Outerwear

[Lazy Mike]

I have a few questions regarding Ice Armour bibs/parka. 1)It is worth the $299.99? 2)Is it as durable as it looks and feels? 3)Is it a good investment if you plan to fish mainly out of a heated fish house? 4)Do you really need to wash/dry the stuff by hand as the tag says? It might come down to choosing between the Ice Armor or an underwater camera.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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I have a few questions regarding Ice Armour bibs/parka. 1)It is worth the $299.99? 2)Is it as durable as it looks and feels? 3)Is it a good investment if you plan to fish mainly out of a heated fish house? 4)Do you really need to wash/dry the stuff by hand as the tag says? It might come down to choosing between the Ice Armor or an underwater camera.

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1. Yes, although there are other alternatives.

2. Yes they seem to hold up pretty well.

3.In my opinion no, but it still would be nice to have.

I would get the camera first, but thats just my opinion.

4.I would follow the recommendations of the manufacturer, I think the Ice Armor would last longer this way.

[Lazy Mike]

Thanks PierBridge, I think getting the camera might be the way to go, especially since my young kids would probably enjoy the camera too.

[toughguy]

Lazy,

I would rent a camera if you haven't used one before. I know some guys that love them to death but I think they are a waste of $$$. Then again I'm not fishing clear water lakes and I do most of my fising after dark. I rented them in the past and the novely wore off real quick for me. A good flasher is much more productive for me.

[BDR]

Those I know that have them, like it. I just don't want to look like I am part of a smurf village so I am planning to get Ganders red version( cheaper also).

[toughguy]

So you can be papa smurf???

[Lazy Mike]

Does the Red Gander Mtn stuff appear to be as high quality as the Ice Armor and how much does it cost?

[Captain B.R.K]

Let me answer your question as I have a pair and would recommend them to anyone!

1) Yes, I believe it is worth a $299.99 for the parka and the bibs. Buy quality right away.

2) Durable. I fished on my knees a lot last year and I don't get cold when I'm out in the elements. Throw on a stocking cap on my head and the rest of my body is stays warm. Plus all the zippers are big, the snaps are great and all the seams were sealed/stitched. The knee and but area have neoprene stitched into those areas for reinforcement and for extra protection/padding. It has pockets (small and large) for you to put gloves, tackle boxes and grub boxes in.

3) I think I just mentioned it above. I also used it spring during walleye opener. I was up on the St.Louis River and wore my whole outfit the entire weekend...except when I got warm, I took the parka off. I stayed plenty warm the whole weekend and dry too!

4) I don't know about the washing part. I haven't had to wash mine yet.

I don't think you'll be disappointed by buying the Ice Armour outfit. You'll stay warm and protected from the elements!!

[Dry_Fly]

Ironworked outside for over 30 years I'll take CARHARTT BIB'S AND JACKET everytime. get to warm open some zippers great for ice fishing

[missedoneagain]

I have to agree. I bought a pair of Carhartt bibs last year and from December to March they are always on when I'm outside, fishing or not. By far the best purchase I've made in a long time.

[thordoggydog]

I loved the carhartts until I got a power auger. Then they tend to get pretty wet. I now use my cabela's guide wear (unlined) and layer underneath. Definitely the way to go in my opinion. Awesome raingear that I can use for ice season too.

[Dry_Fly]

Sounds to me your trying to clear the ice from the hole with you auger running wide open get you wet everytime. Spray your bibs with water repellent from the knees down.

[TSCTSC]

IS Gander Mountain making an "imitation" ice armour? How much is it and does it have all the features of the original ice armour?

[Captain B.R.K]

Not that I know of. The only thing they make is their H2O Tech rain wear that is suppose to be similar to Gore-tex.

On another note, the padding in the knees and seat area of the Ice Armor is fantastic. No other product on the market, that I know of, has this feature.

[Rick]

Save yourself some money. $299 is too much money to spend. If you're going to spend that much get yourself some guide wear instead.

However:

For year round use - Get a good pair of uninsulated rainwear parka and pants from Gander, Cabelas or another store with the teflon vapor barrier (this is what Gore-tex is). Should run you from $100 to $180.

(Not Cabelas insulated Guidewear - is spendy as well)

Then get some fleece or wool shirts/pants to layer underneath with a polypropylene undergarment. Layering works very well and allows you to use your rainwear all year round.

For me, why buy seperate rainwear and winter parkas-pants. I've been doing this for 8 years now and those of you who know me, know I fish outside a LOT. I still have my old green dry-plus jacket and pants from Cabelas although I burned the jacket so got a Columbia Titanium Parka at the outlet store in Medford ($300 jacket for $89). The Titanium is also able to take a zip in fleece liner that also acts as a fleece jacket on it's if if you wish.

It's a blue Columbia parka but I will probably have to look for a red one now.

[TSCTSC]

The cabela's guidewear is more expensive. The minimum prize for a set is USD360. No doubt it has more insulation on the jacket compared to ice armour, but the guide does not have a lot of stuff which ice armour has like :

1. tons of pockets

2. d rings

3. lure hanging cushion

4. neoprene pads

5. reinforced butt and knees

6. neoprene cuffed sleeves

[CNY Tim]

If the Ice Armor was only made in red it would be my ticket. The Cabela's #1 selling bibs have been excellent for me and most of the time they are on sale as well.. The Cabelas Guide Series bibs I have heard first hand alot of great things about. As far as a coat I like the lightweight short coat by Northland Tackle the jacket is perfect for me.

Carharts can be waterproofed all I did was spray them with scotch guard and they would stay water proof especially from the top the knees down.

[waterwolff]

Just my 2 cent's but I believe any quality gortex outer ware will suffice. Winter is all about layering. A number of years ago I went down in the Minnesota River fully submerged in mid January at night. At the time I happened to be wearing a set of Columbia bibs and jacket. By the time I made the 3/4 mile walk back to the truck my outer ware was rock solid but I was reasonable warm I know had I been wearing anything else I would have been in trouble. No knock on Carhartt but if it is damp outside they will wick up moisture and you will get cold. This coming from someone who has field tested them going on 30 years this winter.

[Rick]

I'm with you waterwolf.

An economical ($100-$180) quality set-up and easier to wear exactly what you need for the conditions.

Gore-tex type rainwear and layering is the way to go.