Striker ice bibs for late season deer- how noisy is too noisy?

[Erussell01]

Anybody ever use their striker ice bibs for late season deer? I'm considering buying the fanatic bibs that are on sale but I'm struggling with the idea of having another set of bibs that costs almost 400$. I have scheels bibs now, and they are absolutely not warm. They're good for mid season but I froze my tail off in December in them last year. Upper body was warm with my layering set up by legs got cold cold.


So I got to thinking. And yes I know that's dangerous..
But I have striker bibs that are warm as heck.
My only fear would be that they are loud in the cold so I'd probably either have to go full ninja or just stay sitting to shoot so they wouldn't brush together.

Anybody done it?

 

[hunterdanman]

I would guess rifle would be a lot more doable than archery. If you had something to go over them it would help deaden the sound and keep them from rubbing together. I'm thinking something like snow camp coveralls, not for temperature iansulation but for sound insulation .

 

[Erussell01]

I would guess rifle would be a lot more doable than archery. If you had something to go over them it would help deaden the sound and keep them from rubbing together. I'm thinking something like snow camp coveralls, not for temperature iansulation but for sound insulation .

For sure I could wear them rifle hunting, but I'm having a hard time buying a set of fanatic bibs for deer when they're spendy and I generally dislike sitting in a stand when it's that cold. However, since my wife's primary love of the fall is smashing geese and pulling crankbaits for walleyes... late season ends up being my deer hunting time if I don't hustle to fill tags early.

 

[hunterdanman]

For sure, if it's just whitetails on a treestand there are plenty of other cheaper brands than may not have some of the higher end features and lighter weights that are more important for our west hunting. Maybe check out huntworth, they have lower prices but still have really warm gear from what I hear.

 

[fishslap]

I’m big into ice fishing and I think I’d only wear my striker bibs if I was mostly sitting still in a blind or stand and rifle hunting. I’d figure out a different solution otherwise. Maybe a heavier merino base layer and/or some puffy pants under a quite (brushed or fleece faced) shell or existing bibs if you want to spend the money on pieces with more versatility.

 

[nosajnh]

I can't imagine hunting in my Striker Ice hardwaters due to the noise however, the hardwaters are made with the heavier cordura material than the other SI bibs. I was sick of putting a million layers on during Nov./Dec. hangs so I bought the FL Santuary 2.0 bibs and Jacket when they were 30% off. I am really happy with them. I walk in with the bibs on and the legs unzipped.. Once at height I put the jacket on and open/close the vents/zippers as required. I used them once the temps went below 45.

 

[fishslap]

If you (or a buddy….) are a veteran, you can get a pretty good discount with FL or kuiu. Not sure about other companies. Outdoor research offers a discount also (non hunting focused but great gear).

 

[Erussell01]

I’m big into ice fishing and I think I’d only wear my striker bibs if I was mostly sitting still in a blind or stand and rifle hunting. I’d figure out a different solution otherwise. Maybe a heavier merino base layer and/or some puffy pants under a quite (brushed or fleece faced) shell or existing bibs if you want to spend the money on pieces with more versatility.

That's the problem, I have scheels bibs but they just aren't warm enough for late late season. The strikers are basically a Woodstove but man I just don't know if they'll be too noisy. I for surely could use them rifle hunting but I'm basically just a guide for my wife and father in law for rifle season, and usually pack in a pop up blind, 2 or 3 chairs and all of the gear for whoever I'm taking. So likely I could not hike in them at all.

 

[Erussell01]

I can't imagine hunting in my Striker Ice hardwaters due to the noise however, the hardwaters are made with the heavier cordura material than the other SI bibs. I was sick of putting a million layers on during Nov./Dec. hangs so I bought the FL Santuary 2.0 bibs and Jacket when they were 30% off. I am really happy with them. I walk in with the bibs on and the legs unzipped.. Once at height I put the jacket on and open/close the vents/zippers as required. I used them once the temps went below 45

I honestly don't own a single piece of first lite. I'm not opposed, I just haven't dabbled at all so I'm mostly unfamiliar. What do the sanctuary bibs compare to in the sitka line? Are they insulated? How quiet are they?

 

[Erussell01]

Guys what other options are there that aren't almost 500$ that I'm not thinking of. I hear the stratus bibs just aren't warm, but I'm kind of getting sick of buying and wrecking cheaper bibs that leave me wanting more warmth.

 

[nosajnh]

I honestly don't own a single piece of first lite. I'm not opposed, I just haven't dabbled at all so I'm mostly unfamiliar. What do the sanctuary bibs compare to in the sitka line? Are they insulated? How quiet are they?

