Arctic Armor

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I've never been cold in my AA, which includes 3 or 4 trips up lake trout fishing to superbees place in Ontario with -35 temps. I've never felt any wind, and I rarely wear more than a t shirt and fleece underneath.

[Woody61]

I guess my only problems with the coat is the wind(Seems like it is because the jacket is so thin) and moisture wicking through too slowly. But on the plus side it does float and is comfortable.Not sure if I really want to try the bibs or stick with my SM's they seem pretty warm although a little heavy.

[Jim Almquist]

I just wonder if you guys that are having issues with the wind have adjusted the little elastic deals on the inside of the jacket and the ones on the bottom ? I do know that the jackets are cut pretty full and I had that problems with mine until I tighten them up and since then it works great. My base layer is always UnderArmour and then a flannel shirt and a hooded sweatshirt or a wool vest and if it gets cold then I throw on the jacket, or if the wind is blowing.

The other factor is that we all adjust to cold temps differently. I can sit outside with no hat or gloves and fish all day, and the next guy will not get out of his Otter and will have his heater on.

[PerchJerker]

I've only dealt with 1 guy that I know of who was getting cold in his jacket. He's a big strong guy, with broad shoulders and big chest, and liked having a snug fitting jacket. But he could feel the cold coming through on his back and shoulders. We put him in 1 size larger jacket and problem solved, no more cold coming through.

Proper layering, proper fit, and not getting sweaty inside your clothes are keys to staying warm. Wearing lots of layers, especially the wrong kind of clothing, is not the best way to stay warm.

Also -- make sure you do not put your Arctic Armor suit in the dryer. The heat from the dryer will destroy the insulating properties of the Insultex Insulation. Hang them up to air dry, don't dry with heat.

[Jim Almquist]

Also -- make sure you do not put your Arctic Armor suit in the dryer. The heat from the dryer will destroy the insulating properties of the Insultex Insulation. Hang them up to air dry, don't dry with heat.

Good info to know !

I guess I will have to wash it one of these days

[Mike Stark]

here is a ton of info on AA.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I've only dealt with 1 guy that I know of who was getting cold in his jacket. He's a big strong guy, with broad shoulders and big chest, and liked having a snug fitting jacket. But he could feel the cold coming through on his back and shoulders. We put him in 1 size larger jacket and problem solved, no more cold coming through.

Proper layering, proper fit, and not getting sweaty inside your clothes are keys to staying warm. Wearing lots of layers, especially the wrong kind of clothing, is not the best way to stay warm.

Also -- make sure you do not put your Arc Arm suit in the dryer. The heat from the dryer will destroy the insulating properties of the Insultex Insulation. Hang them up to air dry, don't dry with heat.

And the Insultex will melt and shrivel your suit up into a little ball (a friend told me...).

[PerchJerker]

And the Insultex will melt and shrivel your suit up into a little ball (a friend told me...).

I've never heard that before but here's a good idea ...... don't put it in the dryer.

[PerchJerker]

Sometimes after hole hopping all morning long and having iced up and wet bibs, a guy would like to throw the bibs in the dryer for a few minutes to have dry bibs for afternoon/evening.

I have a couple ideas for you.

1. Hang them up to air dry for an hour. I've never had it take more than an hour or two to dry out my suit.

2. Put them in the dryer on air dry, just don't turn on the heat.

[harvey lee]

If its warmer out or I am hole hoping and am getting as bit warmer in my suit, I simply unzip the jacket and bibs and that helps alot.

[cold one sd]

I like my AA suit and I'm looking to get some Under Armor this winter. I probably should have bought some Under Armor first, but my coveralls were 30 years old and had crossed too many barb wire fences. Ya might say they were a bit on the breezy side.

[cold one sd]

I would find it hard to be critical of a product that states on a tag that it shouldn't be put in a dryer unless it is set on a setting which uses no heat. There are some brands out there that you can dry next to a camp fire. If I want something to last, I follow the manufacturers instructions. Not being critical, just telling it like it is.

[CrappieAttitude]

Just curious on how many of you have actually tested the Arctic Armor suit out as far as floatation goes. Last summer, I put the suit on over my swim suit and put on some rubber boots and went out in my dads boat. I did the nestea plunge off of the boat in about 15 feet of water. I am 6'4'' 200 lbs and I was impressed on how much of my body was actually out of the water when I was floating on my back. To make things more impressive about the suit, my brother who is 6'3 235 swam out to me while I was floating and put his arms around my waist and it held up both of us. I was just laying on my back and his feet were dangling beneath me. Knowing this, I wouldn't hesitate jumping in after him if he god forbid would happend to go through the ice.

