Arctic Armor Bibs or Ice Armor?

[icemac33]

I'm going to pull the trigger on bibs this weekend.Can anyone give me any reasons to not buy the ice armor? Ice fishing is inherently hard on gear and I'm even more so. Are these things going to hold up? What about wearing these in the summer for rain gear? Too warm? Thanks for any answers guys.

[Blainebob]

i was thinking about the vexilar ones personally

[mjhowe]

Personally, for the price and peace of mind, I really dont see why anyone would buy anything BUT the ARCTIC ARMOR jackets and Bibs, available thru Walleye Dan. I bought a set (2 actually) last year. So far, I have had snowmobilers ask how to get them, cause they do silly things like ride across open water!! When they find out they float, thats all they need to hear!

I have had skiers and boarders ask me how to get them because of their light weight and high warmth factor, along with the fact that they are unique in the fact that no-one else has them. Oh, except Canadian and US Olympic teams!

In fact, the store that sponsors my tournaments started carrying them this fall, and half the original order has already been sold to the employees!

I wore the jacket on my two week hunting trip last month, in the boat and around camp. The pockets are right where you need them, the hood is fantastic, the fact that you can just grab the jacket and not have to worry about layering anything (except in extreme cold, like sub zero cold) is awesome! The bibs fit like a glove, they offer the padding and protection right where you need it and I think they will wear (meaning NOT wear out) very well.

I would recommend to everyone, do NOT buy anything else until you check out the ARCTIC ARMOR gear from I.D.I. and Walleye Dan. Accept no substitute!

[Ray Esboldt]

I'll second the Arctic Armor. I can say nothing but good things about them after purchasing them last year. Warm, exceptionally water resistant (better than any rain gear I have), and very lightweight are just a few of the things that impressed me. I'm a little dissapointed in the fact that they came out with a camo model 5 months after I purchased mine, but I sure am glad to have a set in any flavor.

Hands down, they are the best ice fishing gear I purchased last year, and maybe ever.

[DTro]

My Arctic Armor suit is on the way. I can't wait to try it out.

[tafadzwa]

Is it possible to buy just a set of Arctic Armor bibs or do you have to buy the whole suit?

[swags_7]

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Is it possible to buy just a set of Arctic Armor bibs or do you have to buy the whole suit?

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I saw you can buy just the arctic armor bibs on Walleyedan's websites.

My arctic armor suit should be arriving next week.

[DzNuts]

( Note from admin,please read forum policy before posting again, Thank-You.)

[Eric Wettschreck]

None of these suits are cheap by any means. Prior to spending this kind of money a person is smart to ask around and see what is the best bang for the buck. After doing just that, I ordered Arctic Armor and I can't wait to get it.

Last year I fished Slabfest with the fellas and I was one of the few guys that didn't have Arctic Armor on. I was fine until we started moving around, and I got wet, and the sun went down, and I was cold. Mind you, I can handle cold, but I was cold and wet at noon and I had a long way to go. The guys wearing Arctic Armor were fishing OUTSIDE the fish house.

I'm a duck hunter also. If you are a hard core duck hunter like I am you'll appreciate warm, dry, and floating in late November. I ordered mine in camo.

Like I said dude, it's a lot of money. Spend it wisely. Look around, ask around.....and you will prolly end up wanting Arctic Armor.

[Cyberfish]

Icemac I got a killer of a deal last year on the blue icearmor suit for 98 bucks. for the most part I like it, one flaw, at least in mine was the zippers. the bibs zipper broke halfway through the ice season and the parka zipper only works if you have it set perfectly, if not it won't zip, really a pain! If you can get a great deal, go for it, if you are looking to pay full price, i would look into some of the other options mentioned here!

[Blainebob]

Aside from the floatation,the vex bibs are $100,which i like

[icemac33]

I see that Thorne Bros has the ice armor bibs for $100 with free shipping. That is the reason I'm looking right now. I'm not in the market for a coat since I just bought a hi-vis Carhartt. So lets start over. The ice armor for $100? And what would happen if I was wearing floating bibs and non-floating coat? They'd be able to find me by my legs sticking up out of the ice? My legs would be dry, at least. And you could mark your trail by my legs for the rest of the season.

