An preference on bibs?

[Xstream Outfitters]

Anyone have any preference on bibs or full body suits for ice fishing? I want to stay warm, but more importantly, DRY!

[RichP]

Got $300 to spend?

The Clam Ice Armor suit looks pretty sweet:

http://www.fish307.com/fish/CLAMIceArmorSuit.htm

Me, I'm stuck with the $49.95 Walls brand coveralls! :(

[2tundras]

Without doubt, no questions asked, hands down, spend the cash and get a set of Cabella's Guide Wear. The stuff showing Gary Roach. Get the Parka, not the jacket.

They advertise it as insulated rain gear, but I've sat on the ice on Superior in Feb and not even botherd putting the shack up. Warm and down right water proof. Pricey, but worth it.

[Natlight]

I order the guidewear bibs on Dec. 19 and got them Dec. 22. They didn't fit, so I ordered another pair the same day Dec. 22. Well I don't have them yet! :rant: Apparently they are on backorder, with all sizes except small and 2XX and up sizes. I have called the store and talked with customer service and they can't tell me when they will be available. I call every other day and it's getting really frustrating. The lady at the store told me they are being discontinued for some reason only God knows. The pair I had were great and I couldn't wait to use them, but they didn't fit, I really wanted them to fit! Anyway I just have to sit and wait. Hopefully they are going to be here soon, I need them by the 19th for a weekend trip up at Fletchers. I haven't heard any bad reviews on them, you may want to do a search on this site, to see what everyone else thinks of them.

Tim

[1sh0t]

Ive got a suit from cabelas that is the same everything as guide wear, price, its water proof, and exremely warm, but its camo and i use it from Oct thru April, but the ole man has a suit and loves it so go with the guide wear hands down.
:lol:
Dan

[bigsid]

Anyone have any preference on bibs or full body suits for ice fishing? I want to stay warm, but more importantly, DRY!
I've got a set of Carharrt arctic bibs and coat. I love them! Unless you plan on swimming or sitting in the rain, I don't see keeping dry as an issue. They will however, keep you very warm! And if you're too warm, you can lose the coat for a while and cool off.

Sid

[ybone]

i'm with Sid. got a set of Arctic bibs and jacket 2 years ago on clearance at Gander for $99. not bad for a $240 suit. didn't have the money to spend on the cabelas things but you can't go wrong with them either.

[Capnhook]

I got the ICE ARMOR. It's a little pricey, but it's a dandy suit. I would have purchased the MUSTANG survival suit, but since I'm a little ......ah big boned, I couldn't fit into the biggest size. XXXL Well, I did get it on, but it looked like a leatard(sp). In fact when I had it on, I passed some gas and blew one of my boots off. :D My point is that it's airtight. If I were fifty pound lighter, I would go with MUSTANG. They are more money than the ICE ARMOR. Good Luck in your quest. Capnhook

[FishinJoe]

I also got the Ice Armor this year and have no complaints so far, but heck I have onlt gotten a chance to wear the jacket so far. Hopeing for colder weather.

Joe

[Banditto]

Another vote Carhartt's, based in MI (not China)--actually the Carhartt family lives in Grosse Point and is very active in the community.

[Zakker]

Cabelas guidwear bibs, uninsulated. Believe it or not, I layer 2 layers of Remington expedition grade, one under armorand the uninsulated bibs. Super warm. I was worried about ordering the uninsulated, but I wanted flexbility for spring time. Since they are windproof, they stay warm.

I guess my point is is that if the insulateds are on back order, possibly try the uninsulated (especially if they are on sale still). They may have those.

[schaaed1]

Without doubt, no questions asked, hands down, spend the cash and get a set of Cabella's Guide Wear. The stuff showing Gary Roach. Get the Parka, not the jacket.

They advertise it as insulated rain gear, but I've sat on the ice on Superior in Feb and not even botherd putting the shack up. Warm and down right water proof. Pricey, but worth it.

:yeahthat:

Bought the Bib's before Christmas and was so impressed, I bought the Jacket after New Years. Burned up 3 of those $30 coupons, and they were 25% off already. :D Check the various colors, some colors were out of stock while others weren't.

Ed

[Islander26]

Arctic Carhartts get my vote. Cabelas has them listed for $89. Remember that Gander Mountain and Bass Pro will match prices. Just print the web page and take it in with you.

[johnny white]

cabelas GOR-TEX XPG BIBS

sweet

[P Gottshall]

$40 bibbs from Farm & Fleet, plus a $15 (or so) set of HT "ice chaps".

Paul

[Steve]

Me, I'm stuck with the $49.95 Walls brand coveralls!

Me too. They work pretty good.

[Ed Stringer]

Cabelas Guidwear Dark Green. Da Best Mon.

[MiketheElder]

The Ice Armor looks nice but as usual they are just one more product that won't fit me. I'm sure I can find the pants to fit my big butt but my ankles will freeze since I need a 38" inseam. I was gonna say everything is made for short, fat guys but CapnHook (Thom) already disproved that one.

Yeah! Big-Boned Thom!

