I finally get to buy a new ice fishing suit, and after having Clam’s Blue suit I am thinking about getting a Sno Suit. My only real concern after doing all kinds of reading is are they to warm for the nicer days on the ice. I would need it to be a year round type of suit and I am concerned about the warmer days and late ice. What have you guys run into?
On the warmer days, I keep an extra hoodie available to keep me warm if the Snosuit is roasting me. There’s no fooling, those suits are incredibly warm. If I know I’ll be making lots of adjustments by moving on the ice, I’ll keep the coat off and the bibs unzipped when I’m walking. If it’s going to be a long walk, I’ll throw the entire suit in the bottom of my house and put it on when I get there.
Personally I don’t believe you’ll have any problems if you go with the Snosuit. 
I like the bibs. I wear mine from October to April. the open nature of the bibs allow you to strip down if you get too warm.
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I like the bibs. I wear mine from October to April. the open nature of the bibs allow you to strip down if you get too warm.
x2…….the zippered vents on the bibs and jacket help also
I’d like to second many of the previous thoughts; The Snosuit is designed to keep sportsman warm during the Fall/Winter/Spring seasons. It is a suit designed for the guy that “scoffs” at Wind chills. Still with this being said I too will be found wearing just my bibs during fall trip and spring trips in the boat. I prefer to layer with a wicking shirt then fleece and follow with a Snosuit Hoodie over top of the bibs. If you care take a gander at Snosuits motto “Science of Warmth” THEY TRULY GET IT!! Being cold is definately overrated while being comfortable is seemingly priceless. If during the winter day it does warm to the point the jacket isn’t needed the bibs and sweatshirt tend to be perfect say if your actively searching holes. The otherday it was about 33 degrees as we transported customers nearly 19 miles out onto Rainy Lake one way. I’m not sure what the windchill factor is when your burning 50 mph into 15 mph directional winds, but it was brisk. 
Prior to as I headed out my front door I was wearing my Frabill “stormsuit” which has been simply wonderful all summer long (NO LEAKS IN ANIMALS PAIRING UP RAIN STORMS), and then said……I’m going to error on the side of caution and strap on my “Snosuit”. Putting on my snosuit turned out to be a great decision. That may have been the most enjoyable “Fall Transport” I’ve made in many years. Peering back at customers wearing well known retail store branded raingear it was quite obvious they were a bit CHILLY though the suits were sure snazzy in nature 
. There is little doubt you’ll thoroughly enjoy all aspects of the “Snosuit” from Frabill during this years ice fishing trips, but beyond that those spring and fall outings give anglers double and triple duty on that suit!! DO NOT overlook Snosuits GLOVES!! That reminds me…..I LOST MY GLOVES LAST YEAR……OR DID I 
When your office space looks like this every morning from December through April…….YOU DEMAND THE BEST!! http://www.snosuit.com/ 
Where would be a good place to try on a suit for size ?
I was wondering the same thing. I am thinking I may have to go to the ice show this year. I am thinking they will have everything under one roof. Is there normally deal to be found in suits over there?
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Where would be a good place to try on a suit for size ?
Here’s the Frabill dealers listed for Rochester, MN
Dick’s Sporting Goods:
4603 Maine Ave Se Rochester MN 55904
Mills Fleet Farm
4891 Maine Avenue Se Rochester MN 55904
Gander Mountain
3470 55Th Street Nw Rochester MN 55901
I can’t guarantee that all or any of these stores will have Snosuit in stock at this time but might be worth a call or a stop if you’re nearby one of these locations to see.
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I was wondering the same thing. I am thinking I may have to go to the ice show this year. I am thinking they will have everything under one roof. Is there normally deal to be found in suits over there?
The ice show in St. Paul will have multiple dealers as the Snosuit has been in high demand at that event the last couple years. Thorne Bro, Reeds, Marine General and others… they’ll all have them at the ice show.
Sno Suit has eliminated the need for expensive long underwear aka under armour. I can honestly say that fishing in blue jeans without long johns is the norm with these bibs, long sleeve T-shirt with a hoodie is enough with the jacket one as well. Your not having to layer as much with this Sno Suit as well, if you want to stay warm zip up everthing tight and go for a short walk, you will notice the warmth build as you move around. Much like a flasher I don’t think I could ice fish without a Sno Suit.
In regards to sizing I would suggest a good fitting pair of bibs with a slightly oversized coat. Just my preference. Oversized bibs are a true “DRAG” in heavy snow or slush, but the oversized coat allows anglers to layer accordingly. Much of the season in all honesty my coat is utilized in transportation to and from our fishing locations. Once we are set up I am down to the warm bibs and “Snosuit” hoodie. Give me more mobility for ridiculous hook sets.
