Ice fishing requires gear suitable for cold, windy, and snowy conditions. At the top of the gear list is finding the ideal ice fishing suit to match where, how, and when you ice fish.
Besides where in the Ice Belt you reside—and average winter temperatures and wind chills—it’s important to match the suit to how you will be ice fishing. Will you be fishing outside in the elements primarily, hole-hopping, and fishing in the cold and wind? Or will you spend your time in a portable or permanent ice shelter?
If you’re like many ice anglers, you’ll be doing both on various days, so versatility is key. You may need a super-warm suit that is layered for temperature control so you can dress appropriately to fish aggressively outside where the suit acts as a mobile shelter you wear—as well as inside with the removal of an outside jacket shell.
As for when you’re ice fishing, do you venture out on hard water during early and late ice? If so, it’s essential to consider a flotation-assisted ice fishing suit if you break through the ice. As you’ll discover in the following review, many flotation suits are being offered today. However, you may not need a flotation suit if you fish primarily during safer mid-ice conditions.
With the help of friends, I tested the best ice fishing suits to give you the information you need to find the right jacket and bib for you.
- Best Overall Flotation: Striker Climate Jacket and Bib
- Warmest Flotation: Norfin Explorer 2 Float Jacket and Bib
- Most Rugged Flotation: Eskimo Roughneck Jacket and Bib
- Lightest Flotation: StrikeMaster Surface Jacket and Bib
- Best Value: Ice Runner Float Jacket and Bib
- Best Flotation Suit for Plus-Sized Anglers: Eskimo Scout Jacket and Bib
- Best Flotation Suit for Women: Ice Armour by Clam Womens Rise Parka and Bib
- Best Flotation Suit For Kids: DSG Outerwear Arctic Appeal 2.0 Ice Jacket and Bib
- Warmest Non-Flotation: SIMMS Challenger Jacket and Bib
- Best Basic Non-Flotation: Blocker Outdoors Outdoor Pursuit Reliant Parka and Bib
- Best Lightweight Non-Flotation: Blackfish StormSkin Gale Pullover Jacket and Bib
How I Picked the Best Ice Fishing Suits
During December, January, and February of 2023, I tested many of the suits listed with the help of several fishing buddies and family. We fished northern Minnesota waters like Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech; the lakes of West-Central Minnesota; Fort Peck, Montana; and metropolitan fisheries. We even did some testing on open-water during the mid-winter river thaw, fishing walleyes in a boat to determine the double-duty aspect of some suits.
Best Ice Fishing Suits: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall Flotation Ice Suit: Striker Climate Jacket and Bib
Key Features
- Three-in-one jacket system
- 300D polyester shell with DWR finish
- Two large top-loading storage pockets
- Zippered vents throughout the jacket
- Sections of reflective fabric areas
- Line cutter zipper pull
- Hydrapore Waterproof 5,000mm / Breathable 5,000g
- 150g Sureflote flotation assistance
- Waterproof zippers
- Crotch panel reinforcement
- Adjustable inseams secured by Velcro, zippers, and snaps
- Knee and seat padding
- Removable hand wipe towels
Pros
- Incredible versatility
- Four wearable systems in one, from ice fishing to rainwear to waterfowl, and casual wear
- Very dry
- Awesome knee and seat padding for kneeling on ice or all-day sits
Cons
- Price
- Slightly heavy and bulky
- Removable hand wipe towels on bibs easily unsnapped and lost
- Jacket runs small (size up); bibs appropriate for size description
While on the expensive side, what you get with the Striker Climate Jacket and Bib is worth the investment. It’s actually four suits in one.
First, it’s a well-designed flotation ice fishing suit for extremely cold and windy weather. Second, by removing the bib liner and softshell jacket liner, it’s a very capable winter, spring, and fall open-water rain suit. As well, it doubles as a waterfowl or late-season deer hunting ensemble (albeit a bit noisy) if you’re in a pinch. While the camo pattern isn’t your typical Realtree or Mossy Oak, it is passable with lots of brown fabric to keep you relatively hidden in the marsh or woods.
Lastly, you can remove the Climate G2 Softshell Jacket liner and wear it casually off-the-ice. It’s not very warm on its own, but perfectly suitable for warmer, windy days as a light jacket over a t-shirt.
For its versatility, warmth, and overall design, the Striker Climate Jacket and Bib in Veil Stryk Transition Camo gets our pick for Best Overall Flotation Ice Fishing Suit.