They are very quiet and very warm. I am not saying they are better than the Fanatics as I have never tried them. I just mentioned them as I am familiar with them and happy with them. The jacket is cut nicely for bow hunting and they have a well designed cuff that expands but does not require velcro that can make bad noises at inopportune times. I have read where some think the collar is too big however I never noticed that. Some feel they are too warm so you will see them for sale used. You want the 2.0. I imagine the Sitka would be lighter weight.

 

[Erussell01]

They are very quiet and very warm. I am not saying they are better than the Fanatics as I have never tried them. I just mentioned them as I am familiar with them and happy with them. The jacket is cut nicely for bow hunting and they have a well designed cuff that expands but does not require velcro that can make bad noises at inopportune times. I have read where some think the collar is too big however I never noticed that. Some feel they are too warm so you will see them for sale used. You want the 2.0. I imagine the Sitka would be lighter weight.

I will absolutely check it out!

Thank You for the suggestion.

 

[deer_hunter132]

any updates on the striker? im a Southern boy who cant handle the cold. Went to MO this year (warmer than normal too) and struggled with not sweating and then being cold when not moving, too many layers of crap, trying to saddle hunt for the first time on top of that. i bought amazon heated "thermals" but i find it not overly warm and the battery weight/bulk/maintenance not worth it. found some striker ice bib & jacket on sale for $200 for the set, which appears much cheaper than the "hunting branded" stuff.
if noise is the biggest issue, i might be able to figure out something for that. Would i be able to wear just a set of thermals and the bib/jacket and stay warm in single digits with 20mph wind?
i was wearing cotton thermals, then poly/spandex tekari from walmart, then amazon heated "thermals", then coveralls, sometimes another jacket too LOL
keeping the feet/fingers/face warm went a long way too, that i had better control of this year, but it wasn't brutally cold either.

 

[Netloss]

I have a vexilar ( like Striker) suit that I have worn for many years in late season hunting, mostly muzzleloader
Noise isn't much of a factor and I have a cover suit when it is.
I also have a heated vest and pants underneath when things get brutal.

 

[deer_hunter132]

Since i can't try on any of the ice type gear in south LA i bought some old gen3 usgi layers 1,2,3 & 7. See how that does.

 

[Erussell01]

I have now tried darn near every major brands cold weather gear and here is my take away

Sitka fanatic is the king
First lite sanctuary 2.0 is awesome but bulky and if I hadn't caught it on sale when they were discontinued I'm not sure id say it was worth the price
Sitka stratus is the most usable across all temps
Kryptek Aegis is the best value and honestly damn good
Huntworth is actually not bad, but they arent built to last forever
Work bibs blow for saddle hunting


If I was only able to have 1 system for all temps of cold gear and I was worried about budget

Id go
Sitka heavyweight base (or similar but the sitka is the most comfy and moves the best)
Heavyweight polyester sweats from tj max or similar
Stratus bibs
On top id run a light merino or synthetic top- sitka 120 or kuiu 120 or first lite wick
Then id run a condor grid fleece top or a rothco one. I find them on ebay new with tags all the time for less than 20$ so I have several
If you can splurge get the ambient 200, if not a quiet puffy of almost any brand should be great to help
And any quiet shell- id take my jetstream over anything.

Im lucky I have gear, but if I didnt the only 2 parts i would save and splurge on would be the stratus bibs and jacket or the jetstream.

And right now sales are everywhere so a guy can put together a good kit for less than normal.


My striker bibs do come out to coyote hunt. They are better for water resistance but they aren't awesome to hike in a long ways.

 

[deer_hunter132]

what makes the bib suck about the hike? i assume its bulk = resistance and likely sweat since they are warm when stationary?

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

Use the ice bids and order some cheap cover ups!! jacket and bottom that go over the bibs, loads of options out there for cheap. Nothing KUIU or the hunting companies will be as warm as your ice bibs. Plus don't waste the money when you got something that will do.

Cover Up Jacket

Newly designed King's cover suit jacket will help you ambush whatever game you are after during the late season hunts. Part of a new cover up suit in King's KC Ultra Snow, the lightweight shell is just what you need for quick and inexpensive concealment for a late season white outer cover.

kingscamo.com

 

[Erussell01]

what makes the bib suck about the hike? i assume its bulk = resistance and likely sweat since they are warm when stationary?

They are heavy, don't move well since they are basically armour. They're hot while moving and they don't breathe. But if you packed them you'll be fine. I love mine, but they are built for ice fishing