Which Striker ice suit to purchase

Looking at Striker’s web site and comparing the Climate, Hardwater and the Predator, I have a couple of questions for owners of those suits. I fish in weather from -20 to 40 deg and most of the time out of the ice house/hut.

1. Is the Climate bulky and hard to move around in?
2. If you own a set of Climate, would you purchase them again or go with the Hardwater or Predator?
3. Are you better off to purchase the Hardwater and just add/remove layers?
4. Same question as above but for the Predator?

Not really interested in any other suit.

Thanks

RB
I was originally looking to purchase the hard water but thought the Climate would be warmer yet. I am satisfied with the Climate but the additional liner makes their adjustable hem for leg height a little difficult too use.

Also Sometimes it is almost too warm. If you move around a bit I get a little too warm. Now I could take the liner out but is kinda a PITA. If I could do it again I would go with the Hard Water.
BB

Ummm yeah, get the climate.

2c

I went with the predator bibs since I move around alot and usually just fish with these bibs on and layers on top with a couple sweatshirts. I decided to get the climate jacket. If its below 0, I will wear the jacket or if I am sitting not moving. Climate bibs are too warm imo.

Also the jackets wears a tiny small if you have sweatshirts under and the liner. I got a XL (which i normally wear, but wish I would of get a XXL for that winter weight gain :))

The climate suit is fantastic. I bought the bibs last year, and used them without the liner. I never had any issues with being too hot or too cold. They are very comfortable and feel less bulky than they look. I bought the jacket this year. I have only used it for hunting so far, but I sat outside in a full on snow storm and got covered. I never felt the wind. I wasn’t even close to cold, and when the snow melted it just rolled off. The jacket with the liner is a bit bulky, but you can still move around no problem. And the line is easy to remove and looks nice on its own. I agree with the previous post about sizes. Buy bigger for the jacket, you won’t regret it. Buy normal size for the bibs.

I have the climate parka and bibs. Super warm, I leave the vents open all the time. Usually if I am in the house I take the parka off or at least the outer shell.
The liner is a nice Spring/Fall jacket too.
Sizing wise I found the Parka to run a size smaller than I normally wear, but bibs were true to size.
I would absolutely buy it again. Checks off all of my boxes for what I was looking for.

I have the Predator jacket and bibs, and I guess I would say the same comments about the Predator that everybody has said about the Climate…. It’s kept me warm and dry in all conditions. Below zero days, maybe have another layer on underneath. Warmer days, the side vents are very handy. Never been too hot or too cold in it. Lightweight, not bulky, easy to move around in. Would highly recommend it to anyone.

Great thread.

Anyone had any experience with the Hardwater bibs? I was looking at the Climate, but I need a tall size, and those aren’t available in Climate. So figured Hardwater is next best option. I’m primarily bucket fishing without a shack.

I fished out of the Climate suite last year and loved it… The zip in/out liner jacket and pant came is real real handy when dealing with the -20 and then windchill !!! It may have been a little bulky but it did not at all keep me from moving around and fishing…

Super cool and easy to be able to zip out the liner and go !!

Best way to do this is get to a place (maybe the St.Paul Ice Show) and try them on…they can be fitted to your exact inseam and size that way !!

No matter which suit you choose.. your gonna love it !!

I was gonna ask the same question and after doing some research I think I will go with the predator suit. When I’m outside I am usually running and gunning. If I’m sitting still I will be in my Otter.

shockers wrote:

Great thread.

Anyone had any experience with the Hardwater bibs? I was looking at the Climate, but I need a tall size, and those aren’t available in Climate. So figured Hardwater is next best option. I’m primarily bucket fishing without a shack.

I’m 6’7″. These suits fit perfect.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>shockers wrote:</div>
Great thread.

Anyone had any experience with the Hardwater bibs? I was looking at the Climate, but I need a tall size, and those aren’t available in Climate. So figured Hardwater is next best option. I’m primarily bucket fishing without a shack.

I’m 6’7″. These suits fit perfect.

I was wondering how tall he was too. I’m 6’3″ with long legs (36″ inseam) and the climate bibs with the extendable bottoms are nice. I dont even have them fully extended.
My shorter legged buddies don’t particularly care for them, but they are like 5’8″ tall.

I’m also 6′ 7″. So I’m pleased to hear the Hardwater option for taller guys might work!

Thanks for the feedback.

Climate suit will fit all guys 6’7″. I wear xxl.

Coat and bibs.

Most shortys gripe they’re too long.

I’m a Predator user. My dad has a Hardwater jackets and I find it a little bulky. The Predator jacket and bibs are plenty warm for me as I like to move around. I also use the Predator bibs for fall fishing when it gets into the 40’s and low-50’s.

1. Is the Climate bulky and hard to move around in? No
2. If you own a set of Climate, would you purchase them again or go with the Hardwater or Predator? Climate once again
3. Are you better off to purchase the Hardwater and just add/remove layers? Never had or seen the Hardwater I can not say.

