Striker Ice bibs - stitching & torn crotch issue

[fisherman-andy]

Well looks like i'll be hanging up the my brand new Striker Ice bibs (floating) for the next week or two. The sewn stitching on the crotch area has completely torn apart during only 2nd use.

Im seeing a few reviews on stitching issues on the crotch area of these bibs and is noticing that my parka and various spots on the bibs where the stitching also looks stressed. Hopefully I can get this taken care of.

Other than that the use is comfortable and very warm and have been satisfied so far other then the stitching problem.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Mine did the same after the 3rd use. I sent an email to Striker and they responded with instructions for sending the bibs in.

[Brad B]

read the comment right from striker. they came on here and explained the issue.

here is the link to the thread :

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...t_R#Post2745646

[fisherman-andy]

read the comment right from striker. they came on here and explained the issue.

here is the link to the thread :

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...t_R#Post2745646

I am well aware of that thread and it was one of my concerns before actually purchasing the suit. However there only has been a handful of reviews on this site and from other sites and if only at 3% its still an issue as half of the reviews on FM has had the same problem of torn stitching on the crotch.

Before purchasing I had examined several same suits of various sizes and found minor stiching issues on all 2 different suits, regular (float & non-float). I examined the stitching of the crotch area on several bibs for comparison and they all showed minor stress after I prefitted them, but I wasnt too concern then as I felt it woulda held up.

Either way I still have a Strikemaster suit for backup that is couple months old that i've been trying to get rid of when I bought the Striker Ice suit. So my goal is to get this Striker Ice bib fixed or replaced by warranty cause it the only bib on the market with a adjustable inseam 29" that fits me.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

While I appreciate their timely response, I'm not buying the 3% figure. The 3 people I know with the suit have all had the same problem after less than 5 times on the ice. I wore mine less than 10 hours, and they are quite torn. Something like that certainly would have shown up in product testing, which makes me think it wasn't properly tested in the field.

[TruthWalleyes]

I've got the seams going on mine as well. I haven't sent them back, so that percentage goes UP.

[Sonicrunch]

Great. :sigh:

I bought a pair but haven't used them yet.

[Jim Almquist]

Great. :sigh:

I bought a pair but haven't used them yet.

Make sure that you adjust your shoulder straps so that your crotch is up were it should be. Then I would adjust for length. Did not have any tearing in the crotch at all but I am keeping a eye on it.

I had a chance to wear mine all day Saturday and Sunday. Very Warm !!! It started out at 3 degrees Sunday morning and I had to wait for 30 minutes before I could put on the jacket. Needed to cool down after drilling a bunch of holes. There was a light breeze but I stayed perfect the rest of the morning. I have the regular Striker and it is WARM !!

[fisherman-andy]

At the moment after re-observing the bibs, the stitching is stressed and stretched up and down from front and back running down the buttocks to crotch & leg seams. Its still holding up currently. But there is minor fabric wear, stitch stretching, or separating in certain areas.

We all know while ice fishing we need to be flexible to be able to bend into many positions whether kneeling, standing, crouching. Doing so seems to have stretched the stitching & fabric on my bibs. Am I to consider a 2XL size at this point so that is large enough to wear so its more loose fit to avoid the issue? (FYI, The lite suit and non floating suits design are sewn pretty much exactly alike)

Regardless of the stitching issue so far I am still sticking to that I selected the Striker Ice suit no matter how funny that sounds. I had weigh my options and decided in the first place its safety features are worth it to me and had wanted to purchase a lite suit for warmer days. And if its only affecting a small percentage at this point so dont let this discourage some of you who have bought a Stricker Ice product or is going to get one due to the features. I have been wanting the Striker Ice suit ever since I saw it back in November and the Striker Ice lite suit is still on my wish list. Plus that their local MN and I rather support local businesses.

I talked to Striker Brands today, super fast response and they are getting it taken care of. So as far as customer service there should be no short there.

[Sonicrunch]

Make sure that you adjust your shoulder straps so that your crotch is up were it should be. Then I would adjust for length. Did not have any tearing in the crotch at all but I am keeping a eye on it.

Good call my good man. Will do.

[griff321]

Speaking of the shoulder straps does anyone have any tips to keep them from slipping? I tighten mine up all the way and it seems like they start loosening up pretty fast.

[Northlander]

I think if Striker got rid of the stretchy bib suspenders that would keep the bibs and crotch in the proper spot so it doesnt stress that crotch area so much. I love my striker suit and the only real issue I have so far is the suspenders/straps of the bibs. I have been checking my bibs and the crotch just recently started to open up. Debating if I send them in now or try to get through the season. Its getting so warm, supposed to be 48 degrees this weekend, that I probably dont need them.

