A new floating suit? Striker Suits

[fisherman-andy]

You guys are starting to make me regret buying a Strikemaster Bib. I was looking for the Strikerbrands ice bib at the ice show a couple weeks ago but couldnt find them or just didnt get to them. Shoulda tried harder. I had really wanted a Striker ice bib.

[TruthWalleyes]

I'll be buying the striker bibs this year for sure! Beer holder...Big Zipper! OH BOY!

....What really sold me was the adaptation to tall people, adjustable inseams! I really didn't want to pull the trigger on AA if i was going to deal with highwater bibs.

[Dark Cloud]

I have access to an indoor pool. Once santa brings the bibs we shall find out how the lite bibs do floating a 300 pounder.

[DTro]

I mentioned to Greg at the AA booth that if this replacement suit happened (which would be great on their part) I wanted to be able to do it quick. I fish a lot and don’t want to be without a suit and that I would rather just go buy a new one rather than have a free replacement that ships back to me at the end of Feb or March. Time is most definitely money. He assured me it would take a maximum of a week. I also had a dist offer to replace it for me and then deal with AA himself. That was very nice and who knows maybe I’ll still take him up on that offer. I just don’t want to feel like I have to jump through hoops to get this thing replaced. I have waited for a reply from AA and didn’t get one yet.

Now I hear about some nice features that I’ve missed with the AA (mostly the high zippers) and then my wife says to me that she wouldn’t mind wearing the faded suit the rare time or two she goes on the ice or for a ride on the sled and it might not be a bad idea for me to get something new. Even though that statement is more like teal , I interpret it as nothing but a green light.

With that said, I think a Striker suit is on the way.

[Northlander]

DTRO I think you will really like a new Striker Suit. I am very impressed with mine so far. Now we need some cold weather so I can get it on the ice.

[Sonicrunch]

Any word on where the striker suit is made?

[TruthWalleyes]

My Striker Ice LITE bibs are on the way!

[LMITOUT]

Ditto! Went with the reg instead of the lite though.

[rcr]

Can anyone tell me how the sizes on the Striker compared to the AA. Thanks

[DTro]

Well, I received my new suit late in the day yesterday. First impression is WOW! This things seems very well constructed. Lots of pockets and extra padding and stitching where it’s most important. As far as sizing, I had an XL with the AA and I ordered an XL with the Striker. It seems to fit very well. (I’m 6’ and about 220). The one thing I noticed right away was that the bibs seemed a bit long. I remember Northlander saying they were adjustable so I checked that out a little bit and found that yes you just need to uncuff the very bottom velcro and then you can adjust it up about 3”. It’s about perfect inseam now for me.

I haven’t had a chance to even wear it outside yet, but just seeing the construction and the thickness I think it compares very closely to a Frabill SnoSuit. I know that is a big statement for a first impression, but I have a few friends who own a Snosuit so I have some experience with that. I’ll say right now, that I don’t think this Striker Suit is going to be a multiseason suit. It will work great for those really early spring and late fall days on the open water, (for example, trips like the Sturgeon Excursion or Late Fall Walleye Night Trolling) but not so much for the cool 50 degree nights in May or June. I can already tell though that it’s going to be much warmer in the bitter cold than the AA ever was and that is what I really ask for in a winter suit. It’s kind of like boats. One style is never perfect for every situation. Striker does offer a lite version of the suit as well for those in between temps.

It appears that they have thought of everything in this suit. There are zippers, snaps and Velcro everywhere. Other things that should be great about this suit is that it has fully taped seams, magnetic storm closures, and plenty of vents to keep from overheating. The lycra cuffs felt really soft and I’m curious to see how those hold up and keep snow out. They almost seem too good to be true.

First impression is that I would most certainly suggest adding this suit to your list of candidates to check out before buying anything else. The floatation alone deserves a look.

Could we please get some negative temps now?

[LMITOUT]

My set was dropped off a little bit ago. I echo everything that DTro said. Seems to be well constructed and if you like pockets you'll love this suit. They're everywhere! I had not seen this suit in person prior to ordering but decided to give it a whirl based on what I had read here and elsewhere but at this point I don't believe I made a wrong choice.