I was probably in the water for 10 minutes swimming around. Great suit, but can definatley get you warm fast if you are doing any sort of work in it. I haven't needed anything more than underarmor and a fleece layer to keep me warm in my Arctic Armor suit. I have the camo suit and was the warmest I have ever been last deer season.

And I fish in Northern Minnesota's extreme cold.

CA

[Northlander]

I have washed my AA suit dozens of times and dried in the dryer on no heat. Worked just fine.

[PerchJerker]

Just curious on how many of you have actually tested the suit out as far as floatation goes.

I've floated in my suit for a minute or two just to try it out, nothing more than that though.

The reason you can float you in an Arc Arm suit, and float for so long, is because the Insultex insulation traps so much air and does not absorb water. It doesn't absorb water and it doesn't become waterlogged. It is also breathable, just not fast enough for some people and especially if you are exerting yourself. The reason you can't float in any of the other suits is because the insulation in them (fleece, thinsulate, etc) quickly absorbs water, which forces out the air so it becomes waterlogged and heavy.

[dml78]

It's good to know that AA can not be placed in the dryer with any type of heat setting. My AA plus suit is brand new but after the season I was going to use ReviveX wash-in water repellent to renew the waterproof coating. This product needs 1 hour in the dryer at a medium setting to activate. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Northlander]

Do not use any such products in your AA. Make sure you follow the washing instructions on the tags. If you do not damage the insultex in a heated dryer the insultex stays waterproof.

[Northlander]

Ill be wearing mine out in the boat in a little bit. Its awesome for these cold fall mornings.

Watch out crappies Northlanders got some new toys to try out on ya. LOL.

[Rick]

The Arctic Armor insultex material floats and does a good job of it.

AA is rated to -40 degrees. It is warm and any breeze up your back can by taken care of with the drawstring snugging up the bottom.

The AA insultex does breathe out water vapor but for some may not do so fast enough because it is so warm and even more so when doing normal ice fishing activities. Best bet is to either unzip the jacket or even take it off and unzip the bibs if you are active and working up a sweat. It can definitely be a bit too warm at times.

On the flip-side, if I'm out in the spring or fall I have no problem using my camo AA in the rain out fishing or hunting on a cool fall morning.

Arctic Armor is not perfect for every situation but like Northlander said it does cover a large majority of situations I get into.

[trapperdirk]

I get rained on and I still float . I get snowed on and I still float . I fall in the water I still float . I break through the ice I still float . I get sweaty and hot but I still float .It comes in different colours and they all float .

I prefer to float wearing AA than the alternative of being found bloated .

TD

[backlash 1]

That sums it up very nicely TD.

[tsande00]

If I'm out in the middle of nowhere and I fall through the ice and can't get out...

Not sure if I'd rather float a painful slow death of hypothermia, or just get it over with and drown right there in a few minutes.

All kidding aside, seems like a worthwhile investment. I need new bibs. Do they sell just the bibs? Will the bibs alone keep you afloat? Or just tip you upside down making you drown even faster?

[Rick]

The Arctic Armor bibs will keep you afloat and the OutdoorPro Store does sell the bibs alone.

Be sure to get your AA suit while they are still on the shelves

[skee0025]

I was also wondering how this stuff is when it hits -30. Nothing stopps me from fishing, i'm just hoping for a warmer, lighter option to mega layering. I currently have lightweight waterproof parka and pants(columbia) and its plenty warm for above 0 temps. I can afford the snosuit, but the old lady would divorce me if she found out i spent that kind of cash on a cold weather suit, i'm pre approved for like $350.00 so this is why im looking at arctic armor, i'm just not sure. I love that it floats. But..........

After I got mine my wife used the coat to run to the store, next thing you know I was buying her a set of her own. Thats saying alot, my wife is the ultimate freeze baby.

[Bigtime22]

I agree skee. As your wife found out, if you don't have and Arctic Armor suit you don't know what you are mssing.

I absolutely love my AA. I will not go out on the boat early or late fishing or on the ice without it. The one thing that I have noticed is that when it is -100 I do get cold!!! Just playing with the guys that have complained of the -40 temps with this gear. It keeps me warm at -20.

Overall, in normal to below normal (not extreme) ice fishing conditions... I have not found a better suit for my needs. If you are a person that gets out a few times a year in the middle of the winter, there may be other options. If you like to get out early in the year and get that hot bite, always nice to know that you have a suit that will keep you warm and keep you floating if you go through.

Anyways, for me it is AA 100% of the time. If I get cold on the ice and i am wearing my AA, it is probably a pretty good idea to just go home.

It was great service and super fast delievery from the OutdoorProStore.