A pulk (, , ; ; from ) is originally a Nordic term for a low-slung boat-like sled, sometimes without runners, capable of being pulled by hand on foot or skis, or by light draft animals such as dogs or reindeer. A toboggan could be called a pulk. They are classically made out of wood and other natural materials but are nowadays made of plastic, which makes them inexpensive.

Pulks are originally meant to carry supplies such as a tent or food, or transport a child or other person. In Norway, Finland and Sweden, pulks are often used by parents to pull small children on skiing trips. In Finland and Sweden, pulks exist as a winter toy, mainly for children, for going downhill.

Akja

A larger pulk, designed for transporting larger amounts of goods, is called a akja ( ; ; , ). The term stems from older Sami , and , , , which in turn is a borrowing from Proto-Norse, cognate with , , "driving, fording", to the root ak (), "drive, ford, ride", ultimately related to "act".

Listed old Sami synonyms includes: geres, kerres, låkkek and pulka. Some classic examples includes:

  • Bum slider
  • Foam slider
  • Saucer sled

<gallery widths="180" heights="150">

File:Mann og reinsdyr med pulk En person sitter i pulken. I bakgrunnen Et telt med et barn åpningen - Norsk folkemuseum - NF.06789-069.jpg|Reindeer pulled pulk

File:"Lägret på Dødesfjeldet" (5491958856).jpg|Sami with wooden pulk

File:12 04 2003 repo.jpg|Pulk pulled by a skier

File:Testing gear at 30 below 150206-A-SF624-790.jpg|US Army pulks

File:Alpinmuseum Kempten 2013-06-15.16 Mattes (33).jpg|Pulk with sail

File:Army-athlete-and-sporting-school-with-sleds-on-the-march-in-Jämtland-391764667469.jpg|Swedish Army pulks

File:Sotilasahkio ja mäystinsukset RUK-museo.JPG|Wooden pulk in museum

File:Winter hiking in Finland 2007.JPG|Snowshoers with pulled pulks

File:Pulka plastique tracté par un skieur de randonnée nordique.JPG|Skier with pulk

</gallery>

See also

  • Mushing
  • Skijoring
  • Toboggan

References

  • ACAPULKA international pulk/pulka website
  • The Gear Junkie , a syndicated U.S. newspaper columnist, has an in-depth review of a pulk
  • XC Ski World reviews of XC ski sleds
  • Ski Randonne Nordique A French pulk website (in French)
  • Laughing Daw blog Building a Backcountry Pulk
  • Madriver Rocket Instructions to build a pulk