What to wear under my Arctic Armor suit?

[JSK76]

I'm not having the positive results with my AA as other people on the site and I'm trying to find what I'm doing wrong. Went out fishing yesterday and was soaked with perspiration. I was only wearing a very thin pair 100% polyester long underwear under it, no jeans or any other clothing just thin under ware and the suit. I never got over heated walking out or anything and when I got my house set up I took off my jacket and the inside was wet and I could feel with my hand that the inside of the bibs were just as wet. I don't have this problem with my other brand suit so was wondering if I need to wear something special to help wick moisture. Heading back out in a few hours but the AA is staying home for now please help!

[Jim Almquist]

I am one that overheats very easy so I don't put on my suit till I have cooled down and starting to get chilly. Yesterday I walked out and drilled my holes and fished for a good 1/2 hour before I put on my bibs and heavy boots. Because I had my one man Clam I never did wear my jacket. I did have a wicking T-shirt and a long sleeve shirt with a heavy hooded sweatshirt.

[FISHINGURU]

It's to warm out for the AA suit.

[candiru]

I sweat way too much for mine as well. Minimal activity and the inside of mine is soaked. It defeats the purpose of having a floating suit if you cannot wear it on the walk out. I would not buy another one.

[dfeste]

The biggest problem I have with my AA suit is also the fact that it doesn't breathe. I do not want to give up the security it offers with the floatation during early ice. My butt sweats while just sitting in the house with only the bibs on. Did not have this problem with bibs that were even warmer than the AAs. I have come to the conclusion that there are pluses and minuses to every piece of equipment you own and you just have to deal with that. I will be getting another pair of bibs to wear once the ice is a little safer.

[JSK76]

It's to warm out for the AA suit.

Thinner ice and warm temps go hand in hand.

[firefish_12]

I always wear a moisture wicking base layer and yes u do sweat with it on especially ice fishing but very nice un the boat during fall and spring

I dont have any experience with any other suits to compare it

I do wish te jacket was thicker/warmer in the wind

[BassKnuckles]

Wow I was not expecting this info from everyone. I still have the tags on my bibs that I bought from Reeds. I'm going to return them it looks like. darnit that sucks.

[candiru]

Has anyone tried just wearing just the bibs and going in the water? I would think that it might not be good if you legs are the part that wants to float.

[Scott M]

I always wear a moisture wicking base layer and yes u do sweat with it on especially ice fishing but very nice un the boat during fall and spring

I dont have any experience with any other suits to compare it

I do wish te jacket was thicker/warmer in the wind

This is my approach. Just a couple layers, one moisture wicking. When I'm pulling gear out or walking out, ice fishing or hunting, the coat is carried with the gear. I leave the bibs on. I don't have problems with perspiration. You guys that want to return your AA...you are going to want the Arctic Armor later this winter, trust me! Hard to beat sitting in something warm that isn't bulky and heavy like the other suits and floats if the worst ever happens!

[dfeste]

I wouldn't consider not having the AA suit. I'm simply saying that it does not breathe well. As I noted earlier there are pluses and minuses with everything. As far as warmth vs weight the bibs in particular are great. I love having them on in the boat fishing Superior in the spring. I also always wear a moisture wicking layer, it can only do so much. Numerous people have stated that they have jumped into the water with just the bibs on and that they kept them afloat and upright with no problem. Have not tried it myself.

[candiru]

If you are carrying the coat that will float you in the sled with the gear, what good does it do you if you fall through? If you just have your bibs on, are you going to have to breathe through your feet? When it is 30 below and 30 inches of ice, I do not worry about falling through.

For some people AA might be great. For those of us that sweat more, it is not so great.

[Mike Stark]

Are there any suits out there that REALLY do breathe? Any real activity in an ice fishing suit is going to cause your body to heat up.

[seasock]

I don't know, but have heard that people who have those suits always wear womens' underwear under the suit.

[CAMAN]

I don't know, but have heard that people who have those suits always wear womens' underwear under the suit.

Pink womens' underwear to be exact!

[herefish101]

Kinda wierd, that the floating suit dont breath good enough to wear it on your walk out during early ice, when your chances of going in are the greatest. Bummer, I have heard it's pretty darn warm though, so if it can keep you warm later in the year then it's still a good suit, at that point who cares if it floats or not, it's now on par with all other suits in my mind.

[LightningBG]

If youre wearing wicking long underwear and just the pants, of course you're going to be wet. There isn't anything to absorb the moisture. If its warm out, skip the thermals and just wear some sweats or jeans under. If its cold, then get the wicking and another layer to absorb any moisture.

[slipperybob]

I always wear my polartech fleece in between.

[mww24]

I think you will have this problem with any suit. I have the Ice Armor Xtreme suit. I sweat like heck when im walking out and pulling my gear. I too leave the jacket in the sled and then i use the waist belt on the bibs and dont have the suspenders on. Also unzip the legs up to your knee if possible. let some cool air in there. Walking a long distance pulling 50-100 pounds behind you will generate heat no matter what your wearing. I guess knowing the jacket was in the sled so if you went in you could grab it anyways would make me feel ok. I always have a life vest on myself or in the sled if its thin ice. I don't know if I'd return a winter garment for keeping me to warm. I think you'll have the problem with any winter wear you buy. You could also try using non-insulated rain gear thats for summer fishing and layer more under it. Than you would have more layers to help adjust body temps. Just my 2 cents. I do not own the Artic Armor

[blackdog1101]

I always wear my polartech fleece in between.

This is my answer too. I wear a pair of wicking long underwear, polar fleece pants, and the AA bibs. I don't own one of their coats, but I rarely wear a coat when pulling my stuff out. I generally stay a little under-dressed while I'm getting set up, drilling holes, etc, and then put on my outer layers once I'm ready to sit and fish.

I do own one of the AA shirts, and it's sort of a mixed bag with that. It's great at blocking the wind, but even though it has a vented back I still get damp wearing it. I usually put that on over a couple layers when I'm hole hopping.

[ditchpickle6996]

Agreed you are going to sweat some in any suit if moving enough.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

The lack of breath ability is one of the biggest flaws with Arctic Armor. The moisture from sweat condenses and freezes against the jacket. Your best bet is to wear a wicking base layer to get that moisture off your skin, and then something in between the base layer and the Arctic Armor.

I own at least a dozen jackets, and the Arctic Armor is the only one that will leave me cold and clammy if I don't dress properly under it.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I sweat way too much for mine as well. Minimal activity and the inside of mine is soaked. It defeats the purpose of having a floating suit if you cannot wear it on the walk out. I would not buy another one.

X-2 !!

I also find the AA to be not nearly as warm in cold weather as any of my other winter wear, even when I have not worked up a sweat in it!

Cliff

[WinterHaven]

I always wear a t-shirt and jeans with mine no matter how cold it is outside and really don't have a problem with any more sweating than I would wearing anything else.

[Iceboy]

The non-breathability of AA is a bit of a weakness, though "breathable" stuff rarely breaths enough to be that much better if you are sweating a lot. I only have the AA bibs, and then usually wear something breathable for a jacket (fleece or goretex) -works great for me!

Also, as to what to wear underneath? I can't recommend enough - Merino Wool long underwear! Once you start using it, you will NEVER go back to synthetic "wicking" stuff. It is that good. Most of mine is made by Minus 33, but I also just picked up some from Costco and it is pretty good (though quite a bit thinner). The Minus 33 turtlenecks are flat out the most comfortable/warm base layers I've ever tried. And the best part is that they don't get the stink that synthetics do. I've worn the same turtleneck for 9 days straight while on a solo bowhunting trip and not a hint of stink.

hope this helps!

dan