No ice fishermen can deny the importance of an ice fishing jacket. As ice anglers, we are always on the hunt for the best ice fishing jacket. Just like we can’t catch a fish without an ice fishing line, we can’t stay out in freezing temperatures without proper ice fishing apparel.
Best Ice Fishing Jacket
Ice fishing jackets are, no doubt, meant to keep you warm against the cold. But today, most jackets come with various features to increase your safety and convenience on ice. And as an ice fishing enthusiast all my life, I’ve come across a variety of jackets.
Some have helped me in making the most of my fishing expedition. While some have failed me terribly. 😉
But keeping the “failed ones” aside, today I’ll be reviewing some of the best ice fishing jackets from my ice fishing gear list.
You can go through the article and pick the right one for your next ice fishing trip.
Quick overview of the best ice fishing jackets
- Striker Ice Men’s Fishing Waterproof Jacket (Editor’s Choice)
- STORMR Strykr Jacket (Customer Favorite)
- Frabill I3 Jacket (Best Value for Money)
- Striker Ice Men’s Predator Insulated Jacket
- Eskimo Lockout Ice Fishing Jacket
- Striker Ice SI Prism Women Jacket
Keep reading for my more in-depth review!
Top 6 Jackets for Ice Fishing in 2020
Striker Ice Men’s Fishing Waterproof Jacket
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Striker Ice is among the top brands in the ice fishing market. The brand has been manufacturing some of the best waterproof ice fishing jacket and other gears for all fishing enthusiasts. And this Waterproof Cold Weather Jacket is no exception.
It comes in varieties of sizes and three distinctive colors. Thus whatever your taste and size, this Striker jacket has something in store for all ice anglers. If you often ice fish in extremely cold temperatures or at sub-zero temperatures, this jacket might be your knight in shining armor. Striker rates it a whopping 10 out of 10 when it comes to the warmth aspect.
The jacket is highly versatile and can be worn in three different ways. It comes with a removable G2 liner. You can wear this interior liner or the outer shell separately when the temperature starts to rise. Or, you can combine the two to withstand freezing temperatures.
The outer shell is 320D Nylon material with Hydrapore 5000 waterproof elements for the complete waterproof and windproof experience. It also promotes better breathability. Along with all these cool features, the Striker Ice Cold Weather Jacket comes with the classic Striker’s 150g Sureflote Flotation technology for safety reasons.
Pros:
- Highly Durable
- Flotation technology
- High Insulation
- Removable liner
- Highly versatile
Cons:
- The price is on the higher side.
- Some anglers may find it slightly bulky.
What other ice anglers have to say?
“This jacket is better than what I anticipated. Since the inner liner is removable, it’s like I got two jackets for the price of one. This jacket can be a little pricey, but it is totally worth the money. I love everything about this jacket; it’s super comfy, warm, and versatile.”
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STORMR Strykr Jacket
- NEOPRENE CORE TECHNOLOGY - The STRYKR Jacket features Neoprene Core...
- BUOYANCY - The STRYKR angling jacket provides inherent positive buoyancy,...
- LIGHT JACKET - Now 25% lighter in weight and 20% more material stretch,...
For those of you who a 100% sturdy ice fishing jacket, the STORMR Strykr Jacket is here! This jacket by STORMR is meant for serious ice anglers who often find themselves ice fishing against extreme weather conditions.
The entire jacket, right up to the collar, is made with abrasion-resistant polyester. This makes the jacket waterproof and windproof, and of course, highly durable. It also features non-corrosive PU coated zippers that promote longevity.
On its interior, the jacket includes a fleece lining for increased warmth and comfort. In fact, multiple features on this jacket increase warmth, such as the double-sided adjustable hood, thermal taped seams, internal neoprene cuffs, etc.
The jacket isn’t bulky, yet it comes equipped with several pockets. Thus, you can conveniently store your essentials in them. Another excellent feature about the STORMR Strykr jacket is its added buoyancy to keep you afloat in case of an unexpected fall or slip.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Efficiently blocks wind
- Abrasion resistant material
- Durable
- Great adjustable elements for proper fit
- Keeps you warm even in the coldest temperatures
Cons:
- The jacket is not the most breathable jackets out there.
What other ice anglers have to say?
“The neck collar is a little loose on me, but it very warm and comfortable. Great purchase. An excellent pick for cold temperatures and rainy days. I love how it features multiple pockets.”