Warmest Flotation: Norfin Explorer 2 Float Jacket and Bib
Key Features
- Shell with removable, heated inner liner jacket
- Rated to -45 degrees Fahrenheit
- Nortex breathable material w/10,000 mm waterproofing
- Breathability: 8,000 grams/m²/24 hours
- Hollofil insulation
- Taped seams
- Zippered handwarmer pockets
- Reflective printing
- Battery-operated Norfin heat system for heat in back & hip areas
- Requires a 2.1 aH minimum power bank (not included)
- Built-in, internal ankle gaiters for snow and slush protection
- Taped seams
- Removable inserts on the knee and seat
Pros
- Lightweight for a flotation suit
- Numerous pockets in all the right places
- Electric heat system for sub-zero conditions
- Articulated knees and sleeves
- Small-3XL sizing
Cons
- Power banks for jacket & bib must be purchased separately
While battery-assisted apparel is nothing new—with companies like Cabela’s and Milwaukee Tool offering options—the Norfin Element 2 Flotation Ice Fishing suit is the first ensemble we know of for hardwater use that offers lithium-power bank heat-assist technology.
In a nutshell, the Norfin Element 2 Flotation Ice Fishing suit is designed for serious abuse in the worst and coldest conditions imaginable. Even without turning the heating elements on, the suit is beyond warm.
With origins in Russia and popularity across the Baltic region and Scandinavia, Norfin products are now available stateside and have become the de-facto choice with professional, competitive ice anglers.
While I wore the suit on a couple of outings, I let my friend and former colleague (and NAIFC competitor), Shawn Bjonfald, do the majority of the suit testing.
“The lightweight design is great, and it still offers floatation,” says Bjonfald. “It fits well. It’s not bulky or cumbersome like some floatation suits, and the pockets-design is great. The pockets are where they should be and easily accessible so you can organize all of your tackle and tools when you’re fishing on-the-fly outside.”
“I fish on foot a lot during the NAIFC tournaments,” continues Bjonfald. “I’m not hunkered down in one spot, so my suit becomes my mobile shelter and my tackle box, so the Norfin pocket design is ideal. I had everything I needed on me in the suit for easy access and organization. From searching out fish on the ATV, then fishing by foot, and frequently moving from spot to spot, it’s probably the best suit I’ve ever worn.”
“I’ve gone through a lot of ice fishing suits over the years that didn’t fit well, were too bulky, or just didn’t feel right, which fatigue and wear you down. That’s not the case with the Norfin design.”
With regards to warmth, Bjonfald says it can’t be beaten.
“One of the times I wore the suit, it was -5 and gave off more heat than I needed. I recommend wearing the power bank-assisted base layer jacket with the outside shell for conditions below zero. For conditions above zero, all you need are the bibs and the outer shell jacket. I have yet to engage the heating on the bibs, but it’s there if I need it. Plus, the Velcro on the ankle/boot cuffs stays in place and doesn’t come loose, which is great for the slushy conditions I often compete in,” remarks Bjonfald.
Bjonfald concludes: “In terms of durability, I haven’t seen one lick of wear yet.”
Read Next: Best Heated Vests
Most Rugged Ice Fishing Flotation Suit: Eskimo Roughneck Jacket and Bib
Key Features
- Proprietary Eskimo Uplyft breathable flotation-assist
- Duradry fabric; windproof with DWR, and 5k/5k waterproof/breathability ratings
- Fully-taped seams for complete waterproof protection
- Lined with Sherpa fleece
- Reinforced wear points at shoulders, knees, ankles, and elbows
- YKK zippers
- Contoured, padded knees
- Full leg zippers w/ venting at the hip
Pros
- Affordable
- Warm but lightweight
- Jacket isn’t bulky
- Minimal bulk for flotation bib
- Built-to-last
- Ease of movement
- Padded knees in bib for kneeling on hard, jagged ice
Cons
- Only one hip pocket per bib side; Eskimo Keeper bib has two
My fishing buddy, Ty Macheledt, tested both the Eskimo Roughneck and Scout suits. Macheledt works every day from 5 a.m. until 2 p.m. and fishes almost daily from 2:30 until dark—both on the ice and during open-water months.
Living in western North Dakota, he’s used to a lot of wind and cold and was the perfect candidate to test these candidates for the best ice fishing suits, which claim extremely rugged and warm features. He also makes several trips to Fort Peck, Montana, to chase lake trout through the ice, where he also tested the suits this winter.
