Ice Fishing Suits

[espringers]

So, the Deal Alert thread finally got me thinking about an ice fishing suit thingy. I've always just worn the shit I already had. That jacket at Gander Mountain seems like a decent deal and I might pull the trigger on it. But, I already have too many jackets. What I really need to start out with are some good bibs that are warm, windproof and waterproof at the knees. Is it safe to assume any of the ice fishing bibs you buy will keep you dry whilst kneeling on the ice in slush? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Kurtr]

waders

 

[deleted_account]

Theyre all good likely. As a rule i would stay away from clam products. The quality just isnt there anymore. I have a pair of vexilar bibs for quite a few years now and they work fine. I like the fact that they arent insulated or very little anyway. Less bulky and i can layer underneath as necessary. Im due for a new pair

 

[Kurtr]

i have vexilar bibs and they have padded knees that are nice and keep me dry

 

[3Roosters]

So, the Deal Alert thread finally got me thinking about an ice fishing suit thingy. I've always just worn the shit I already had. That jacket at Gander Mountain seems like a decent deal and I might pull the trigger on it. But, I already have too many jackets. What I really need to start out with are some good bibs that are warm, windproof and waterproof at the knees. Is it safe to assume any of the ice fishing bibs you buy will keep you dry whilst kneeling on the ice in slush? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Ditto with me...Gander Mountains Striker Ice deal sound good so am interested in hearing any pro's /cons ..especially for that nice price point going on now. I have used my carhartt bibs for years so would pull the trigger on some good quality waterproof bibs. Bride needs some as well so may do that also. Would prefer to try bibs on for fit before ordering online although heading thru Bemidji next week so can check fit at Gander in that town.

 

[Jigaman]

about 4 years ago I finally bought a suit and I sure wish I would have done it sooner. I ended up getting the normal blue suit from clam and have been happy with it. It is not super thick which I like because I can layer depending on weather. Love the 326 pockets it has and the padded butt and knees are nice. If I was in the marker today I would take a hard look at striker.

 

[Bfishn]

I good pair of ice fishing Bibs definitely make life easier, padded knees are awesome! They also work great for spring/fall fishing, snow blowing etc. I have the black Ice Force bibs from Strikemaster and i'm pretty sure these things might last the rest of my life(they are discontinued now unfortunately). I would be looking at Striker and Frabill if i was buying now, it looks like there are good deals on both. Id stay away from the Clam and Scheels stuff.

 

[powerman]

I picked up the striker ice suit last year. It is amazing. The suit is very warm and also has liners that can be zipped out. So the jacket can be slightly bulky with the liner in but really warm. Remove the liner and you have 2 jackets. Just what you want is more jackets, but they are nice. As for the bibs the pockets have the little micro fiber towels that snap on or off which is pretty nice to dry a hand. The knees have a waterproof knees in them and found them comfortable while kneeling next to the hole. The cuffs at the bottom of the bibs are adjustable as well for different length in seams. Overall I love my climate striker ice suit and definitely would recommend it to anyone interested.

 

[ice head]

The striker suit also floats, if you're going to buy a suit, it's a nice safety feature.

 

[shorthairsrus]

about 4 years ago I finally bought a suit and I sure wish I would have done it sooner. I ended up getting the normal blue suit from clam and have been happy with it. It is not super thick which I like because I can layer depending on weather. Love the 326 pockets it has and the padded butt and knees are nice. If I was in the marker today I would take a hard look at striker.

a few years back I bought the blue suit for 150 total for --- both top and bottom xl from Reeds. They never ran that deal again however the next year they had a red one -- -from what I could tell the jacket was the same -- however the bibs were cheaper --- but I got both for $125. Must of been around 2011 -- end of the recession --- then the price doubled as some babyboomer sat in their office and said we have ice fishing suckers. Last year I found a deal on north face in vegas -- shit nobody buys super warm stuff in vegas. North face is overated but for 70 bucks I got me a nice warm waterproof jacket

 

[Holmsvc]

I bought a striker predator suit this year. It's really nice. Built better than my old blue suit. The predator suit is warmer than the clam blue suit. It's windproof and has been water proof so far for me.

 

[ndbwhunter]

http://www.fieldsupply.com/uc-20170...pperjam&publisherId=103184&clickId=1871387363

 

[norm70]

I got the blue ice armor bibs on sale at scheels for 100 bucks on black friday. They are warm wind proof, water proof and the padded knees are great.

That being said I am very un impressed with the quality. The suspenders for the bibs are very weak and never stay where they are supposed to. They have alot of pockets but any weight on the bibs slides the suspenders down When this happens they drag over the heels of my boots and the bottom of the bibs are absolutely shredded. Now having water proof boots it hasnt affected me much, but I thought the quality would be better than that.I have now duct taped the suspenders in place i which looks like crap but it works.

 

[johnr]

I have some bibs that I picked up at scheels 15 yrs ago, they are in great shape still and cost around $100. They are not ice fishing specific, so no padded knees, likely not water proof either.

I guess I am in the market too, but fear I might get fatter, or skinnier and an torn about buying to big or small.

 

[huntinforfish]

I also own the Vexilar bibs. It comes down to how you fish. If you are on open ice 90% of the time, go warmer. I like the Vex bibs as I can wear minimal clothing but am still waterproof/windproof and not die of heat stroke in the house.

 

[Fly Carpin]

Striker bibs all the way. For all the reasons mentioned above, plus they have a built in beer can holster. What else does a guy need?

 

[espringers]

ok... size me please. striker climate bibs and jacket. 6'1". 215 on a good day. 225 on a bad day. XL or 2XL?

- - - Updated - - -

ummmm... the prices on that frabill shit from the link above are crazy cheap. now i am torn.

 

[hogslayer]

I dropped the carharts last year and broke down and bought an ice suit and it was the best investment i ever made. Tried all of them on and the ones I liked the best that I wound up going with were the vexilars. They seemed by far the most comfortable ones to me. I hated all of the extra padding in the other ones that made them feel awkward and bulky. The vexilar ones are lighter but still extremely warm and weather proof. I absolutely love them. I would also recommend checking out the sportsmans guide suits. My brother in law bought one and I'm pretty sure they are made by the same manufacturer as my vexilar suit. Nearly identical for half the price and he loves it as well. Same material, same stitching, same patterns, nearly the same suit for half the price. And both brands run small so definitely go at least one size up from what you would normally get.

 

[deleted_account]

I cringe at the thought of fishing in carhartt bibs again. wet knees are a huge bummer. still love them for hunting and working outside!

 

[DirtyMike]

I can't stand the thought of having to wear overalls ever again. Oh look, my boot came untied. Well, guess I'll wait to get out of this body prison.