Mustang survival suits

There was a little bit of discussion of these suits in a thread from late last week. That discussion got me thinking about looking at one.

Mustang coverall

I try hard to fish (open water) at least once a week during the winter. Whenever I leave, I always get some gentle prodding from my wife to be as careful as possible. I wear my life jacket 95% of the time, but I fear it would do little good if I hit 35 degree water with a full array of cold weather clothing weighing me down.

These suits seem like an interesting approach to staying alive if you go in the drink during the winter. I guess I have some questions for guys that use on of these suits:

(1) Do they really keep you warm and dry when you’re in the boat? Do you wear them over your normal outerwear, or does the suit replace your normal outerwear?

(2) How is your mobility in one of these suits? I need to be able to move around the boat, and I don’t want to feel like the Michelin man when wearing one.

(3) How does the sizing run? I’m a 6 foot, 180 pound guy…do I allow extra room in the suit for layering, especially if I have to wear my normal array of outerwear underneath the suit?

Thanks guys! If I pull the trigger and buy one, I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Jason, when I was in the Navy on Submarines at Groton, CT & when the sub went to the north pole, we used them. They were warm & you could move around in them. If we needed we would put an extra layer on.

I went to the ice show this weekend and they something similar. They were bibs and a jacket for >$300. She said they could float a 280 lb guy. I found them online at http://www.idigear.com/arctic.html. Everyone has some out now even Vexilar (though not waterproof or windproof) and Ice Armor for big $$$ You might as well get something that floats if your going to spend that kind of $$.

Just another floating option.

Ferny

My son who is in the Navy gave me one of these jackets that acturally was on a member of the deck crew on the USS Teddy Roosevelt (nuclear aircraft carrier). It is absolutely the warmest and best fitting jacket that I have ever worn. It is just air tight with a built in life preserver. It is very easy to manuever. At least this navy version is just fantastic! :yay

Jason, You have a PM.

Jason, our fire department has them. They are awesome things. I’m sure they would meet all your needs. You may even want to think about a dry suit that divers use and then use a life jacket. If you are gonna do it tough the Mustang suit is the way to go.

I’m on my third season in the worksuit (MS2175, I think). It replaces my outerwear. I wear it over polarfleece long underwear (tops and bottoms), a turtleneck, a sweater, a north face fleece vest, and insulated jeans and it keeps me warm the coldest fishing conditions provided I have appropriate neck/headwear. I fish in subfreezing conditions on a regular basis and it is the best piece of clothing/equipment I own. At this point I consider it indispensable. I wear it when the air temp is below 40, and usually switch to my mustang bomber jacket from 40-50 degrees.

Mobility in my suit is great. It’s like a snowsuit. I’ve heard guys say you have to break them in, but I got mine used on Ebay and it was perfect from the get-go.

Sizing seems “normal.” I’m 5’10” and 180 pounds. I wear a large and I bet it would fit you perfectly as well.

John

John: Thank you VERY much! Just the kind of info I was hoping for. -Jason

Quote:

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I’ve heard guys say you have to break them in

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When we would get a new one they were pretty stiff till it was broken in. That would usually take a couple of times of wearing it.

Jason- Mobility is limited in a brand new suit. I find them about perfect after two months of heavy fishing. They do work, I have tried them in a cold pool, and it is unreal how warm you stay in the water.

They are a priceless tool when fishing cold conditions!

I bought a used one from this site about a month ago. I tried it out yesterday. The temp was 15 with a wind gusting to ~25 mph. I wore long johns and sweats and was just fine. I kneel on one leg by the hole alot…just habit. The knee did not get cold and the material was wet on the outside, but the sweats inside were dry.

As stated mobility is exactly the same as any snowmoble suit.

I thought about this for a while before bought…$250 for a used pece of clothing….after yesterday I know why I bought it.

I ordered up my mustang gear today. From the site at the top of this thread.
MJ6270 IRX Extreme Jacket Ice Rider in red/carbon and
MP4225 Integrity™ HX Bib Pant in red/carbon.