Good Coat?

[Walleye #1]

Well I got a new pair of bibs, the Vexilar ones for my B-Day. I have some extra money and am thinking of getting a nice coat to go with them.

I have heard alot about the Artic Armour on here, is there really a difference in the quality and warmth of the Artic Armour, Vexilar brand, and the Ice Armour?? Looking for which one will keep the warmest and driest.

Thanks

Walleye #1

[Craigums]

Artic Armor is supposed to help keep you afloat if you go through the ice...I just picked one up at the ice show, and I like it so far.

[Northlander]

As far as warmth I think Arctic Armor may be warmer. The newer Ice Armor is a warmer than the 1st suit they put out. AA is very light for the amount of warmth and wind protection you get. I found it to be almost too warm to have on fuly zipped as you pulled your ice house out for any length of time. For hole hopping its great. The padded knees and rear are nice to have. The hood on the jacket does a great job of covering and protecting your face from snow/wind.

Im very happy with my AA suit. Finally found something that made me put away my Carhart Extremes.

[Sandmannd]

Go with AA, walleyedan will give ya a deal if you email him. I got mine and wore it a little out hunting and was way warm. Wore it to the ice show and I now put away my other winter coat and will only wear the AA. Unbelievable warm and light. I like it because it's not bulky as well.

[Walleye #1]

What is walleyedan's email address?

[Sandmannd]

You can contact him at [email protected] and his HSOforum is Walleye Dan

[bassislife]

I would say carhart. The coats are very warm and comfy too. About 20 years ago, my dad fell into a spear hole. He was able to get out, and after even though his carharts froze he was still warm on the inside. After an experience like that and still remaining warm, thats all i'll ever wear. They are very durable too.

[hanson]

My vote is for the Arctic Armor jacket, and why not pick up the bibs as well in the package deal.

I think this is a no-brainer IMO but if you have to choose amongst outerwear that was specifically designed for ice fishing, and one of those options floats, why wouldn't you go with that option?

OK...OK... so maybe cost is an issue between the options available but is having the chance to live another day worth the $100 extra?

After working the Arctic Armor booth during the ice fishing show, you should have seen the looks on people's faces when they stopped by our booth with a "blue" suit in their bag. If they had a significant other with them, 9 times out of 10 she'd say, "Honey, this one floats!" Then they'd kind of sit there looking at each other awkwardly for a little bit and continue walking.

[mole]

artic armor hands down, lite, warm, comfortable.

[Walleye #1]

Does anyone know if you can buy the Ice Armor coat separate from the pants?? Or is it strictly a combo package.

[Matt Johnson]

I would also like to throw a vote in there for SnoSuit. I've been wearing one all season and they are incredible. Hands down the best suit I've worn. Might not be the cheapest coat out there (retails anywhere from $239-299 for the jacket) but it lives up to its price, no doubt about that. Very warm and designed for the ultimate ice angler. A lot of padding and pockets, very wind and water-proof too...

[MASON38]

blue suits are strictly combos

[aanderud]

I've been researching options as well, since xmas is coming up and my wife was wondering what she could get me.

I've come to the conclusion that arctic armor is super sweet, ice armor (blue) is pretty good, and ice armor extreme (gray) is super sweet. The extreme ice armor is for colder temps. Neither ice armor comes in separate one piece, but the arctic armor does. If you're only looking for a coat, I would probably lean toward the arctic armor just due to the fact that the others aren't sold as a coat only.

Also, and by all means this is not a knock on this HSOforum -- remember that you will most definitely NOT get an unbiased opinion on the topic when one of the 3-4 manufacturers under discussion is a sponsor of FM. It's understandable, really just good business...but wanted to mention that.

Oh yeah, forgot to bring prices into consideration -- the pricing on walleyedan's HSOforum is definitely lower than the ice armor x suit (gray) and not even the $100 more that Hanson mentioned over the ice armor blue suit (ice armor blue usually sells for $249, arctic armor sells for $299).

Also, the gray extreme suit is very warm, I would guess better for stationary fisherman. But, if you're stationary for a long time, why not just set up a portable house and camp out. I would guess that you'd sweat a lot if you were actually moving around, hole hopping, etc. The arctic armor would probably give plenty of heat in any fishable situation, and again, it floats.

[The Yeti]

Actually, I got a coat for a gift last year. "old mill" brand from Menards. I believe you can get them for $30. Looks like carharts, probably not as durable, but they do just fine. Very warm..

[harvey lee]

ARCTIC ARMOR. thaqts pretty much all I can say. I have numerous suits and none will do what the AA suit will.

One of the latest greatest items to come along for the outdoorsman.

[huskywings66]

i got in trouble at gander mtn. because i talked some guys out of buying the ice armour suits and told them just to buy carhart. they listened and the salesman looked like he wanted to shank me with a spear.

[DTro]

I wouldn't disagree that Carhartts are a nice option.

To me they seemed more geared to the working outdoorsman. Towing, plowing, wood cutting, etc. I couldn't believe the weight difference between my carhartt extremes and the Artic Armor suit.

Had I been using my Carhartts yesterday, I may have had a heart attack.

To me it came down to well, one floats, the others don't. No brainer.

Who knows what we will see next year or down the road, but right now, Arctic Armor is a top choice.

<-----------------

BTW, the Camo is a nice touch as well

[Fishing_Ace]

I have the Ice Armor coat and bibs... I LOVE THEM!! i wouldnt wear anything else out there. waterproof and stop the wind like nothing i have ever wore. i highly reccomend it!!

D. Fish

[harvey lee]

Fishing Ace, I agree that Ice Armor is warm as I have worn one for the past two years. But, if one is looking for a new suit, why not get one that will also float as it could save ones life.

[CSP88]

Another option is the Cabelas Guidewear parkas.

Chad

[Kylersk]

I love my Gander Mountain Guide Series 4 in 1 jacket. Both layers are water and wind proof. Add em up and they are warm as heck.

I tend to try and buy things that have multiple purposes and this Coat does just that. Early spring, fall, late fall, or even dead of winter, this jacket will cover them all.

[skee0025]

You can't go wrong with the Arctic Armour. I got mine at the ice show and since then it has replaced all my other cold weather gear. Add in the safety factor you dont get with other suits and the choice is simple. You may pay a little more but I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for, go cheap get cheap.

[Captain B.R.K]

Quote:

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Fishing Ace, I agree that Ice Armor is warm as I have worn one for the past two years. But, if one is looking for a new suit, why not get one that will also float as it could save ones life.

---

I don't doubt this quote one bit.

Many guys on the site have the A.A and are very impressed with. Plus it has the above features AND can be bought seperate. It would probably match your pants too

I haven't made the switch to A.A because my Ice Armor (blue suit) is good as new and is warm, water and wind proof. Plus it's tough to justify paying another $299-350 on another suit. This one does the job with no complaints.

[Farley]

I have a lot of different coats, but I hate wearing coats when I'm ice fishing. I just put on an extra layer, like a longsleeve button down shirt or something under a hooded sweatshirt and over my long underwear. If I'm not walking or moving around, I'm sitting in a heated fish house wheather it's the portable or wheelhouse. If I'm just going to sit on the ice I grab either my carhart or columbia ski jacket, or even the polaris jacket. I also have a Cabelas Windshear Fleece pullover that is plenty warm. I dont buy into the clothes geared towards ice fishing. Glorified raincoats is all they are IMO.

[BartmanMN]

I have the Cabela's Guidewear coat (Extreme Wet Weather) and it is by far the best jacket that I have ever owned.

The jacket comes in 'Tall' sizes, so it fits perfect without being bulky. All zipper's are rubber coated, so water is not getting in.