Overall Bibs

[gvg_uwec]

What kind of bibs do you guys wear. I have heard really great things about the ice team bibs but i cant pull that kind of money on a college budget. Has anyone had experience with the insulated ones mad by KEY? I think they are called polar kings and they are supposed to be water repellent, similar to the carhart extremes.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I go with what got me there.......Carharts.

[Mr. Bear]

I have a pair of Sorel bibs that are similar to Carharts. They are very warm, sturdy, and the canvas outer helps keep them dry. I went through the ice to my waist last winter and popped out so fast that my pants hardly got wet under the bibs. (Still wouldn't recommend the experience though.) I think I paid around $70 for them on sale.

[Random guy]

I have wore the same pair of Carharts bibs for five years now. I think I even washed them once! They have held up well to three to four trips a week on the ice.The stuffing is pretty much gone out of the knees now so its time for an upgrade.

I am going back to wool this year, I don't know if its for the tried and tested proof of wool or just looking to get back to my roots.

[JigginIsLife]

I also have a pair of bibs but they are the fleet farm brand. They are my first pair and they are just as nice as my fathers pair of carharts. Just as warm and just as comfey not to mention have stood up to 2 winters already and the knees are also still in there.

[Northlander]

Im very happy with my Carhart Extreme bibs. Very warm and durable.

[minnowhead]

I just bought a pair of Mills Fleet Farm bibs tonight, they were comforable in store, I will see how they hold up through the ice fishing season. They were on sale for $28.99.

[Captain B.R.K]

You get what you pay for outerwear IMO.

Look-a-likes always sound good and are normally priced less than the real deal. They may work out good for awhile but then after that the material/product will fade away as well as your confidence in staying dry & warm on the ice.

I'm not saying that an ICE ARMOR suit is the best, though I do have one and would have you consider one regardless of the money.

There are other products out there that will keep you warm and dry, but I'd recommend that you buy the original than that look-a-like product. Unless you don't ice fish much, then it might be a no brainer to buy something a little less expensive.

For me, I'm interested in staying warm, dry, and comfortable when I'm fishing. I also like the fact that the stuff I wear on the ice can double over in the summer.

Now that price tag doesn't sound so bad does it?

[mymaro]

gvg_uwec,

i work at a gas station in cannon falls and we carry key overalls and jackets they are very nice and yes they do repell water better then carharts i have a pair of bibs could pass up free ones (nice thing about working thier)

this year i will get a jacket for free the only one complaint that i have about the key bibs are ware the shoulder straps ar sowed onto the main part the stiching is kinda weak so be carefull.

[Wyoming Ice]

I've used both key and carhart side by side literally (while one is drying, the other is on me)I've had them the same amount of time, and whether I'm checking cattle on a 4-wheeler during a blizzard out here in the mountains, or I'm ice fishing 3-4 times a week they are both still kicking!! You won't be disappointed in the keys. On a college students budget they are a great purchase. I had a pair for almost my entire life( I would grow out of them before they wore out!). One thing to think about is, would you really be confortable working on a stuck car, or anything else out in the cold were grease or anything else could possibly soil your $300 ice armor suit? If you invest in a pair of carhart or keys to me it really seems as if you get more for your money.

Good Luck and stay warm!

Wyoming Ice

[Stradic]

Good point WI. I got my Carharrt Extremes 2 years ago and man are they toasty! What I like about them is that the insulation runs all the way up your front and back almost lacking the need for a coat. $109.99 is what I paid.

he said "boober"

[RobertELee]

Carharts definetly. But here is a tip to keeping dry. When I bought mine four years ago I also bought some of that spray on water proofing made for shoes and tents etc.(silicon based) I bought two cans. On each leg I sprayed a very liberal amount all over them concentrating on the front of the legs and a ton on the knee pads. It is the best thing I could have done. I am able to kneel down on slush and all I get are cold knees and legs but when I stand up they are dry. I even spilled a bait bucket on me and the water just runs away.