Mike

[PencilPlugger]

I order the guidewear bibs on Dec. 19 and got them Dec. 22. They didn't fit, so I ordered another pair the same day Dec. 22. Well I don't have them yet! :rant: Apparently they are on backorder, with all sizes except small and 2XX and up sizes. I have called the store and talked with customer service and they can't tell me when they will be available. I call every other day and it's getting really frustrating. The lady at the store told me they are being discontinued for some reason only God knows. The pair I had were great and I couldn't wait to use them, but they didn't fit, I really wanted them to fit! Anyway I just have to sit and wait. Hopefully they are going to be here soon, I need them by the 19th for a weekend trip up at Fletchers. I haven't heard any bad reviews on them, you may want to do a search on this site, to see what everyone else thinks of them.
Tim
Tim - Why didn't the first pair fit? Did they run big or small? I'm thinking about ordering some too but I want to make sure that I get the correct size so that I don't go through the same thing. It looks like they are running low on the "regular" inseam but the "tall" sizes are showing in stock on the web page. So you might want to give them a call back and change your order if you can fit into the tall inseam (it's 35" for tall vs. 33" for regular).

[Natlight]

Tim - Why didn't the first pair fit? Did they run big or small? I'm thinking about ordering some too but I want to make sure that I get the correct size so that I don't go through the same thing. It looks like they are running low on the "regular" inseam but the "tall" sizes are showing in stock on the web page. So you might want to give them a call back and change your order if you can fit into the tall inseam (it's 35" for tall vs. 33" for regular).


I ordered a large, they were to long and to big in the butt area. I'm hoping the mediums will fit like a glove. I talked with them extensively about these bibs. They are out of every pair. It bites.

[buddhabelly]

I also own the Carhart artic bibs and coat. Second year owning them. They keep me warm and dry. No complaints.

[Xstream Outfitters]

:yeahthat:

Bought the Bib's before Christmas and was so impressed, I bought the Jacket after New Years. Burned up 3 of those $30 coupons, and they were 25% off already. :D Check the various colors, some colors were out of stock while others weren't.

Ed

I gave away my $30 coupon cause I did not have a need for it at the moment. :bash: Then I got a new job and a nice pay increase on Friday, so now I want to spend a bit. Oh well, at least my buddies used the money well.

I like that Ice Armor suit, but I just want the bib's. I've already got a great Columbia coat.

[Houghton laker]

I'm like my man Ed Stringer, I have the forest green guide gear Parke with the matching bibs!! Love the pockets and warmth.....could do with a little less velcro

[schaaed1]

I'm like my man Ed Stringer, I have the forest green guide gear Parke with the matching bibs!! Love the pockets and warmth.....could do with a little less velcro

I've got the green as well. The velcro can be an obstacle .... particularly if it is time to get rid of the morning coffee or beer ... better not wait too long!! :yikes:

[ESOX]

I have the uninsulated Gander Mountain Guidewear parka and bibs. I wear them a LOT spring winter and fall, for work and play, they have a lot of hours on them with no leaks, broken zippers etc. Even uninsulated they are too heavy for summer wear, and in the dead of winter I layer polypro and fleece under them. They were quite a bargain at about $200.00, I think the set is up to about $220.00 now, but still a great deal. If I ever needed to replace these, I'd get the same thing all over again.

[2tundras]

I used to lug around by Artics but I found to really be almost to warm and I couldn't rally movea round in them in the shack, bulky.
Big sid has a point, you may not get to wet.

But the water proof angle is nice for first and last ice. I've already put a couple of days in the rain in, the Guide gear makes it a little more comfy, and up north here you tend to end up fishing in slush above your ankles cause of all the snow along the Superior shore. Basically you get really wet. Thats what I was getting at with the water proof comment.

[2tundras]

Oh yeah, one bad comment. The Guide Wear has that darn cheap plastic zipper that you find on 1/2 their stuff. I've had some problems with it pulling apart on the bibs. Gets back to the made in China comment above...

[GunnerWirehair]

I bought the Columbia Omni-Widgeon Quick-Loader 4 in 1 coat and matching insulated bibs and I LOVE THEM, definetly best investment this ice/duck seasonhad my coat and waders on the other day at the hot ponds and went through the ice in the canal and my left arm up to my shoulder went under water and didnt even get slightly wet

[William H Bonney]

Esox made a good point,, layer with "polypro". You'll virtually eliminate a layer of clothing with anything polypro. Best advice for anyone thats going to be out in the cold for any extended period of time,,,, " DON"T PUT ANYTHING COTTON NEXT TO YOUR SKIN"!!!!!!!!!

[Burksee]

I was all set to spend the money and get the Cabela's guidewear (thinsulated) bibs. They were on sale, -25% and I planned on using them for icefishing and snowmobiling. Went to order and got the reply, On B/O! And they wouldnt let me re-order? I've been back a few times checking the status and now see they have "Improved" guidewear! Must be why they had a sale? Anyhow, the "New" stuff aint on sale and is more expensive than the old stuff.

I saw a post about someone using the "un"-insulated guide wear for winter use. Anyone else a user? The main reason for me looking at the insulated (w/thinsulate) ones was in hopes of eliminating the need for several layers, especially for snowmobiling.

[Sturge]

If they are on back order try the Motor Sports bibs they are black Gore Tex and have extra padding in the seat and knees. I find them a little warmer than the Columbia Omni-Tec Bibs which are the right warmth for me.
Tom

[DRAG-N-BALLZ]

I'm with Steve,
I have had a pair of Walls blizzard proof bibs for years(almost white from sunfade) and an old army surplus severe weather parka. Never been cold yet although the jacket is a little heavy.

[Ralph Smith]

:yeahthat:

The walls blizzard proof bibs and parka. Only about 129.00 each at mill end in Bay City.

[lawnguy]

speedo and some liquor. lol

[Ed Stringer]

sam-ph from this site, wears a new ice armour suit. Nice suit storage pockets nice zips, high collar, light weight but very warm if I was lookin I'd buy one great price.