Ice Bibs

[OnAFly]

I have to opportunity to purchase a few things at the Cabela's employee discount this Friday and I'm looking into some good insulated bibs.

Has anyone used the Cabela's Guidewear Insulated Bibs? How do these compare to the Clam Ice Armor bibs?

[jwmiller33]

I haven't tried the Cabela's Guidewear, but I do own 2 pairs of Ice Armor (the blue suit and hte grey suit) and love both of them. However, I was at FF yesterday and they had the Vexilar suit there, and it was the first time I ever checked it out and I was extremely impressed. If i could, I would have the vexilar bibs instead of my ice armor bibs. The pads in the knees were awesome!

EDIT: reading that it looks as tho I am talking down my Ice Armor which is not the case at all! I love both pairs! If you ever see me with a fish pic on this HSOforum, there is about a 99% chance Im wearing either the bibs or jacket or both, and that is for a reason. The pads in the knees and rear ends on the ice armor are amazing and prolong your ability to kneel down while ice fishing, and just add comfort. They are also wind proof as well as water proof and are extremely warm. You really can't go wrong with the ice armor. you will not be disappointed, just make sure you get the right size

[Ed Carlson]

I have a full set of the Cabela's Gore Tec Insulated Guidewear gear, the bib's are very warm, very windproof, and waterproof.

Just resist washing them as long as you can, and when you must, use the ReviveX® washing solution to insure they will remain waterproof. Do not use standard liquid laundry detergent, it will hurt them.

I now most often use the new Vexilar Cold Snap II bibs for most of my ice fishing needs. I love them, and highly recommend them.

[PurpleFloyd]

I bought on of the Scheels brand suits for this winter and hope they are similar to the others mentioned in this thread.

[BassFisherman]

I have the vexilar bibs. Very nice, the padded knees are very nice. Also something i like is that they have alot of pockets to put junk in. Wayyy cheaper than the ice armor bibs too.

[hoggs222]

I'm going on my 3rd year of the "blue" Ice Armor suit. They are awesome! I've never been cold or wet in them. I usually wear a set of the C-store polartec medium or heavyweight baselayer and a pair of jeans under on a really cold day.

I picked them up at the icefishing show in St. Paul. I got it for $180 and the guy let me mix XL bibs and L jacket. I was swimming in the XL jacket. Not saying that the Big C store will do this, but do what you need to do

[MN Mike]

I see KLIM is being sold at Cabelas now, just saw that a week ago, KLIM has been big in the snowmobile market for a number of years, generally sporting very warm clothing that is not bulky like you see some other clothing, it comes at a price though.

I've got one of them invites for next Sunday, might have to check it out.

Mike

[Far-I]

What is the employee discount day and why haven't they invited me? i give them all my money constantly

[OnAFly]

Get their Visa card, buy everything you normally would on it and pay it off every month. That's what I do and I get a ton of free stuff. The hardest part is holding onto those points instead of spending them.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've narrowed it down to the Ice Armor blue or gray suit. I like the flexibility of less insulation (especially when it's 40 degrees outside), but I also like the idea of not having to put any additional clothes on when I go out.

Those bibs seem like they run a little small, I think I may have to try to switch out for XL bibs with a L jacket.

[ryan p]

It works great me and my wife use it for fishing and snowmobiling, under armour, fleece, and guidewear -15 below and I am still warm. I have talked to my friend who runs the sno suite from frabill and he likes it. I think they all work well its what you have on underneith.

[OnAFly]

I agree, I was mainly looking for reviews like: "the seams fell apart after two weeks" or "waterproof like a sponge." Sounds like you really can't go wrong...which is a good thing

There's nothing I hate more than buying bad gear

[Esox_Magnum]

I wear my uninsulated guide ware just layer under and have no issues, 3 years old now and still working perfect.

[BartmanMN]

Cabela's sells the Frabill bibs, which may be similar to the SnoSuit ones. If they are, that would be my choice (if you don't mind being a bill board for Frabill)

[AaronM]

I love my blue Ice Armor suit. It can be worn about 10 months of the year, you will be very happy with it!

[OnAFly]

I don't mind being a billboard if the product is good. I do mind having to take out a second mortgage though. If I'm thinking of the right suit, those SnoSuits are spendy!

[dougw]

What do you guys think of the strikemaster suits?

[winniewalleye777]

I am also looking at getting a pair of bibs, however I do almost all of my fishing inside of my Yukon house with the heater on. I am worried that I will get too warm with these on inside, however, I would love to have them for drilling holes, checking depths, and set up/take down. What would you guys suggest? Thanks!

[Northlander]

You wont get too warm. If you do just unzip the leg zippers as needed. I have Arctic Armor and they have been great but there are many good bibs out there now. The Sno Suit is crazy expensive and heavy but crazy warm.

[tsande00]

Anybody try the StrikeMaster line of winter wear? The price isn't too far out of this world and they appear to be high quality. Wondering if anybody has direct experience...

EDIT: Oops, just saw Doug's post with the same question a few posts back.