Just an FYI…
Joe’s Sporting Goods in St. Paul has some left over that are the original sno suit. I say that because IF they have your size and you are OK with the colors they have I would suggest you buy the original. I wish I would have. I bought the new FXE which is now made overseas and am extremely disappointed in it versus the original NON FXE. The FXE is not made near as heavy weight as the original. Also my seams on the coat and bids are separating after 1 year of ice fishing only. I take very good care of my things and hang both bibs and coat when I get home to ensure they dry. I would send it back but I had to send my Storm Suit back for the same seams issue and bibs on the butt and crotch would get wet when I simply sat on a wet seat. Frabill did say there was a failure with the bibs and the stitching on the coat. However they said they are in-between seasons and that they would not send them back to me OR send me a replacement until February.
My point is, Sno Suit used to be Sno Suit now it is Frabill and they are NOT the same product. PLEASE NOTE this is my opinion. I have no problem with a small company selling to a big company, BUT when the big company changes the product line you need to ask what model Sno Suit and where it was made.
Thx
We certainly are all entitled to our opinions Tom. I too own and literally live in both my Stormsuit and Snosuit depending on the season. Last year I was on the ice 73 days and so was my FXE “Snosuit” manufactured by now Frabill. That doesn’t even take into consideration the double duty time my suit gets filling our wood boiler and both spring and fall guiding. I have not a single stitching issue with either my bibs or jacket. I did however drop my coat on top of my Mr. Heater head melting a nice little spot on the inside of the jacket. I’m not sure I own a jacket without a Mr. Heater Tatoo. 
I guess it is truly “Seasoned” now. I too also had the original “Snosuit” prior to Frabill purchasing the line. That suit was very warm of course, but in all honesty I used to almost die walking around in it. If I recall correctly I asked James if there was Lead in that suit when filming one time! LOL!! I believe as do many that this is by far the warmest and toughest suit on the market today, but much appreciative of the slightly lighter design in the FXE.
My Stormsuit as a sidebar was absolutely the best complete set of Raingear I’ve ever owned. I literally have had sideways rain a few times this guide season and did not get wet at all.
I am not discounting your experience in anyway Tom, but rather want to point out there is always a case here and there that companies need to look at and address. Possibly a bad Stitch job, bad batch of thread….. on a suit or other isolated instances. I am confident Frabill will take very good care of you as soon as they are able to.
Thank you, AGAIN this was my opinion and being that I do have issues with BOTH products I was just letting the poster know my experience and letting him know that there may be other options original VS new Sno Suits
The Storm Suit is an AWESOME design but did have issues and failed quality according to Frabill hence they will be replacing.
Maybe I should contact them on the new style Sno Suit as well. As I am sure they will offer the same level of service they are offering with the failed Storm Suit.
Options are a good thing and so are opinions from others.
Respectfully-
Tom
Changed design based on product failures is not something I’m aware of in regards to the “Stormsuit” thus cannot comment on. I haven’t witnessed anything on my suit which would warrant any replacement after year one. In all honesty in years past Rain Gear, Boots, Gloves and Ice Gear were replaced on an annual basis due to my excessive use. It was something simply I factored into my business model. Now with my new Cabelas Pac Boots, Snosuit and Stormsuit by Frabill and “Frabill gloves” I feel I can at least get 2 years out of them as they are folded up on top of my guide sleds and ready for the 2011/12 season!! 
I vividly recall my good friend whom also guides here on Rainy Lake mentioning to me this summer during a serious soaker after guiding that he and I were the ONLY guides on that big trip who stayed dry. Another of my good friends Ryan whom guides here was disgusted that his suit NOT FRABILL but “Brand Not important” was Horse **** in his words while it left him soaked!! I assure you with that being said EVERYONE was wearing some brand of rain gear that day. Only my buddy and and I had “Storm Suits”. Either way Tom…..YES opinions and options are always welcome here, and surely Frabill will continue to further raise the bar each year when it comes to extreme outerwear for sportsman like you and I who continue to demand more and more from our gear each season. Most always product developments leading into the new season are to better last years product, and that of course holds true for every product manufacturer within the industry regardless of the nature of their biz
Jeez Chris if you were only getting one yr out of your boots until your new pacboot purchase then you have been buying the wrong brand lol, multiple companies have been putting out good, warm, waterproof pacboots now for quite some time.
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Jeez Chris if you were only getting one yr out of your boots until your new pacboot purchase then you have been buying the wrong brand lol, multiple companies have been putting out good, warm, waterproof pacboots now for quite some time.
I’m lucky to get 4 – 6 months out of a winter pair. Cabelas, Irish Setter, Timberlands a couple brands from Fleetfarm… seemingly I can kill off a pair of boots in no time. I think it comes from the way I kneel at a hole with my hind end resting on my heels putting a big bend and a lot of pressure on the boot right behind the toes. Punch 100 holes a day and fish them all at least once with me kneeling like that at most every hole and the result is a set of boots that look like they’ve barely been used but they leak like a sieve by the end of the ice season.
Long story short… I’m with Chris as an ice guy still looking for the right footwear that will last more than one season.
Anyone notice the nights are dropping into the low 40’s with some good breezes?
Guess who’s out there all warm and toasty until 1-3 am fishing sturgeon…in the Sno Suit bibs. The jacket is still put away, but a tee shirt, a hoody a Float Tech PDF and the bibs is all I have.
I do take an extra jacket along, but haven’t needed it yet.
