Frabill suits?

[portageman]

I am looking at Frabill suits and would just like some feedback. My real question is should I go with the grey Frabill Suit or the black Ice Suit? I know that Ice Armor, Artic Armor, and Striker mke great products, but i am really only interested in hearing about the Frabill suits.

[chrismackmn]

I got mine (grey snosuit) last weekend for 300 bucks (suit and bibs). I really like it.

[Mike Stark]

I got the new Grey Suit this winter. The difference between the Black Suit and the Grey Suit is that the black suit has insulation in it and the grey suit does not.

I went with the grey suit because I like to have the option of layering underneath my suit. It makes the suit more versatile in my opinion and cost less.

I was recently up on Lake Winnipeg. We used a snowmobile to get around. The grey suit performed flawlessly. The first morning out it was -15. We had a 12 mile ride up the river to the lake. I was snug as a bug in a rug. I was able to put on a lot of layers underneath the suit to make sure I stayed warm and could still actually move around.

In March I will be able to use less layers underneath so that I don't overheat.

The suit is well thought out and well made. Lots of pockets in all the right places. Fleece lined pockets in both the bibs and jacket for warming your hands.

I highly recommend the grey suit for someone that wants a versatile suit for all seasons. If you are always cold you may want to get the black insulated suit.

Here is a pic of the suit in action and an average Lake Winnipeg walleye.

[timbo147]

I have the black Frabill Ice Suit and love it! I have been out in some pretty nasty weather and it kept me plenty warm. When I have the bibs and jacket on its easy to get overheated if doing a lot of physical activity. So more often than not I will just take off the jacket and put it back on later. Every thing about the suit seems well thought out. If I had to go and buy another I wouldn't hesitate to get the same.

[portageman]

Man, if a guy from Ely says gray suit, I probably have to go with the gray suit.

[Mike Stark]

Man, if a guy from Ely says gray suit, I probably have to go with the gray suit.

I don't really have issues staying warm tho. And I had A LOT of layers on. If it's really cold just be prepared to wear lots of layers.

I am going to give it the real cold test tomorrow. The forecast is calling for -26 tomorrow morning. I am heading out on the snowmobile tomorrow to chase lakers around.

[DRH1175]

I love the sno suit best suit made IMHO. When I looked they wanted $300 a piece I wanted one so bad. But that was out of my budget. I ended up with a Vexilar Coldsnap as it fit good and the price was right.

[Jmeyers]

I picked up the Gray Fraibill suit at the ice show for $150 and I love it, It's nice and light and like everyone else said if you layer up you will be just fine. Also what sold me was they are perfect for early spring late fall Musky fishing because they are so light yet still warm.

Just got back from a trip to Superior this weekend and was really pleased with it's performance!

[CHEX1982]

I have never had any problems layering with my black original. The thing about these Frabill suits is that it's not bulky at all, hence the $300-400 price tag. Instead of just packing it with lots of insulation, they went with just enough insulation and then put on a tough windproof/waterproof shell. With thin polyester level 1 thermals and a hoodie as layer, I feel I can still play football without any hinderance. It hugs your body like an extension of your skin instead of feeling like a chunk of layer like a cheaper suit would feel.

If your first layer is those serious wool thermals (most sweat-less guy on earth?), you might want to bring your stuff and try it all on at the store. But if you're using technical polyester thermals like Under Armor, even the max 3.0, you can still double layer with a sweater and light sweat pants.

In my opinion, I don't think the black suit is "more insulation". I think the grey suit is just "less insulation". If you can follow what I'm trying to insinuate.

[Blaker55]

I've had the Grey/black Snosuit jacket for 3 years and Frabill FXE bibs for two years, both of them the insulated version. I love them. The jacket has large pit zips to allow ventilation and if you tend to get warm in the legs you can always unzip the sides as they unzip from top or bottom. There is a series of velcro patches to keep them together if you want but still unzipped for a bit of ventilating. Cant say I've ever got cold in them. Last year I did get a bit warm as I had to shovel/blow out an aprox 30' wide X 50' long X 10' high drift under my deck over my walkout. I use these for fishing Oahe in April-May and Oct-Nov from the boat and for ice fishing the other times. If I had to make a criticism, I would add one internal pocket on the right side of the jacket similar to the large one that is on the left inside.

The padded/waterproof knees were the big sellers on the bibs for me along with the zip to thigh for easy on over boots.

You can wear some really light clothes underneath and stay warm.

A friend has the original Snosuit jacket and bibs that has the fleece lining in the forearms and he says it can be a bit annoying as its too hot at times. But the nice thing about his bibs is that they have the removable knee pads. Nice feature if you want to add or subtract the padding thickness.

[Mike Stark]

The grey suit kept me nice and warm at -18 this morning on the snowmobile.

[gonehunting]

Is it me or is there some confusion in this post? I believe there is a new grey uninsulated suit out there this year. This should not be confused with the Frabill FXE (snosuit) version. The FXE grey suit is the insulated version and is one of the warmest suits on the market. It is also about 3 times the cost of the uninsulated version. Correct me if I am wrong.

[gonehunting]

May have figured it out. Frabill FXE Stormsuit versus Frabill FXE Snosuit.

[Mike Stark]

The grey suit I am talking about is called just "Frabill Suit" which is different from the Ice suit, Snosuit, and Storm suit.

Frabill Suit has no insulation.

Ice Suit has some insulation.

Snosuit is by far the warmest and has the most insulation.

Storm suit is rain gear.

[DTro]

You have to admit, this is a bit comical.

IceSuit, SnoSuit, Stormsuit, Black Suit, Gray Suit, Frabill Suit.

[Blaker55]

I think Frabill's mistake here is making the uninsulated version look the same as the Snosuit version. I agree 100% that it is confusing.

[123fish]

I've got the black suit. I really like it as it's warm and has what I feel are just the right amount of pockets of which at least three of them are secured by zippers. If I had to complain about anything it's that the zipper on the parka has to be just right to get it to connect.

[mr.z 1972]

If I had to complain about anything it's that the zipper on the parka has to be just right to get it to connect.

I have the black suit as well and had the same problem with the zipper but have figured it out now. i spoke to the Frabill guys at the Icefishing show this and the explained to me all of the features, how they work and why they have them. The suit is well thought out and well made. I have done alot more fishing outside of the house because of this suit. If you can wait till next year; I was able to get mine marked down 40% on the last day of the show.