need new bibs

Has anyone else found that their bibs wear out well before the jacket of any ice fishing suit? My one year old frabill ice suit bibs have ripped twice one the inseam in the last 2 weeks. The first time I patched it up, then it happened on the other side and now I want a new pair. Frabill wants me to send them in for a warranty claim but it the middle of the season, how would I fish while waiting for them to send me new pair of bibs that I don’t have confidence in anymore?
I am going to go with striker, but I don’t know whether to get predator or guardian. I don’t mind layering so having a lighter bib option like the guardian for late ice season or fall/spring fishing seems appealing to me. What do you guys think?

I have found that the bibs do wear out faster. Probably because I hole hope and do not always have a comfy seat so the knees hit the ice. Might even think about buying 2 bibs for 1 jacket. In regards to the Frabill bibs a buddy had his knees rip and sent them back to Frabill. The replaced the entire suit. He has 2 jackets for 1 bib LOL.

In deciding which Striker suit to go with I would suggest the Predator. I personally do not like separate liners and would rather layer clothing then have a liner. I got the Striker Lite (last year’s Model) and it has been plenty warm. with minimal layering. I believe the predator is the next step up so it should be even warmer.

Is the Frabil ice suit what they are calling the Snosuit now? My Snosuit is going on Im not sure of how many season now with just minor wear. Thinking maybe 5 or 6 years now. If you could find a older version of them buy it.

Seriously if you wore out ice suit bibs you’ll destroy predator bibs in 1/2 the time. I have both of them and the ice suit is better constructed. I like the predator suit I have but I only wear it for bad ice conditions or cold water boat fishing. The ice suit is a thicker tougher material than my predator suit. IMHO

My insulated Carhart bibs simply will not wear out. Nylon is not a tough material and will not stand up to a single spark or hot surface without burning/melting.

I have the regular Ice Strikers and have yet to put the insulation in them. They’re warm as chit. I don’t expect to get 10 seasons out of them like my old Carhartt bibs, but so far (2 seasons, weekly use) they’ve held up well. The material is a bit delicate but i’ve been extra careful with them. I’d buy them again-sometimes performance outweighs durability.

I just bought the striker predator and LOVE it!!fits great and is very warm even in below zero conditions! I had the vexilar ice suit before and that suit doesnt compare to the striker!

5 or 6 years on my old Striker Mojo bibs, wear them in the boat spring and fall, used for riding the quad and sled when I have one and ice fishing wash the fish slime off they look like new yet….

I have had the Striker bibs for 3 years now I really like them. I have a Predator suit for lighter days. I also had a Hardwater suit in my opinion it is too warm for me.

The climate is the best for all seasons. It has the warmth when you need it. It is more useful throughout the year. I wear the inside jacket during the spring.

I really like the striker lineup for durability and innovation. I feel the design of the suit is well thought out.

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My insulated Carhart bibs simply will not wear out.

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X2 My Extremes are around 10 yrs old and still going strong. I’m not so much for ice fishing but I really punish them doing firewood. I’ve even snagged’m a couple times with the saw chain with no frayed out holes. jerr

Im on year two with my Stiker climates, and half way through my first season with the predator suit. I dont think either will have an issue ling term. The climate is the ultimate suit for the guy who wants the warm in the winter, and just enough in fall/spring after taking out the liner. If you like to layer, get the guardian. Its a lightly insulated shell. As far as durability, I have put my climate suit through the ringer, between the sleds, atv’s, fall and spring fishing and Ice fishing, and blowing snow around home, the suit has never let me down, and I know if it ever does, I will buy another.

I think it odd that this comes up right after Christmas and New Years… How much you been eat’n?

I have beaten the crap outta my Climate suit and have not had any issues with it. IMO best 3 season suit on the market.
I know a lot of people that love their predator suits. Plenty warm and gives you a chance to layer (you wont need to much).
These suits are well made and well thought out. The easiest thing to do is go to the store and try on the different kinds and see which ones you like best.

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Is the Frabil ice suit what they are calling the Snosuit now? My Snosuit is going on Im not sure of how many season now with just minor wear. Thinking maybe 5 or 6 years now. If you could find a older version of them buy it.

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No the ice suit is an insulated jacket and bib outfit with less features than the more expensive sno suit that can be purchased separately.

Also, the leading cause of crotch failures is not adjusting the suspenders where the bibs are up into the crotch. I see snowmobilers all the time with low hanging bibs ripp them when swinging a leg over the sled. I always do a little Michael Jackson crotch tug before mounting a sled or ATV, or before kneeling at an ice hole.

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