Bibs

[erickol]

hi guys,

If I was not on a budget, I would love to get some Arctic Armor Bibs...... But I am on a budget. So, are there any comparable bibs out there maybe at a lower price? I have not really began to search around, thought I would get some advice first. Thanks

[hiwayman33]

I have had a pair of vexilar bibs for a few years now and have been very happy with them. You can usually find these on sale very reasonable.

[Woody61]

I also have a pair a Vex bibs and like them. less than a 100.00 and they seem pretty durable. That said I just got a Arctic armor Jacket and will probably get the bibs to match at Xmas.

[SapperACE]

Get some man bibs... Carhart! They're like $90 and will last for years. I didn't know anyone besides Carhart made bibs. Those Ice Armor's are cute though. I wish they'd make a purse to match and i'd get some for sure!

[Drewski]

Vex bibs are awesome and very reasonably priced.

[eyehead]

I bought the Strikemaster Jacket and bibs last year. I really like them so far.

[JimBuck]

I suggest looking for something with Gortex. There are plenty of good brands out there that will keep you warm. But at the end of the day I'd look for something that will also keep you dry and warm. I've ran Carhart's on the ice in the past and while they are nice and toasty....slush or getting them wet can be a real problem. Unless your more worried about looking manly than staying comfortable.

[Drewski]

I see Reeds has uninsulated Ice Armor for 89 bucks. I'm getting some.

You can get a pair of the Vex cold snap bibs for only 100 bucks and they are insulated.

[harvey lee]

If I did not have the money for the Arctic Armour suit, I would go with the Carhart bibs and save a little cash and get the real deal.

They are as tough as anything and do a pretty good job for the money.

One can buy the Ice Armour for less than the Arctic Amour but they are not in the same class.

[harvey lee]

The Arctic Armour could save your life if you fall through the ice. Not many suits can say that. Many are good but very few will help one float to get out of the open water.

[toughguy]

Check out hunting bibs at fleet farm or other hunting supply stores. I got a pair for about $60 10 years back and I still use them every winter. They are insulated and keep me very warm. If you go after deer opener I bet you could get a good deal too.

[mww24]

hey sapperace. I wore carhartts for years and compared to my armor they are horrible for ice fishing. They may last a long time but they are not waterproof or have any padding. great work bib. horrible ice bib. just my opinion

[KG243]

I think the point that is being made is that armor bibs compared to carharts, but they keep you dry, warm and are not as much of a work out to wear i.e. the wieght issue! I love carharts as long as I am not going to get wet. I may look at the armor bibs as my carharts get very heavy after kneeling on the ice all day.

[bassislife]

Harvey,

I think the question was " comparible" to arctic armor?? who knows? maybe he wants a warm pair for work or deer hunting? no need to worry about drowning there I hope!

[Esox_Magnum]

I wear my summer rain gear, just layer accordingly underneath. I wear either Guideware or Gamehide.

[erickol]

Harvey,

I think the question was " comparible" to arctic armor?? who knows? maybe he wants a warm pair for work or deer hunting? no need to worry about drowning there I hope!

Thanks so much for the tips, pros, cons and general discussion. As I no longer work construction, the carhartts are not quite as useful as good ice bibs for me (even though they are bomb proof for so many other applications).

I have been using a great pair of heavy gauge goretex rain pants over my other thermal wear. They work great, but no padding in the knee, no real pockets, the zippered legs are not made for "winter" boots... and they just don't have the coverage like bibs.

I'll check a few styles out, and will be bibbed up long before ice sets in. pretty much have every thing else ready for this season, except a new fuel line and clean up of the Jiffy.

[Dave S]

I have Gamehide Bibs/parka and also Ice Armor bibs/parka. There's no comparison.

The Gamhide set that I have, I bought about 15 years ago. I picked up the Ice Armor a couple years back for an ATV trip when it was 5 degrees.

My Gamehide set is heavy.

Ice Armor, not so much.

