arctic armour vs. arctic armour plus

[Hoffer]

Well, I have been researching the Arctic Armour and I am going to pull the trigger this year. My only question is the "regular" vs the "plus".

I have heard from some that the lining on the plus makes it more difficult to easily slip on and off?

Also...what is the reason they went to this lining?? Do you get extra warmth with it - or is it just for comfort?

The extra 20.00 either way doesnt bother me...I just want to pick the best type.

Thanks for any advice!!

[BK19]

yes the only differance is the lining once you wear it for a bit it isny any harder to put on I like it because it feels bettter when you just wear a t shirt

[Mike Stark]

the plus is warmer...but takes longer to put on...if i could do it over again i would get the regular in black...which is new this year.

[joneshat11]

I still want to know the answer as no one has answered. If you where just the pants and you fall through the ice do you float upside down?? Sounds like a dumb solution to me to depend on floating with ice suit. Better solution is to buy a pair of bibs and jacket that keep just as warm for the quater of the price and spend the money on a nice light weight life jacket!!

[DTro]

Can’t answer the questions about the floating thing, maybe someone else can.

I would like to know where you are going to find the same warmth and quality for $80, plus then you still have the inconvenience of wearing a life jacket. Let’s face it, nobody will be putting on a life jacket every time they are out. With the AA, you never have to think about it.

For some reason people get the idea that because these suits float that they are bulky and/or heavy. Neither of which is true and in some cases probably lighter than other suits.

There are a handful of outdoor related items that I have purchased that I couldn’t be happier with, and the AA is one of them. I would buy another suit in a heartbeat.

[CJH]

I bought the Arctic Armor Plus suit last year and have been very happy with it. Its way less bulky and lighter than any of the others, which was a huge selling point for me. I pull my own sled by hand on small lakes here in the Cities and with big bulky bibs on, it is a chore!!!

The wife really liked the fact that it floats, so that was an easy sell. And to answer jones, the pants are bibs, so they come all the way up. You would maybe float upside down if couldn't use your arms and had about 20 gold chains around your neck, but that would make it pretty hard to fish anyway. I think its pretty dumb to spend a little less money on something that's colder, not waterproof, heavier, bulkier and will help you sink to the bottom of the lake when you fall in.

As DTRO mentioned, who wears a life jacket ice fishing? I've never seen it.

[trapperdirk]

A life jacket also gets very stiff in the cold and the arctic armour stays supple . A life jacket is better than not wearing any floatation device but does not come close to practical while icefishing . The other thing is if you do go into the water the arctic armour suit will not absorb as much water as a non floatation suit . It will also drain better once you do get out .

I just saw a study that was done with snowmobilers . They did the study in a pool but water is water . The lad in a regular suit gained 43 pounds in short order and that was without boots on and he was struggling to keep afloat while the lad in a two piece floater remained totally buoyant and yes he did gain 20 pounds but it drained fast once he got out .

Both my bride and I have the Arctic Armour in camo and the best money I have spent for awhile .

Now if I was up in Alaska fishing king crab and the ship was going down I would want something more than AA but for survival

icefishing I have lots of confidence in the AA and it is comfy ,warm and even looks good . I even think the AA suits are even priced right for what you get and well worth saving for if your on a budget .It serves alot of purposes beyond just icefishing for us .

TD

[FISHINGURU]

the plus is warmer...but takes longer to put on...if i could do it over again i would get the regular in black...which is new this year.

lol what takes you so long to put it on? you can't quick grab your sleeves with your finger and slide it in the coat...thats how i've been putting my arms into jackets since i was a kid so your hoodie or whatever your wearing doesn't get bunched up.

for the bibs they unzip on the sides and you can tuck your pants and gators in your boots and just zip the bibs back up around your boot....i guess i don't understand how the plus takes longer to put on.

i've tried on all the suits and put them all on at the same speed! maybe i'm just a machine lol!!!

[tip_upclyma]

Quick on and off??? [PoorWordUsage]???? Are we talking about Nascar pitstops? I LOVE my ARCTIC ARMOUR PLUS (green one)! Other then my Vexilar...it is my #1 best thing I ever bought for Ice Fishing!

I hear all of you guys talking about life jackets...but in my few short years of going out on crazy early Ice...i have never seen a life jacket on anyone.

Blue Jeans, tee-shirt, and my AA Plus and I am all set!

[Hoffer]

Man! You guys arent making it easier to choose!

