Opinions Please! Outerwear for ice fishing

[mutt248]

Hi Guys,

I have been looking in to picking up a new jacket and paints for this seasons ice fishing.... any suggestions on what has been working well for you? I have been looking in to the Frabill and Ice Armour suits.

Let me know.

Thanks in advance

 

[efka]

never heard bad things about icearmour

 

[fishermandan420]

a lot of guys wear the floatation suits. great in the boat spring and fall too. i have the work version from mustang, but there are quite a few brands.

 

[AaronKrick]

Ice armour is always good. They both are very warm. Your choice, each one would do the job very well.

 

[getin]

I would go with a flotation suit. You feel more confident and safe walking on ice and they are pretty warm. I used a Mustang last yea twice and was happy with it.

 

[efka]

it all comes down to the fishing you do, if you're the one going on first ice and staying till the end of season or venturing onto back lakes then go with floatation; if you fish more popular lakes with no water current and only follow other footsteps or snowmobile tracks then go with the regular warmer suit. getting a floatation suid will not hurt. i tried one last season and found it not as worm and comfortable as my snowmobile pans and winter coat.

 

[mutt248]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your feedback and opinions. they were very helpful. I ended up purchasing and Ice Armour suit and could not be happier. I found the Frabill suit to be a little to bulky for me due to the added insulation. I prefer to layer my insulation. I also was able to get my hands on a used mustang flotation suit from a friend. It's a bit big for me as I am a whopping 5' 5" the added length in the leg makes it a bit cumbersome but I'll give it a go for sure. So far I've been out once in the Ice Armour suit and it worked out fairly well. Very comfortable to walk in and the padded knees are helpful when working with the tip ups.

I'm with out a doubt I'm very pleased with the purchase and I will post an updated and more detailed review of the suit a bit later in the season.

Thanks again!

 

[CWebNation]

It's been a couple years now....anyone have further feedback about these suits? I was looking at them this year as I completely updated my gear from snowmobile to electronics and rods.

I'm most interested in how warm they are at -20 to -30

Thanks in advance.

 

[fisgfreek]

Royal distributing has some nice snowmobile suits with floatation assistance.

 

[Knuguy]

You feel more confident and safe walking on ice and they are pretty warm.

I'd been thinking about buying 1 but here's the dilemma as I see it: I'm a walker and if the suit is very warm it will be too warm for walking any significant distance. Once I get to the fishing spot it's not really needed because I know by then that the ice is safe. My reg parka, snowpants, layers etc will do just fine and I can add to or subtract from those layers to suit conditions. Is there a way around this 'catch 22'? thx

 

[tossing iron]

I don't own one myself. But I'm sure like everything else nowadays breathable is an option. Probably have to pay through the nose . But for someone say living in Barrie or any where north it would be worth the extra cash.

 

[drifter2k]

Before buying pants and jacket, invest in good baffin boots first. If your feet are cold the warmest jacket won't help you.

 

[xbend]

FXR F.A.S.T suit. Bibs and jacket are extremely warm and comfortable. The FXR boots are good as well but slush can be a issue when they get worn in. If conditions are slushy i prefer the rubber insulated boots by either Dakota or Baffin. Warm feet are easy to achieve with the Thermocell heated boot warmer. They have 3 settings. Off med and high heat. They work extremely well and are rechargeable. I spend literally everyday on Simcoe during the hardwater season and since i have had the FXR F.A.S.T suit i have yet to be cold. I have fished in the open on days when me gear would instantly freeze up but my body stayed warm. The suit is also a floation device but it is not a survial suit. I have a Clam suit and i will never use it again unless its in the plus temps.

 

[FisherGirl]

I have flotation bib pants from royal distributing.

For my purposes I thought a survival suit was overkill. I think they are more for open water safety or if you are on the ice all by yourself.

 

[riddickulous]

I'd been thinking about buying 1 but here's the dilemma as I see it: I'm a walker and if the suit is very warm it will be too warm for walking any significant distance. Once I get to the fishing spot it's not really needed because I know by then that the ice is safe. My reg parka, snowpants, layers etc will do just fine and I can add to or subtract from those layers to suit conditions. Is there a way around this 'catch 22'? thx

Look into 2 piece suits. You could take your jacket off or unzip it and still be "safer" with a bib than without any flotation gear.

