Warmest ice jacket/bib?

[ozzie]

I was gonna say to Tom (20lbSloughShark) is that the nice thing about the Striker climate suite is that it does have layers to shed as you can take the shell off and use the inner jacket or vice versa. I like the inner jacket so much that it has become my everyday jacket. The thing I most recommend is to look at your personal situation more than anything. If you do a lot of ice fishing in early season or out in a boat early and late season get a suit that floats as it may come in handy if you can afford them otherwise the Vexilar/Strikemaster suits are good for keeping warm just wear more layers underneath. If you are on a really tight budget then I suggest getting what you can afford and then wearing your closet underneath like Tom says...haha Good Luck

[CaptainMusky]

I have heard those Ice Armor or Arctic Armor suits are super warm (moreso Arctic), but they also dont ventilate and you have moisture issues inside.

I have the Striker Climate suit and I leave the vents open all season. I never get overly hot or cold. I have fished outside in the wind and single digits and wasnt cold at all except for my hands.

Like ozzie said, the liner is a real nice Spring/Fall jacket. I am still wearing mine now because its nice looking and really warm.

The ONLY thing I criticized about the Striker Bibs (I know you asked about pants), but if you get the full suit the chest pockets in the bibs are made for someone with smurf hands. Its almost impossible for me to get my hands in there. Otherwise absolutely love the suit/jacket.

[HardwaterHero]

Striker Climate. i've never had an issue staying warm. Its worth its weight in gold.

[NKLCOLT1911]

As I stated NoWiser, it could save ones life. As far as a wheeler on 8 inches of ice, not for me, I can wait till it is much thicker so we know the thin spots will support a wheeler. U would not catch me walking around on the ice at night in the dark either, too dangerous for me when you cannot see anything. I guess with a suit that will float one, then it must be ok.

I have been ice fishing for close to 55 years, never once have I come even close to falling through the ice.

Everyone has a story as the companies that do the marketing for the floating suits do a great job of scaring people into getting a floating suit.

Nowadays everyone has to have one but 10 years ago, people who were very careful, had no issues at all but, the great marketing plan of the companies has everyone convinced we have to have one.

I have numerous brands of these suits. Some people get these suits and then take bigger risks as they have a suit that will save their life.

Real simple, just be very cautious.

the reason i own a striker suit has nothing to do with ice fishing, sure i bought it cause its warm and water proof, the floating is a added bonus, the main reason i have it is for fishing from the boat in the late fall and early spring, sure i can wear a life jacket but i dont want to add more bulk under already bulky cold weather gear, so i wear my striker suit, cause id be willing to bet a life jacket or not you go in a lake in head to toe winter gear you will sink like a rock, life jackets are not designed to support the weight of all that water logger gear and boots and anything else you are wearing to stay warm.

[NKLCOLT1911]

with that being said i will throw in a vote for the striker climate suit, its very warm and as a added bonus it floats.

[401TE]

Carharts

[Zenit]

Warmest? Hands down, it is the FXE SnoSuit. Nothing else really all that close. Maybe the Onyx Extreme and Cabela's Ice Angler. But nothing really else in the league of the SnoSuit. That thing is built for -20 or worse with a stiff wind. Not a great choice for early or late ice, as you will overheat and they will take on moisture. But there is no doubt they are the warmest suit out there - even with just a moisture wicking based layer. Anything additional is overkill for the FXE. I believe Frabill discontinued the FXE, it was an expensive suit. From what I have seen of the new Frabill I5/I4/I3 - bad decision by Frabill. Why Frabill acquired SnoSuit and killed their signature suit 3 years later is beyond me. I have two of them, and I am glad I do, because I don't think we'll see another suit built as well as the original SnoSuit in a long, long time.

I have the Striker Hardwater suit. Nice all-purpose suit, plus the flotation. Warmest? No. But a good suit at a good price, with quality construction, and very water-repellant for sloppy early and late ice condx. A base layer and a fleece top works nicely with this suit.

The Cabela's Ice Angler suit is the bargain buy, especially late season. It is a d@mned good suit now that they fixed the low kneepad issue. Quality construction, and Cabela's coat bucks the trend by going with the 3/4 cut on the coat instead of the 1/2 cut that the other suit manufacturers seem to favor.

The Clam suits, sorry to say, are a very poor choice. I wouldn't use either one if they were given to me. Poor quality and materials, problem number one.

So - in answer to your original question, right now in my opinion the warmest suit out there (NEW) is the Onyx/ArcticShield Extreme suit, if money is no object. I'd rank the Striker Hardwater as the most versatile suit, with the Cabela's Ice Angler series as the "best bang for the buck" suit.

If you can find an FXE SnoSuit on hsolist or hsolist, I would seriously take a look at it, if it is in any kind of decent condition.