First of all...I have read many other posts and have researched the arctic armour alot. I dont think there is ANY question that this stuff is the real deal as far as keeping you warm, dry and afloat!

My whole question is which one to buy?

I am leaning toward the camp with the plus. I guess the camo has a "softer" finish. However, I still like the new all black ones -but they dont come in the "plus" style.

So...any other comments or suggestion from AA owners??

last...what about the AA gloves they come with?? Are these the real deal too?

Thanks!

Hoffer

PS Is the closest place to try these on the MPLS area in Waconia?? Does Thorne carry them?

[BartmanMN]

If you need another jacket to wear hunting, then go Camo. If not, then go with the black. Can't go wrong with Black and you won't stick out like a sore thumb on the ice in your fancy Red or Blue for that matter; suit.

[trapperdirk]

The gloves are not bad and are waterproof but by no way a replacement for a set of good mitts . Also don't get stuck on the plus AA suit unless you like the furry feel because they all are exactly the same for warmth and floatation according to their rep .

I personally find gloves a bit of a pain to put on and take off so I use mitts because of this and they are warmer in extremes but my AA gloves do travel with me and I usually wear them just to put up and take down the portable ..

TD

[PerchJerker]

I wouldn't say the Plus suits are warmer. The brushed lining was added to make the suits more comfortable. Any extra warmth from the brushed lining is minimal.

Some guys love the lining, some guys hate the lining, and some guys are like me ---- we wear the Plus suit because we like the color and don't really care one way or the other about the lining.

I like the gloves but I don't wear them when I'm fishing, they are too snug and too bulky for my liking when fishing. I wear the gloves when shoveling, running the power auger, riding the atv, etc.

You can check out the suits at AA at Pro Fishing Supply . We have lots of suits on hand if you want to see them in person, and we ship for free and give you a free pair of gloves when you buy a suit.

[Hoffer]

So Perchjerker - what color do you have

[FISHINGURU]

i'd go out on a limb and say he probably has the green and black plus suit

[169Sportsman]

Have to say I am chuckling at everyone saying that they never see anyone with a life jacket on while ice fishing. While fishing the river in the past I would put mine on under my jacket to avoid the ridicule and ridiculous look of a life jacket on. But it always made mom a little more comfortable about me goin to the river. lol That was before I bought my AA last year, now no need to hide the life jacket. By the way I have the plus and love it!! Is a little tough getting on but I wanted the green. Bought mine from Pro Fishing Supply great guyu to deal with.

[DTro]

Yeah, I've seen plenty of people with a life vest on out on the ice. Especially the river like you mention.

The convienience of the AA sure is nice.

[harvey lee]

One can also purchase those Arctic Armor suits right here on FM.

What a great way to also support the HSOforum that brings one great information to boot.

http://www.outdoorprostore.com/

[beretta]

Last year I traded my red AA suit for the new (at the time) green plus suit. I wish I would have waited and got the black. The green is nice but the lining isnt really worth it in my opininon. The soft lining makes it a little harder to slide on than the nylon or whatever it is in the regular suit. Not a big deal at all but I would go with the black set instead...either way you cant go wrong!

[thorson]

I bought the Arctic Armor camo suit last year and it in my opinion honestly makes all other suits obsolete. Shorty after I got mine, my 2 brothers and dad got them too because they liked mine so much. I even used it for turkey hunting this spring because it was a monsoon season down here and just wore shorts underneath. Not a problem with heat because it breathes so well. 2 thumbs up from me!!!

[Hoffer]

Welll...I think I am down to either the camo plus or the black regular.

I will try them on and then decide.

[PerchJerker]

Welll...I think I am down to either the camo plus or the black regular.

I hate to break it to you but the Artic Armor Plus only comes in Green / Black (or the Green Bay colors but the yellow is REALLY bright) --- and the Camo, Red/Black and All Black are not made in the Plus style. So maybe that simplifies things .... or makes them more complicated.

To answer your earlier question, I wore the Plus suit last year. I'm thinking about getting the Black suit, or maybe just the Black bibs this year.

[jwhjr]

I picked up the Plus suit because I liked the color best on it. Plus the OPS had a great price on them toward the end of last ice season.

[harvey lee]

That was a one time price and will not happen again if someone is thinking of waiting for a lower price.

It was to move some oddball inventory at the end of the season.

[Hoffer]

OH...so the camo is not "plus" so the only difference with the camo is that it is "brushed" nylon on the outside?

So, the only plus is the green and black?