Ice Fishing Clothing

[1900_LE]

Which is warmer....Ice Armour or Strikemaster. Is the Ice Armour X suit worth an extra 100 bucks?

[genzbug]

ice armour

[Flooringuy]

I can't answer your question on which is warmer,because I've never tried Strikemaster clothing.

But I can say, I'm very happy with Ice armour X.

[Iambjm]

I have the Strikemaster jacket and I find it to be very warm. So warm that I can't wear it on the milder days on the ice .

[maros91]

I have the Strikemaster jacket and I find it to be very warm. So warm that I can't wear it on the milder days on the ice .

I agree with this. I have the jacket also and have no complaints.

[Brad B]

lets twist this a little and add into the mix the arctic armor suits. I was first looking at the strikemaster suit but am now going towards the arctic armor since it has the floating ability if you go through the ice. what is everyone elses opinion of these 3 different suits? How do they compare when it comes to over all warmth.

[jigging-matt]

I have the Vexilar Jacket and bibs and they are very warm. Just like what was said for the Strikemaster coat, on milder days I don't wear it, to warm.

[harvey lee]

I have used and own the Ice Armour X suit and the Arctic Armor. Both are very warm but the AA suit may save ones life if they break through the ice. For me, that enough of a benifit to purchase the AA suit.

Its nice to know that if I fall through the ice that I will more than likely get out due to the AA suit.

[7outof10]

i have used both ........and i got the gray suit on order !!!

[Mainehazmt]

arctic armor was my choise too warm at times but the ting that sold me god forbid is the floating aspect

[kg2]

I just bought the Arctic Armour and got a chance to use it on Saturday. The temp maxed out about 50 degrees on the lake, and it was breezy. I still was a little chilly, I don't think it is as warm as people make it out to be. I think much of the rave is the "its mine" deal. Same as Ford/Chevy, etc... debates.

That said, I am glad I bought the suit. I will feel safer on early and late ice. I got a heck of a deal at $260 for the camo parka and bibs. The bibs I got are last year's camo design so it doesn't match 100% with the newer camo on my parka. (Not an issue for me.)

[Glockwinger]

I just bought the Arctic Armour and got a chance to use it on Saturday. The temp maxed out about 50 degrees on the lake, and it was breezy. I still was a little chilly, I don't think it is as warm as people make it out to be.

I think it also has to do with how your body heats up. I am a very warm blooded person, and I got very hot wearing my Arctic Armour out on the ice, blowing snow, etc. It is the only suit I have owned other than the old style snowmobile suit. I like the floating aspect of it, and for me, it is warm. YMMV.

[JBMasterAngler]

I have the ice armour suit and am very happy with it. I don't wear the coat until after I'm done setting up and drilling all my holes, otherwise I'll get too warm and sweaty. It's really nice on windy days.

[Ed Carlson]

I have the Vexilar Jacket and bibs and they are very warm. Just like what was said for the Strikemaster coat, on milder days I don't wear it, to warm.

Same here, I often layer and do not require the Vexilar parka unless it's nasty. I always keep it handy though...just in case.

I really like the extra warm fleece double draft collar system on the new Vexilar Cold Snap parkas, eliminates all drafts and heat loss through the neck...darn handy on a sled or on a ATV in rout to a spot.

The Vexilar Cold Snap Bibs are cut so they are easy to move and work in, long easy access leg zippers are handy, as are the outside pockets an inside pocket access point positions, don't need the bulky padded seat just the long pads on the knees, extra wide straps on the bibs are nice so they don't dig into my shoulders, the heat pack slots placed in the rear of the Cold Snap bibs come in handy and I find they really help to eliminate that sore stiff back from a long day on the ice.

And the Vexilar Cold Snap systems price is right, a very reasonable system. And you can buy them separately if you so wish.

[NCLaker]

I have the Vex suit and very happy with it, one of the better values out there.

But looking at all the posts, I think you will be happy with most any of the Ice fishing specific suits. Most important is probably fit and comfort. I recommend trying them on and pick the one that fits the nices, easiest to move in, and comfortable when sitting & kneeling. All should be plenty waterproof as in winter conditions.

As for Jackets ... Just curious, WHY the heck do they invest in so many pockets in them things. Does anyone ever really use more than 1-2 inside pockets and 2-3 outside pockets. Seems all these jackets come with about 20 pockets inside & out (mine actually has 15, still a laughable amount). If anything my bibs could uses a couple extra pockets, since I rarely wear my jacket when fishing (except traveling to/from the fishing spot).

[harvey lee]

I think the most important feature of my suit is that it will float one if one falls through. Fit and comfort are important but if it will save my life, that is very important to me and my family.

One can also purchase a AA suit seperatly Ed.

[kingkobbla]

Are the suits water proof?

[harvey lee]

Here is what Idi gear says about the Arctic armor suits.

INSULTEX™ is also windproof, waterproof, it breathes and it FLOATS. The Arctic Armor™ suit, with INSULTEX™, consists of micro-air molecules trapped inside the fabric to enhance buoyancy.

As far as all the pockets go, I use almost all the pockets while I'm hunting with my camo suit.

[Valleye]

I don't have the IDI Arctic Armor and can't really comment on it. However I do have both Ice Armors, I have had the blue suit and it is exactly what people have mentioned. It is windproof and waterproof. I have used it for the past three seasons with no problem. I just purchased an Ice Armor X straight from Clam. Although it is the 2006/2007 model it is priced under $100.00 for Bibs and Jacket, but...... only in Medium.

Good luck, If you choose either the Arctic Armor or Ice Armo you will be happy.

[slipbobbin]

Ice armor for me. Was out alot this past winter and never got the hint of being cold.jmo

[jbird68]

I have the ice armor blue suit and have felt cold on some days. It might be that the jacket is a little on the large size. Before I purchased my suit, I tried on the medium bibs and the jacket. The medium jacket fit me just right, but the medium bibs were way too tight to move around in. Since I couldn't get them seperately, I got the large suit. So now I wear a Polartech base shirt and a Gander Mountain Polartech Fleece Pull-over.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I can fully understand someone wanting to do the research before buying any of the winter wear. They are getting quite expensive! However, in my opinion well worth it. It really comes down to your ice fishing style. If you own a perm, and your outside very little, then you can get by with a less expensive system. I however, do not have a perm, and use my portable only as needed as well. I have owned the Arctic Armor the last few years and love it. I have bought a set of the camo bibs for late season archery hunting as well. And while I have not tested its ability to float, I have some piece of heart that it will give me a chance should I make a bad decision or hit an area that was unsafe.

I'm sure all the suits out there are quite good and you will be pleased with whatever you buy.

[Valleye]

I totally agree with DD. Paying for the proper clothing will just make your experience more enjoyable. I just spent an arm and leg on Boots and can't wait to get them.

[harvey lee]

The feet are another place on needs good boots. I use the merino wool or smartwool socks and they are hands down the best I have used.

[Boar]

I have the strickmaster suit. Love it, pretty much wear it to bed.Now the only reason I have it is because at the eel pout festival Strickmaster has wholesale a booth, I picked up the the complete suite for 150.00 bucks. Go down the street to Reeds an the same suite is 300 plus. Suite meaning jacket an bibs. One year bought the jacket an next year bought the bibs. They also have a booth selling blue suites too. Boar