“The Eskimo Roughneck suit is warm without the bulk and weight of a typical flotation suit,” says Macheledt. “Then imagine the knee pads you’d put in your football pants. That’s the quality and thickness of the pads in the Eskimo Roughneck Bibs, which you can leave in or remove via pockets inside the bib. I’ve never seen anything comparable in other bibs. Plus, you’ve got big hip pockets on the bibs, which is handy for tackle and other gear. The bibs also have ankle gaiters to prevent slush from getting in, but I don’t use them because my boots are so tall that I don’t need them.”
“I wore the Roughneck down to about 5 degrees and was perfectly warm. I just had a sweatshirt on under the jacket and blue jeans under the bibs. And I was fine.”
Lightest Floatation: StrikeMaster Surface Jacket and Bib
Key Features
- SOS (Stay on Surface) Flotation Technology—floats for 2 hours when worn as a pair
- Fleece-lined warming pockets
- Inside zip pocket for cell phone, wallet, etc.
- YKK zippers
- Magnetic flap on main zipper
- Removable hood
- 100 percent nylon oxford fabric; 100 percent nylon tasion fabric
- 100 percent polyester/PU Coating; 100 percent polyester tricot lining
- 120g padded insulation
- Waterproof (8000mm); Breathability (8000mm)
- Zip-to-Hip side zippers
Pros
- Affordable
- Extra-small to 4XL sizing
- Lightweight for a flotation suit
- Not bulky
- Magnetic flaps
- Padded knees for kneeling on jagged ice
- Available in red/black and blue/gray patterns
Cons
- None
StrikeMaster has a long, respected history in the ice fishing world for manufacturing high-quality ice augers, accessories, and more recently, ice fishing suits.
First off, the StrikeMaster flotation suit won’t break the bank; it’s priced realistically. Testing it on a couple of outings earlier this ice season, I was amazed by the range of motion you get, rare for a flotation suit, which tend to be heavy and bulky. I didn’t get fatigued wearing the StrikeMaster Surface jacket and bib at all.
The suit is also loaded with common-sense features. Side zippers on the bib pull all the way to the hip making slipping the bib on or off easy, even keeping your boots and cleats on. I also appreciate the padded knees, which make kneeling on jagged ice to set tip-ups, move a transducer, or land a fish way more comfortable.
My frequent ice fishing buddy Bruce also tested this suit and fell in love with it immediately.
“I can’t believe that a flotation suit can be this light,” remarked Bruce. “It’s easy to move around in and you don’t get tired from wearing heavy, bulky gear. Plus, it’s super warm. And when I get back to the hard-house from drilling holes and setting tip-ups, I just take off the coat and unzip the bibs to stay comfortable. I keep it on all day long, inside and out.”
Best Value: Ice Runner Float Jacket and Bib
Key Features
- Waterproof and breathable 228T tussor nylon fabric outer shell
- 100 grams of poly fiberfill thermal insulation
- Lightweight foam flotation fill
- Five zippered pockets: jacket zippered lower hand warmer, upper outer & inner accessory pockets
- D-ring for lanyards
- Full front jacket zipper with neck guard
- Adjustable and removable drawstring hood
- Six bib pockets, including two zippered gear pockets
- Thigh-height side zippers on bib legs
Pros
- Extremely affordable flotation suit
- Lightweight yet warm
- Not bulky
- Very functional pocket placement
- D-rings for fishing accessories/tools
Cons
- None
My ice fishing buddy, Mike, tested this suit in 3XL and was pleased with its fit and warmth. We ventured out on a Northern Minnesota lake in -10 degree air temp and -30 degree windchill. I was wearing the SIMMS Challenger and he was wearing the Ice Runner. Neither of us were cold.
“Hard to believe they can sell this whole flotation suit for 200 bucks,” said Mike. “And it’s super warm, doesn’t weigh much, isn’t bulky, and has tons of pockets. Perfect for me and my budget, that’s for sure. More anglers should know about this Ice Runner suit. And it’s got flotation, which for me at 300 pounds and 6’3” is a pretty real consideration during early- and late-ice—or on big, unpredictable lakes.”
Best Flotation Suit for Plus-Sized Anglers: Eskimo Scout Jacket and Bib
Key Features
- Bomber style jacket
- Dura
