IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Dressing for ice fishing => Topic started by: Hobo Hilton on Dec 25, 2010, 05:09 AM
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Just received Gift Cert. for Fish307. Thinking on a IDI Suit any Pro's or Con's.
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I like mine! Keeps me warm and dry, and I like the idea that it could possibly save me from checking out the bottom of a pond some time. Hopefully I never field test that feature. I put velcro strips on the slashes that allow you to get into your regular pants pockets. It let the cold in. I never wear pants under the bibs anyhow, just longjohns.
Mike
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i have Owen mine for 3 years grate suit i bought the camo this year and gave mine red and black one to my fishing partner i have never been cold in mine i am a run and gun fishing so 90% of the time i am on a pail not in a shanty grate suit
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I bought the Arctic Armor Plus in green/black last week to replace my old blue suit, only used it once and love it. I really like the safety feature so much I bought another one for my son yesterday the red/black suit.
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Got a few trips in my IDI Artic Armor green/black plus+ suit already since new a week ago.
Green/Black = plus suit
Red/Black = no insulating liner
I have had several original complete Gor-tex suits, pants and parka's through the years
Have also had 2 separate Cabela's guide-wear Gor-tex suits, bibs and tops
All after 3 to 4 years of extreme weather and 100+ uses on average a year have ended up leaking, I'm not really complaining as I feel they were well worth the extra cash you pay for them, and after all there are only a few times a year when you get that wet and have to stay out in it, so all in all they leak yes, but they are also a very effective means of foul weather gear.
Now with my new IDI plus suit I am hoping for the best !!! Initial feeling is I should of went with the red/black suit as the green/black has made me sweat after only short hauls on the ice so far packing rather light even.
I am also hoping the outer shell holds up as in comparison to my many past Gor-tex suits, it is def. a lighter fabric, great for mobility so far and somewhat giving, but I just hope that it holds up. My latest Cabela's guide-wear does leak after about 3 years (300+ uses) but I have ran it through the ringer without a rip or a thread out of place, my initial thought on the IDI plus suit is that it won't stand up to the combative relentless type use it will need to endure after a single season. The material on the parka cuffs is also a neat material and it has vel-cro for tightening, it is sort of comparative to my Rivers West foul weather jacket. NICE
Under my suits as of lately (all fall) I am wearing a Duo-Fold longer underwear I purchased from Dicks. That is what I wore with my first few trips under the IDI plus suit.
As far as the flotation and fit of the suit I am 5' 11" and weight 230, I went with an XL top and a L Bottom, the bottom fits super and snugs right up d/t the internal tightening system, (vel-cro with extra lining near pant cuffs) It really seems that if you go through the ice it wouldn't ride up too much and would keep you a float, as far as the top it does seem like an honest way to keep you on top in case of incident, IF you have it all buttoned up, zippered etc. there are ample extra buttons and such
Of course these are only my opinions
HIH
Tom
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I appreciate your input, along with the rest. I hope this IceShanty.com stays the BROTHERHOOD, that it seems to be, when helping one another.
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Love this suit! And yes...it does work! LOL I have the original red/black and it is plenty warm for me! Congrats! Enjoy
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love the suit. Im always cold so I just add a layer. Im 6`3``, 220 got extra l on both. Fit fine. The fact that its light and floats makes it. Be safe :tipup:
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Own two IDI AA suits, one for the wife and one for myself. Used Refrigiware, one-piece suits for decades before the IDI AA suits. The IDI are lighter and as warm, if not warmer than the Refrigiware. Hood is roomier also. Break the wind real good. Wifey stays warm and has no complaints, so they must be good, right?
Bought the first IDI for my wife after she went through in late winter. Second time in 50 years that someone ice fishing with me has gone swimming. Two near misses was enough for me (I am a slow learner), so I bought the IDI suits and based on two years of use and the the extra margin of safery they provide, would recommend them.
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I love mine, nicer when it is 20 or below, a little warm any warmer
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Just took delivery Friday on the six I bought at the Syracuse show. Five Camo one red/black. The Camo will be used by the hunting folks, (one for the wife), and the other for a non-hunter. One of our guys went through last year and would not go out again, or his son either, 'till I showed him the video, then he went for it. We're still trying them on for fit and so on but will be on the ice with them after the weekend.
