Outerwear for Ice Fishing

[EricCO]

Most days even ice fishing in Colorado are sunny and warm, but on Saturday afternoon when the front came through, I thought I was going to freeze to death.

What keeps you warm out ice fishing when the wind and snow won't let up?

"Hunting 'eyes in the Three-O-Three"

[River_eye]

The best is snowmobiling gear. It doesn't have to be name brand or flashy, but snowmobiling wear is made to keep you warm even in the coldest of windchills. My getup includes a pair of Sorel boots, some quality snowpants from a local winter clothing store and either my Polaris jacket or Mountain equipment co-op parka, my leather snowmobile mitts and a good touque.

[tbomn]

When I think warm clothes, I think Carhartt. I have a Carhartt Arctic parka and bibs and love them to death. I fish the whole winter here in Minnesota and this stuff can not be beat. Take a look at it, I think you will agree.

[Bad Finger]

Columbia Omni Parka and Bibs. Super warm, totally waterproof.

[Grey Wolf]

Can't beat my Carhart Artic parka & bibs. It isn't waterproof, but it also doesn't melt when you get it to close to the heater. I've melted more than one nylon getup.

[Don in Denver]

Polartec pants, polartec shirt and hooded sweatshirt topped off with a good quality snowmobile suit or pair of insulated coveralls and
-100F Sorel boots. The Sorel Glaciers that I have look exactly like what Cabela's has in their Fall catalog as the Cabela's Glacier Point pac boot. I have fished in those boots when the straight air temp (not windchill) was -40 and my feet have never been cold. The polartec hooded sweatshirt really helps too and I have a fleece hat with earflaps also. Add some warm waterproof gloves and you should be warm as toast.

[EricCO]

How is the arch support in the Cabela or Sorel Glacier boot?

"Hunting 'eyes in the Three-O-Three"

[THUMPER]

I choose to wear the Mustang Floater suits and Sorel Glaciers for the feet. Mustang makes a very good suit and are extremely warm.

[slick2526]

cabelas guide wear insulated and with gor-tex. Can go wrong there. Use it in the summer time if fishing in rain also. If you duck hunt good camo will do double-duty. Just remember to always get gor-tex. Without it yous got crap. I know, i wish i would of bought gortex lined camo, sweat like a sob whens it warm out. PS good camo wont melt if you get to close to the heater. I know for a fact. It will get realllllllly warm but wont melt

[Jay]

Carhartt. Is there anything else?

[Don in Denver]

I've never had any problem with them, but I've never really paid any attention to that particular aspect. I guess if your boots let you think about the fishing instead of your feet, they must be working right!

[irv johnson]

I have spent a LOT of days on Lake Winnie, Minn. No shack--for sissys. The secret is to layer up and hope for no wind. 40 below and no wind--I'll take that over 20 above and wind any day.
Polartec--very nice but has to be wind proof as its very porous.
Carhart is also pretty porous and what insulation can you get from such a dense material.?
Answer is a great snowmobile outfit, including helmet!
Then buy a goretex parka 2 sizes or more larger than what you wear.
You see after you settle down to fishing after the ice augering, etc...is done it starts to get COLD. Then you put on the parka and pretend its a tent and put your rump to the wind.

[bobco]

I have a Walls 1 piece snowmobile suit that I got when living in Duluth, it is rather baulky but is very warm, we go to Taylor Park allot and -30 is norm for the morning snowmobile ride, almost as fun as 11 mile on a windy day. This year I'm going to try my guide wear with layers, but I will have the Walls with for backup.

[Rick]

I agree with the snowmobile suits,..I prob wouldn't have tried them but a brother-in-law gave up snowmobiling after just buying one and gave it to me. For deep cold,...first,I might use a polypro undershirt with a polar fleece top underneath the suit. Poly pro pants ,...with good felt lined boots and ski googles if its windy out plus good mittens (perhaps thin gloves to wear under them and for taking the mitten off for doing things),...plus some head gear they sell around these parts called a "head sock" and you are pretty complete. I was on the ice some years ago and the wind chill was about -35 (not based on the new charts but pretty cold) I felt like I could almost curl up on the ice and take a nap!,..but if I turned my wrist just right and exposed my flesh to the elements,..it felt like demons were gnawing on it!

