Flotation Ice Bibs

Is there a floatation ice bib out there where you will not sweat when simple walking around? this may be an impossibility, if it floats it does not breathe{Arctic Armour} and if it breathes it does not float [Columbia}. I own both and am not happy with the Arctic Armour no matter what I wear underneath. Jackets on both suits are fine.

Agreed like I said I have the hardwater suit and I still bring the safety essentials cell phone, safety spikes around my neck no matter how thick the ice is and a rope for me or to throw to a fellow fisherman to help. I've also seen guys have a whistle around there neck as well. And if you prefer a life jacket as well that's just that much safer. 

chaw,

Don't get me wrong...I absolutely LOVE my Striker Climate suit. It does exactly what it was intended to do...keeps me dry, warm and comfortable. At the end of the day though, I am not willing to rely on solely that suit to make sure I go home to my wife and kids in the event that the unthinkable happens and I go in the drink again (I've gone through 3 times in my life, not counting the Polar Plunges I've done). For early ice, there are no more important things to have with you than a USCG-approved PFD, ice picks (MUST BE AROUND YOUR NECK OR EASILY ACCESSIBLE!), a whistle and a 25' length of 3/8" rope (even if you are alone, you can blow the whistle or yell and someone can help pull you out). Like I said, the way they pitch these suits, I think people can get the impression that they are life jackets. They are not. They are meant to buy you time to get to the edge of the ice and start getting out. 

34 degree water is COLD...it will take your breath away and make it very hard to breathe. If you ever have the chance to do a Polar Plunge and jump in freezing water in a controlled environment, I highly encourage you to do so. In addition to supporting a great cause, you will know what to expect should you ever go through the ice! It's a win-win.

I own a pair of Striker Floating Ice Bibs. They work as advertised. I have not noticed they make me sweat. I have noticed they are heavy. Between my float suit, boots, and giant hooters it’s a real chore. 

I do like them and would recommend them. 

Might have been last year or the year before, Gillespie did a show and Josh (I think) jumped into open water in that suit (Striker I think) and floated just fine.

Me personally?  Nope.

Have any of you actually gone through the ice?  With one of these flotation suits or without?

Were you alone or were there others there to help you out?

To answer the question....no.  Do not rely on just the jacket on a float suit.

When I've seen them tested, it is the bibs and the jacket together that provide flotation.

If you want to try it out?  Take it out in the early fall and jump into the lake....a shallow part of the lake and see how they work together, then see how/if they work when wearing just one.

If you're worried about floating, don't rely on a jacket/bibs. Wear a PFD. My wife bought me an Onyx A/M (auto/manual) inflatable PFD. I don't even realize it's on and in the event I would go through, it will inflate and keep me afloat. The floating suits offer people a false sense of security in my opinion. If it isn't USCG-approved, don't rely solely on the suit. My $.02...

am i safe using just my clam floatation coat or do i need the bibs too?

I sweat a lot...I have found if I leave my side leg zippers open 6" at the top, I don't get hot and sweat. Hope this helps...

I have the Striker Predator bibs and jacket.  I love them.

I fish a lot in the shack and when I'm in there, jacket comes off.

Bibs, though.....they are amazing.  Very warm and they have many different zippers that allow for air to go through them and keep you cool when walking around.

Usually when I have the bibs on, I just have sweatpants on underneath.  No need for long johns or thermal underwear with those things.

Striker bibs zipper is ankle to hip they have a bunch of different models of bibs the warmer the bibs the more expensive. They have them everywhere I've looked since your in Waukesha Dick smiths carries them and at least there you could try them on. The hardwater bibs which I have are like $270 now and in March April there $200. If your buying online reeds, striker ice , pro fishing supply, marine General, up north sports all carry them in all models. But if you don't want striker they carry other brands. Cabelas might carry them as well. 

I am looking into getting a hip to ankle zipper put into the Arctic Armour bibs, but that may be too expensive, meaning buying new bibs would make the most sense. If anyone knows where I could go for an estimate let me know please. I live in the waukesha area.

Got the striker hard water suit and on a atv it's great but walking out of around I either put it in my sled and put it on once I get the spot which eliminates sweating but if it's cold enough I wear it out with all the vent zippers open. It beats the old walls blizzard proof suit I use to wear.

I normally have the side zippers open from the top almost down to my knee when I'm walking around. It's the best option I've found. (striker predator bibs)