Frabill I3 Jacket
- 3M Scotchlite reflective material
- Hand warmer pockets with Tricot lining
- Adjustable hood with sun visor, hood is removable
Frabill has been in the market of fishing gears and apparel for over eight long decades now. With so much experience and expertise, Frabill truly understands the needs of both traditional and modern ice anglers. The brand is known for manufacturing some of the best ice fishing jackets, and today we are going to talk about one such product – the Frabill I3 Jacket.
Whether you want a versatile jacket or a little tight on budget, the Frabill I3 Jacket can be the best ice fishing jacket for the money. It includes all the primary benefits launched in its i-series by Frabill, yet at a reasonable price. The outer 300 denier nylon material, along with its 100% sealed seams, is what makes this jacket completely windproof and waterproof without compromising with breathability.
It includes 150g insulation that provides sufficient warmth. And its unique tapered sleeves increase warmth by trapping in heat. The jacket also has handwarmer pockets and an adjustable hood for added convenience.
What I love most about this jacket is its unique inbuilt self-rescue set. It includes inbuilt ice picks, ice pick holsters, and drainage mesh. However, since it includes its own safety feature, the Frabill I3 does not include a flotation feature. Thus, you would need to carry a safety vest or PFD separately.
Pros:
- Waterproof and Windproof
- High breathability
- Handwarmer pockets
- Inbuilt self-rescue safety kit
- Affordably priced
Cons:
- The size of the jacket is a little shorter than other ice fishing jackets.
What other ice anglers have to say?
“At first, I was reluctant to buy this jacket, but I did anyway, and it is one of the best decisions I’ve made so far. The jacket is very comfortable, and I feel safe in it. I love this jacket not only for ice fishing trips, but I wear it throughout winter.”
Striker Ice Men’s Predator Insulated Jacket
- STAY DRY: Equipped with Hydrapore technology and a 320D nylon tussor...
- ULTIMATE WARMTH: Our insulated fishing jacket features a balanced 100g of...
- ICE FISHING JACKET: Featuring large pockets with magnetic storm-flap...
The next jacket on our list is the Men’s Predator Insulated Jacket by Striker. It comes in a wide range of sizes and three different colors. So, whatever your size or preferences, you can find a pick with the Striker Ice Men’s Fishing Cold Weather Insulated Jacket. It is nothing like your usual, bulky ice fishing jacket that you would normally find at a store. Instead, the Striker Ice Men’s Insulated Jacket is much lighter than most ice fishing jackets out there, without compromising with comfort.
It includes 100g of Thermadex insulation and is entirely waterproof. Thus, it can keep you warm and dry even in cold temperatures. However, if you are ice fishing somewhere with a temperature below -15°F, I would recommend you to pick a jacket with higher insulation.
This jacket features the classic Sureflote flotation-assist technology. This promotes safety and helps you in case of a fall-in-the-ice emergency. It also includes six exterior and three interior pockets, so you never run out of space to store your necessities. And the cherry on top is its reflective elements that increase visibility in low-light.
Pros:
- Weighs around 1 lb only
- Entirely waterproof and windproof
- The breathable venting system keeps you comfortable when the temperature rises.
- Lightweight
- Reflective elements
Cons:
- Some customers had issues with the size. You might want to order a size bigger than your normal size.
What other ice anglers have to say?
“I love my Striker Jacket, super comfy, and less bulky! This jacket is worth every penny. It is warm and roomy. I like the feel of this jacket; awesome and light.”
Eskimo Lockout Ice Fishing Jacket
- 600D Endura outer shell
- Hydra pore 5000 W/B
- 100% PU seam taped
Eskimo is another great brand when it comes to ice fishing gears and apparels. This jacket by Eskimo is a little pricy as compared to other jackets. However, you wouldn’t be disappointed with its quality. Eskimo manufactured this jacket solely to meet the needs of all ice anglers.
The jacket’s outer material is rugged and made of 600D polyester that makes this jacket waterproof and windproof. Also, Hydrapore waterproof technology makes it extremely breathable. Thus, it keeps your body cool even when the temperature rises. On the other hand, its unique 60g insulation and 210T lining on its interiors keep your body warm and comfortable.
This jacket also features Sureflote Technology (commonly found in Striker Jackets), which adds buoyancy and safety in case of unexpected slips. However, since this jacket only has a 60g insulation, it is not the best for ice fishing in sub zero temperatures. You might want to wear a body warmer and layer on for ice fishing in extremely cold places.
