Ice Suits

[ClownColor]

Mossi mantis snowmobile bibs. They are flexible in all the right parts, super warm, and the best part...they have flotex, which keep you afloat if you go thru. $75 on sale at fleet farm for the bibs. Cheap but very well constructed.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

well it looks like Clam has stepped up to the plate and are now offering a float assist type ice suit. it is called the Lift Suit. I just seen it in the 2013-2014 product catalog from them. hope it will be a big seller for them.

http://catalog.clamoutdoors.com/index.php?level=picture&id=166

That looks interesting. Are they in any retail stores yet?

[Brad B]

Lip Ripper Guy,

I don't know for sure but I would guess by late September or early October . Matt Johnson could may be answer this better. I would guess they will have them on display at the Blaine hard water expo in November. Price is comparable to striker suits.

[TruthWalleyes]

Son of a gun. I just ordered a big foot 4000T and now it looks like they have a new 5000 Thermal.

[Northlander]

I love my Striker Suit. WARM and floats.

[DTro]

Pretty cool to see how the consumer really has driven the market on these floating suits. I assure you that someday (if not already) we will have a confirmed story in which a float assist type suit will have likely saved an anglers life and with all the options available I’m afraid we will continue to second guess anyone who wasn’t equipped with one and meets tragedy. Who knows… it could easily be one of us reading this right now.

Understood, 99% of us will never break through the ice and ever really fully utilize the flotation feature (and that’s a good thing), but when it can be added without any noticeable effects on the performance of the suit, and for roughly the same price, its literally a no brainer.

I would have to guess the next logical step will now be comparing how well the flotation assist performs amongst the options available. Just from the videos I’ve seen, AA seems to really have the best flotation but it also comes with a factor that the thing doesn't breathe at all, kind of like wearing a thin rubber suit, while Striker is a nice blend of breath ability/warmth yet keeps you up on top of the water. I’m interested to see Clams suit and how well it floats.

Anything short of a Mustang suit isn't going to help much with hypothermia, but at least it gives you a fighting chance. I’m sure loved ones would give anything to turn back time to give those not with us anymore, as a result of thin ice, that one fighting chance.

[Matt Johnson]

I don't know for sure but I would guess by late September or early October . Matt Johnson could may be answer this better. I would guess they will have them on display at the Blaine hard water expo in November. Price is comparable to striker suits.

Yes, several retailers will be carrying them probably around the October time-frame. They will also be available at several different shows, the Hard Water Expo being the first on Nov 1-3 in Blaine, MN. Retail on the Lift Suit is $449.99 and it will come with all the great features and performance of the original ice fishing suit--the IceArmor Edge Blue Suit--except with additional insulation and buoyancy properties. IceArmor didn't skimp one-bit in designing this suit and it's truly intended for the ice angler. Everything from waterproofing to enough pockets to house an entire row of tackle from a retailer You will see all the Ice Team Pros wearing this suit this year!

[Matt C]

Thanks Matt! Looks like an awesome addition to the arsenal

[fisherman-andy]

One thing that should be added here that is often missed is the inseam length. Most people arent 5'11 and 175lbs. What makes the Striker Ice suits nice is that have an adjustable inseam. So shorter people up to 5'-5'5" can at least fit in them bibs.

[pushbutton]

Great to see Clam entering into this market!!! As Dtro mentioned, realistically, the odds on needing it are slim, and no guarantee as far as hypothermia, but at least a floating fighting chance. And in this wonky world of endorsements and "staffing", at least team blue will now be able to have that chance. Have no idea about the economic feasibility of smaller sizing......actually, doubt it would be feasible....but, personally would rather pay/equip my son and his mom before myself.

[adamr]

I also bought the Stryker ice suit and for the price it is worth every penny plus the floatation is a bonus.it's unreal warm.

[Eric_Kruger]

Great to see Clam entering into this market!!! As Dtro mentioned, realistically, the odds on needing it are slim, and no guarantee as far as hypothermia, but at least a floating fighting chance. And in this wonky world of endorsements and "staffing", at least team blue will now be able to have that chance. Have no idea about the economic feasibility of smaller sizing......actually, doubt it would be feasible....but, personally would rather pay/equip my son and his mom before myself.

