Ice Suit Help

[Maskeeter]

Looking to buy a new ice suit. Want to know everyone's suggestion on which suit they would buy and why (pros/cons)? I would also wear it for fall fishing in the boat. Like to hear everyone's opinions and thanks in advance.

[muskie hunter]

Ice armor extreme suit warm, dry, and comfortable works great in winter late fall, and early spring for me.

[Northlander]

Ill second the Striker suits. Very nice and warm and I think my rain suit for spring and fall will be their duck suit.

[JohnMickish]

I got the Clam blue suit last winter and have worn it in the boat during the spring and fall as well. It's a great suit with pockets where they should be, roomy so you can move and the padded knees are handier in the boat than you think. They are really nice when it comes time to pull the plug and you have to crawl under the boat like I do. No more wet pant knees!

[Scott O.]

Gotta go with the Clam Edge suit. I've had my blue suit for 5 years now and it's never let me down. Keeps the wind and water off of me, and only need to wear a sweatshirt beneath it on the colder days. Plenty of pockets and D-rings to hang stuff on. If there is a drawback on it, it's that I wish it had a couple more D-rings on it. Sometimes I'd like to hang a couple more ice necessities on it.

[Rick G]

I have been very happy with my IceArmor Extreme suit

It's plenty warm, and I have lots of freedom of movement, even in the boat. The only thing I would have liked to had was the floating capability, like the AA, Striker or the new IA Lift suit.

[MikeRaetz]

I have been using the Ice Armor suits since the beginning of my ice fishing days and I have never once thought of using another. Things I like most are the padded knees, water proof and mainly the warmth. I spend alot of time outside of my shack even in the very cold -20 and even colder days and I have stayed warmed while my eye lashes froze together. A suit I would suggest would be the grey suit. its not cold what so ever but at the same time its not to hot. I see it as the happy median suit especially for me. I use this suit alot threw out the open year as well and it serves as some what of a rain suit. Even though after time it wont repel the water I still stay dry on my clothes under the suit.

[Scott M]

I must be the only guy in the world whose Arctic Armor camo didn't fade to red and pink! My buddy's and B.I.L.'s faded, but mine has kept intact. These days, that suit is mainly for duck hunting for me. It's plenty warm but can make me too warm at times; you don't want to be doing physical work in them but if you match your layering and take it on and off you'll be okay.

I have a Gray Ice Armor Extreme Suit, and I do like it quite a bit. It's full of pockets and D rings and it is warm and windproof. I put it through the paces last year and was quite happy.

I fished in some brutal cold in the Ice Armor Extreme Suit. This was on Saganaga Lake on the Canadian border. Wind chill had to be -20. I spent the whole day outside no problem.

I also spent a harsh day hopping around on Red Lake for walleyes and didn't have a problem. The padded knees really shine - they are super thick and make for easy kneeling. My dad sat in my fish house and he just couldn't believe I could stand to be outside for so long. The cliche of wearing your fish house is 100% accurate with that Ice Armor Extreme Suit.

It works in the boat too. You'll be plenty comfortable in cool temperatures with or without wind.

New for this year Clam is offering a floatation assist type suit. It was a no brainer addition for them and frankly should have been offered at least a couple years ago. Clam was late to the game on it but I'm happy its out. I picked one up last week and will put it through the paces. If it matches the Extreme Suit, and at first feel there's no reason not to think it will, it's going to be good. That floatation piece of mind really does matter to me as I have a wife and daughter to think of now when I head out. I'm usually one of the first people on the ice (within reason) and if my day job allows, one of the last off the ice. The Lift Suit addressed that big concern I always had.

Honestly, go around and check them out at the Ice Show or your nearest Outdoor Big Box that carries them all. Check out the knees and cuffs, check out the pockets and D rings, put them on for weight and bulk, and finally don't forget to check the price point. I went with an Ice Armor suit, but only you know how you fish and what your needs are. Good luck!

[Maskeeter]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I own a blue ice armor suit now, but it is starting to fall apart and needs to be replaced. Can't complain about the suit, just thought I would see if there was another suit out there that is heads and tails above the rest. Thanks again.

