Original Snowsuit – I believe it was by Frabil – Who had or still have

How many here had or still have the original snowsuit. They were a big thing when they came out with the members on this site. They were Grey with Black padded knee pads and 4 pockets on the front of the Bibs. For those who had these and have since moved onto something newer. What are your thoughts on the original compared to some of the new models. Mainly looking for warmth, weight, durability. I still have the original Bibs ( Never had the Jacket ) I really love the ones I have ( Other than the weight and bulk ) I think I can still get another season or 2 out of the current one. May start to look for a replacement soon. I know this is primary striker country but I’m not set on that brand just yet. They seem really nice but I have not ever bothered to try on a set yet. I better start saving my pennies – They don’t come cheap. I hope to possibly find some on clearance here soon. Maybe if I find a deal it will be time to pull the trigger.

I have the original Snosuit jacket and bibs. I’m not giving them up. There’s nothing comparable now. You guys can have your striker, Eskimo, or whatever. They don’t fit like the Snosuit does.

My jacket is a L and is a little big on me. If anyone has a M, I’ll buy it.

Frabill actually bought out the Snosuit company and (I think) shut them down a few years later. Quite a shame. I think they were a local WI company. They produced them under the Frabill name as the FXE Snosuit, which were nearly identical to the original Snosuit.

I still have them. The bibs have been good, but the jacket has been tearing on the inside for a few years. Now I noticed the pocket on the top front I put my phone in is torn now too. It is still warm, but overall I am not impressed with the jacket build quality. I am thinking of going to Simms next. I have heard good things from people I trust.

Still wearing my snosuit. Thinking about retiring it but its very warm. Biggest concern is buying something that is not as warm.

I’ll take my Striker solely because it floats. Peace of mind is priceless.

eyeguy507 wrote:

I’ll take my Striker solely because it floats. Peace of mind is priceless.

Floats is nice. But I need something to keep me warm the 40-60 days a year I wear it more than the 0 times I’ve fell through in my 55 years of life. I get the whole float thing, but I think people should be smart and not put themselves in a position where they have to rely on if their ice suit floats or not. I have heard more than a few guys that says, now that my bibs will float I fish 4-5 more times a ice season – That’s telling me they now are willing to push the limits and rely on the clothing to keep them alive – That’s bad decisions making if you ask me. Once again don’t get me wrong. If the other requirements are there in a floating set I’ll be more than willing to buy them and look at the floating feature as a added bonus.

Still have an Original Sno Suit….Looks and wears like brand new…

I still have mine. I bought it here used from James after he used it for a few years. It’s a bit heavy but its warm and I have yet to consider retiring it but I would like a lighter unit eventually.

fishthumper wrote:

That’s telling me they now are willing to push the limits and rely on the clothing to keep them alive – That’s bad decisions making if you ask me. Once again don’t get me wrong. If the other requirements are there in a floating set I’ll be more than willing to buy them and look at the floating feature as a added bonus.

Totally agree FThump. Then again who plans on going in?

The added safety is great as long as a person is still using their head.

Never had the SnoSuit and am not trying to jack the thread. But how many people actually go through in a season where the floatation actually saves someone? Not knocking it, as my Hardwater suit is amazing. But I think the whole floatation thing is overblown. If you’re not out of the water in like 15 minutes hypothermia will get you long before you drown.

al-wichman wrote:

Never had the SnoSuit and am not trying to jack the thread. But how many people actually go through in a season where the floatation actually saves someone? Not knocking it, as my Hardwater suit is amazing. But I think the whole floatation thing is overblown. If you’re not out of the water in like 15 minutes hypothermia will get you long before you drown.

Funny you bring that up. I attempted to research that very point yesterday. What I found were articles sponsored by Frabil and In-Fisherman. One of which made the correlation that life jackets are required by law in boats, why not on ice.

That’s when I threw my phone a cross the room.

I went in last year in my striker bibs. Was in pretty shallow water, but the bibs made it super easy to ‘swim’ back up on top of the ice. Was on the back of a snowmobile and went over a crack that had about 16 inches of ice on one side and 2 inches on the other.

I never felt in much trouble as I was very close to shore, but it was a good ‘test’ of the flotation and really made me feel glad I have them.

Don’t plan on going through the ice ever again, but stuff happens.

If only the striker bibs had a belt on them, they kill my back after a day of ice fishing.

Anyone that ice fishes should make sure they at least watch a few videos on the best way to get out of the water if you fall in, floating bibs or not.

al-wichman wrote:

Never had the SnoSuit and am not trying to jack the thread. But how many people actually go through in a season where the floatation actually saves someone? Not knocking it, as my Hardwater suit is amazing. But I think the whole floatation thing is overblown. If you’re not out of the water in like 15 minutes hypothermia will get you long before you drown.

I believe the floating suit gives you a much better opportunity to pull yourself out, rather that fighting to just stay afloat.

I have wondered if the young couple that went through Red a couple years ago, had they been wearing floatation suits maybe they could have pulled themselves out?

philtickelson wrote:

Don’t plan on going through the ice ever again, but stuff happens.

That’s a great testimony Phil.

Despite any and all precautions, accidents are never planned. We don’t buckle our seat belts “planning” on an accident either.

My Sno Suit is going up for sale soon.

cbeeksma wrote:

Still have an Original Sno Suit….Looks and wears like brand new…

X2

Hi Matt – I know this is a long shot (almost year later) but if you still have your Large and are interested in a perfect condition Medium we could work on a trade? I’ve sent a friend request via here. Let me know

Absolutely! I still have mine and don’t hunk I’ve used it in the past year. Luckily I haven’t gained any weight over the past year.

Used mine for lots of years and will again this year!