Arctic Armor Jacket

[pmac3522]

I have searched for the answer to this question, but I haven't been able to find an answer.

I already have a decent pair of pants that I like to wear ice fishing, I just want a new jacket.  If I get an arctic armor jacket, will the flotation still be worth it? 

Basically, I want to know if an arctic armor jacket has enough flotation to float a 200 lb guy with normal winter clothes on.

Thanks for any help.

[gillcommander]

I have one...and it is worth it!!! Just having a little flotation may make all the difference in the world should you unfortunately go thru the ice. Get the bibs tho...more flotation the better and they are stupid warm!!!

[pmac3522]

That makes sense that any flotation is better than none.

Thanks for the advice, but I am only in the market for a jacket, not bibs.

[IcePirate6]

I would recommend it!!!
I went in last year with the jacket on but not the bibs and it still kept me up pretty well.

[Sinnian]

8.8 oz of insultex can float approximately 287 pounds of body weight

( http://idigear.com/insultex.php )

So I would say just get the jacket now.  Although I love my Arctic Armor suit 

[onabucket]

I was wondering about the exact same thing.  Good info.

[pmac3522]

So then how much insultex is in a jacket?

It says the jacket has 3 layers, but it doesn't say how many ounces.  I would feel much better knowing a jacket can float X lbs, than jsut thinking it should be close if I do fall through.

[ice dawg]

I was on a different forum and a guy said he tried his in a lake this summer and the full suit floated him and his brother and they were big guys. As far as how much weight it will float goes I have heard all kinds of numbers from 300 to 600 lbs. I really think the jacket alone would hold ya up. Here is his post.

 

Loc: Merrifield, MN  Just curious on how many of you have actually tested the Arctic Armor suit out as far as floatation goes. Last summer, I put the suit on over my swim suit and put on some rubber boots and went out in my dads boat. I did the nestea plunge off of the boat in about 15 feet of water. I am 6'4'' 200 lbs and I was impressed on how much of my body was actually out of the water when I was floating on my back. To make things more impressive about the suit, my brother who is 6'3 235 swam out to me while I was floating and put his arms around my waist and it held up both of us. I was just laying on my back and his feet were dangling beneath me. Knowing this, I wouldn't hesitate jumping in after him if he god forbid would happend to go through the ice.

 

[CrappieBuster]

Think that was off iceleaders.com a very well respected site.

[mr.clean]

Pmac3522  Here is a link to I.D.I. Gear the makers of the Arctic Armour line of clothing. If there is a phone number call and ask them. Please post there answer here for all of us to see and read.

     www.IDIGear.com


 Steve

[Sinnian]

Pmac3522  Here is a link to I.D.I. Gear the makers of the Arctic Armour line of clothing. If there is a phone number call and ask them. Please post there answer here for all of us to see and read.

     www.IDIGear.com


 Steve

Phone (412) 799-0350

[mr.clean]

Thank you Sinnian for posting the phone number.
 Steve

[Sinnian]

I also found this info:

1 square yard of insultex™ is 0.021 inches thick and weighs 0.42 oz.

The Arctic Armor apparel has three layers, so it is likely that the jacket would weigh 8.8 oz.  I know my jacket (and bibs for that matter) are VERY light.

[ice dawg]

Think that was off iceleaders.com a very well respected site.

Hot Spot Outdoors, but I think they are related somehow. 

[pmac3522]

I called and they didn't have any data on the flotation of just the jacket.  They said all of their tests were done with the whole suit.