[remington 300]

just curious, were is everyone elses crotch tearing? ive read posts about both inside and outside seams tearing,

mine tore on the inside crotch seams, i sent them back and were returned in about a week, and the patch they put on looks like it should solve the problem.

mike.

[griff321]

Does anyone have any tips on keeping the straps from slipping? It seems like I have to adjust them back at least once a day.

[LightningBG]

One of my friends is working on a fix for this issue, but just for 1 particular dealer, so we'll see if the fix works and if it makes its way back to Striker.

[fisherman-andy]

I think if Striker got rid of the stretchy bib suspenders that would keep the bibs and crotch in the proper spot so it doesnt stress that crotch area so much. I love my striker suit and the only real issue I have so far is the suspenders/straps of the bibs. I have been checking my bibs and the crotch just recently started to open up. Debating if I send them in now or try to get through the season. Its getting so warm, supposed to be 48 degrees this weekend, that I probably dont need them.

With the season coming to a close I would get them taken care before the matter gets worse and the fabric tears.

I got my bibs back all patched up on front and rear crotch area. Hopefully things will hold up from there. Kudos to Shawn at Striker Ice for getting this taken care of. He even threw in some complimentary cap/beanie.

[fisherman-andy]

Does anyone have any tips on keeping the straps from slipping? It seems like I have to adjust them back at least once a day.

The straps are a problem too. Way too long and they slip off more then several times during the day while I had used mines. I get them adjusted to where it fits just right but it still slips.

Either way all kinks should be worked out by next year I think. With the great clearance sale going on imma pick up a Striker Ice lite bib. Striker has assured me if there are issues it will be taken care of. I will mention they have not had a failed crotch issue on the lite bibs yet.

[Wanderer]

Does anyone have any tips on keeping the straps from slipping? It seems like I have to adjust them back at least once a day.

Be aware of your shirt you have on. The suspender material is fairly slick and the issue will compound if your shirt material is slick also. I wear a wool shirt and although I adjusted my suspenders on my Lite bibs a couple times, it was only a couple times in the 5 days I lived in them.

Overall after two weekends (5 - 10 hour days total) I can say I like the complete Lite suit just fine. The oversized pockets on the jacket only become an issue if you put too much stuff in them. The material, not the stitching on the crotch showed signs of stress but not failure. The pit zippers and three way leg zippers proved to be phenomenal when trying to regulate my temperature.

I also have the mitts. I love them. Great fit, fast warm up on the hands even after leaving the mitts on the dash of the sled all day, and the adjustable wrist straps allow me to wear my neoprene gloves inside them if I want or cinch the wrist straps down for a tight fit without liners. Although I didn't use them, there are zippered pockets on the outside of the mitts where you could install small chemical hand warmers if it's really cold!

Even though I have other suits, I don't plan on wearing any of them in the future

[NoWiser]

The crotch on mine finally ripped out last weekend, so I'll be sending them back after I get back from fishing this weekend. Including myself, I know of three people with the Striker bibs, and all three have torn out.

I finally got sick of the suspenders sliding down last weekend. I loosened them up just a bit, and then crossed them in the front and buckled them. It bunched up the bibs on my chest, but at least they quit sliding off my shoulders. That was my fix.

On the plus side, last week on Friday it was -2 when we hit the lake, and got up to about 20 that day, and it was WINDY. I fished from sun up to about an hour after sun down, kneeling on the ice all day, and I stayed warm as can be, while my friend absolutely froze. Saturday it was 64, and I unzipped the coat, and the pit zips, and stayed comfortable all day.

[TruthWalleyes]

I contacted Striker, they will be repairing my bibs and a seam on my coat as well.

Guess this 75 degree weather would be a good time to send them in!

[Jim Uran]

I've had my Striker Lite bibs and jacket on the ice dozens of times since I've had them and I've had no problems, other than the shoulder strap thing, but just use a safety pin and pin them so they don't slide loose.

[Borch]

Does anyone have any tips on keeping the straps from slipping? It seems like I have to adjust them back at least once a day.

I crossed mine in the back and this really decreased the slippage. If a person tacked them down it would likely be even better. So far this has been my only issue and the suit is very warm but can also be comfortable in moderate temps with the vents opened up.

[Northlander]

I took some velcro straping and just ran it from 1 strap to the next at chest level. That took care of the problem. Striker still needs to improve the straps. I think they have way too much stretch to them.

[Jared_P]

I know this is a pretty old thread but anyone have any insight as to the slipping shoulder stap issue. i am thinking of picking up a pair of Lite bibs. thanks...

JP