[Northlander]

Sounds like you have already decided that Arctic Armor its not so lets go from there. You already have Carhart Jacket right? Then why not get a pair of Carhart Extreme Bibs. Very warm, very durable and I really like the long leg zippers to the waist so they are super easy to get off with your boots on.

They are a bit on the bulky side when new but I have had mine for about 4 years or so and the only problem I had was getting the leg to close to my Nils blade and it put a nice slice in them. OOPs. Just threw some tent seem seal on it and its ok.

If I werent getting a pair of Arctic Armor I would continue to wear the Carharts all year round.

[jigginjerk]

Just to give you info on the ice armour pants, I bought a pair early last year and I am very pleased with them. I fish on the ice kneeling(not in a house) 90% of the time even in sub zero temps and have yet to get cold or wet. They seem to have held up very well. So I hope that helps you in your decision.

[walleyedan]

Yes you can buy just the bibs, just the jacket, mix and match, what else can you ask for? Yes, they do that too....they will float you. And I think they attract big walleyes too. And if you are single, they attract chicks too. Sorry.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Walleyedan

[jigginjerk]

LOL, Dan you are a true salesman!!!

[tafadzwa]

Thanks- I saw the bibs on your HSOforum and just added them to the Christmas list.

[icemac33]

Attract chicks eh.....hmmmm. It's tempting. The arctic armor definitely have the leg up with the floatation. Stupid ice fishing allowance. I need a raise in my allowance. Northlander-- I'm spoiled. I already have a pair of extreme bibs (2 actually) They are one of the best outdoor/workwear items you will find on the planet. I have had problems with my knees getting wet over long days on the ice though. You'll never get cold in them. Just an FYI for guys looking at the Vexilar cold-snap. They are in the fleet farm ad this morning for $49.99. Unfortunately, they have that word "resistant", instead of "proof" after water. I've never found that to be a good thing. I also found the ice armor for 100 and you get a $20 giftcard at Gander. I think the deal is done. I'll be looking to hang these in the basement next year and pick up my arctic armor. I wouldn't want the wife to think I don't need to spend at least 5 bills on gear every November. Happy Turkey Day everybody!!

[waskawood]

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And I think they attract big walleyes too. And if you are single, they attract chicks too. Sorry.

Happy Thanksgiving,

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Dang, I must be gettin old. I would rather attract the big walleyes

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Yes, they are available in Kato. You don't have to wait to be shiped just go try them on and get the right size

[DzNuts]

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And I think they attract big walleyes too. And if you are single, they attract chicks too. Sorry.

Happy Thanksgiving,

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Dang, I must be gettin old. I would rather attract the big walleyes

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What makes arctic armor so much better than carhart bibs (besides being "buoyant"? Carharts keep me warm. Are they lighter? Is it cause they are waterproof? Are they armors more rugged?

Convince me I should spend the money.

[rockman]

Don't get me wrong,Carhartt makes some durable outerwear,but bouyancy of Artic Armor wear was the only factor when I bought my set.It was either Artic Armor,or Mustang Survival.Artic Armor with the camo option won.If I do go in through the ice,I want all the cards in my favor to get out and live.Carhartts may be cheaper, and more durable,but does it matter if you are wearing Carhartts when you go in through the ice,but you can't get out and drown wearing them? My life is more important than saving a few bucks.

[harvey lee]

You can purchase what you would like but if it were me, this is what I would do.

You can purchase the Arctic Armor in a camo pattern. I have used them for archery hunting this fall and they worked great. I see no reason why one could not also wear them for duck hunting and turkey hunting. They are light in weight, dry and very warm. The Carharts may be more durable than the others but I have had no problem with any of the suits to date.

I also have worn and still own a pair of carharts. I have not worn them since I have owned the Ice Armor and the Arctic Armor. I believe that the later of the three are warmer, dryer and the Artic armor will surely help save my life if I have some bad luck on thin or bad ice.

Yes, its your choice but the Arctic Armor is the cats meow from what I have learned from owning all three types. The camo pattern is just more versatile if you need a suit for more than just ice fishing.

[Blainebob]

Just picked up the Vex cold snap bibs at FF for $49 today,half price!!!! Everyone else has for 100.Nice bibs!!!

[BIG DS]

I bought the Ice Armor suit last year and I love it! Now this new suit that ARCTIC ARMOR came out with this year is even better. It floats and comes in CAMO! Wish I knew that was coming. Might have to ante up for one anyway.