I, too, noticed the length of the bibs was longer than I needed but it was easily adjusted with the built in velcro. You may think that sounds kind of cheesy but it's not in the least. There is a strip of velcro (three of them, actually, to adjust for different lengths) that is sewn horizontally around the inside of the legging at different spots, one being higher than the previous. All you do is fold the excess over to the inside of the leg and attach the cuff to the strip of velcro that works for your length. Easy. I just had to go up one strip and was in business.

The suit overall seems like it will be nice and toasty but opening up the zippers under the arms helps manage some of that heat. Just walking around the house you could feel a nice cool breeze when your arms moved around.

Another thing I like about it is that it doesn't have all the gaudy billboard advertising up and down the legs and arms.

Make no mistake about it, this is a full blown winter suit. You will not need to wear a hoodie underneath or pile up multiple layers. If you want to have more flexibility to wear a suit in the fall or spring you may want to look at Striker's "Lite" suit.

Now all I need is ice!!!

[Genofish]

I wear a xxl in the other brands, would I need the xl or xxl in the strike suit?

[LMITOUT]

I would say stick with the 2X. All my clothes are XL so that's what I got and it fits just right. If they had an XL Tall size for the parka I probably would have went that route due to my longer arms and torso. Tall seems to fit me better with shirts, etc. but I'm satisfied with the reg XL.

Forgot to mention that I got a free pair of Striker Ice gloves when I ordered the suit from one of Strikers dealers. Nice gloves too! Supposedly waterproof as well.

The suit seems well built but as with anything only time will tell. The bibs are a little "puffy" through the legs but not a big deal. Probably just used to my wore out Columbia suit. Much more padding in the knees than I've had before which should be handy when kneeling on the ice.

[Genofish]

I should have mentioned I am looking for only the bibs (lite verison). Any one know what the warranty is of these suits??

[SalmonSlayer]

Just checked these out online. They look awesome. Do they come in any other colors? I'd really like one in camo.

[LMITOUT]

The "Lite" has two different color options but no camo.

Don't recall what the warranty is.

[LMITOUT]

Any word on where the striker suit is made?

Just checked the tag and it says made in China.

[DTro]

I'm going to tell you right now that this suit is THE REAL DEAL!

I got to test drive it today out on the ice. The temps were not bitter cold at all, but as we got to our spot, the wind was blowing pretty darn hard, but I never would have known it.

The suit feels incredibly durable and warm.

In my opinion, it most definitely should be a consideration to anyone looking to buy a winter suit.

[NoWiser]

I picked one up last week. Haven't had a chance to test it on the ice yet, but wow do they seem nice! My dad tagged along when I got it, and walked out with a suit too. His arctic armor will never see another fishing trip, I predict. I'll give an honest review in a couple weeks when I return from Canada. That is the true test for any ice fishing gear, but especially your clothes.

FYI for those interested. I'm 5'11 and 155 pounds. Medium bibs and a large jacket fit me perfect.

[TruthWalleyes]

I ordered my Strikers on Wednesday, found them at my door friday!!!

Dang these things are nice! Thankfully i haven't tested the floatation yet.

DTRO. My LITE version of strikers do not have the beverage holder...Does the regular suit have the beverage holder? That made me quite disappointed, but there is no way i want the regular suit - the lite version is plenty warm for me!

[dfeste]

The regular suit does not have the beverage holder either. Must be from some of their other suits.

[LMITOUT]

Does the regular suit have the beverage holder?

[NoWiser]

My regular floating suit has the beverage holder. It is hidden in a small pocket on the right leg just above the knee, I think. Would be easy to miss if you didn't know right where it was. It doesn't seem very useful, more just a conversation piece.

[DTro]

I looked all over for the beverage holder last night as I might have been actually able to use it, but I just couldn't find it. It's probably there, but I was just too busy catching fish to put much effort into it.

[dfeste]

I stand corrected. It is on the side of the pocket as noted.