Several other friends have gone through with these on and are glad they had them. One guy even continued to fish all day after getting wet but he stayed warm enough to even dry out so I'm glad we got them. Almost $2,000. for all of 'em divided by six lives? Well worth it if they save just one.
The Camo are fleeced on the outside so they're much more quiet in the woods, and they cost quite a bit more than the others.
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I have the red one, I've got over 150 trips on it and it still is mint. However I sat on the auger once and put a small slice in the bibs, still no issues though!
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I have the green suit. It's warm, comfortable, and moves easily. I also use the suit here on my ranch when out on the tractor blowing snow from the driveway and trails. Very nice for that. I have also used it as a snowmobile suit.
The thing is well worth the money. Just knowing I am not going to Davy Jones's locker is worth whatever they charge.
Whatever you decide,
Stay Sharp, Be Safe
Grady
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The only issue with the suits that I have is that I'll work up a sweat when walking or using the hand auger for example. I've been known to change clothes out on the ice to get dry.
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I have used one for 4 years, the warmest suit I have found yet. Sometimes I find it is to warm. All ya need is a set of long johns under it and you are toasty in any cold weather. I know a guy who tested the floatation of the suit and it performs well, And the red suit doubles as a Santa Suit this time of year. ;D
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I just have the jacket (green/black) and used it for the first time today. I was extremely happy with it. I need to get the bibs.
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i read on the maine or conn site that they were on sale 25to 40 bucks off on some colors
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whats the avg price on these IDI suites? Sounds like i need to get a pair
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In upstate NY:
$319 for standard suit Red/black
$339 for insulated Green/black
By the piece:
Tops range from 159.99 to 179.99
Bibs range from 169.99 to 189.99
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thanks for the info. Next piece of gear i buy will either be that suit or a power auger
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I have the green suit...do it, they are great.
Yes they can get warm, when I am in the shanty I just open up the jacket and unzip the front of the bibs.
Knowing they can float me is a big plus.
Roo.
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Lmao roflmao
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Got a few trips in my IDI Artic Armor green/black plus+ suit already since new a week ago.
Green/Black = plus suit
Red/Black = no insulating liner
Does the camo version have insulation?
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Green Bay Packers geen and yellow suits are $269 bibs and jacket.
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Does the camo version have insulation?
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whats the avg price on these IDI suites? Sounds like i need to get a pair
The price is the same where ever you buy it. The manufacturer dictates the price, retailers are not allowed to set any other price. Even the
"free gloves" special is universal from one vendor to another. I've noticed this on several ice fishing equipment items, from flashers to shelters. And they are rarely, if ever, on sale. According to the retailer I spoke with, buy it where you get the best service and loyalty.
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Anybody?
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I bought mine at the ice show last year the rep said the felt does not add warmth its just softer to the touch . As far as flotation it works. i went thru the ice late in the season stayed out about an hour to long . Went thru 5 inches of ice. my jacket was open and still popped up like a cork. by far the best investment ever. my friend pulled me out with a rope. He bought one this year.
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CAMO???????
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CAMO???????
Yes it does, I have the CAMO and it is the same suit as the red or green ones. Or the ugly Green Bay ones too ::)
It is more expensive because it is camo but all the features are the same.
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Thanks Otto!!
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Yes it does, I have the CAMO and it is the same suit as the red or green ones. Or the ugly Green Bay ones too ::)
It is more expensive because it is camo but all the features are the same.
More expensive not because of Camo but because it's FLEECE on the outside and quiet in the woods if you use 'em for hunting, I just bought five pair of 'em at the Syracuse show and they were about $20. more in Camo, but well worth it to us hunters. The red/black I got for my son who doesn't hunt and the outside ain't fleeced and would be quite noisy if you hunted in it.
Whatever you get they'll help save you if you go through, and they'll help float a couple extra people too. Check out their video's.
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More expensive not because of Camo but because it's FLEECE on the outside and quiet in the woods if you use 'em for hunting, I just bought five pair of 'em at the Syracuse show and they were about $20. more in Camo, but well worth it to us hunters. The red/black I got for my son who doesn't hunt and the outside ain't fleeced and would be quite noisy if you hunted in it.
