Ice Armor suit...thoughts?

[mikey]

My buddy has a new Ice Armor suit he wants to trade me for some fishing equipment. Does anyone have one who would like to chime in and tell me their thoughts on it? I'm not interested in the pricing issue, as I'm getting this for cheap. I just want to know if it's as warm and rugged as a pair of carharts? What do you guys like and dislike about it?

[bluekim7]

I have the blue ice armor suit which I would guess you are refering to. I used to fishi in Carhartts and will never again.

Pros:
Windproof
100% waterproof
very lightweight
durable
easy movement

Cons:
could use a bit more insulation


Overall i love my suit. I fish about 50% in a shanty, the rest of the time I go hole to hole and kneel down fishing and never get wet. I would not hesitate to buy another suit in the future. If i were to do it over again, i might buy the xtreme ice armor suit. But if you are trading it for cheap. I would do it. If you don't let me know. I would buy or trade for another suit if it was my size.

[N.E. Outdoorsman]

I have the Red suite. Bought it at Jays 2 years ago. I love it. The insulation material is so thin, you would not believe it can keep you warm, but it DOES!

My only bad experience with it came last year. I was fishing with a Buddy from his shanty and went outside for something, probably to check a tip-up and left my coat on the bench seat.

He needed something from under the seat and tossed my coat behind it. Well, that is where he had the heater. My sleeve melted down like a shrinky-dink in a matter of a second.

So keep that in mind: Moisture & Cold-OK, Fire - Bad!

[jimhx720]

I have the blue suit and it is the best ice gear I have had yet. Just like previous posters, waterproof, windproof, padded rear and knees and tons of pockets. As far as the insulation goes I just layer up like I normally do. I love my suit for sure.

[mikey]

It was the blue suit I'm referring to. I didnt' know they make red--what's the difference? Are they thicker/thinner?
The blue suit just seems so thin, which was why I hesitated to trade him right away. I think I'll pick it up from him this weekend.

[trvlngstrngr]

I have the deluxe suit.
Grey and Black

I LOVE IT

[Hotwired]

The red suit is Arctic Armor NOT Ice Armor, it's a whole different company.
Arctic Armor is much warmer and it floats.

http://www.idigear.com/

[Hart]

Bought it for the bouyancy factor in its insulation. Only complaint is that the suit doesn't breath very well. If you sweat up, you'll dampen the inside of the suit. Exceptionally warm, though.

I've read alot of complaints here about the Ice Armor suits being kind of chintzy. Do a search.

[hmdomn]

The red suit is Arctic Armor NOT Ice Armor, it's a whole different company.
Arctic Armor is much warmer and it floats.

http://www.idigear.com/

Very neat stuff.....does anyone know where I can get one of these Arctic Armor suits without paying dealer prices? I thought I saw a baitshop (with the ninja avitar) selling these last year, but I can't remember the name of his baitshop. I think his name was Ken???

[Burksee]

Bought it for the bouyancy factor in its insulation. Only complaint is that the suit doesn't breath very well. If you sweat up, you'll dampen the inside of the suit. Exceptionally warm, though.

I've read alot of complaints here about the Ice Armor suits being kind of chintzy. Do a search.
Anyone here happen to own both AA and IA? How would you compare the two? :)

BTW - Ken is at KD's, to find him look under the sponsors for this site. :D

[RatherBFishN]

I purchased the Arctic Armor last season and it has been the best purchase ever. Never used the other IA. AA is very warm and it floats! I will never go ice fishing with out it again.

[Fishstory]

Very neat stuff.....does anyone know where I can get one of these Arctic Armor suits without paying dealer prices? I thought I saw a baitshop (with the ninja avitar) selling these last year, but I can't remember the name of his baitshop. I think his name was Ken???

I purchased mine at Frank's in Linwood, MI last season. You can call them at 989-697-5341 and see if they have them this year. The suit keeps you very warm, dry and it comes with the flotation factor.

[walleye]

I was reading with arctic armor and the blue ice armor that you need to wear a lot of layers and that is what really keeps you warm because they are really just a shell.

I hear that the gray ice armor x is really warm because it has a lot of insualtion and its not just a shell.

[Hart]

There is some quilted insulation (the "Insultex") that I'm sure is a rubber-type compound due to its inability to breathe. It's wind- and waterproof, but the Insultex is not overly bulky insulation. You'll want a couple of relatively light layers underneath, but I wouldn't suggest anything bulky with this outfit. I would not let the lightness of the outfit put you off. Remember, however, that if you do happen to go through the ice, all that extra insulation in other outwear will do one thing: absorb water. And that equals added weight that you'll be fighting to stay afloat. Therein lies the attraction of the Arctic Armor.

If you're going to be sitting outside a shanty in sub-zero weather and/or a healthy wind chill, I don't care WHAT you're wearing - you're going to need layers. However, the windproof factor of the Insultex can shine in this situation.

I can't speak to the blue Ice Armor because I've never owned it, but I've read that the insulating factor of that particular model is low. What I've heard about gray Extreme has been positive as far as the warmth factor.

[ih772]

I have the gray ice armor and it's warm! All I wear under it is synthetic long underwear.

I looked at the other two, and both of them were really just a glorified shell.

There is a thread about a guy bummed with his artic armor on this site already, I'll see if I can find the link to the thread.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264256

written by: db1561

Arctic armor & cold spots??
I just purchased a Arctic armor suit..I paid $319.00 for and I am quite a bit dissapointed sor far.. I seems to let the cold radiat right thru the arms and back?!?! for this kind of money i would have thought it would repel cold a whole lot better..Has anybody else had the same complaint? if yes did you return the suit or how did you resolve the issue? I was outside in aprox 25 deg weather with a long sleeve shirt and it didn't keep me very warm at all...It says right in the advertisement that its good for everyday use..But I don't like to layer up just to go to the store?!? Hell my carhart keeps me warmer than this by far with the same shirt underneath...hmmm kind of nervous to use this out on the ice...

[Burksee]

I have the gray ice armor and it's warm! All I wear under it is synthetic long underwear....................:yikes: TMI! Thanks Ian, that mental picture is going to take days to get rid of! LOL! :lol:

[ih772]

With the other appropriate clothing like undies and sweat pants you goof ball! What did you think? That I went commando! :lol:

I guess I should preface that statement with "All I wear of insulating value is...." :lol: