Ice Fishing Bibs

Seeing that things are going on sale. I am thinking of upgrading my bibs. Just wondering what bibs everyone has and why they picked them over brand X. Thank you for your replies.

Ill be the first of many to say it, Striker Ice. I got the predator bibs earlier this season, they are amazing. Seemed to be much more durable over the other brands.

I may be the exception, but I really like the Frabill suits. I have I2’s and I4’s. The I2’s are great for any weather up to about 0 degrees. That’s where the I4’s come into play. I have not fished in any weather that I have been cold while wearing them. They hold up good, fit excellent and are incredibly warm. I have worn a pair of Strikers, they’re nice but I don’t see enough positives over the Frabill’s to justify a switch…

I have, however, found that I like wearing less insulated bibs and a more insulated coat. I really only wear the coat on extreme cold days and while riding from spot to spot.

Its all personal preference when it comes to the big brands flagship bibs and jackets. For my boat I have Frabill F4s and they are great. For ice fishing I just picked up the new Ice Armor xtreme cold weathers and they too are pretty sweet. They float like the strikers do if that is a selling point for you (to me it doesnt matter) and they have a great zip in and out liner.

This is a simple matter of which brand may fit you better and personal preference,I have striker ice climate for fit flotation durability and the fact that is has removable liner making it more of an all season choice.

Thanks to IDO, I was lucky enough to win a Striker Predator Suit earlier this year. And wow, I couldn’t imagine anything out there being better! Warmth, float, all the pockets, air vents, comfort, easy to move around in, reinforced knees, zippers all along the sides. They are fantastic.

RM wrote:

Ill be the first of many to say it, Striker Ice. I got the predator bibs earlier this season, they are amazing. Seemed to be much more durable over the other brands.

They are nice, but I really don’t like dealing with the gators on the bottom of the bibs. Has anyone just cut theirs off?

Striker climate.

Float
Versatile in warmth
Durable

Ferrari of ice fishing suits

I just upgraded from my trusty carhartt’s to the frabill i3 suit just recently actually. Gander had the bibs on sale (still do) so I thought I would give them a try. Needless to say they obviously beat out the carhartts 10 to 1. I would’ve liked to give the striker suit a try but buying both the bibs and jacket were a bit out of my price range. I’m really happy with them so far plenty of warmth and pockets for storage and they look good. Actually have to take the jacket off walking out on the ice otherwise I get too hot but I believe like others said it’s your personal preference. I’d definitely recommend just going somewhere and trying a variety of them on though to get a feel for each. I wish I would have upgraded long ago that’s for sure.

I have the Predator suit. Like many of you, I like them. But I do believe they can be improved on. First off, the entire suit utilizes snaps velcro, magnets and zippers for flap closures. The snaps on the hand towels are ridiculous. They ruined a nice little feature by attaching them with ineffective snaps. The towels fall off.

Based on my experience with Guidewear, simple is better. They need to minimize the types of closures they use. Magnets and zippers would be great for instance and attach the hand towels with some other means.

Pocket placement. The thigh pockets on the bibs are tough to use when you are kneeling and hole hopping. When you kneel down they are covered by the coat but more of a problem to me is that they are on my thighs, when I kneel that pocket tightens up, I carry my small tackle boxes in them and they get nearly impossible to get too. The side of the leg or hip is a much better place for these pockets which would require a bit shorter leg zipper. I am ok with that as well, not sure a zipper needs to go dang near to my armpit. I am also confused by the zippered pant pocket access. It is hard to get into and I can use the leg zipper to access my pockets easier.

The placement of the hand warmer pocket on the jacket makes no sense to me. These would be better suited to be in the chest area similar to the bid hand warmer pockets. In the side seam of the cargo pocket is strange because you have to put you hand in at a weird angle but also if you have stuff in your cargo pocket it rests on the back of your hand, if it is a small tackle box the cold of the box transmits to your hands. Kind of defeats the purpose.

All in all, they are a nice product, maybe one of the better, that can be improved. If you will notice my suggestions actually reduce the complexity of the bib, which may ultimately reduce cost.

Striker!!

go Striker, the fact you can get them for pretty much 1/2 off right now is insane…just hope you have a slightly off normal size as the typical sizes have been flying off the shelves lately..

holmsvc wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Riley Marth wrote:</div>
Ill be the first of many to say it, Striker Ice. I got the predator bibs earlier this season, they are amazing. Seemed to be much more durable over the other brands.

They are nice, but I really don’t like dealing with the gators on the bottom of the bibs. Has anyone just cut theirs off?

yep a buddy of mine did he modifys everything.

Another vote for Striker Ice Predator bibs, I thought the towels were nice but wash them sometimes, they get stinky… I like that you can adjust the length to make the bibs the perfect fit. I have nothing bad to say about them!

Striker predators this year as well. Absolutely love them.

Striker . Bought bibs and jacket last year should have done it years ago. Worth the money zipper to thigh great so I can leave my boots on ,floater suit while on the ice ,no brainer.
If some happens to these I will buy another set.

They are nice, but I really don’t like dealing with the gators on the bottom of the bibs. Has anyone just cut theirs off?

Yes I did. Perfect now

I think the comments about the pockets and such are spot on. They aren’t perfect, but better than anything else I’ve owned. Room for improvement for sure. I also cut my gaiters off. Be careful doing that though and don’t try to rip em off. They share a stitch with the leg and if you pull that the whole leg comes apart. Don’t ask me how I know that. LOL

Striker Climate!

Striker Climate. Don,t care for the gators but other than that love them. I disagree on moving the pockets to the side. I’ve worn pants like that and they snag and roll under hopping into the truck & walking around. I also like the long zipper so I can leave my boots on too!

Another vote for Striker bibs here. Won’t buy anything else after getting my first set of Predators. Went from a no name brand and used to have to wear long johns and jeans underneath. Did that the first time with my Preds and sweat my ass of in 5 degree weather. Now all I wear underneath are basketball shorts. Those things are so warm. Love all the pockets and the hand rags also. Definitely worth the $$.

Judging by all the replies, I am thinking I might look at the Striker bibs.

Who’s got the best price?!?!?!

Field & Stream did a few days ago, but most of their stock has been depleted. 40% off then add another 15% off for first time customers… Jacket ended up being $102

I’m not familiar with the lingo, are the “gators” you are all talking about the nylon water proof fabric that fits tight over your ankle?

JoeMX1825 wrote:

I’m not familiar with the lingo, are the “gators” you are all talking about the nylon water proof fabric that fits tight over your ankle?

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Yes

Reeds has an awesome sale right now!

Field Supply has some incredible deals on the Frabill gear, if you are not already sold on Striker. Ordered a new set of F2’s for the boat as my FXE’s are wearing out.

am I the only guy wearing old coveralls on the ice nowadays? carhartt look alikes

slipbob_nick wrote:

am I the only guy wearing old coveralls on the ice nowadays? carhartt look alikes

Did it for years. Knees can’t handle the cold wet ice anymore

I am still using a set of SnoSuit that I bought the year before Frabill bought them and LOVE them!
I hear alot of good things about StirkerIce but my next suit will probably be a Frabill i4 or i5.