frabill Ifloat jacket

[billybob851]

I ordered one of  these from Walmart to see how it looked.  They are made of heavy duty fabric but are a little bulkier than a normal jacket because they have 1/4 inch foam runs through the whole coat.  They are not so bulky that you cant move or fish in it because they shaped the arms to curve with yours.  A couple things I didn't like were they didn't put any vents in like striker has and the only pockets are the 2 big front ones, not even an inside pocket.  The best thing about it is its a coast guard certified pfd and can cover ny law to wear pfd in boat between nov 1 and may 1, while striker coat says you need the coat and bibs to float.  I liked the stiker better for features so not sure which way I'm going yet, just wanted to give a review of what I seen

[icehound67]

What type of insulation does it have, it doesn't say anything in description?

[billybob851]

The foam is considered the insulation

[3300]

put them into a clothes washer and see how hard it is to sink the coats one at a time. you might be surprised how easy it is to sink a striker coat. just use water only.

it seems like the foam would restrict movement like in the shoulders and bulk up when bending an elbow say to take a drink of coffee or remove sun glasses or take/make a phone call or adjust a hat.

the pocket and vent thing is probably held back for updated versions to come out, so you spring for those as they become available.
you have to like it enough to use it or it's worthless on shore.

[icehound67]

The Snow suit was still the best suit made, they (Frabill)should have kept that suit and made it floating. I've seen the I series suits, not impressed!

[ErnieLearns]

Didn't Stearns have a coat with a built in life jacket a few years ago?  I remember looking at it at BassPro, but I don't think it was designed for ice fishing.  Do you think the I-Float will be warm enough to fish in the winter?  I was thinking of going with Striker Preadators coat and bibs until I started hearing that Frabil was coming out with a coast guard approved PFD jacket.

[mealworm]

The Snow suit was still the best suit made, they (Frabill)should have kept that suit and made it floating. I've seen the I series suits, not impressed!

x2 the snow suits are awesome

[Gills-only]

Didn't Stearns have a coat with a built in life jacket a few years ago?  I remember looking at it at BassPro, but I don't think it was designed for ice fishing.  Do you think the I-Float will be warm enough to fish in the winter?  I was thinking of going with Striker Preadators coat and bibs until I started hearing that Frabil was coming out with a coast guard approved PFD jacket.

.             For the guys that want coast guard approved , if u are not out in 10 minutes or less it makes no difference!!

[Ice Scratcher]

.             For the guys that want coast guard approved , if u are not out in 10 minutes or less it makes no difference!!

We'll it might help with the recovery...

<°)))>{

[3300]

speaking of recovery, a friend of ours is a sheriff water rescue diver (now third shift sergeant sheriff). he asked that i wear a florescent orange knit hat for easier body recovery when he found out i ice fish.
he asked me this when he was practicing using a recovery suit in warm water where i open water fish. he wasn't joking.
i made it number one priority to ensure i wear a float suit because of his remark. i did not own one at that time and was the first thing i bought for the sport after that request.

[LSCjigger]

After 10 minutes?

That's when it matters most! About the time you're unable to help yourself. On that note...buy whatever suit fits you most comfortably and keeps you warm....and wear a life jacket. Always have mine on during travel...if anything it'll keep someone else from having to get it the water. I'm not counting on my striker suit to save me.

[Gills-only]

After 10 minutes?

That's when it matters most! About the time you're unable to help yourself. On that note...buy whatever suit fits you most comfortably and keeps you warm....and wear a life jacket. Always have mine on during travel...if anything it'll keep someone else from having to get it the water. I'm not counting on my striker suit to save me.

.            The striker suit will keep u afloat long enough for u to get out, it's up to the individual to get ur self on top of the ice if nobody around, that's why 90% of the time I fish with someone else. Unless knocked unconscious when falling in u better figure out how to get urself on top of ice!!

[SlimShanty]

speaking of recovery, a friend of ours is a sheriff water rescue diver (now third shift sergeant sheriff). he asked that i wear a florescent orange knit hat for easier body recovery when he found out i ice fish.
he asked me this when he was practicing using a recovery suit in warm water where i open water fish. he wasn't joking.
i made it number one priority to ensure i wear a float suit because of his remark. i did not own one at that time and was the first thing i bought for the sport after that request.

that sounds like a good idea.  do you have a website link to the kind of hat you are talking about?  I might want to pick one up myself.

[hardwater diehard]

[OIM]

I will stick with my Climate suit from Striker Ice. The Frabill suit is way to bulky for me.