What ice bibs to buy?

[otterman91105]

Hey guys just wondering what bibs and jacket you have had good luck with for ice fishing. I have always fished with carharts but they are old and want to upgrade to something that is water proof. Any input would be great.

[dfeste]

Pick a budget to start with. Most of the big names out there have a quality suit available you just have to decide what your price point will be. I'm very happy with the Striker Ice products I have.

[dan z]

The artic Sheild brand from scheels has suited me well and the price is affordable.

[dirtymike]

I have strikemaster bibs. They were $100 at the St. Paul ice fishing show. They are awesome and have a very nice price tag attached to them. I bought a scheels arctic armor parka last year and am not impressed with it. I don't have more than a sweatshirt and jacket on most of the time but the jacket doesn't add any warmth to the situation.

[Dylan8351]

For a while I wore rain pants over my normal winter gear. They worked great but they tear easy on too many things. Now I wear Ice Armor. I stay dry and the padded knees and butt makes them just that much better. The majority of "ice suits" are very affordable.

[Northlander]

I really like my Striker Bibs but I saw the new Ice Force Bibs and will be trying them out.

[amateurfishing]

I kept my budget low and got the whole strike master suit last year @ the st paul show for under 2 bills. very happy with it but it is all I looked at. reinforced knees, plenty of pockets, warmth, waterproof & plenty heavy duty for my hole hopping style.

[otterman91105]

I would like to keep it around a $250 or less.

[Savage Brewer]

I have the FXE SnoSuit, amazing, I love them. But there are a number of good options out there if you shop around.

[mattpaumen]

The new Ice Armor Lift Suit is what I'll be wearing this year! Really excited about this suit and early reviews from a couple people I know that have already used theirs have been great! It's a little more than you're wanting to spend, but thought I'd give you another option!

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_armor/ia-lift-suit.html

[Brad B]

The new Ice Armor Lift Suit is what I'll be wearing this year! Really excited about this suit and early reviews from a couple people I know that have already used theirs have been great! It's a little more than you're wanting to spend, but thought I'd give you another option!

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_armor/ia-lift-suit.html

this is a nice option but it is 2 bills more then the OP's budget. I will be using the lift suit this year too and have had a chance to test it's windproof abilities. last Saturday when we had the 30+ MPH winds I put the suit on and went out side and stood in the wind. the wind never went through the suit and I was warm in it. It will be a great suit out on the ice. I like my striker suit too but the Lift suit is half the bulk of the striker suit. My striker suit will be for the extreme days only and the Lift Suit will be used the rest of the time.

[Scott O.]

I would highly recommend the Clam Ice Armor Edge Suit. It's their introductory ice fishing suit system. It will keep you dry and warm. First time I ever used mine was 5 years ago in a 30+ mph wind on a 20 degree day. The wind had no effect on me and all I was wearing was a sweatshirt underneath and I stayed warm. It was like wearing my ice shack. Best purchase I've made for ice fishing--other than an auger and flasher

[Chris Barlage]

I have the strikemaster suite and the onyx artic armor suite and like them both. The Onyx suites are nice since they have a few different options on thickness. I went with the most heavy which is about one step to much. If I had to do it again I would go one step down on the bibs but stick with the heavy jacket. The SM suite is nice also, and you can usually get a good deal on them, plenty warm for all weather conditions.

[Living_The_Dream]

I second the StrikeMaster bibs/jacket at the St. Paul Ice Fishing Show. Best deal there every year.....I think I paid $175 for the bib and jacket a couple of years ago.

[tsande00]

I've been really happy with my Strikemaster suite as well. Great bang for the buck. Only problem is my bibs have turned from red to black thanks to fish slime.

The jacket is almost too warm unless you're outside hole hopping.

[Eric_Kruger]

IM with striker all the way, 4 different models in the ice only line from warm to really warm, and both in one model if you look at the climate! They also have the guardian which is a good year round suit.

[Valleye]

Ice Armor Edge. Have had it since 2007 and it has served me well. I layer my clothing underneath depending on the weather conditions. Its not bulky and also waterproof. I have the original ice armor extreme suit but only use it in the most extreme.

[laportian]

I have an old pair of ice armor bibs. The black ones. They were pretty cheap, I waited until I got them on an end of season clearance at Reeds. That was about 5 years ago. I finally ripped the crotch out this past winter getting on and off my sled. I had planned on buying new bids for specifically for ice fishing this year but I walked into glens up in Grand Rapids a few months ago and bought a pair of game hide waterfowl bibs. They have a rubberized butt and knees and are way warmer than my ice armors so I might just forgo new ice bibs and wear my duck hunting ones. I got them for like $25 on clearance.

[wbliceman]

I have Striker Ice suits and am super happy with them. They have held up with a lot of abuse. I have worn them in the boat when its 40 degrees out this fall and have fished in a blizzard when it was 40 below and have always stayed warm. These are ahead of their time in quality and features. So Striker Ice gets my vote.