ice armor suit

[widetrack]

Anyone have positive, or negative comments on this suit?

Any advantages/disadvantages to Cabelas Guide wear, or quality Gortex?

[Jim Hudson]

Widetrack,

There has been some discussion about this a few weeks ago. I think a lot of people are going to shy away from the product because it does not have the gore tex name along with it. After talking to some suppliers and hearing stories from some of the ice team members, this product is of equal comparision to gore tex. In the previous discussion there was comparisions to the older style suits of this style made by stearns. The suits on sale today are the same type of design but with updates in the sewing and seams to make them more waterproof, where the older style was not very water tight. But from what I hear, these new suits are gonna keep you dry. All the information I have is from looking at the product and hearing testimonials from people who have used the product. By looking at them, they look good and would compare to the gore tex type products. I think next season we will really have a good low down on the product.I personally use columbia products that have kept me warm and dry on very very very cold days here along the shores of Lake Superior.

[widetrack]

Thank you Jim.

I have a columbia suit myself... It's starting to show it's age a bit though... I've got 6+ years of pretty hard wear on it.

Starting to look for something new.

Thanks again.

[Minnetonka]

My wife gave me one of these suits a couple of weeks ago. I am used to my Carharts. I may feel a little to "fancy" with the pretty blue, but the suit appears well made and it says that it is water proof. I now need some ice and cold weather to test it. I will report back.

PS: I like the built in foam knee pads. Should save the old knees some wear and tear.

[Neighboor]

Yeah you will look good in your new suit Minnetonka! Test it out in the "Narrows" and see if we catch something better than last time we went fishing there.

[Minnetonka]

Hey Neighboor, The last time we ended up in the "Narrows" at least you ended up with a catch and release. I ended up going home skunked. See you out at the early ice spot by HS.

[Captain B.R.K]

widetrack- I talked to Pat Smith from Thorne Bros and one of the original Powersticks from ICE TEAM! I talked to him about the suit down at the ice show and he basically said it was a price point issue with them going with gore-tex vs. not going with gore-tex. They didn't think many people would spend $500 for a suit, so they had it made with comparable gore-tex product and is priced cheaper. He said the new stitching in them makes this the cats meow- as well as the padding in the knees and butt area. The suit will keep you dry and warm (provided the right layering underneath). This is the first year on the market for people to purchase, but were product tested last year with some of the original ice teamers!

He said that they had 12 guys come into the Thorne Bros a couple weeks ago and each of them bought/ordered a suit for a snowmobiling trip!

So far the reports are they are good, but after this year will know the true testiment of these suits!

[walldoggie]

I checked it out at the ice show also, the price was not bad, suite seemed great just had a question with the pockets being lined with cotton, seems to me if a guy were to put a hook or two in his pocket wouldnt end so well. just my observation though

[Rick]

I'm a Columbia user right now. I use it year round and it has held up ok so far, pooring rain, sleet, snow, kneeling on the ice in water.

Good Stuff.

It's also hard to go wrong with Cabelas Guide wear or good old carharts.

I do like the idea of the padded knees. But can't comment on the Ice Armour. Haven't used it or even seen it myself.