Clothing

[buddstools]

I know this question probably has come up hundreds of times, but I have been looking for new cold weather clothing. Yesterday was the first time that I was able to touch, feel, and try on the Arctic Armor suit (floater). I was surprised by the light weight. Seems to be built very well. Today, I am going to look at the Ice Armor suits. I have read reviews on both suits. My question is... "Is there anybody that actually owns these suits ~ and do they really keep you warm??" Any feedback would truly help. Thanks!

[Backwater Eddy]

The flotation factor on those suits is handy, but there are warmer suits out there. If you wish a suit for water fowling and mid temp ice fishing it is a good suit, add layers, so buy a size larger to accommodate the layering better. The flotation factor is this suits strong point.

The Frabill Snow Suit is a very good suit system, very high-tech, either in the 1 piece or two piece configuration. very warm and not extremely heavy in weight. Very good gloves too, I use them..very warm and light.

Another is the Vexilar suit...also very warm and very reasonably priced.
I now use the Vexilar Cold Snap suits, and have for some time now. I really like the fit of the bibs and the double color system on the parka and easy access to inner pockets as needed. I find them a good suite and can be worn for active and non active fishing with a 2 layer fleece and base layer underneath, with no jeans required.

The warmest I would say is the Clam X-Suit...but it is heaver than the rest by far. The X-gloves and chopper mitts are excellent cold weather gloves, highly recommend them as well.

[buddstools]

Got a chance today to take a closer look at the Ice Armor suits. The blue and the gray/black suits.Tried on both. If I had to pick from the info that I have thus far, I believe I would choose the Ice Armor X suit. The gray/black suit. Although this is a little more heavier suit I really like the way the leg zippers unzip higher up the leg. Which is a lot easier to get your boot thru. Alot of pockets and storage. This suit seems to be the warmest so far. I have not seen or tried the Frabil Snow Suit or the Vexilar suits.

[Backwater Eddy]

Mills Fleet Farm carries the Vexilar Cold Snap Suits, and they also have full length side leg zippers as you commented you like that feature.

The Cold Snap bibs also have heat pack compartments in the back of the bibs in the kidney area on the bibs, handy for long sits and long sled rides.

Scheels has the Frabill SnowSuits, as does Reeds, and a select number of Gander Mountain stores in MN.

[orchard frank]

Not familiar with the ones you mention, but I have been very happy with the Mustang Survival suits that my wife and I bought some years back after a little "incident" on a pressure crack. We bought the one-piece suits, but they make 2 piece also. These are Coast Guard rated, comfortable, and very warm, almost too warm if you layer up much. Real heavy duty,(they are considered a "work suit") lots of zippers, pockets, etc. and work real good for late fall or early spring boat fishing too.

[stinkycat]

Has anybody used the "SnoSuit" brand? I have read many great reviews of this suit but I believe they are spendy. I also see several fishing shows using them.


http://www.snosuit.com/

[rebs]

Im haven't seen any of the mentioned suits, however I have a Buoy o Buoy flotation suit from Canada and it is perfect for me. Thw warmth is great and I only wear sweat pants and a sweat shirt under it for complete comfort for hours in temps down to around 20 to 25 degrees. Colder than that I usually don't fish because the line freezes too fast. This suit is also flotation.

[Suzuki]

It seems odd how popular ice-fishing specific suits have gotten even though shelters have followed the same trend. It begs the question that if more people are using shelters whey do they need heavy duty warmer clothing? Just rambling but I do want some of the people new to the sport to realize you dont have to spend a fortune to stay warm. As an example I am using the same insulated Carhart bibs I bought in 1989. They just wont wear out and they work fine. And I usually fish outdoors.

[Suzuki]

It seems odd how popular ice-fishing specific suits have gotten even though shelters have followed the same trend. It begs the question that if more people are using shelters whey do they need heavy duty warmer clothing? Just rambling but I do want some of the people new to the sport to realize you dont have to spend a fortune to stay warm. As an example I am using the same insulated Carhart bibs I bought in 1989. They just wont wear out and they work fine. And I usually fish outdoors.

[Dacotah Eye]

It seems odd how popular ice-fishing specific suits have gotten even though shelters have followed the same trend. It begs the question that if more people are using shelters whey do they need heavy duty warmer clothing? Just rambling but I do want some of the people new to the sport to realize you dont have to spend a fortune to stay warm. As an example I am using the same insulated Carhart bibs I bought in 1989. They just wont wear out and they work fine. And I usually fish outdoors.
I bought an ice-fishing specific suit because the overalls that I bought in 1978 were getting pretty much full of holes after many years of crossing barb wire fences and such. I decided that I wanted a suit for ice fishing because they are thin, light, warm and waterproof. This is probably the last pair of bibs and coat that I will ever buy for this purpose.. I also bought some that will float me as I have never liked the idea of going through the ice and having my clothes soak up water and make it difficult to get back on the ice. I hope I never break through the ice, but at least the feeling that I now have about that situation is a bit warmer and fuzzier.

[Fish For Fun]

The Artic Armour suits bu IDI Gear are amazing, they are super warm. The only thing is they do not breath real well so you do NOT want to be doing a lot of activity when wearing it. I take the jacket off when drilling holes and then put it back on. I also do not wear the jacket if I'm walking out pulling a sled.

Contact Troy at blindhunterssupply for good pricing.


http://www.blindhunterssupply.com/

[Dacotah Eye]

One thing I learned last winter is you don't put the bibs on in the house and drive ten miles to the lake. I probably looked like the worlds biggest idiot driving down the highway with the windows down on a cold windy day. By the time I got on the ice, my jeans were damp from sweating, but I didn't feel the cold all day. I also take the jacket off while drilling holes and such.

