one on a second handle midway down, which puts your torso upright while the blade is flat on the ground. Push forward to fill the scoop, then a short lift-and-tip to dump it โ€” a motion that comes from the legs and shoulders, not a bent-over back. Physical therapists recommend it for a reason.

The 18-inch push-scoop blade is the right pairing: it moves a good volume on the push and dumps without lifting high. The steel shaft doesn't flex under a wet load, and at 34.5 inches it suits a wide range of heights. Four pounds is heavier than a poly shovel, but you're not lifting the tool's weight with your back anymore, so it matters less than it sounds.

It's not for every job โ€” it's a bit long and heavy for a narrow staircase, and the motion feels odd for the first ten minutes. For the long front walk, the strip between parked cars, and especially for anyone who's been told to stop shoveling, it's the tool that lets them keep doing it.

Best for: Anyone with a history of back pain, and long walks or driveways where a pushing-and-lifting motion beats pure lifting.

Specifications

Blade width18 in
Blade typePush-scoop (poly)
Shaft34.5 in steel, offset with second handle
UsePush, scoop, and lift with upright posture
Weight~4 lb
Surface safetyPaved, pavers, decks
WarrantyLimited (ErgieShovel)

Ready to get one?

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~$49 typical price

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