Best ice fishing suits 2018-detailed guide and reviews

Similar to any other style of fishing, ice fishing will only be as fun if you have all the equipment you need, right? Well, as much as this is completely true, you’ll need to be keen on other things when it comes to ice fishing such as the type of clothes you have on since the last thing you want is concluding your fishing expedition way too early.

What if I told you that you could get the best of the best ice fishing suits by just the click of a button? No more endless searches on the internet for the best apparel and no more uncertainties while shopping for ice fishing suits since today, we’ll be reviewing the top 10 suits in 2018’s market.

But that’s not all…

In addition to the reviews, there will also be a detailed guide that’ll make it much easier for you to shop for one. There’s no way you could really go wrong with such a combination.

That being said, let’s cut to the chase and delve into the main agenda already, shall we?

Before we get started, we’d like to first of all list down 3 of the best ice fishing suits for you in the market; this will definitely save you the time of reading all through and it’s just as good as the individual reviews.

Now here’s what we came for. We’ll be taking a look 10 of the best ice fishing suits and in each review, you’ll have an outstanding jacket that’s matched with the best ice fishing bib. Durability and comfort all in one.

Kickstarting our reviews is definitely a pair that won’t disappoint you. The Frabill Mens I Bib and jacket combination is meant for use exclusively for the men and the best part about it is that it comes in different sizes hence you’re guaranteed to get one that fits perfectly.
Let’s first take a look at what the jacket has to offer…

If you love exploring new ice fishing grounds, I’m sure you’ll find this really useful. This float assisting ice fishing jacket is even recognized by the U.S. coast guard as a personal floatation device hence just in case of an accident, this jacket will aid in keeping you afloat.

Being one of the most important features on any ice fishing suit, durability is not left out on this jacket. It comes with 100% nylon construction which will stand up quite well in extreme weathers.

The same also does have mesh self-drainage openings for emergency water evacuation. The material also comes with highly visible USCG orange accents and lining and a 3M Scotchlite reflective material for a better detection while out in the elements.

Both windproof and waterproof
As far as weatherproofing is concerned, this ice fishing jacket is both windproof and waterproof which makes it perfect for use out in the elements.

Moving on to the Frabill Mens I-Bib, I’ve got to admit that this bib is just the perfect match to the ice fishing jacket aforementioned above which will possibly give you the best Frabill ice suit

It is also made of 100% nylon which just so happens to be quite outstanding for outdoor use. it’s light and at the same time is durable enough to withstand the harsh ice environment you’ll be fishing in.

As much as the nylon construction will give this bib a really good level of longevity outdoors, I’m quite sure that you’ll also appreciate the ergonomically designed knees. They have got durable Cordura which means you can use these without being too cautious of how you move or where your knees are.

For emergency water evacuation, there are self-drainage openings which ascertain of your safety just in case you’re completely submerged.
Also included in the design are holsters for your ice pick which do save on the storage space.

The two above owe their outstanding performance to the frabill brand which is renowned for manufacturing some of the fishing gear since the year 1938. With regard to being in the market for such a long time, they definitely blow other brands out of the water. With this much experience, you’ll definitely see every dime you spend on their products put to use.

Yet another one from Frabill is a combination of two of the best in the Frabill i-series that are definitely going to withstand anything the winter throws your way. They’ve got the most advanced features- from the fit to the construction and build quality, this suit won’t let you down.

Starting off with the jacket, it will be doing more than just keeping you warm out in the snow. Here’s a closer look at it:

it is made out of the 300-denier nylon Taslan shell and as far as ice fishing jackets are concerned, this one is going to stand up quite well out in the ice.

As for the seams, they are 100% sealed hence they won’t be letting in any water whatsoever.

There's more to the design than just the nylon construction. It has got an adjustable hood with a sun visor and there is are also hand warmer pockets that have got a tricot lining. Speaking of keeping yourself warm, this jacket has got a 3MThinsulate that’s 150g to keep the warmth in.

This jacket also features a self-rescue set. This entails ice pick holsters, an ice pick set, drainage mesh, and an ice safety internal label.

Complimenting the jacket mentioned above is the Frabill i3 bib. It’s got both comfort and durability altogether and will be giving you quite a good time out in the ice.

For a snug fit, the shoulder straps are elastic and they also come with the cam lock buckles. By giving you a perfect fit, you’ll find this bib really comfortable to move around in

Speaking of comfort, it is worth pointing out that this bib also does have 500D nylon reinforcements on the knees and the pant cuffs. Since these areas are prone to wear and tear, the higher quality 500D nylon increases their longevity.

As for the rest of the bib, there’s a durable 300D nylon Taslan shell which is windproof, waterproof and breathable hence besides just being suitable for use in the harsh environments will keep you comfortable as well.

