IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Dressing for ice fishing => Topic started by: Chris338378 on Dec 20, 2015, 01:23 AM
-
I'm torn between the Striker Hardwater and Predator suits, not interested in the Climate suit, and would like to know what your experiences are with them. I only fish in Pennsylvania where the temps very seldom go below the single digits but the wind can really kick up and frequently does. I mostly fish without a shelter and do a good amount of walking chasing flags. I know that the Hardwater has a temp rating of a 9 (-20 degrees) where the Predator has a temp rating of 7 (0 degrees). There's only about a $20 price difference so that doesn't matter. I'm trying to figure out which one would be the best and comparable to what I'm wearing now to be able to get a good comparison. Currently I wear a pair of Carhartt arctic insulated pants, wool shirt, Carhartt arctic insulated vest, and a insulated coat.
-
I have the Predator, should have purchased the Hardwater. Good suits, well made, I am in Canada.
-
I got the hardwaters last year. Very warm. Too warm 99% of the time in my area. Wore only a base layer underneath and that helped a bit. Very good product but zippers seem cheap. One broke and I'm taking it somewhere to see if they can put better ones on. Was able to fix it in the mean time.
-
Last year I bought the Striker Hardwater bibs. I fished all season with the bibs and an older non striker jacket and temperature wise they were comfortable for me. I liked the bibs so I decided to buy a jacket this year and was going thru the same questions as you are a few weeks ago. I ended up buying the Hardwater Jacket. While I haven’t had the jacket out on the ice yet to say for certain whether I made the right choice, having it in hand I really like the zipper vents across the back and under both arms that you can open for ventilation on those warmer days. There also is a drawstring on the inside that you can tighten around the waist on those colder windy days. One of our sponsors Fish307 had the best price for the large jacket ($200) and with Christmas upon us the shipping was free too. The xl sizes were $210. Now hopefully we’ll get some ice so I can put it to good use :tipup:
-
Hardwater here, fish outside all the time, never been cold, don't even need longjohns!!
-
I live in upstate NY and have the Predator bibs and jacket... warm enough for me; too warm some of the time.
Highly recommended!! I've been very pleased with mine.
Tight lines,
Bob
-
hardwater has the thickest fabric at 600 denier. that's what sold me. i want tough clothes like carhart so they last the longest.
use the zippers to allow air and use the right base for the temps your in.
-
I didn't notice that since they're made out of different materials, thanks for pointing it out.
-
I just ordered a pair of the Hardwater bibs from Fish307 and got them for $199.00 with free shipping and a free random sized T-Shirt. Thanks for all the help and advice guys, I greatly appreciate it, and Merry Christmas to all of you.
-
I got my Hardwater bibs today and I'm glad I went with them. The material is nice and heavy duty and they look like they're well made. I don't know if they changed the zippers from last year but these zippers look pretty heavy duty. I really like the padded knees, they didn't scrimp on the padding.
-
How come you weren't interested in the Climate suit?
-
I don't have a use for the removable liners option since I'm only going to use it for ice fishing and it was more than I wanted to spend.
-
Ah OK makes sense, I am just trying to figure out what model to go with.
-
I just bought the hard water bibs and jacket brand new off Craig's list for $325.00. That's what swayed my decision. So far it hast been too warm and the coldest I fished in so far with it has been in the teens. Like mentioned earlier the vents in the jacket are nice and the bibs I can unzip the legs a little for air as well. Just jeans under neath otherwise too warm. They really thought of everything when they made these bibs and jacket. My buddy bought his at the same time and after a week long fishing trip we were still finding more pockets and grommets lol. Today I fished it was 22 and damp and they weren't too hot. I did take my coat off while drilling though. Right back on to fish. Hope this helps you.
-
The price I paid for the Hardwater bibs at Fish307.com is the same as most places is charging for the Predator bibs. I haven't used them on the ice yet but I'm sure I'm not going to regret getting them over the Predator bibs.
-
good stuff. good choice. i use the hw version too. supposed to be a pocket in the upper edge of the bibs i never looked for it. i think they were hand warmer pockets, but it maybe a can holder.
i don't need more fall or spring garments either and wanted dedicated ice floating suit like my artic armor is. way too many other coats for off the ice and i wouldn't want to wear the ice fishing suit any where else either any way. maybe if i could only have one coat, then yes to the climate version. i have at least 20 coats now.
-
Arm pocket is where truck keys go. Easy to find
-
4 out of the 5 guys I fish with all have Hardwater suits. I can tell you all of us basically only wear long underwear under the suits with simple light layers. I feel as though they are worth every penny and are good compromise between the high end frabil suits.
-
Only thing about frabill they don't float!
-
Only thing about frabill they don't float!
That instantly ruled them and a few other suits out as a possibility for me.
-
Chris,
Are you going to go with the Hardwater jacket as well? I'm getting ready to purchase as well..... This info was helpful. Also how was the fit? I have a very limited selection in my are to actually try the stuff on.
Thanks
-
My two cents, Tow years ago I went through several brands and stopped at the Striker Hardware Jacket and Bibs. Only wear a pair of quality undergarment then some sweat pants for bottoms and a hoody for the top. Good pair of sox's and boots and I am good for the day. Bought a second set for snowmobiling I enjoyed them so much. Tightlines Ron
-
Sounds good guys, torn between climate and hardware...like the 'tall' option for the HW as I am 6'5..