[g_anoka]

If I was in the market for a new suit, the choice would be easy. Get a suit that comes with floatation. I have had the Artic Armor suit for at least 6 years, it does a good job of keeping me warm and it gives my wife peice of mind. I would take the advice that most people have given and compare and see which one you like the best. There are many choices out there now, good luck,

[pushbutton]

I agree. The price upgrade is one more nice rod and reel combo, 10 more lures, and 4 other random items that you could do without. Will you ever need it ...probably not....but sure would be nice to have it if you ever do

[Bernie Keefe]

I have been an Ice armor fan for many years now. I like the Blue suit (Edge). The key to being comfortable for me is layering. I have learned to layer for all temps. I use my edge suit from late October thru mid May. They do take a beating and Clam is great for standing behind their products.

[Tim Moore]

I'm on the Ice Armor bandwagon. I have owned the rest and the Edge suit has them beat. I guide ice anglers all winter and my suits take a beating. The Edge suits have held up to the punishment of four to five days per week on the ice. I'm very excited to try the new Lift suit this season. The buoyant properties will give my wife and ice fishing guests the piece of mind others mentioned.

[DTro]

I'm on the Ice Armor bandwagon. I have owned the rest and the Edge suit has them beat.

Sweet, Its good to hear from someone who’s “owned the rest” and can comment and compare. We need more of that around here.   I’m curious as to specifically what you didn’t like about each one:

 

Frabill SnoSuit

Arctic Armor

Striker Hardwater or Climate

Mustang Survival

Vexilar Cold Snap

 

Thanks

[morepower02]

Also curious:

[fisherman-andy]

Pft! Wearing Ice Suits are over rated if you ask me. Last one with their ice suit still on is a rotten egg!!!

[NoWiser]

I'd try a few different ones on and I'm sure one will stand out that you like the most. Whatever you do, please get one with built in flotation. Nobody thinks it's going to be them that will fall through the ice, until it's too late. If not for you, at least do it for your family. The upgrade to a flotation suit is pretty cheap compared to a team of divers and a funeral...

[DTro]

Where's the like button for Andy?

[Tim Moore]

I forgot about the Vexilar Cold Snap suit. It's a good suit, and warm.

I'm not going to get into specifics but I will say that it was either quality, comfort, or customer service. I am extremely happy with all of these with the Ice Armor suits and that's why I wear them.

As I also stated before:

I guide ice anglers all winter and my suits take a beating. The Edge suits have held up to the punishment of four to five days per week on the ice.

[ZachD]

I just got the striker ice hardwater suit. Have not used it ice fishing yet "hopefully soon" but I did use the bibs this past weekend ice fishing. But somethings I like; all the pockets, The bibs are nice that the length on the pants cuffs are adjustable, Has spots where you can reach in and get to the pockets of your inside layers and I can tell it is going to be perfectly warm too. I can not wait to try it on hard water.

[efishsport]

I have used the black frabill ice suit for the last 2 seasons and have no complaints--I fish outside a lot and never get cold--it has the padded knees and big pockets to hold gear. Its also very easy to find a better price than what they sell them in the stores on the web.

[morepower02]

Tim Moore being prostaff ice team guy I would not expect a different answer than no specific answer as to the short comings of other suits and will take your review for what it's worth.

[LakeDocktor]

In defense of Tim, the majority of guys on any Pro Staff firmly believe in, use, and stand behind the products they support and promote. Just because someone with an affiliation to a particular company promotes that product, doesn't mean they haven't tried other products on the market.

I assure you that the guys on staff with Clam and Ice Team are not new to ice fishing. They have been around the industry, tried other products and have stuck with what works!

[JohnMickish]

Very well said Lake Docktor. There aren't that many people left that are simply "pimping" product for the freebies or discounts. Those people where/are very easy to see and don't last long.

[DTro]

If people are going to make claims that the product they promote is better than something else,  it is only fair for me to ask why.   A simple promotion (which by the way is basically what “Pro” stands for) is understandable. I get that.   But you are going to tell me something is better and then not explain why?  “I’m not getting into specifics, its just better”.

 

Ok