Re: Ice bibs -- what's your recommemdation?
I had 3 full suits and Im down to 2 sets. The blue clam suit was my first setup and Ive sold it because I didnt like it, it is just an outer layer of waterproofing, no insulation and no breathing, I was either cold or sweaty and clammy. I have the frablill grey suit, and I used that the last 3 years as my main set. Its got some insulation and is super dry, you can sit in water and you dont get wet, you have to layer underneath it. Last summer I got a frabill snosuit, its the warmest suit made w the most insulation, has flotation, and its almost too warm. I just wear jeans underneath the bibs and a baselayer and hoodie and im usually good unless its rly cold out, Ive never had the jacket zipped up yet. I fish alot in a shanty so I usually wear the grey suit, but if Im outside all day watching tipups and its cold I goto the snosuit. Personally I dont care for all the hype w the float suits, none of them are coast guard rated and if you read and watch the videos you have to be laying flat for the most effect. If you fall thru a hole and you are upright theres almost no flotation effect, thats where you need picks and you should NEVER go out on the ice without them. People laugh at me when I was on 18" plus and I had my picks on, but Ive see people make livewells or drill multiple holes and you cant tell theres skim ice when not paying attention. If you are on a budget look on ebay theres lots of leftover suits and lightly used for cheap, I know the frabills run true to size. I have large bibs and large jacket and have plenty of room, I could prob get away w a medium. Im 6'0" 175lb for a reference
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