Writers and Media go “goo-goo, ga-ga” over Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit
Jackson, Wis. – (4/15/11) Yes, Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit won ‘Best New Apparel’ at ICAST. Yes, we’ve been touting its unmatched performance and intelligent engineering and attention to detail. And yes, universally, our Pro Staff are touting it as the best raingear they’ve ever worn for both its fishability and fearlessness of the weather. But now, after having been tested and retested by some of the most trusted voices in fishing, we wanted to add a layer of legitimacy by sharing their feedback. Check it out:
“Deciding on the ‘best’ feature of the Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit is like trying to pick your favorite song. It more or less depends on your mood or situation at the time, and you are likely to change your mind the moment you answer.
“The three-mesh vents at the rear of the hood were welcome additions on my first high-speed boat ride. For once my head didn’t feel like it had been pumped suddenly with helium and was ready to blow up.
“At the end of the day, however, my vote goes to the waist cinch mechanism that tightens above the waist and releases suspender pressure from the shoulders. Carrying the weight of bibs on the shoulders all day amplifies the creeping aches of us aging anglers. That doesn’t happen with the Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit.”
Mike Pehanich
Freelance Outdoor Writer
“The best attribute of Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit is that it was clearly designed by anglers, for anglers. It’s a perfect shell that can keep you warm enough and out the elements, while allowing you to breath. From the oversized face guard to the little cloth tucked in the front pocket that can be used to clean your sunglasses or get a better grip on some mono, the Stormsuit is more than a coat and bibs, it’s another tool for anglers on the water.
“The suit is a great performer and a future classic. The suit is enough to serve as a great shell layer with enough warmth to get you through spring and fall. The design is also much less clunky than other suits like this, giving it a more modern look that anglers of my generation will appreciate.”
Brian McClintock
Editor GoFISHn
“Probably for me, the best attribute of the Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit is its light weight; it doesn’t bog you down like some heavy-duty rainwear thereby making it a great “wind” suit as well as a rainsuit. Equally important are the padded, reinforced, slightly-articulated knees on the bibs.”
“Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit is very comfortable and does not impede fishing motions.”
Darl Black
Freelance Outdoor Writer
“Like any good fishing boat or tackle box, Frabill’s FXE Stormsuit is loaded with storage features for anglers who can’t pack enough stuff to the lake. I carry a lot of electronics to the lake when I cover tournaments, so I need to make sure I have a safe, dry place to store things like an iPhone, camera memory cards and a pocket video camera. The Stormsuit has it all covered.
“Overall, the performance was great.”
Curt Niedermier
Editor FLW Outdoors
“I love the padded knees and the little sunglasses cleaner inside. The pocket storage is awesome.”
Louie Stout
Senior Columnist for Bassmaster
“It’s obvious from the first time you wear the FXE Stormsuit that it was designed by folks who really fish. Things like pockets, openings reinforcements and cinching systems are where they need to be and they really do what they are supposed to do. The fabric is amazingly soft and comfortable, too.
“When you’re talking about staying warm and dry and getting to stuff you need, little things are a big deal, and the folks who worked together to develop the FXE Stormsuit got those little things right.”
Jeff Samsel
Freelance Outdoor Writer
“The suspenders seem to adjust easier than other suits I have worn. I like how the excess straps can be slid into those front slots so they are out of the way.”
“I took it out in a driving rain and I stayed out in it for a couple of hours and it kept me dry.”
John Neporadny
Freelance Outdoor Writer
Mike Pehanich closes with this:
“Never before has such careful and thorough thought gone into anglers’ storm wear. I can only guess what the next generation FXE Stormsuit will be like. Right now, I can only think in terms of science fiction.”