favorite winter outer wear

[arcticcat400]

hello,well its time for some new winter clothes and im trying to either decide between buying the strikemaster ice suit or buying a new set of carhartt coveralls and jacket so the ? im asking is which would you rather have the carhartts or the strikemaster suite?

[dmengel]

I just ordered a new set of IDI Artic Armor today. The ads on them say they are the best, (but they all say that) What made me decide on them was the fact that they are supposed to float. I should have them in a week & I will let everyone know how they are.

[kslipsinker]

I have been using Carhart Extremes for a couple of years now. They are very warm. They are stiff when new, but after you wash them they are more flexible. I like the fact that they are water resistant.

[Paul Waldowski]

Plain and simple - Guideware for me

[Northlander]

I love my Carhart Extremes.

[chaser]

I don't know if it will be my favorite but i bought one of those new vexilar suits at gander the other day

[fiskyknut]

I'm with Paul on this one as well, the tried true and trusty thru and thru original Guidewear. Real Gore-tex, heavy duty, not a nylon imitation like so many other brands out there the past few seasons. This stuff is the real Mckoy, the gold standard by which ALL others are judged.

No Kneepads and dropseats though they do come in blue.

fiskyknut

[Random guy]

I still wear wool from head to toe. Guess it is just my thing. Warm, cuts the wind and still holds warmth even when soaking wet and it comes in normal colors not bright blue,flaming red or wiz bang patterns. Plus Great Grandpa wore wool, Grandpa wears wool etc etc., so I guess it is a roots thing.

[hanson]

I was going to post this comment in a different thread but I'll put it here.

Why do people think you "need" to have outer wear that is "specifically" designed for ice fishing?

I don't get it. I have a camo hunting parka that is plenty warm (I don't wear the liner even), has big pockets in the right places, cuts the wind, and keeps me dry & warm. I also wear it year round in the boat, hunting, and ice fishing. What more do you need?

As far as pants or bibs go, there are so many really good options out there from Columbia, North Face, any of the ski companies, Cabelas Guide Wear, Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo, Carhartt, etc. If I was in the market for a pair of bibs, I would be looking to the snowboard clothing market again. Snowboard clothes are dang near bomb proof and built to withstand a lot of abuse, way more than any ice fishing situation can deal you.

Thats my rant, if you feel that you need to have a suit that is "specifically" designed for ice fishing, marketing and advertising have you fooled!

My other question is this... How did we ever ice fish in the past before all these super technical "ice fishing" suits showed up on the market. Apparently its the clothes that make you a good angler.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Like hanson said.. I use the same wool bibs that I use for bow hunting for ice fishing. I also have a pair of camo water proof pants that I can put over the wool for those extra cold days.

I'm all about multi use brother Hans!

[Gus]

Wool pants, a windstopper wool sweater, and layers. Can't beat natures best. That's what works for me but from your two choices you listed I would pick the Carharts.

[gvg_uwec]

I wear carhart bibs and an old jacket. nothing fancy....I'm in the portable most the time anyway and can come back inside to warm back up after a tip-up walleye

[Hookmaster]

Quad parka and bibs, i.e. duck hunting stuff.

[RonZych]

I agree with Hanson about the top parka. Mine is a duck hunting shadow grass quad parka. I can't feel a speck of wind come through going 40mph on the sled in below zero weather.

I am looking into a set of bibs specifically designed for ice fishing with padded waterproof knees(a must for fishing on the ice)

[croixeyes]

Carhart bibs and and some insulated jackets,maybe fleece lined jeans.Thats about all I need,as the above posts mentioned,no need to get fancy on ice if you can stay warm in the stuff you have.Most my time is spent inside my portable with the heater going anyway,I usually have to take off some of my layers in there to cool down.Besides,its nice to be an individual instead of one of the colony

[blackdog1101]

I don't ice fish as much as many of you guys do, and can't justify the expense for an ice suit. So, I'm going to use an old pair of breathable waders over fleece and wool. They leak on the seams, but should be fine for keeping dry on sloppy ice. Cut the feet off the waders so they wear like bib overalls, but are waterproof and windproof.

[icemac33]

The Carharrt Extremes have treated me well. Had my last pair for three years for working outside and playing.The fabric is still pretty much perfect. Few zipper tabs broke and the suspenders stretched out finally.Decided on a pair for the work truck and personal truck. Let me know if you decide to go this route.I've ordered all my bibs from the same company and got this last pair with no tax and free shipping for under a hundo.

[MASON38]

Why a set for ice fishing, answer is why not. Why should I wear my Guidewear version of Gortex out on the ice, where they can be worn out on from the wear of ruff ice, or freezing and pulling on the expensive fabric. Same for my windproof, gore tex camo outfits. I've got the blue Ice Armor suit, the padded knees and seat are a nice feature. Does it make me a angler, no. Am I less of an angler for having the specialized suit, no.

I bought the Guidewear for open water fishing, the camo for hunting, the blue suit for ice fishing. I wont have to replace one suit for another as soon as others, and all three suits should last me quite a long time for not wearing one for all three seasons. Either the money upfront or the money later, either way you are caught.

[Bob Horn]

I use Guidewear. I used snow pants before I got the Guidewear.

[jigging-matt]

I have used my camo bibs and hunting coat for a few years now and have always stayed warm. The only thing that I think would be nice about the ice armour is the padded water proof knees and but. Seems like you always end up kneeling on the ice from time to time.

[CatManLee]

I just wear my snowmobile stuff out on the ice. I have a Mossi brand Jacket and bibs. I think the entire set cost me $150.00 on sale. Normal price was over $250.00. The Jacket and bibs are very warm, water proof, wind resistant, etc, etc. So I really don't see why I would need anything else?

[HarryG]

I just use the Columbia Bugaboo. My regular winter coat. Its' very warm and light weight. I usually wear some Nylon ski pants unless it very cold then I put on the Walls. Has been good to me for the price. I think I will upgrade to Guidewear soon. I have seen the Carhartt's and the look good as well. If you don't use them for work, they will last a life time.

[BigDaddy]

I like a good ol' quilted lined flannel shirt with some insulated bibs. Hang a depth weight on the pocket.

I prefer the grumpy old men look verses the Smurf look.

I'll throw on the duck parka if it gets really cold.

[CNY Tim]

"The Worlds Greatest Outfitters" Guide Series insulated bibs, nothing packs more punch in extreme cold, love em...

[Big Tom]

$600 Snosuits? They should come with a sign on the back that says I have too much money and not enough sense. Columbia un-insulated OmniTech Rain Suit, Bibs and Parka. I use these year round for fishing. It's wind and water proof and breathes better than Gore-Tex. Insulated rain suits are not a lot of fun when it is 55+ and raining. I have done the wool route... great until you are getting hit with heavy wind or a wet snow followed by a cold wind. The key is the underwear: Silk, covered with Polar-Tec fleece and then Jeans and an optional sweater. You can remove layers depending on the wind/temperature. Always buy the jacket one size larger than normal. One piece suits stink...too warm or too cold.

My 2cents