Gamehide is warm to about 15 degrees.

Ice Armor, see above reference to ATV riding.

Gamehide has no padding in the knees/seat.

Ice Armor does.

The Ice Armor has been far better than my Gamehide in many ways. It's been a worthwhile investment. Cutting the wind and keeping you dry are key during the winter months. Ice Armor has exceeded my expectations. I have the blue set (non-insulated) so I do layer some underneath, but not much.

Now with everything posted above about the Ice Armor, Arctic Armor is better yet. As Harvey Lee mentioned, it also provides a level of buoyancy if you were to go through the ice. It may cost a little more, but it's a worthwhile investment.

[skee0025]

If its not something you absolutley have to have now, wait till spring and get Arctic Armor then. I did this last spring and picked up new bibs for under $100 bucks. If you have to have it now,look around, you can shave up to 30 bucks off what you will pay depending on who you get it from.

[Lure Lightning]

I had the vex bibs to begin with and for the money they are a great set. I got mine for only $50 from FleetF day after thanksgiving. I have upgraded to the Armor and have been very pleased with them.

[Sonicrunch]

Originally Posted By: Sonicrunch

I see Reeds has uninsulated Ice Armor for 89 bucks. I'm getting some.

You can get a pair of the Vex cold snap bibs for only 100 bucks and they are insulated.

That's awesome, but I intend to wear insulation according to temp. That's be a big difference between 30 degrees and 30 below.

I had a pair of ice armor, and did not like the fit. They were way to baggy for me. I am 6'0 210lbs. Seems like were made for somebody who would be 260lbs.

Does any store carry all tree brands so one could compare?

[SapperACE]

What do you guys do... roll around in the slush and spoon your auger? Padded knees? Really? I don't have padded knees in any of my hunting clothes or my blue jeans. Sounds like i'm way out numbered here though. What about using your bibs for something other than ice fishing? I sure wouldn't wear those clown suits in the field duck hunting or in the deer stand.

I just think that if you're going to buy something that is strictly for ice fishing, buy some thing that is a little more useful... like a wheel house so you can fish in your underwear if you want!

I know i'm being a little harsh. Just trying to have a little fun, and get the debate going a little bit.

[BK19]

car harts are good but with my knees I need the padding and also you get wet with ch's my AA save my knees and keep me dry

[CJH]

Since AA makes a Camo suit, I think alot of people are switching to those for muli-season use.

[DTro]

What do you guys do... roll around in the slush and spoon your auger? Padded knees? Really? I don't have padded knees in any of my hunting clothes or my blue jeans. Sounds like i'm way out numbered here though. What about using your bibs for something other than ice fishing? I sure wouldn't wear those clown suits in the field duck hunting or in the deer stand.

Some guys fish differently than others Sapper. If you go out, and punch 1-3 holes and plop down on a bucket or a portable and sit all day, any type of warm clothing will work.

Myself personally, I like to go out searching and punching dozens and dozens of holes trying to locate some active fish. In the process of doing that, especially in slushy conditions, its inevitable that you are going to get wet.

I like to stand when I'm doing this, so the padded knees aren't a huge deal for me, but a lot of guys like to kneel when doing the hole hopping thing and the padded knees are nice.

I had a pair of Carhart extreme bibs, and they were very durable and warm, but they were also extremely HEAVY compared to some of the other options available, and even got worse when they got wet. I had times when my back was aching from the bibs pulling on my shoulders all day.

I might wear one of those "clown suits", but guess what, I'm comfortable, mobile, and dry. Which in the end allows me to catch more fish.

[mww24]

good point sapper. carhartts are much more versatile. but i do kneel alot when i ice fish so the knees help me. and i sit on a bucket quite often so hit helps to have the padding in my big butt. This is one of those questions though that everyone has the right answer. kind of like fiberglass vs aluminum boats. in the end by what you want as there are a lot of great products out and now there is a lot of deals on hunting gear.