Whatever you get they'll help save you if you go through, and they'll help float a couple extra people too. Check out their video's.
If the suit will float me, it's float a small family ! ;D ;D When I went through in front of Oneida Shores last season, I was amazed at how fast I popped to the surface and how dry I was underneath after I got out of the water ! Had water in the Mickey Mouse boots and my legs were a little wet from my ankles to the middle of my calf.
From that minute on, I suddenly realized that I would now take chances that I'd normally not take :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:
Now if I could only figure out a way to mount an electric trolling motor to the coat, I'd be in business ! ;D ;D
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Just curious... Is the all black armor suit insulated? I know some of the green/black and red/black differ but wasn't sure about the all black.
-Dave
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Just curious... Is the all black armor suit insulated? I know some of the green/black and red/black differ but wasn't sure about the all black.
-Dave
YES. The black suits are insulated. I have a full black suit and love it !
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More expensive not because of Camo but because it's FLEECE on the outside and quiet in the woods if you use 'em for hunting, I just bought five pair of 'em at the Syracuse show and they were about $20. more in Camo, but well worth it to us hunters. The red/black I got for my son who doesn't hunt and the outside ain't fleeced and would be quite noisy if you hunted in it.
Yes Chainsaw, you're right, the camo is a softer material than the other suits. It is not fleece like a fleece sweater, it is more like a heavy nylon with flocking. It is very quiet and soft and it does look very sturdy. I just got mine, and I believe that it will stand up to ice fishing demands. If you duck or deer hunt as well as ice fish, the camo is a good choice. If it is just for ice fishing, any of the color suits may be a better choiceand save some money. There is one suit that has fleece on the inside of it, I think it is the black one. I tried it on at the Syracuse Ice Fishing show and it was hard to pull over my sweatshirt. The camo one has a nylon lining and it slips right over easily.
RGFIXIT thanks for calling it out. I remember reading about your friend at Sodus last year. I am so sorry. Even though I have this IDI suit, I still would never go ice fishing alone. I am 50 years old, have a wife, 2 daughters, and a business with 80 employees that rely on me. It is all too much to risk as it is, let alone taking extra chances.
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http://www.idigear.com/arcticarmor1.php
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Anybody?
Made out of the same material as the rest of them with a softer, quieter shell.
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guys all the arctic amour suits have the exact same amount of insulation in them, 3 layers of insultex. The only difference between the "regular" and the "plus" is that the plus has a brushed tricot lining and the regular just has the regular quilted nylon lining. no difference between them as far as insuluation or warmth (except the plus may initially "feel" warmer on bare skin).
I have talked to some guys with the plus ones and they say the brushed lining can make it difficult to pull your coat and bibs on over your layers.
IDI also listes both the "regular" and the "Plus" for the same price on their website.
J-
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I wore my suit for the first time on Saturday. All I can say is WOW! I can tell you right now that I'm going to have to change my way of layering! Under the bibs, I wore my Cabela's insulated pants. Under the jacket, I wore an under armor long sleeve t-shirt and a zip up fleece jacket. Like many people have stated, they got moisture on their clothing because the jacket does not breathe. Well, I didn't get moisture on the top because I feel like I layered right, but the insulated Cabela's pants were too much and my bibs had wet areas. Now, I'm going with an extremely light pair of fleece (polyester) pants under the bibs. I know that will be enough. I didn't get cold or wet to the skin because my Cabela's pants are waterproof. Once I get my layering system down, I know this will be the BEST!
Someone told me that people get moisture under their AA because they are wearing too heavy of clothing under it. Thin layers and you can always take some off.
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I fished well into the evening tonight....16f out plus the wind.
I wore under armor tops and bottoms.....my ice shanty fleece on top with my arctic armor on top.
I was too warm most of the time, spent a lot of it with the jacket undone.
This stuff is the best.
Roo.
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I have the green and black suit. I couldn't be more happy with it. Good piece of mind, very warm and waterproof.
