Anyone Cross Compare Arctic Armor Suit/Striker Suit/Strikemaster Suit/Vexi Suit??

[JigginIsLife]

AA vs Striker

I am running low on things to buy for ice fishing, and the last piece really needed is a nice suit for ice fishing. I always prefer the warmest possible becuase i can always take off a jacket or bibs, but i love to be out side even when the wind is blowing or its super cold out. I think the most important features are now the ability to float, and the rigidity of the knees along with the obvious wind/water proof. Just looking for input on all the brands and opinions. And any other options with the suits that may prove to be very useful/ or even a necessity.

Thanks

Jiggin

ps i see the post on striker suits, but I guess im looking for a more cross comparison to incorporate more people... thanks

[mainbutter]

My only experience is with a striker suit.

I won't go into an in-depth review, there are a handful of ones already on these forums from last year. I'll just say it gets a huge thumbs up on keeping me warm, comfortable (love those knees), and equipped (love the pockets).

It's definitely heavy and bulky, which is what I need to keep me warm. Little lightweight thinly-insulated clothing may keep 6'2'' Scandinavians plenty happy on a 15 degree day out on a lake, but not me.

[broman]

I am going on my 3rd or 4th year with my Clam IceArmor Extreme suit. I love it. Plenty warm. I am someone who likes to fish outside all the time and not in a shack. Couple the suit with some nice Smart Wool socks and my LaCrosse Alpha Ice Kings, a Clam hat and my Clam gloves and I'm nice and toasty.

[muc33]

I own multiple suits for multiple reasons. I have AA suits for me and my oldest daughter because they float. They keep me plenty warm, but ill admit I am very warm blooded. They don't breath well so at times I am sweating, my weight might also be a factor in that.... Ha!

If its true warmth you want, Frabill Sno suit is by far a superior design. I have the original and use it on my mid winter cold voyages. It is also my main suit when on my snowmobile. Very ergonomic, and very warm.

I had one of the original ice armor blue suits but that was some time ago, and lets just say I don't ha r it any more, but to be fair, it was Iike 6 or more years ago and a lot has changed.

I really like the Striker Climate for its interchangeability so Iay be giving that a look as my AA is getting older.

[JP Z]

I have an AA suit that I love. But as others have mentioned they don't breathe so well so after ripping a few holes I am sweating. I also own a few of the Lakes and River suits. One of orange warmer suits and one of the Sage suits that are better for layering so it's more of a late season suit.

[aanderud]

The snosuit (now made by Frabill) is the warmest I've ever worn. But it's also bulkier (and it does not float). It's the suit I ended up buying because to me cold-weather warmth was the key. I figure if it's not cold, any jacket will do -- even the bought-in-march $35 clearance-rack columbia interchange jacket from kohls.

The striker is lighter weight, but I've never worn it in the coldest temps for long periods of time.

I've worn the Arctic Armor but I wasn't all that impressed with it -- definitely not as much as some folks. Sure, it got the job done, but it's definitely thinner. The nicest thing I can say about it is that it floats. The Arctic Armor is the only one of the three I've seen people wearing on cool July evenings. (I guess striker has a lite version now too that will probably be similar). It shines in the fall and spring but you'll need more layers if you're outside with it in super cold mid-winter.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

If someone is going to do a suit comparison, I think you need to first decide if you want a floating, or non-floating suit. For me, if it doesn't float, it isn't an option. I've been fishing a long time, haven't been through (yet!-knock on wood), but it will happen at some point in my lifetime.

As far as I know, the three floating suits are Arctic Armor, Striker, Mustang Survival Suit.

I used the Arctic Armor for a few years. I was reasonably happy with it, but to be honest, if it didn't have floatation capabilities, I'd have gone back to my Gore-Tex Cabela's suit in a heartbeat. Mine was very warm (others I know froze their butt's off), didn't breathe worth a darn, ice and snow clung to it badly (camo fabric), and it really isn't all that durable. Others here will dispute my review, but I wore that suit at least 60 days per year.

I picked up the Striker floating suit last year after some very good reviews. For the most part it is better than Arctic Armor, minus the blown out crotch after wearing it only a few times, and the massive amount of wind and cold air the pit zippers let in. Because of the zippers, it isn't even close to as warm as my Arctic Armor. I'll be sending it back to Striker shortly to have them look at it. If the zipper isn't fixed, I won't be wearing Striker. I'd be warmer in a hooded sweatshirt.

[harvey lee]

I have used I believe every out there except the Mustang suit.

The AA suits I have I have been very happy with as far as durabillity and it is ok for warmth. I need to dress in layers underneath to stay warm on those real cold days and the suit does not vent well at all compared to some of the newer suits on the market today. My suit is like 6 years old. Maybe they have one that breathes better now.

Stricker suit I like but I believe my AA suit is warmer as I get many air drafts. Maybe breathes more than an AA but it is not warmer at all.

Non floating suits

Ice Armour suit I had I was very pleased with for duabillity and warmth. I had the suit with the 2 jacket system. I really liked this suit. Probably the 2nd warmest suit I have used next to the Sno Suit. No floatabillity here either with the Ice Armour suit or at least the one I had. This was the 1st suit I ever owned for ice fishing.

For pure warmth and no floatabillity, the Sno Suit is hands down the warmest I have worn. It is bulkier for sure but this suit will keep one warm in almost any temp Mn can throw at you. Thier gloves are also a very warm one. The mitts are warmer than the finger gloves if one is looking for max warmth.

I would say since I do not own my Ice Armour suit, the one I wear the majority of the time is my AA suit.

With that said, when the temps dip down well below zero and there is a wind, then I wear my Sno Suit as I know I will be the warmest with this suit hands down. I do not layer under this suit as you would be way to warm and would more than likely sweat. The suit is plenty.

[BartmanMN]

I own Snosuit bibs and would not want anything else. If I did not own them, I would be seriously looking at the new IceArmor Ultra bibs since they have some of the similar characteristics as the SnoSuit bibs like the 1000 Denier knees. My Snosuit has 1000 Denier rear end too.

[Crappyfisherman]

For sub-zero i wear the Sno Suit, warmest thing I have ever seen. Its baulky and heavey but you can't beat it for warmth.Anything above zero

Striker Lite, great fit,light and very warm but I don't sweat in it when I'm pulling out by hand or hole hopping. If I had a 4X4 or sled would vote Sno Suit all the time.Walking Striker Lite.

[Matt C]

I use the Clam Extreme Suit, and my wife uses the Red Clam suit. I typically just wear jeans and wool socks with my 3000g boots, and am totally comfortable for long periods out on the ice.

My wife base layers with the Clam long underwear top and bottoms, a set of good boots, and shes all good.

Last season hoofing it across lakes due to bad ice, I never over heated on the warmer days, and never froze on the sub zero days.

IMO, head to a store that carries a lot of the different suits, be touchy feely, heck, try em on! For the price your paying, make sure you get what does you best.

[LOTWSvirgin]

Artic shield for me

[Northlander]

After wearing every suit in the store and most on the ice I would have to say my favorite is my Striker Suit. I have the heavy suit not the light. I love it. Much warmer than my old AA suit was and it breaths better. If you dont want a floating suit but still want warmth get a Sno Suit. If thats to heavy for you look at the Striker Light or the Strikemaster suit which is always a great deal at the St. Paul show.