You’ve seen him on the lake. That guy. He’s no guide, but could fish toe-to-toe with any one of them. He’s a man’s-man, trading evening sitcoms and dart-league for a winter inside his icehouse. Those brave enough to knock on his door may reap the benefits of some serious angling intelligence – or at least steal an up-close look at his new Frabill I-3 high performance ice apparel.
“That guy” is a metaphor for every hardcore, fish-crazed angler across the Ice Belt. The buffalo plaid sleeves are a dead giveaway that he’s the real deal, expecting every penny of performance from his gear.
At its core, Frabill’s new I-3 Jacket and Bib offer premium features not available on any other ice suit at its price, such as 150-gram 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation, Scotchlite™ reflective material, and a two-layer 300/500 denier nylon taslan waterproof shell that meets the same waterproof standards as the company’s F-Series Storm Gear rain apparel. “The I-3 is the number-one choice for anglers looking for a generously insulated, all-around ice suit,” says Chris Leonard, Frabill’s Technical Apparel Brand Manager.
Anglers familiar with the “Frabill fit” won’t be disappointed with the new I-3. Like all Frabill outerwear, the I-3 cradles its wearer in fishing-friendly ergonomic design. “Curvature in the elbows, knees and seat facilitates the full range of angler movement,” says Leonard, “while a unique cuff seals at the wrist without feeling too tight or uncomfortable,” he continues. The waterproof, stretch cuffs extend with a tapered design up the forearm, without straps or buckles to snag fishing line or otherwise get in the way of catching and landing fish.
The I-3 Bib also provides the right amount of padding in the knees and seat for comfortable kneeling and sitting. Other ergonomic touches include a gusseted, waterproof crotch, cam-lock shoulder strap buckles and full elastic shoulder straps that won’t bind or pinch while moving.
In addition to its comfort features, the I-3 suit is one of the safest on the ice. Like all suits in Frabill’s new I-Series, the I-3 is built for self-rescue, incorporating several key safety features born from the company’s Self-Rescue Initiative. Ice picks are the single most effective piece of safety equipment an ice angler can possess, and a set is included with every I-3 Jacket. Both the I-3 Jacket and Bib have built in holsters designed to keep ice picks safe and at-the-ready.
Additionally, all garments bear the Frabill Ice Safety Internal Label – a constant reminder of recognized safe ice conditions, as well as the step-by-step procedures an angler should follow if he or she ever breaks through. Finally, a proprietary system of mesh drainage areas are built into every I-Series garment.
“When we tested our suits and others in self-rescue situations, it became evident that we needed to design a way to drain water,” says Leonard, “the weight of which becomes a real deterrent to most self-rescue situations,” he continues. All I-Series Jackets and Bibs are designed to rapidly shed trapped water as an angler hauls him or herself back onto the ice.
Fit, comfort and safety features aside, the aesthetics of the I-3 Jacket are like nothing else available. A conservative palette of familiar Frabill black with gray accents is available, but the new Woodsman color scheme is what “that guy” will certainly prefer. Designed to appear as an earthy tan vest over a traditional buffalo plaid jacket, the ultra-cool and unique I-3 Woodsman Jacket is no fad. We say, “timeless classic”… and all the cool kids agree.
NEW FRABILL I-3 JACKET
- Waterproof, windproof, breathable 300 denier nylon taslan shell, 100% seam sealed
- 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation, 150g
- Self-rescue feature set: ice pick holsters, Frabill Ice Safety inter label drainage mesh
- Frabill Self-Rescue ice pick set
- Frabill ice fishing-specific ergonomic design
- Adjustable hood with sun visor, hood is removable
- Hand warmer pockets with tricot lining
- Multiple cargo pockets plus internal electronic pocket
- 3M™ Scotchlite reflective material
- Available in Black or Woodsman (Brown over Buffalo Plaid)
- Size Small – 3XL
NEW FRABILL I-3 BIBS
- Waterproof, windproof, breathable 300 denier nylon taslan shell, 100% seam sealed
- YKK zippers
- 500 denier nylon reinforced knees and pant cuffs
- 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation, 150g
- Self-Rescue Feature set: ice pick holsters, Frabill Ice Safety internal label, drainage mesh
- Frabill ice fishing-specific ergonomic design
- Full elastic shoulder straps with cam lock buckles
- Internal knee and seat padding
- Hand warmer pockets with tricot lining
- Zipper vents for temperature regulation
- Multiple cargo pockets
- 3M™ Scotchlite reflective material
- Available in Black or Brown
- Size Small – 3XL
Like all Frabill I Series Ice Apparel, the new I-3 Jacket and Bibs are sold as separates. MSRP is $199.99 per piece.
Don’t be left out in the cold in a lesser ice suit this season. Be like “that guy”… warm, safe, comfortable and stylish… and with enough money left for propane and bait.
ABOUT FRABILL
Frabill, Inc. (Jackson, Wis.) is in its 72nd year of engineering premium, trusted fishing equipment. Frabill’s ice fishing product mix consists of portable ice fishing shelters, rod and reel combos, tip-ups, bait containers, portable aeration, apparel and other related accessories. Open water products include landing nets, portable aeration, bait containers, bait care, bait traps and seines, and other accessories. Visit www.frabill.com.