You’ll also be getting a padding on both the knee and your bum area for an added level of comfort throughout your fishing expedition.

Besides just frabill, another reputed brand in giving you the best ice fishing suits is Striker. With this pair of bib pants and a fishing jacket, you’re definitely going to have a really good time.

Here’s a closer look:

Starting off with the jacket, it comes in different sizes and the chances of you missing one that fits you are quite slim. Besides just a variety of sizes to choose from, it boasts a durable construction of a 320D tussor shell material which will serve you quite well out in the ice.

Just in case you're accidentally submerged in the ice-cold water, the sureflote floatation assist technology will increase your buoyancy and in turn theoretically give an average person a floatation assist of up to 2 hours.

To be a good enough companion for you out in the cold, it does have a thermadex insulation which is amazingly light. It has got a superior insulation performance and more so, it is soft and breathable at the same which definitely gives you utmost comfort.

Yet another feature that I’m sure you’ll appreciate is the Hydrapore system. This is meant to give you the best protection against extreme weather elements such as wind and snow. It has got the 5000/5000 rating for resisting water penetration and for breathability.

Guaranteed to keep you warm and dry and at the same time prevent the buildup of moisture within.

A perfect match to the above jacket is the Striker ice predator Bib. Similar to the jacket, this one too does come with the 320D Tussor shell material. This, as you probably already know is of one of the best qualities as far as durability is concerned.

For complete warmth while out in the ice, you’ll be getting the thermadex insulation which is similar to what you get on the matching jacket that we’ve already looked at.

As much as there is the insulation property, it is completely breathable hence by letting out excess moisture, you won’t be uncomfortably warm

To reduce wear and tear while at the same time giving you utmost comfort and really good longevity, there is an additional padding on the seat and the knees of this bad boy.

Yet another thing worth pointing out on this bib is the floatation assist technology. This will give you an increased buoyancy just in case you’re accidentally submerged and would work perfectly fine with the jacket above.

Most of the bibs we’ve looked at are either unisex or for the men but this pair right here is exclusively meant for the ladies.

Starting with the jacket, the first thing that I’d like to point out about it is that it is one of the best-looking women’s ice fishing jackets in the market.

Let’s see what it packs under the hood, shall we?

I’m pretty sure that you’ll definitely appreciate this. Depending on the size that you get, the weight may vary but even the largest size will feel comfortable.

It comes with a 320D shell Tursor shell that is waterproof and breathable at the same time- quite an amazing combination, right? By keeping the moisture out and preventing the build-up of moisture within it, this jacket will keep you completely dry.

In the event when you happen to be accidentally submerged, the jacket has got a fast-drain hem and sleeve cuff which will let out any excess moisture and get you dry really quick.

It comes with lycra inner cuffs with closures and the elbows are pre-curved which makes movement quite easily. As for the warmth, it does have a rating of 9/10 which is made possible by the 150g Thermadex insulation.

To back up the fast drain hem and sleeve cuffs, this jacket comes with the Sureflote floatation assist technology which increases your buoyancy just in case of accidental submergence in the ice-cold water.

Complimenting the above jacket is this pair of women’s ice fishing bibs still from striker. The bib also does have a waterproof and breathable 320D Tussor shell that is also breathable hence keeping you as comfortable as the jacket would.

In order to minimize wear and tear, the knees on this bib are made of high quality 1600D Snakeskin material which also allows you to use them perfectly well in any environment.

For the construction and build quality, it comes with the 210T interior lining, the sureflote floatation assist, and an adjustable cuff/inseam.
With all of these, you won't have to be worried just in case you happen to be accidentally submerged and at the same time, you can use the bib while enjoying utmost comfort.

Whereas a fishing suit may have the best waterproofing or water-repellent properties, it’s really not good enough and worth your money if it won’t be able to keep you warm.

I'd, therefore, recommend that you opt for a suit that will keep you warm as well.

Since you most probably will be working in environments that have got temperatures that are below zero degrees Celsius, it is in your best interest to get a suit with the best insulation properties. In this case, you’ll want both the jacket and the bibs to have equally as good a level of insulation.

With the ability to retain as much as your body temperature as possible, the best ice fishing suit should bet you through the winter quite well. The added advantage to having a really good level of insulation is that even in the event where you may be forced to deal with a bad storm, you’ll still have your vulnerability at a minimum and such a bib surely will keep you warm even through long fishing hours.

Even with the best waterproofing and insulation properties, it is of utmost importance that your suit gives you enough room to move around.

The last thing you’d want would be a heavy, cumbersome bib. This will definitely make it difficult to move around especially if you have to walk on snow.

As an ice angler, it’s all about patience and it could be quite frustrating and think of how frustrating it would be if you were forced to sit and wait for your catch in a fishing suit that’s not comfortable.

Also, in the event where fish falls for your bait and you have to battle with the fish, a comfortable suit will definitely determine which direction the battle goes. Going for something that allows you to move your hands-free as well as your waist should be given the top priority.

As much as waterproofing and insulation are important, going for something that is lightweight and flexible is of utmost importance.

Besides just allowing you to have enough room for movement, it is in your best interest to get an ice fishing suit that is comfortable enough. Let’s shed some light on what you should always consider in order to enjoy comfort at its best.

Ensure it gives you enough room for underlying clothes

As much as it might allow for enough room for movement, you might want to go for an ice fishing suit that feels slightly larger when you’re wearing your normal apparel.

But why is this so?

Considering you’ll have to keep warm during the winter, you’ll be needed to have extra layers of clothing. The ice fishing suit you’ll be having on during ice fishing, therefore, should provide enough room for extra layers of clothing without compromising your mobility

Ensure the level of padding is good enough

Something else besides comfort that I’d recommend you pay close attention to is the padding on both your jacket and pants.

A well-padded ice fishing suit should allow leverage on both the seat and the knees hence making it possible for you to be able to kneel or sit on your bum more comfortably.

Breathability should not be overlooked

As much as you want to keep out the cold and retain most of your body heat, you also don’t want to get all sweaty, right?

The best way to ensure this does not happen is to go for a fishing suit that has got a breathable shell. This way, excess heat, and moisture will effectively be dissipated from your body and you won't feel overheated even upon putting on layers and layers of clothing which is something you have to do while ice fishing.

If you choose to go for the jacket-bib combination rather than having your jacket and pants on, I’d recommend that you settle for a bib that has got a vented back panel. If you’re lucky, you could get a bib that’s got a zippered vented back.

Most manufacturers of ice fishing jackets, pants or bibs make their products true to size but even so it is best that you consider going for something that can be adjusted. A clam-lock system, for instance, should do quite well in giving you a snug fit.

The worst thing that could probably happen to you while you are out ice fishing would be for your ice fishing suit to give in to the rather harsh environment and expose you to the cold or water.

Because of this, it is of utmost importance that you pay close attention to the details. On any top-rated product, you’ll get either a high denier nylon construction (such as 600D nylon) or one that is constructed out of polyester. 

The seams

For them to hold up well during a struggle or as you are moving around, you should also ensure that the seams are double stitched and sealed. This also prevents any moisture from seeping into the bib or jacket. Even better, for the bibs or pants, you could go for those that got riveted seams or reinforced hems which ends up giving them greater strength

Think of how bad it would be just in case you happened to be accidentally submerged in water and in this case, ice-cold water. You’d definitely want to get yourself out of there as quick as possible, right? Well, getting a floating ice fishing suit will definitely do the trick.

To the eyes, these may look just as ordinary as any ice fishing suit but when you submerge either the bib/pants or the ice fishing jacket in water, they’ll end up floating. When you have either of these on, you’ll have an easier time just in case of an accident. Better safe than sorry, right?

Things such as the brand name and the cost of an ice fishing suit are not given much thought when we finally make up our minds to purchase one, right?

As much as it may not be really that important to pay attention to the brand name or the price tag, it’s something that you should consider looking into after you’re satisfied with all the essential features the suit has to offer.

From our reviews, for instance, the frabill ice suit and the striker ice suit just have got some of the best gear and you really won’t have to break the bank to get these.

However, …

The best ice fishing suit is entirely a matter of personal opinion and whether the suit will be worth every penny you spend on it. I’d recommend that you take your time in researching on the variety of options and settle on one only after you’re completely sure it won’t let you down.

We’re talking ice fishing suits here and consider you’ll be getting both a jacket as well as an ice fishing bib or a pair of ice fishing pants. You could take advantage of the fact that you’re getting two of these to purchase a suit that possesses some extra features which could be a really good alternative to just a standard ice fishing suit.

Some may come with a lining added in the interior of the suit which functions to increase buoyancy which could be useful to you if you like exploring in new fishing grounds. Some, on the other hand, feature survival kits that'll serve you quite well in extreme circumstances.

With the much that we've taken a look at, I think it should be easy enough now for you to choose the best ice fishing suit, right? Each of the pairs we've reviewed above observes durability and comfort altogether which should be enough to keep you comfortable as you fish, right?

Expect any of the suits mentioned above to give you the best performance and longevity all the same. All in all, take your time while shopping for one to ensure you get the best fit.

Read The beginner’s Ice Fishing Guide