Pros:
- Good airflow with Hydrapore 5000 waterproof technology
- Durable
- Added Buoyancy and safety with the Sureflote Technology
Cons:
- Not the best option for sub zero temperatures
What other ice anglers have to say?
“The main reason why I like this jacket is that it keeps me completely warm and dry. Plus, I feel a lot safer on ice with his jacket. Nice jacket, not very bulky. It blocks the wind when out in the open.”
Striker Ice SI Prism Women Jacket
- WATERPROOF YET BREATHABLE MATERIAL: Light Weight Waterproof/Breathable 320D...
- IDEAL PROTECTION FROM COLD WEATHER: 150g Thermadex Insulation
- SUPERIOR DESIGN: Underarm Zippered Vents "through-to-skin"; Lycra Inner...
Another excellent jacket by Striker Ice is the SI Prism Jacket for women ice anglers. For those women who want to get away from the traditional bulky looks of an ice fishing jacket and switch to a more stylish one, the Striker Ice SI Prism Women Jacket is the one for you.
It is far from bulky. Plus, it comes in three different colors to suit the taste of all women anglers. And the good news is – you get to taste style without having to compromise with functionality with this jacket.
You can find the same warmth and sturdiness that you would typically find in a men’s ice fishing jacket. It features a 320B Tursor shell, meaning, this jacket is both waterproof and breathable. Just like any other ice fishing jackets by Striker, this jacket also features the Sureflote flotation for safety reasons.
Though the jacket does not come with a removable inner liner, it does include removable underarm vents. Thus, you need not worry about feeling hot while the temperature rises. The jacket is perfect for cold temperatures with 150g Thermadex insulation. In fact, Striker rates it a solid 9 out of 10 when it comes to warmth and comfort.
Pros:
- Very Durable
- Not bulky and modern design
- Waterproof and breathable
- Tapered fit
- Great insulation
Cons:
- Customers have issues finding the right fit. These jackets usually run ½ inch smaller than your regular size.
- Inner lining cannot be removed.
What other ice anglers have to say?
“I feel safe and warm on the ice with this jacket. Exactly what I wanted! It has enough pockets, fits me well and very comfortable. I’m very pleased with this women’s jacket by Striker. My wife absolutely loves this jacket – mostly because of the way it looks.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in an ice fishing jacket?
Modern ice fishing jackets come with several features and technologies. While some features are unnecessary and included just to make the product pricey, some features can actually help you and increase reliability.
One of the most important things to look for while buying an ice fishing jacket is high insulation. Since you’ll be ice fishing in cold weather conditions, you’ll definitely need a high insulated jacket. When it comes to your safety, you might want to buy a jacket that includes some kind of flotation assistance. This feature will come in handy in case of an unexpected fall.
Features like waterproof, windproof, and breathability will also prove beneficial for you.
Is ice fishing jacket more important than ice fishing bib?
Ice fishing jacket and ice fishing bib are equally important. In fact, most ice fishing jackets and bibs come as suits since they supplement each other and increases comfort, safety, and insulation. Thus, when these two apparel items come as a suit, it is best to wear them together.
I have some cool recommendations for ice fishing bibs as well.
You can check out the Arctix Overalls Tundra Bib and Frabill I3 Bib.
What should I wear under my jacket if I’m not wearing ice fishing bib?
If your jacket does not come with an ice fishing bib, you can opt for other types of warm clothes. If you’re fishing in freezing cold temperatures, you might want to consider wearing body warmers, fleece sweatpants, and shirts, hoodies, etc. These will increase insulation and keep you warmer for longer.
Conclusion
On the whole, there are hundreds of great ice fishing jackets out there. Thus, choosing one from the crowd, all boils down to you, your fishing requirements, and your preferences. Also, it is important to remember that what works best for someone may not work best for you.
For example – your friend fishes in sub zero temperatures and swears by a jacket with 200g Insulation. On the other hand, if you ice fish in an area that is relatively warmer than your friend’s region, that same 200g Insulated jacket will not be the best option for you.
Thus, along with your preferences, you should also consider the environment and weather conditions when picking the right ice fishing jacket.
All the above-reviewed jackets include different kinds of features and are unique in one way or the other. Thus, I hope you can find the right fit from the list above. 🙂
Niels Thomas is a wildlife expert and fishing fanatic that works with major fishing brands like Deeper Sonar, Abu Garcia, Berkley, PENN, BassPro and Pure Fishing. Through sharing the best fishing tips, tricks, gear reviews, locations and much more he hopes to inspire fishing fanatics to start their own journey towards becoming the King of the Catch!