Floating ice jacket preferences

[MT_mulies]

Hey guys and gals. I currently own striker ice bibs that are the guardians. They are great, but now I want to buy a floating jacket too. I was thinking striker as well, but after looking online I can find cheap brands. Is there much difference between striker, frabill, or clam jackets, or others? And what preference do you have/like the most? I know it's Chevy, ford, Dodge debate, but I just want to see what people think about different jackets.

If anyone has a floating jacket in large I would be interested.

[Gills-only]

Would never have anything but striker, that’s my opinion, hardwater super warm , windproof, waterproof, and so many pockets, u will loose things !!!

[SHaRPS]

I own the Striker hardwater bibs and jacket and absolutely love them.

[Maddog]

I own the Striker hardwater bibs and jacket and absolutely love them.

x2

[Ole Sam]

I own the Striker hardwater bibs and jacket and absolutely love them.

X3
But I will say that the jacket quality is not as rugged as the bibs.

[Gills-only]

X3
But I will say that the jacket quality is not as rugged as the bibs.

.      The quality in mine is the same, there a problem with yours? Same material, except the knees of the bibs

[hardwater diehard]

Striker Ice ....Clam....Frabill... .1,2,3

[RStock521]

X3
But I will say that the jacket quality is not as rugged as the bibs.

X4, love my Hardwater set.  No difference between my jacket and bibs in terms of quality.  Does get hot when walking a mile or two, but I just open the leg zippers to blow off heat.  It's nice having the extra warmth when I'm sitting for a while.  I normally fish in a shanty, so I take the coat off and hang it.

I wear my Striker gear for fall/spring soft water walleye fishing too.

[bobberbill]

Why cheap out?

[firegems]

Mustang...if your shopping price, probably not the way to go...if your shopping safety in case you ever pop thru the ice...worth every penny...worn by many who work in fields dealing with public safety, water rescue and conservation officers.

[Squidy]

X4, love my Hardwater set.  No difference between my jacket and bibs in terms of quality. 

X5

[SHaRPS]

Jacket is the same quality as bibs for me. The only thing is, I ONLY where my jacket about 10% of the time. Its so warm that I only wear it in brutally cold conditions. The rest of the time a pair of thermals, Under Armour sweat shirt and just the bibs covering the chest.

[fishercat]

Mustang...if your shopping price, probably not the way to go...if your shopping safety in case you ever pop thru the ice...worth every penny...worn by many who work in fields dealing with public safety, water rescue and conservation officers.

X2

[PatrickN]

My Striker Predator coat and bibs have been worth every penny! Cannot say enough good about them.

[MT_mulies]

Looks like striker is the way to go. I guess I will go with striker.

[Flatrocker]

Consider a Predator jacket to go with the Hardwater bibs before you make the move.
I am not saying it is the way to go for you, just look at the option.   

[VTMatt]

X4, love my Hardwater set.  No difference between my jacket and bibs in terms of quality. 

X5

X6. Love my Striker suit. Plan on a Predator suit for warmer weather next year.

[vanhln]

I went with the Striker Ice Lake Effect Heat Sink Bibs when they were on sale 2 years ago at Overtons.  They are the sister to the Hardwater (snaps instead of magnets I'm told).  I really like them and they are very very warm.  Striker has them on sale right now.

Both are $157 a piece right now (but limited sizes)..
https://www.strikerstore.com/Heat-Sink-Ice-Bibs-p/210350.htm
https://www.strikerstore.com/Heat-Sink-Jacket-p/110300.htm

[Houligan]

MT_mulies,

Out here you know how cold it can get like its been for the last few weeks. Plus the wind even if in the single digits. Striker Ice Climate is warmer and the layers in the coat work well for me. I have the Climate bibs and coat. If the temps come up mid day I can go without the jacket or use just the liner. On those early morning trips before day light I don't put the jacket on until getting set up. If fishing through to the after dark I am usually the warmest of the group. I'm talking sitting in your living room type of comfort. Best investment I made so far for ice gear. Highly recommend the climate.

[eriksat1]

X8. 2nd year on my striker hard water ice jacket and bibs. But kind of depends on where you live, what kind of cold temps you have? They are warm.

[grababrewski]

I am very happy with my Striker Ice Climate jacket and bibs. Very warm, I have not had to use the liners for the bibs yet.

[Yoopergirl]

I am very happy with my Striker Ice Climate jacket and bibs. Very warm, I have not had to use the liners for the bibs yet.

X2. Also haven't had the liner in the bibs even on below zero days.  I wear UA 4.0 baselayers and a lot of time am too warm in the shack.  I wear the jacket's outer shell or the liner, usually not together.  The liner I wear all year round!

[wisconsinmark]

My son and I both invested In Striker Ice Bibs and Jackets. We both have Predator Bibs. I have a Predator Jacket and he has the Lake Effect Jacket. We've gone through two seasons so far. These things are rugged, waterproof and warm. Not sure about other brands, but love Striker Ice.

[muskyjohn]

Can't say enough about my striker ice climate bibs and jacket set up, just love em! Very nice for the more brutal temps we had late December well into January here in Northeast oneida  county wi. this year! I don't use a shanty (can't sit still, I'm a hole hopper) so they are a must!

[slamminsam]

Started out with Arctic Armour....OK, but not breathable enough...always sweat and condensation in jacket (which leads to cold).  Light weight and did a pretty good job....I'd give them a 7 out of 10 (maybe 7.5).  Went with the Striker Lake Effect suit that I saw on ridiculous sale during a Black Friday from gander and will NEVER get anything but Striker again.  As soon as you hold them in your hands you immediately feel quality.  Actually too warm, but breathable.  Less layering underneath.  If you sit out of shanty and start to feel any cold, thats about the only time you'll need the jacket.  Pockets, come on, the one guy was right...I spent 2 hours looking for my cell phone I swore I had lost because it was in one of the secret pockets....buddy called and I felt it vibrating.  Go Striker and be done with it. 

[desmobob]

I am totally satisfied with my Striker Ice Predator jacket (and bibs)!  They work well for snowmobiling on the frozen lakes, too.


Tight lines,
Bob

[lingcod]

Wow, almost unanimous for Stryker.  I did see an ad from Frabill that touted their jacket as the only one USCG approved as a Personal Flotation Device. I’m looking for a warm coat that I can wear while cold-weather boat fishing and double as an approved PFD. Do any other brands fit that bill?  Thanks.

[Gills-only]

Wow, almost unanimous for Stryker.  I did see an ad from Frabill that touted their jacket as the only one USCG approved as a Personal Flotation Device. I’m looking for a warm coat that I can wear while cold-weather boat fishing and double as an approved PFD. Do any other brands fit that bill?  Thanks.

.      If the frabill is that good , go for it !  The floatation is to buy you time to get out, now if u are still in the water after 5 minutes u are done for anyways. Will the striker suits float you, yes, are they coast guard approved , no ! The results speak for theirselves, by vast majority striker , everyone can’t be wrong !! What ever works for you, if in a boat u prolly already have life preservers in there.

[lingcod]

I guess the only fair comparison of the two would be in-the-water-testing. I’m not volunteering, though!

[Gills-only]

My buddy did try his striker suit in summer , dock a foot off the water, had bibs and coat on and walked off dock, and didn’t even get hair wet. He said only way to get head wet was dive in !!