[Backwater Eddy]

Good layering systems are key on the ice no matter what suit you get, or what ice shack you use.

Getting to the spot to fish and to then finally get into that portable will expose you to plenty, so being able to go from one extreme to the other easily and comfortably is key.

I learned long ago, best investment you make in winter wear is go to the highest quality you can afford, you will not regret it. Same with boots, don't skimp, cold wet feet takes the fun out of anything.

It seems odd how popular ice-fishing specific suits have gotten even though shelters have followed the same trend. It begs the question that if more people are using shelters whey do they need heavy duty warmer clothing? Just rambling but I do want some of the people new to the sport to realize you dont have to spend a fortune to stay warm. As an example I am using the same insulated Carhart bibs I bought in 1989. They just wont wear out and they work fine. And I usually fish outdoors.

[buddstools]

I bought an ice-fishing specific suit because the overalls that I bought in 1978 were getting pretty much full of holes after many years of crossing barb wire fences and such. I decided that I wanted a suit for ice fishing because they are thin, light, warm and waterproof. This is probably the last pair of bibs and coat that I will ever buy for this purpose.. I also bought some that will float me as I have never liked the idea of going through the ice and having my clothes soak up water and make it difficult to get back on the ice. I hope I never break through the ice, but at least the feeling that I now have about that situation is a bit warmer and fuzzier.

So Dacotah Eye, How is this suit working out for you? If you are refering to the Artic Armor suit, I watched the videos,tried on the suit,and still skeptic about the warmth. Looking for any input...thanks.

[Dacotah Eye]

So Dacotah Eye, How is this suit working out for you? If you are refering to the Artic Armor suit, I watched the videos,tried on the suit,and still skeptic about the warmth. Looking for any input...thanks.

I just came in the house after three hours of blowing snow in a 30 mph wind. I started with my Arctic Armor parka, a knit hat and a sweatshirt. The bibs stayed in the house. I came back in without the knit hat and my AA zipped half way down. The AA has been plenty warm for me, but the way that a lot of folks know that winter is really here in my neighborhood is that I zip my sweatshirt up. To be truthful, I bought the AA to wear when I am on the lakes with my ATV and I haven't had the chance to really do this yet. We just got over a foot of snow dumped on us and I don't know when I will get on the ice. I think you have to layer under the AA like with anything else and when drilling holes and setting my flipover up, I take the jacket off because I will get too hot while being more active. There are probably other suits that are as warm, but I like the flotation feature with the AA. I think that most of the times that I have been able to wear my AA on the ice it has been after some type of activity such as blowing snow and my shirt will be a bit damp when I head out. I have never been cold while wearing my AA. There were times last winter that I just drove to the lake, drilled some holes and sat on a bucket instead of setting my portable up just to test the AA and I was always warm. My best advice to you is to check them all out and get the one that you have the most confidence in.

[buddstools]

Thanks for all the info guys.I am planning an ice fishing trip to Leech Lake at the end of February. I was planning on up grading my clothing for this trip. As all of us know nothing will ruin a trip like being cold and wet.

[suit]

Cabellas Insulated guide wear Awesome for ice and late fall and rain

[blueicecpa]

Backwater Eddy you bring up a great point.... (http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/member.php?u=3863)

These outside layers are all very good, some have flotation ( early and late ice). Some are warmer.

But what underneath is even part of the layering system, remember cotton only has 5% warmth when wet ...including sweat.


Look up proper poly ( like Under Armor Cold 1st ) then Fleece for the insulation and drying the dampness. Comes in 100,200,300,400 weight for the Winter Seasons.


My Ice Partner went from Shedding 20 lbs when he used this system from his Carhartt's. Esyier to vent when over heating.

[Munshaw]

Jeans as a base layer??? Recipe for disaster up here. In extreme cold, I typically wear a merino wool base layer for wicking, followed by Helly Hansen extra thick pile insulator pants and shirt, followed by a good pair of waterproof breathable bib pants, Canada Goose down parka, and Baffin boots. it simply doesn't get much warmer than that. Take the parka off while drilling holes etc. Sweat is definately the enemy, though wool is just as warm when damp/wet which is the beauty of the system.

[buddstools]

Seems like that would be a little too warm?? Also what are you considering extreme cold?

[blueicecpa]

Cotton.....KILLS it will get you just ~5% insulation when WET. So if you sweat beware, change your jeans every 30 minutes. ( Works fine when dry , inside or on a nice high dry fall blue sky day..... but not outside in the Winter)

Wool you will get ~ 50 % insulation when wet , before fleece, for hundreds or years this was the answer to keep warm, Fall , Winter , Arctic ( was very Heavy, but warm).

Then came Fleece ~ 75% insulation when wet and sweaty, but helps wick and dry out the moisture with the system.

Then came Polar fleece in 100,200,300 & 400 weight to properly create a system for the weather, you don't want to overheat, so you have to be able to vent .

Add a poly( i.e. Under Armour base .. in Summer to Cold Gear wieghts ) snug underwear( or silk :} ) and a Breathable Gortex Shell ( Or if Ice Fishing yes there are many great specialized Bib's and Jackets with many pockets and backing where we need it.


My Ice Fishing Partner changed from a cotton Carhart system with cotton sweatshirts and sweat pants, to underaurmour and Fleece with a blue Clam Suit , and feels like he lost 30 lbs and is more comfortable & moble.

We teach the Boy Scouts in a "Clothing Session" in the Okpik Leader Training (Winter camping so they can be safe and have fun Camping 12 months a year up north here and be safe. Wonderful to see how clothing has changed over the past 20 years. The are getting out more and more , Klondikes are better participated as the kids are more comfortable.


So it time we take advantage of this technology.:cookoo: