Feedback on new Ladies wear for winter?

[Ed Carlson]

Ladies...what is your feedback on the new lines of Cold Weather Gear offered for the sporting gal this winter?

Clam X Suits for the Women...Gander Mountains new Cold Weather Woman's Gear...Arctic Armor..Sno-Suit....Colombia...North Face....ect..ect?

What are your likes...also your not-so-likes....what is lacking for the sportswoman in the field?

Feedback always helps the lurking product development people once they see your points of interest and concern.

Thanks,

[Iambjm]

For the regular sized gals they might be good, for us heavy duty beauties it's still the men's department. I have the Strikemaster men's jacket which actually fits pretty good, but the bibs I have are kinda long.

[hopeforfish]

I agree with Barb, I can not fit in the womens versions so I too have the Strikemaster suit, I love it but it is a little long on the bibs.

Hope

[fish-n-fool]

All I use is mens stuff cuz it's warmer and seems to be made better. Long underwear are definitely better in guys, but gotta deal with that fly thing. Have Ice Armor suit (both the blue/black & the gray/black for extremely cold stuff)

[leech~~]

Clam X Suits for the Women...Gander Mountains new Cold Weather Woman's Gear.

I saw these the other day at GM and thought, huum nice cooler and they look really warm. Then I saw the for Ladies on the sign! The only thing about the new ones or the Gray/Black ones are that they feel really heavy, not just in material thickness, but just plan heavy in weight. And that can drag on you after a day out on the ice. Sorry for high jacking the post ladies! Remember you don't have to look good when your out in the middle of Milacs, just comfortable and staying alive works!

[Ed Carlson]

Great feedback, I'm hearing the inseam length is a factor and the overall cut of the suits..is that right?

Have any of you sporting ladies tried on the New Gander Mountain Women's TecH2O® line with the Insulated Parka and/or bibs yet?

I believe the inseam length starts at 31" on the Women's TecH2O® bibs. Very soft and quite material, very warm, moisture wicking TecH2O® keeps nice and dry, and it is waterproof. The Parka size wise runs from M-2XL, parka and bibs come in RealTree® AP™ Camo and Blaze Orange Camo. A set runs about $170 right now, and is on sale.

I have a set of the mid-weight Gander TecH2O® RealTree® AP™ insulated gear, in the mens line, and find it very comfortable and light to wear. The heavier Gore-Tex enhanced TecH2O® is extremely warm and wind resistant, but runs about twice as much in price.

[Lisa Almquist]

I have Arctic Armor and love how warm that is. I do like how mamacats mods her winter wear and that it's very cost effective.

[RangerQueen]

I agree w/Lisa. Womens outer wear has never taken into account that girls are built a bit different than the boys, and we do not like having to drop all the layers to be able to go potty. You guys try it a few times on the ice and you will catch my drift.You should hire mamacats to help w/ the new alterations to the winter sports wear if you are a r&d person. Also most of us outdoor gals are not a size 2.

Thanks

[Lisa Almquist]

Quote:

Also most of us outdoor gals are not a size 2.

Ha! I hear ya! I never quite understood why ladies outdoor gear isn't always as durable or quality as men's wear is. I suppose the manufacturers don't think that women would want the extra insulation because then it would be less flattering with a little extra bulk.

[Ed Carlson]

HA! Ya...Cat Walk snug and "Form Fitting" is not the primary concern if it's -20 is it.

It is contrabutions and recomondations like you sporting gals have to offer that needs to be directly e-mails to the various retrailers so they get the scoop on the real needs not the preceived needs of the sporting woman in the field. At store level it often gets lost in translation up the food chain, but direct e-mail costumer service reposes...that gets to the buyers ears quicker with less intermediate interpretation. Believe me...retailers are looking VERY hard at the sporting women apparel market, contributions and suggestions are appreciated.

How do you feel about more "one piece" snowsuit style options that are directly designed for the sporting woman...like...not-so-like? Options like Zip in liners, so they can be seasonally adjusted and so you can moderate temp....vented armpits..I like the pit vents in any sporting gear as it quickly vents to lessen overheating when activity levels change...just kick'n some ideas around here....feel free to chip in.

[fishinchicks]

At our house, we don't ice fish, but we use winter gear for working and playing outside. We buy men's carhart's for the durability and the inseam length. The women's are too short for us. I wear a 34" inseam, and my two younger daughters wear 36".

In a perfect world, we could get regular or longer lengths in a cut more suitable for our girlish figures.

[fish-n-fool]

With a one-piece (like a snowmobile suit) we'd have to pull the whole suit down, leaving the element of getting the suit wet during the squat. Not so good. But if they could come up with a 2pc that was as durable and warm as the mens wear, it would be great. Don't care about making a fashion statement or looking 'hot' on the ice. Warmth is the main goal out there.

[God chaser]

Just got back from the St Paul fishing show. Found a pair of extreme snow bibs that fit wounderfully and the top suspender part zips right off so you can wear it with or without. Looking forward to trying them out this week. Also the rep from Artic Armor said no more xs and small suits once inventory is gone. Maybe even the medium

They need to market more to the masses...who are getting bigger and bigger.

[mamacats]

Ah Eddy my favorite subject. Woman's gear! Ok here goes. I have tested three different suites this year and found wonderful qualities in all of them. But one that is lacking. If someone would just install a zipper that runs from the inside of one knee, around to the inside of the other. Then sell the "sweat pant" style pants to go underneath we would have it made out there. I install in all my bibs so easier out there. I have also noticed that some manifactures are sacrifising warmth for style. Like some of the ladies wear saying they have gone to men's, I to have done the same in a couple of the suites. Just little harder to move when you are short. I do love the belt around the waste on the Vexilar suite, keeps everything snug.

Wish I could spend one hour with a designer and make up a ladies suite that might please a few of us.

Cheers ( and thanks for asking us)