Ice Suit Help

[fisherman-andy]

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

I would also agree with Dtro. I think Clam/Ice Armor makes good products. I own some of their products myself. Im sure that the Ice Armor suits or their new lift suit is are field tested and backed by their pro staffs to stand up to what ice anglers want in a product.

However it doesnt mean other brands are inferior. So when a review implies that such a product is better then another it becomes a question of simply providing WHY? Although I have much respect in the opinions of Pro Staff personnel I think its only fair for one to keep an open opinion. The general public's opinion is usually the best way of getting a proper or honest review of a product in these circumstances as we tend to spend our hard earn cash and want the best value out of it.

I dont have any experience with the new Ice Armor lift suits; however I know plenty of guys who wear Ice Armor grey suit; Striker Ice and or Arctic Armor float assisted suits. I own a Striker Ice hardwater suit myself and have been very happy. Its warm, adjustable inseam and fits me since im not tall. Striker Ice's customer service has been good and I wouldnt hesitate to purchase another suit from them.

[Valleye]

I have had only two Ice Fishing Outerwear. I currently have the "Smurf" Ice Armor Edge suit and the first line of the Ice Armor Extreme suits. I haven't worn anything else since these two have been sufficient since 2007. I like the Blue suit because of its versatility. It's sufficient in mild conditions. If it's really cold just layer more, They are roomy enough to do that. The Extreme suit is too bulky and I feel like the Pillsbury Dough Boy, and rarely wear it. Clam had them on sale for $99.00 when the 2nd line of extreme suits came out. The new Extreme suits (3rd version) I'd like to try out.

I fish the NAIFC and like to see what other anglers wear and why. Strikemaster and Vexilar had their suits but the complaint I heard from anglers were the seams weren't waterproof. So after being on their knees jigging they would notice their knees wet and cold. The Frabill suits are excellent from what the anglers say. They say it is as good if not better than the Ice Armors. Me personally I'm happy with my Ice Armor Edge. Hopefully they can go with different color schemes.

Three things to consider when buying. Is it Waterproof, Windproof, and roomy enough to layer up underneath?

[JohnMickish]

DTRO has a valid point, but you guys have to remember that NOBODY has intimate knowledge with all the suits and other ice gear out there, maybe the design/engineering teams do, but there just isn't enough days in the year to for normal people.

With that being said, keep in mind that you don't need to be experienced with everything out there to make a recommendation.

Case in point:

I really like the pickup that I drive. It does everything I want out of a truck and I would recommend it to anyone. Do I have experience with all the other trucks out there? No, I don't, but I'd still recommend what I drive to anyone who wants it to do what I want it to do.

I also really like my current boat/motor combo and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Do I like every motor that company makes? No I don't, but the model I have is great. I haven't used every motor in their lineup either, they make to many and I won't own that many boats in my lifetime but I can still recommend it. I also haven't been in every boat made by every manufacturer either, but I'd recommend the one I use.

I know that is a little off the deep end there but I'm trying to make a point. A recommendation is what it is, an opinion based on the knowledge of the person involved.

[morepower02]

A recommendation by a "pro staff" who gets either a huge discount, free product or cash should come with a disclaimer. Just my opinion. At least the dozens of prostaff guys put it under their username so it helps identify them. Rant off: back to ice suits. I wear full goretex Arctic cat bibs and jacket. They work well and can be worn for many activites besides fishing and they also fit nice so not to look like the Goodyear blimp with a lot of pockets.

[Corey Bechtold]

The Ice fishing industry is an interesting one. The buying season is incredibly short so the internet usually has a lot of bias opinions. Pro Staff isn't just free gear or a paycheck. They are there to help companies make better products or improve on existing ones.

Another note about this industry is we have to be civil. We are all in this to help promote the sport and educate. Not just sell product. I have friends that are linked with various companies and we all get along just fine. If anything it is fun jabbing and poking fun at each other!

Take a look at all of them. Look at your checkbook (do people even use them anymore? lol ) and see which suit gives you the best bang for the buck.

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

[Brad B]

well said Corey.

personally for me If I recommend a Clam or Vexilar product to someone it's not because I am "pimping" a product it is because it is something I use my self and feel the product is a good one. in the case of new products coming out at the begining of the new season I will recommend them if I will be using them my self that season. a example of this would be the Legend Thermal. it is new this year and I liked what I seen and will be using it this season my self and have no problem recommending it to people. I have no problem saying what I think the cons of a particular product are after using the product for a entire season. this only helps to improve the product in the long run. now on a personal leave when I started ice fishing again after taking a 10 year break from all fishing(both ice and open water)(moved down south and didn't have the time to fish) I bought a Otter house, a Marcum LX3 flasher, and had the Strikemaster MagIII auger that was my father's(still use this but now will be using the new Edge auger too). they are all good brands but I made the switch to Clam and Vexilar because they had good products too and the one thing that was a big factor in it for me was that I liked the fact that Clam and Vexilar are still smaller private companies and not part of a big corporation. the custom service is more personal with Clam and Vexilar and they will work to make things right if there is problems with any of the products in their respected product lines. I have always had a dislike for larger corparations regardless what industry they are (fishing or any other).

like Corey said we are all in this to promote the sport and educate regardless of brands we choose to use and promote.