Unhappy with my current blue ice fishing coat. Looking at Striker. There are several options. What do I want? I fish mainly in Canada, and it never fails to be below zero my entire trip. So I want it as warm as they come.
What do I get? Predator? Climate? Hardwater? Guardian?
Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.
FF
I was told by a Striker Rep that the Climate is the warmest. The Bibs have a removable liner for extra warmth so does the jacket. The nice thing about Striker products is it is easy to adjust the inseam length. BUT when doing this with the Climate bibs the liner does not “hem” up nicely. I just took the liner out and it is better and plenty warm. If I had to do it all over I would go Hard water bibs and then Climate jacket. I heard on this forum that the codura is heaver on the hardwater. Also please note the sizes run a little small. 2XL = 1XL
This coming from a cold sensitive guy. Previous to this I used a SnoSuit that I also liked but was starting to wear.
Unhappy with my current blue ice fishing coat. Looking at Striker. There are several options. What do I want? I fish mainly in Canada, and it never fails to be below zero my entire trip. So I want it as warm as they come.
What do I get? Predator? Climate? Hardwater? Guardian?
Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.
I know I’ll buck the trend here but I recommend the Predator and wear a good down puffy jacket under on the cold days. I have the Hardwater and just hate how heavy and bulky it is… I rarely use it because of that. Buddies have the climate and I think it’s actually heavier with the liner jacket.
FWIW I fish NW Ontario at least 3 trips every winter and haven’t brought a fish house for the last 10 years. Was up on WFB last weekend and Friday was -27 in the morning to a high of -10. I still only wore the hardwater jacket for snowmobile rides.
I also have hardwater and lite (predecessor to the predator) bibs and the lites are just so much more comfortable to wear for a full day.
Usually everyone recommends the Climate on these topics. But if you understand and like the concept of layering… go for the Predator for sure.
I agree about the Predator. Nice and light and plenty warm. If it’s below zero you may need an extra layer. I tried the climate on and was just too bulky with the liner in
I have the Hardwater and just hate how heavy and bulky it is… I rarely use it because of that. Buddies have the climate and I think it’s actually heavier with the liner jacket.
FWIW I fish NW Ontario at least 3 trips every winter and haven’t brought a fish house for the last 10 years. Was up on WFB last weekend and Friday was -27 in the morning to a high of -10. I still only wore the hardwater jacket for snowmobile rides.
You hate the Hardwater? Great, mine just arrived today. Sure would like to have had it though the last couple days at Mille Lacs with -30 below wind chills. Would have been nice to have when I stepped out of the sleeper house for a smoke. 
Anyway, I think for any one of us the application fits different folks. I’m an older more sedentary fellow now and it doesn’t take much to put a chill in me that is hard to shake. This Hardwater will be used for ice fishing, however after asking for input on an another thread…I will be wearing it on other bitter cold days. I am one of those that has to stand at the bus stop on work days and it didn’t take long on some days that I dearly wished I had the warmest coat possible. I’m thinking/hoping this Hardwater coat will satisfy my multiple applications.
Just out of the package today… 
Striker.jpg
I ordered the Hardwater jacket and bibs . Don,t have to wear much for layers is my reasoning .
Also thinking of a Hardwater coat as I have seen a few sites where I can get one for $184 but I am hestitant after hearing some folks feel they are too bulky. Was thinking it could be a coat I could wear on cold spring or fall days but sounds like it might be too much coat for those days.
Where are some places in the Twin Cities (hopefully closer to the NW Suburbs) that would have the selection to try on?
I ordered the Hardwater jacket and bibs . Don,t have to wear much for layers is my reasoning .
Exactly. For me too!
Also thinking of a Hardwater coat as I have seen a few sites where I can get one for $184 but I am hestitant after hearing some folks feel they are too bulky. Was thinking it could be a coat I could wear on cold spring or fall days but sounds like it might be too much coat for those days.
$184 would be a great price! But yes, it would be overkill for any fall/spring weather. This for me will almost be better on those days when a bus breaks down and I’m standing out there in below 0 temps for 45 minutes or more. I have been much more frozen in such circumstances than anything ice fishing related.
Where are some places in the Twin Cities (hopefully closer to the NW Suburbs) that would have the selection to try on?
Right now, I don’t think there are. That’s what I was looking for from NW metro, but I found now they’re all out of stock. This is late in the season now for ice fishing gear, and now what is left is going on clearance. I just ordered sight unseen and seeing and trying it on now…it’s spectacular. Fits perfect and no more frigid bus waiting punishment.
That and I’ll look so “boss” on the ice…fishing! 
I’ve got the Predator and am never cold. It’s above 0, I wear a sweatshirt and sweatpants on it. If it’s below 0, I wear a base layer plus sweatshirt and sweatpants. If its 20s or 30s, usually the bibs and a sweatshirt or unzipping some of the zippers works. Lightweight and easy to move, warm, great for freezing cold fishing in the winter and cool fall or spring days in the boat.
I love the predator; I’ve been out on multiple twelve+ hour days well into negatives (forgot the heater one of those days as well, oops ) with just sweatpants and a sweatshirt underneath and never had any issues with core temperature. IMO boots and gloves are where you’ll really see a difference in warmth.
I also have been looking at purchasing a striker jacket. I prefer to layer. I have seen all four models. I was wondering how the climate jacket without the liner would compare in warmth to the predator. I’ve sent a E-mail to striker, but have not heard back yet. I did look at the guardian, but seemed like some of the pockets were different than other model. Might have to re-look. I just thought possibly the predator could be too warm on mild days.
Just received reply from Striker. They said the Climate without the liner warmth rating would be about a 5.
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