seriously....Striker vs Others

[Hardyboy]

I'm in the market for a new suit and really like the Striker suit. Saw the new ones with the changes and they are definitely high quality (striker). My problem is cost $430 plus tax. Not over the top for what your getting but still makes a pause for thought when i can go get say a Strikemaster suit for $200 at the st paul show. I want honest opinions and thoughts. Are they THAT much better, i know they float but i usually dont put myself on anything but good ice. And yes i know that no ice is good ice.

[DTro]

Well, here's the deal. If you take the top of the line suits from each manufacturer and put them up against each other, you will be hard pressed to find a clear winner.

I can only speak first hand of the Striker, Ice Armor, Snosuit, and Arctic Armor.

Other than the fact of the color fading on my AA, I've been pretty happy with that suit. However, camo shouldn't turn orange in a few years IMO.

Clams Ice Armor are great suits and they have really evolved into a one of the best on the ice.

Snosuit is also right there with the leaders and a quality suit.

What you really need to do is ask yourself how you will be using it. Do you spend a lot of time outside of a shelter in the wind and cold? Do you venture out on questionable ice? Is breathability important?

If you plan on spending the money, I would really suggest going to one of these shows and trying them all on for fit and see what features fit your style of fishing. Talk the reps and feel the suits in your hand and move around a bit with them on.

For myself personally, I like how the Striker fits, I like the features and options it has. I love the fact (so does my wife) that it floats. Its safe to say that I might never need that feature but its nice to know its there. On top of all that, I think Shawn is an honest stand up guy that will back his products and is committed to putting out a quality suit.

[Chad Peterson]

Well said Darrin!

[Eric_Kruger]

although I am biased when it comes to the striker, I am not afraid to tell someone that the suit is not for them, I can also say that right now there is a full striker suit out on the market that is under 200 for both the coat and the bibs, It does not float tho.

If your gonna spend a good amount of time in a shack, and only fish in moderate temps (15+) I think you would be safe shopping around at the St paul show for the strikemaster suit. I own one, and have had it for two years. I just noticed that I needed something warmer for the way I fish which led me to sriker.

If float is a big issue for you, when it comes to top end suits There is only two unless you add mustang suits then three. I have zero experience with the Mustang but know they carry a good price tag, arctic armor is nice but doesnt breathe (at least mine didnt) and striker. Go get hands on and check them all out....there is a ton of options in suits this year.

[Hardyboy]

Thanks for some of the info guys! i do a fair amount of fishing from my flipover, i do fish outside occasionally hole hopping which id like to do more of. the floatation part is not a huge deal for me as i usually wait for good safe ice (again i know theres no such thing as safe ice) I fish 3 or 4 tournaments as well as sled trips to lake of the woods. the suit i use now is a hunting suit not designed for ice fishing so no padded knees and such. Im not a freeze baby but have in the last few years lost a considerable amount of weight so i get cold a lot easier than i used to. I dont plan on buying a new suit every year so i want it to count.

[dfeste]

Sounds like we fish in a similiar fashion. The first thing I do is fire up the heater and take off my jacket once the shelter is set up. The reason I say this is that this is one area where the Striker bibs outperform others. They breathe much better than the Arctic Armor bibs I was wearing. Doesn't seem like a big deal but in the end you stay warmer if your butt is not sweating like a hog while sitting in the portable.

I can't say for certain if the Striker suit would be worth it for you personally but I can testify to it being a quality product. If I was in the market for a suit this year I'd be all over that new one. The heavy weight suit is also really nice on the wheeler trips to and from your fishing location.

[Northlander]

I like my Striker Suit.Best Suit I own. If you dont need a top of the line suit and dont have the $ get the best you can afford.

Thre Strikemaster suit is a nice suit for the price they get at the St.Paul Show.