Striker does have a youth suit in the guardian. Check it out. My little ones will have them when they get a little older and mom says they can come with more!

[NKLCOLT1911]

i wear the striker climate, hands down the best thing i have bought for ice fishing, and since i got the climate it will be great for spring and fall fishing, its a good feeling knowing i will be able to float if i happen to fall overboard and not have to worry about my normal winter clothes soaking up tons of water, as for on the ice like dtro said i may never need it to float but if i do im glad its there, some of the pros are if you layer properly even without the liners you wont get cold unless its -50 out i spent a few days out on the ice in sub zero and it was awesome, warm and dry, also the jackets liner is a thinner jacket that is really warm all by its self and works great to wear to work, bottom line is i love my suit and will probably never ice fish without it, also customer service has been out of this world good for me, had a small issue with the bibs and the way it was handled made a customer for life.

[g_anoka]

I have not read this entire post, but I can say one thing. Over 5 years ago I, well my future wife, bought the AA suit. I have never needed the floation aspect of this suit, but it does give her piece of mind. As someone who worked 30+ years in construction, I was required to wear fall protection, never liked it, but, I am happy to say, I never needed it. Also, I always have a PFD in the boat, never needed it, but sure is nice to have one. My point is, we always hope we never need all of these safety devices, but it sure is nice to have them available if that time ever comes.

And if these newer suits are anything like the AA suit, they will keep you warm.

Good luck, and see you on the ice.

[hunt3r]

love my striker suit. had the most in a suit i could tell and was the best priced out of the top suites

[handsonguy]

So those of you with the Striker floating suits, did you go with the original or lite version? I've heard the lite is plenty warm.

[CaptainMusky]

I have the striker climate which has the removable liners. No experience with the other versions, but I can tell you the climate is the warmest coat, best at blocking out wind even over snowmobile suits I have owned.

The nice part is you can remove the inner liners to adjust for conditions. I left my vents all wide open all year. Never hot or drafty. When in a house I always take my coat off and just sit in my bibs though. Some guys might like to just leave their coat on in the house and that wouldnt work for me.

[Corey Bechtold]

It seems like there are a ton of options from several companies. This is a good thing for everyone! We can find a suit that fits our needs. I have had the Clam Blue suit for a few years and it has done great for me. This year they came out with a lift suit and apparently made a few other changes to it and I will be getting one for sure! Safety is very important so having the peace of mind that if something went wrong the suit would keep me afloat. I still feel that using your head is most important. Fishing with a buddy especially if you aren't sure of ice conditions or are venturing out on a new lake is very important!

Be safe and good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

[hunt3r]

i got the climate to iv always worn it with both layers tho but like having the option to stay dry if im out in spring and theres alot of water. another thing i just remembered about the suit is the zippers along the side to open up if your getting to warm

[AndRo]

I use the Frabill SnoSuit. It is built to last and incredibly warm. Typically, I'm the only guy not complaining about being cold in my group of 6 that goes to the Brainerd Extravaganza every year and I'm the only one with that suit. It can be too warm some days... so I open up the vents and leave the jacket unzipped or off.

[Eric_Kruger]

Just noticed that Striker is giving away a duck blind camo suit for waterfowl season for those who like their "book face" page.. Figured this fit since everyone was talking about them.

I havent picked one up yet but its yet another option for those of us who want to use their suit for multi season.

[Savage Brewer]

I have been using the Frabill FXE SnoSuit. Fits great, keeps me dry and warm.

Havent had a chance to use it out fishing, but I did wear it one day last winter running 100+ miles on a snowmobile when it was -10 out. Out of everyone in the group, I was the only one that was comfortable.

Hopefully this winter I get to use it fishing on the ice, its been years since I have been ice fishing.

[saunasisu]

Question regarding the Srtiker "Guardian" suit. How does it compare to the LITE version. What is the feedback on the performance of the guardian suit (weather, knees, durability). My wife bought the suit for me and not sure if I need to exchange to the next level. I haven't seen much info on this suit.

Thanks for any input.

[Chad Peterson]

The Clam suits are warm and toasty and have been wearing them for years. Now that they came out with the Lift Suit,it's on the wish list for this year.

[Hobey]

I use a Sno Suit. I like that the arms and crotch are gusseted which means no wedgies when bending over or cold wrists when reaching out.