Insulated vs Non-Insulated Bibs

I have been using non-insulated ice armor bibs for about 5 years. I always just wear some fleece long underwear and seem to stay pretty warm. Heck, I’ll even sweat in them if it’s weather like this last week unless I shed the fleece layer.

For Christmas the wife bought me an insulated pair of bibs. They seem to be very warm. I haven’t tried them yet, but I worry they will be too warm except when it’s 0 degrees out. I know I won’t need long underwear anymore, that’s for sure.

I’m debating returning the insulated bibs and getting a new jacket instead (I could use a new one). But there’s gotta be a reason everyone has the insulated bibs, right? What am I missing?

Figured the best help would be around here!

Some people are very cold when it’s 32 degrees and require additional warmth, and there are some like myself that have both insulated and non insulated for extreme cold weather. Some never fish inside a house. and others never fish outside of one different strokes for different folks.

I like insulated bibs, if it’s too warm you can zip the sides from the top down to vent.

I use to wear non-insulated bibs also until about 4 yrs. ago then I bought a pair of insulated bibs. I zip the sides down from the top how ever far I need on warmer days to vent like Ben said. But I also do not use a shack at all.

When I wear my insulated bibs on the ice, if it’s not below 0 I sometimes wear basketball shorts under them with my 1600 gram boots. On a day like today I’m wearing under armor and bibs and I’ll be just fine. They’re nice to have for days like this.

I wear insulated bibs with either blue jeans or sweats. Most of the time I won’t wear a coat just a sweat shirt and a flannel shirt.

I use both. Depends on weather. I default to uninsulated and sometimes get cold because of it.

Well, from the responses thus far, it looks like I should keep the great gift. I figured I was thinking this over too much and should just use them. I think I’ll be zipping them down often, but do like the fact I won’t need the fleece layer any longer.

Thanks for the help!

The striker climate suit, what I’ve been wearing for a few years, is one of the warmest… But it also has layers, zippers and vents in all the right locations to make it an all weather suit.

Going to walk aways…
Going to sit a while….

Works for both.

Most other suits lack the versatility

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

The striker climate suit, what I’ve been wearing for a few years, is one of the warmest… But it also has layers, zippers and vents in all the right locations to make it an all weather suit.

Going to walk aways…
Going to sit a while….

Works for both.

Most other suits lack the versatility

x-2👍🏻👍🏻

I own the Striker Predator bibs and they are the warmest bibs I’ve ever owned. I wear gym shorts underneath and I am plenty warm and will even be a little too warm all the way down to 0 degrees. Like earlier posts have mentioned, you can use the zippers to ventilate if needed.

Another vote for the Striker Suits. Insanely warm and very versatile.

I wore the full Climate Suit (with top and bottom liner in) for the first time Sunday. Sat out in -25+ Wind Chill and was not one bit cold. Had only sweat pants and a sweatshirt underneath. I was amazed to be honest.

Normally I wear them without the liner, but having the versatility depending on the weather that day is an awesome feature.

I bought my first pair of real ice-fishing bibs this past fall. I just don’t know why I didn’t do it years ago. The padded knees and seat are great as well as being water proof.

I with the Frabill I2’s non-insulated. I am one who gets too warm too easily and sweats. Then I feel miserable. I also live in a state with year round fishing and can go out on warm March or even April days. If it is real cold I will just go with heavier long-johns. I got a heck of a deal on amazon. So I did not actually try them before I bought.

There are a few faults with them. I wish there were a pocket on the chest for a phone. The suspenders don’t have buckles. They are always attached and you tighten them up and they clamp down. The fly does not open. There is a piece of fabric behind the zipper. When the zipper goes down, it just expands the bibs. When it is time to “pour some water off the potatoes”, you have to pull down the bibs and “mister happy” has to reach up. It just doesn’t work well. I am having the girlfriend cut the piece behind the zipper out of them and sew up the loose ends.

I am going to try on some Ice Armor Edge bibs when I get a chance. I believe those are also un-insulated.

disco bobber wrote:

I am having the girlfriend cut the piece behind the zipper out of them and sew up the loose ends.

When I first got my I4’s, it was a PITA to “relieve” myself while wearing them. It is for if/when you have water in your lap. Water will go through the zipper, and the flap will keep it from saturating big Jim and the twins. There’s nothing worse than having a cold willie…

I prefer to go with 3 layers, my outer pant layer is a softshell that is water resistant. I dont like bibs; I have a bad shoulder that gets irritated from the shoulder strap and i don’t like bulky outerwear.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

The striker climate suit, what I’ve been wearing for a few years, is one of the warmest… But it also has layers, zippers and vents in all the right locations to make it an all weather suit.

Going to walk aways…
Going to sit a while….

Works for both.

Most other suits lack the versatility

Yep! Right there with you, exactly as stated.

Recently when its been warmer than normal this time of year, I keep my bib liner in and just wear shorts underneath. It makes it extremely easy to stay mobile on the ice and I’m still plenty warm. Then when its cold, I just wear light sweats with the liner in. I like this way better than having to layer a bunch underneath, which always make me feel like its harder to move. Versatility to the max!