[Mckoz]

I've got to agree with TBO - the Carrhart's are great. They are too darn warm to wear to work but perfect for when you are sitting still jigging or waiting for tip=ups.

[PDD]

RefridgerWear is the very best. It's wind proof and good for -70 deg.

PDD

[MLD]

I think keeping your feet warm is half the battle, I've got some Sorel Arrowhons, -100, and my feet have never been cold. Cabelas gore-tex parka and bibs and I'm set. The gore-tex polar cap is nice too.

Mike

[Gilbert]

Alot of you mentioned wearing Sorel boots. Didn't I just read that they are no longer in business?

[chrism]

Yep, Sorel was sucked up by Columbia. I don't know if they are still making the old sorel style (hope so), but there are a few shops around that have limited selections - just bought a pair last week!

Regarding the Carharts....I have a pair of non insulated coveralls and I love'em for general fishing, etc. But, these non-insulated ones (for me) just don't even come close to guidewear / 300 fleece / polypro combo for warmth - I find them heavy and real cold even with fleece / polypro underneath. I mean, it is a fact that cotton is one of the worst things to wear if you want to stay warm, either next to your skin or an outer layer.
If there are some of you who wear the non-insulated coveralls made of cotton, try a breathable pant on top of fleece - it is in my opinion the warmest combo I have come across...as is a skidoo suit.....But as mentioned, fire and nylon don't mix!
But the carharts are the toughest thing on the market -

[vetspet(ind)]

northern outfitters make some really nice stuff...pretty pricey but really does well in cold..they recommend against the layering system..no cotton at all because it holds sweat.....they recommend either nothing underneath...not too practical...or synthetic undies like blue jons from canada or polyester wicking type underwear...i have the bluejons and they have worked very well....if i think cotton layers may help..which i made that mistake a couple times (i'm old fashioned and think i know better than the experts at times)..i don't think its possible to get cold in my vaetrex lined stuff...dont have the pants and boots...just the coat...and a baclava...really good stuff...sorrel boots..-100.....and fridgaware coveral pants cause i'm too cheap to get the pants...want the entire outfit some day..steve

[eyedoktr]

I did the Carhart Arctic thing for years and while they are warm, very warm, they are also very heavy. I now have gone to a simle (read; cheap) system. For the top, I wear a t-shirt, a turtleneck, a chamois shirt, a hoded sweatshirt and top it of with a wind proof, waterproof jacket. For pants, I use a pair of sweats or fleece, covered with ski bib overalls. My boots are about 15 years old but so warm, I never wear socks. I have yet to get cold with this system (even at -20) and it sure makes walking alot easier.

[Honest John]

Staying warm in cold with wind and snow?

Feet: I like felt-lined boots about one size too big. That gives room for a poly propylene sock liner and a medium weight wool sock. Lace snug for walking and loosen them up for sitting. Waterproof the leather parts of the boots.

Head: I wear glasses, so with snow coming down, I like a hat with a visor that is insulated and gore tex lined with good ear flaps. I also use a wool stocking cap for times when I am actively drilling holes and stuff. Need to avoid getting hair wet with sweat. When sitting I think a hood is a must-have item.

Hands: I like huge insulated mittens with thin wool gloves underneath. I also like a small hand towel tucked inside the top of my bibs to dry my hands off before sticking hands back into mitts.

Body: Deer hunting gear for sitting on stand works well for ice fishing. So does duck hunting gear. So does snowmobiling gear. I like my insulated fleece gore-tex bibs because work real well for ice fishing. Matching parka too. I still recommend layering depending upon temp and wind. For super cold I like poly pro longies on top and bottom; and then polar fleece pants and top. For less severe temps, I like longies with microfleece pants and then unlined rain pants so I can kneel on the snow.

I love winter.