Also look for suits with strategic zippers in areas like the armpit to cool down. Striker Ice is probably the best gear out there. It's breathable yet warm. I have a jacket and it's worth the money, especially if you can find last year's models.

 

[Shawarma]

It's personal preference on whether you want a 1 piece or 2 piece. I feel safer in a one piece so that's what I rock.

I'm also a Walker and when active I get quite hot so I wear clothing accordingly when out ice fishing. Wool base layer and a few extra removable items that I can unzip as to not over heat. When I get too hot, I unzip an inside layer and keep the suit zipped up and that helps a lot.

No ice is safe so safety first for me.

Also, get yourself ice picks especially during early ice with this psychotic temperature we've been having.

 

[Knuguy]

Look into 2 piece suits. You could take your jacket off or unzip it and still be "safer" with a bib than without any flotation gear.

Also look for suits with strategic zippers in areas like the armpit to cool down. Striker Ice is probably the best gear out there. It's breathable yet warm. I have a jacket and it's worth the money, especially if you can find last year's models.

Thx. I should check those out. Any opinions on Hansen suits?

 

[riddickulous]

Haven't heard much from them although their one-piece looks popular (reasonably priced). I think they are similar, but a level down from the Mustang brand. If you're look for coast-guard approved, safety suits, its the route to go. Drawback is that these aren't very breathable as protection from hypothermia is the main safety concern.

I went to the ice fishing route - 2 piece float suits that support kneeling on the ice, lots of pockets, air vents, etc. Suits designed by Striker and to a lesser degree Arctic Armor, fit this mold. The Striker/AA suits aren't cheap, but I would wager that it's more warm, comfortable and useful than whatever most people wear now. I've read of people shoveling snow in the Striker suit because its so breathable. Don't think a Hansen/Mustang is at that level. If comfort keeps that suit on your body, i think that's a major safety benefit.

The Salus brand looks really nice (and pricey) but I have no experience with it.

 

[TheTallFisherman]

Im not sure on your location, but I have been to a few "flee markets" in the Mississauga region where I managed to pickup my Helly Hansen two piece suit float suit for under $500. Its a great investment, the jacket itself is a bit stiff but the security of knowing IF you go under, you'll float like a bobber helps.

I mainly wear the bib all the time when fishing from piers and boats, and keep the jacket on the side but that being said, if your looking for just an ice suit (not float suit) Sail (Etobicoke) has alot of promotions going on if you look!

 

[Nisalaz]

Just my two cents...

Personally I prefer a separate jacket and bibs vs. a one piece suit. I like being able to wear one or the other as required.

If you go that way, I really like the Cabelas Guidewear line. The extreme late season line is very warm, waterproof, and designed for fishing. It's spendy but they go on sale frequently.

Nothing wrong with a survival suit if you have a line on it, and would actually be cheaper than the Cabelas Jacket and Bibs. No one ever fell through the ice and said Damn I wish I didn't have this survival suit on haha.

Oh and the Helly Hansen long johns/undershirt are awesome too, you can get them at Mark's Work Warehouse. Just wait for one of those sitewide sales.

Hand warmers: instead of disposable, another option is the Zippo hand warmers. I know most people are scared because there is a flame (very tiny) but they are safe and work great. They are more $$$ but your not left with something to throw away every time but you do need zippo fluid.
https://under-the-open-sky.com/best-ice-fishing-suits/

Survival suit/bibs/jacket: There is a similar suit/bibs jacket that floats that is made by Striker Ice. Other brands like Frabill and Clam that will work, they just don't float like Striker Ice. Not sure if Striker is easy to find in Canada though.
http://www.strikerstore.com/Hard-Wat...s-p/214000.htm

Underwear: Anything merino wool is a great options. Wool when soaking wet will still hold 80% of the heat in.

Enjoy the hardwater!