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Went down to 1 polyester shirt and a pair of polyester long underwear under the suit yesterday. Temp was around 30, no wind, and walked maybe 250 yards out onto the ice. After the walk and drilling 6 holes, worked up a sweat and felt cold the rest of the afternoon. Forgot to bring a change of clothes as I usually do. The suit is just too warm for me. Don't want to take the jacket off as then it's not fulfilling it's purpose as a safety suit.
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The last time I was on the ice I took the jacket off while getting set up and drilling holes. Since I was on 16" of ice I wasn't too worried about the flotation aspect of it. If I keep it on I will sweat while being active. I have worn the jacket while using a snowblower and ended up with the sweatshirt I was wearing under it getting damp.
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I have talked to some guys with the plus ones and they say the brushed lining can make it difficult to pull your coat and bibs on over your layers.
J-
That is the only thing I have had to work around with my suit. I have the plus suit and did a little experimenting before the season. I found a pair of 7 dollar pair of nylon running pants that work awesome. The bibs slide right over the pants and are plenty warm. I wear a long sleeve Techwick shirt under the jacket and have been more then warm. Can't wait to see how it works the end of January when it actually gets cold. Amazing how much nicer it is not having 5 layers on.
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Just got mine. Red and Black. Im 6ft 215 and the large was perfect.Really like the pull up zipper in the crotch on the bibs.Only thing is the turtle head wants to go back in when it feels the cold.Gota pull hard. :oGreat Suit.Love how light it is too!
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I've spent some time in brutal Iowa/Minnesota cold weather (-10 & -20) and stayed pretty warm while fishing on my knees all day. Under Armor (base 3) as a base layer then went with a pair of work out pants and hooded sweat shirt. I wish the gear had a place to hang some jigs (little patch of wool maybe) similar to the clam suit. I appreciate the gear and it seems to be wearing well. I want to buy the conditioner thats out there for it.
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I have the red and black Arctic Armor and the left breast pocket has a flap made of some type of shearling that holds Jigs. I think they took them off of the newer coats because too many people didn't like them. Maybe they used them as snot wipers or something. ;)
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Got the suit on Tuesday 1/4. Wore it for a couple of hours and was totally suprised by its overall initial performance.
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I wore mine for the first time today in 5 degree F up to 24 degree F. I was very comfortable all day, only my hands got a little cold because I didn't wear gloves most of the day. I have the camo version and the fabric is very soft and feels nice. I wore Under Armour top and bottom, sweatpants, a wool shirt....and that was it. I didn't sweat when I walked out and stayed warm all day.
It was a little hard to put the bibs on in the parking lot, had to take my boots off to fit my foot through. Other than that:
A WINNER ON THE ICE!!
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Just got mine. Red and Black. Im 6ft 215 and the large was perfect.Really like the pull up zipper in the crotch on the bibs.Only thing is the turtle head wants to go back in when it feels the cold.Gota pull hard. :oGreat Suit.Love how light it is too!
Was wondering about the size...I'm 5'8" 150#...I usually wear a pair of thermal long johns and the thicker, insulated type underwear over them...so what do you think?...medium or large for me? Thanks
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wore my red and black suit for the first time yesterday .very comfortable and the 2xl fit perfect at 6'4" 260 ,had concerns about jacket sleeve & bibs length but they were plenty long enough .
the suit was not as warm as i thought it would be from reading the reviews ,wore jeans & long sleeve t shirt and got cold after 4 hours windy 25 degrees ,have to add a few more layers i guess.
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WNY - just make sure you don't over dress if walking or doing a lot of drilling. You'll build up a sweat, not good as it'll stay on ya all day since the suit doesn't breathe.
Downunder - at 5'8" and 150 lbs I would lean towards a medium :-\
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WNY - just make sure you don't over dress if walking or doing a lot of drilling. You'll build up a sweat, not good as it'll stay on ya all day since the suit doesn't breathe.
this plus make sure you do NOT where cotton as a base layer. It will get moist and stay moist all day. I wear some polypro long john top and bottoms and a fleece top under my AA suit. Usually just wear jeans over my long johns. it was 15degrees this past sat, fished for about 5 hours no problem. actually never been cold in my AA stuff, just make sure you do not sweat in it.
J-
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had mine about 2 weeks haven't worn it yet the weathers been about 35,gonna get cold this week though with about 14 in of snow coming.
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Greatest suit I've ever owned