I wish to add, I’ve had the Climate suit since it was introduced 5 to 6 years ago now, just unsure how long ago it was. I soft water fish with this @ the Canadian boarder and ice fish with this suit through the winter. I’m mostly a flip-over guy but will fish with it on cold short jaunts without the huts protection

Climate suit for me, by faar the warmest suit I have owned, going on three years and never been cold, base layers, sweater and a hoody under the jacket, white bunny boots and good to go.
With the above mentioned setup, there are alot of days I dont wear the climate jacket because its too warm!! I have never thought of them as being too bulky, and would easily trade off a little bulk for the cold weather comfort!!

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I am going to go with the Climate suit in the short/fat range. Now to wait for a good Black Friday deal. Big Dicks sporting goods had them for 20% off day before yesterday but was hoping for a better black Friday deal.

Thanks Again!!!

I’ve had a few seasons in my Hardwater set now & still say it’s the best tool I have EVER bought for ANY sport.
That being said I think my Hardwater bibs are perfect & only slight I can say about the jacket is a bit heavy but never really noticed it till hanging it up after the season.
I have noticed when pulling my flip for long hulls I’ll get hot & have to open the vents to regulate my core temp perfectly

Predator suit for me I’ve had it for 3 years now and it’s the warmest suit I’ve had. All I wear under the bibs are the 3.0 Under Armor long underwear. The coat is amazing outside for warmth and blocking the wind. Here in Illinois we have to walk a lot and sometimes I just unzip the coat if getting to warm when walking. Glenn

I bought the climate jacket before last season and i love it, very warm usually just wear long sleeve tshirt or the thinest hoody I have. I’m going to get the bibs this year! Only con is its a little heavy.

FYI for anyone looking to buy. Joe’s Sporting Goods has all ice suits on sale for %25 off through today. Not sure what all brands they carry but I picked up a Striker Climate jacket and bibs for about $400.00.

When this thread was first posted I didn’t pay much attention because I wasn’t in the market for one. Being that the majority of my ice fishing is in some sort of heated confines, I couldn’t justify the $200+ for something I would rarely need for ice fishing. I saw a post on FB where a fellow was saying he wears his Striker coat most all the time when it’s been as cold as it has been the last few days.
Being that I don’t really have a very warm coat for waiting at the bus stop (which I do) or other outdoor exposure when it’s bitter cold, I thought about getting a Striker coat for anytime use.

So I guess my question is, does anyone here wear their coat for times when they’re NOT ice fishing?

Andy, absolutely there not ice fishing specific, I use my snowmobiling plowing the driveway, fall fishing. And with the climates removable layers lots of different options

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

When this thread was first posted I didn’t pay much attention because I wasn’t in the market for one. Being that the majority of my ice fishing is in some sort of heated confines, I couldn’t justify the $200+ for something I would rarely need for ice fishing. I saw a post on FB where a fellow was saying he wears his Striker coat most all the time when it’s been as cold as it has been the last few days.
Being that I don’t really have a very warm coat for waiting at the bus stop (which I do) or other outdoor exposure when it’s bitter cold, I thought about getting a Striker coat for anytime use.

So I guess my question is, does anyone here wear their coat for times when they’re NOT ice fishing?

I have worn my predator coat to work every day this week. Also great for shoveling the driveway this morning.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

When this thread was first posted I didn’t pay much attention because I wasn’t in the market for one. Being that the majority of my ice fishing is in some sort of heated confines, I couldn’t justify the $200+ for something I would rarely need for ice fishing. I saw a post on FB where a fellow was saying he wears his Striker coat most all the time when it’s been as cold as it has been the last few days.
Being that I don’t really have a very warm coat for waiting at the bus stop (which I do) or other outdoor exposure when it’s bitter cold, I thought about getting a Striker coat for anytime use.

So I guess my question is, does anyone here wear their coat for times when they’re NOT ice fishing?

My jacket and bibs have a pretty nasty funk… combination of auger, snowmobile, and fish – mostly fish. Still works great for shoveling snow and that kind of stuff but I don’t wear mine in public.

I wear a Predator Jacket all the time now. I don’t use it for ice fishing I have a Climate suit for that.

Biggest thing it fits really well in a tall. I have never been happier with a fit of a tall jacket.

I wear mine mainly just for ice fishing, spring fishing (bibs at least), and sometimes when I want to look a little bit nicer at an outdoor function than what my carhartt jacket and camo bibs can provide. That said, my Predator Suite is FAR warmer than my carhartt jacket and bibs. The only reason I don’t wear it when plowing my driveway (ATV) or doing other things is that it is just too nice and I don’t want to risk it getting caught on something and ripping or whatever. But it is so warm and comfortable I might start wearing it more.

Purchased the Climate Jacket on sale at Overtons:

https://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Striker-Ice-Mens-Climate-Jacket&i=209350

https://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Striker-Ice-Mens-Climate-Jacket&i=209351

Use Promo Code ICEFISH

At checkout Total is 135.67

They must be clearing them out for a new model in 2018.

I own a Predator suit as I wanted it to be more maneuverable than the heavier fabric Climate/Hardwater suits… I’m always using the vents to release some heat so I can’t imagine ever needing a warmer suit (unless you sit on a bucket exposed to the elements all day)