-
I have a 36" inseam and the Hardwater is the first set of bibs that I've ever owned that actually fits me in length.
-
Chris,
Are you going to go with the Hardwater jacket as well? I'm getting ready to purchase as well..... This info was helpful. Also how was the fit? I have a very limited selection in my are to actually try the stuff on.
Thanks
The selection in my area is slim and none which none is pretty much the norm. I'm eventually going to buy a coat and when I'm going to go withe the Hardwater coat. The only thing about the Hardwater coats that I don't like is the wide reflective stripping around the wrists, I wish it was the same as the striping on the Predator coats, but that's a very minor point. The harder choice for me is if I should go with the blue and grey or black and grey coat. LOL The fit on the bibs is good, they're a bit roomy but I'm at the edge between two sizes so I opted for the bigger size for the extra room especially when bending and kneeling over. I probably could've got away with the smaller size but didn't want to go through the hassle of exchanging them for the bigger size if I was wrong. The other thing is I don't have to worry about having to replace them any time soon due to my wife's good cooking. ;D
-
I have a 36" inseam and the Hardwater is the first set of bibs that I've ever owned that actually fits me in length.
And its adjustable!!
-
The selection in my area is slim and none which none is pretty much the norm. I'm eventually going to buy a coat and when I'm going to go withe the Hardwater coat. The only thing about the Hardwater coats that I don't like is the wide reflective stripping around the wrists, I wish it was the same as the striping on the Predator coats, but that's a very minor point. The harder choice for me is if I should go with the blue and grey or black and grey coat. LOL The fit on the bibs is good, they're a bit roomy but I'm at the edge between two sizes so I opted for the bigger size for the extra room especially when bending and kneeling over. I probably could've got away with the smaller size but didn't want to go through the hassle of exchanging them for the bigger size if I was wrong. The other thing is I don't have to worry about having to replace them any time soon due to my wife's good cooking. ;D
remember black equals free heat! those reflective bands might be a life saver some day in the dark.
too much room and cold air gets in, that's what happened with my artic armor suit. like you, i don't see myself getting smaller any time soon.
for those still shopping, just buy your regular size. these run big for some air and some room for layers. i also wear poly thermo underwear (no jeans or stiff waste line and much more comfortable being bent most of the day) and a hoodie, other than sock liners and heavy socks. sunny days the parka is in the sled, but it will be used as the sun goes down. windy days it's on until i get a shack warmed up.
-
Plus if I get the black and grey coat it will match the bibs perfectly. LOL Although I do like the blue and gray. Oh well I have some time to decide.
-
I went and pulled the trigger on the Hardwater bibs and jacket and the store had a promo if you bought the set they will throw in the striker gloves or mitts, I went with the gloves. I also got them to throw in a beanie hat. Didn't put it to the test yet but I'm sure it will be just fine.
-
I used my Hardwater bibs today for the first time and they lived up to my expectations. Granted it wasn't very cold and windy, it was cold and light rain off and on and they worked great. The water beaded up on them and rolled right off and the dampness didn't penetrate what so ever. The only two things I would change on them is I would put the snakeskin material that's on the knees from the bottom of the legs up to the the bottom of the knee pads so there's no chance of the cuffs ever wearing out and have more of an elastic waist band, the one in them doesn't stretch much at all. The elastic waist band would help out guys like me who are in between sizes that really don't need to go up a size for any other reason than wanting to have the peace of mind that they won't have to go get a new pair of bibs if they gain some weight. As for the snakeskin on the bottom of the legs, it really isn't much of an issue since you can adjust the leg length so they aren't dragging but it would be a nice addition.
-
I have the striker suit, I like it but blew out the crotch the other day, same thing happened to my arctic armor bibs, next I will try the cabelas guide wear, buddy has it and it looks to be way better quality
-
People were talking about the stitching coming loose and they said that when they called Striker, they stood behind the product and fixed it.
-
I know several years ago they were having issues with crotches blowing out, they have stated they have reinforced the recent models. They really listen to what people respond and seem to try to improve or fix the problems.
-
That's good to know. My suggestion would be to put the snakeskin material around the bottom of the legs so it covers the bottom of the cuff where ever it's adjusted to so it doesn't wear out.
-
Frabill discontinued ther best suit, the "Snosuit FXE".
-
Frabill needs to make their suits floatable for the price they want. That being regular retail price not sale price of course.
-
I'm thinking about getting the Predator coat to go with my Hardwater bibs instead of the Hardwater coat because the bibs will create a double layer across most of my chest and back and if I get the Hardwater coat it maybe too warm. I know I can open the vents to cool down but would rather not have them open all the time or keep opening and closing them. The main reason I chose the Hardwater bibs is because the material is heavier and more durable. Has anyone else done this and if so what's your thoughts on it and would you do it again?
-
I think its a good idea if your unsure about which one to choose. I have the hardwater, and agree its warm, but its easier to cool down than warm up on the ice. I really like the 660 d shell. I've never went home because I was too warm ;D
-
You're right about that. The Hardwater bibs are so warm that I have to open up some of the zippers to vent out some of the heat. I had to do that even today and it was 0 with a -25 wind chill. That's what got me thinking about the bibs and coat over lapping for most of the chest and back.