As others have said, just open up the zippers and your good to go in the warmer weather.
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Jeez Chris if you were only getting one yr out of your boots until your new pacboot purchase then you have been buying the wrong brand lol, multiple companies have been putting out good, warm, waterproof pacboots now for quite some time.
With all due respect I’m not certain we can compare a Nebraska winter to International falls. I must admit all of my gear beyond truly being “Guide Tested” gets nearly triple duty here in International Falls. My buddies who stay with me often during the ice fishing season know my daily routine From late November until April. Up around 5:30 am. FILL WOOD BOILER (GEAR ON) Shovel “Mount DAZE” driveway (GEAR ON) Get sleds and gear ready for customers (GEAR ON) Guide for the 8 hour day (GEAR ON) Come home and FILL BOILER (GEAR ON) Pray it hasn’t snowed during the trip or else Re-Shovel Mount Daze and YES (GEAR ON) Eat and talk with the family (JUST BIBS ON) and then YES you guessed it Go fill the wood boiler (GEAR ON). It is fair to say my 70+ days on the ice alone burning holes for groups at times up to 20 people and searching holes for panfish might be 5 years for an average ice fisherman? My original point being 2 years out of my FXE Snosuit considering my career as an Ice fishing guide and keeping the fire burning here in “Manland” is VERY impressive to me. Will it last 3 seasons?? I’ll be sure to tell you at the end of the 2011/12 season. Right now I feel I’m beating the system with 1!! What I can tell you is Gloves, Hats, Jackets and Boots are mandatory and are never skimped on up here in the “Ice Box” of the nation. They are not a mere accessory when temps dip to 35 degrees to look flashy. They keep guys like myself from frostbite and losing digits. I tend to take that kind of stuff pretty seriously, and the Queen does too!!
BTW Last year Holst and I filmed an ice fishing show Mid-April……You guessed it (GEAR ON). BTW I didn’t count that expedition. 
Hi, Wil & Wendy here from WorkBootHaven. We’re very interested in helping you find a durable pair of winter boots. We are sponsors of IDO Fishing and sell LaCrosse footwear. There are several PAC boots that are great for MN cold and ice fishing. Give us a call if you have questions. Thanks 
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Hi, Wil & Wendy here from WorkBootHaven. We’re very interested in helping you find a durable pair of winter boots. We are sponsors of IDO Fishing and sell LaCrosse footwear. There are several PAC boots that are great for MN cold and ice fishing. Give us a call if you have questions. Thanks
If you have links to the boots you would recommend… I’m interested in checking them out.
Agreed. Shoot me a link. I’m sure I’m not the only one that might be interested.
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Just an FYI…
Joe’s Sporting Goods in St. Paul has some left over that are the original sno suit. I say that because IF they have your size and you are OK with the colors they have I would suggest you buy the original. I wish I would have. I bought the new FXE which is now made overseas and am extremely disappointed in it versus the original NON FXE. The FXE is not made near as heavy weight as the original. Also my seams on the coat and bids are separating after 1 year of ice fishing only. I take very good care of my things and hang both bibs and coat when I get home to ensure they dry. I would send it back but I had to send my Storm Suit back for the same seams issue and bibs on the butt and crotch would get wet when I simply sat on a wet seat. Frabill did say there was a failure with the bibs and the stitching on the coat. However they said they are in-between seasons and that they would not send them back to me OR send me a replacement until February.
My point is, Sno Suit used to be Sno Suit now it is Frabill and they are NOT the same product. PLEASE NOTE this is my opinion. I have no problem with a small company selling to a big company, BUT when the big company changes the product line you need to ask what model Sno Suit and where it was made.
Thx
Thanks for the info TJB. Very interesting.
For ice fishing boots, there are none better than Lacrosse Ice Kings.
Hi James. Here are some links to our boots. Rated -70degrees.
http://www.workboothaven.com/product/367205
http://www.workboothaven.com/product/367215
And these are rated to -80 degrees.
http://www.workboothaven.com/product/200525
Thanks! Wil and Wendy
Hey Chris. A few to check out.
Here are some links to our boots. Rated -70degrees.
http://www.workboothaven.com/product/367205
http://www.workboothaven.com/product/367215
And these are rated to -80 degrees.
http://www.workboothaven.com/product/200525
Thanks!
Wil and Wendy
They are sweet. Hey Fish’n’hunt, If you want check out those links … and here is the ICE KING link.
http://www.workboothaven.com/product/600014
They are all great. Just need feet to put in ’em. lol
Thanks for the wise words on these boots!
Wil and Wendy.
Thanks for the link and I will definately check them out!!
One more question for you guys. I am looking to to the sno suits and I am wondering what series is currently being produced? I see the artic series and I see the FXE. Which one or both are available?
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One more question for you guys. I am looking to to the sno suits and I am wondering what series is currently being produced? I see the artic series and I see the FXE. Which one or both are available?
The arctic series is an older, discontinued product. The FXE is current. If you find a non-FXE suit it isn’t a current model although I’ve seen some shops that like to sell them for the same price as the FXE.
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