Winter fishing requires appropriate equipment. One of the most important attributes of a modern fisherman is the so-called float - a suit that guarantees not only warmth, but also the safety of a person caught in ice water. He is able to keep the fisherman afloat and help get out on the ice.
What it is?
The idea of creating such costumes was born in Finland, where today without them fishermen are simply forbidden to go on the ice. In some cases, this invention can save a person's life. Unlike traditional winter suits, a float is not just warm clothing for fishing. He primarily plays the role of a safety tool in the case when a person falls under the ice. The moisture-proof fabric of which such a suit is made not only keeps the fisherman who has fallen into the water, but also automatically turns him upside down in a few seconds, preventing him from drowning.
Specialists use such high-quality materials for its manufacture that perfectly protect against the cold, preventing a person from freezing even at a temperature of 30-40 degrees below zero.
Main characteristics
Externally, the float is a costume that differs little from the traditional winter clothes of a fisherman. The main differences lie in its design. It consists of several layers. In addition to the insulation and the outer layer, the suit includes a special material (most often it is an isolon), due to which its buoyancy is ensured. It is evenly distributed over the entire surface, which increases the floating characteristics of this garment. In addition, this material is a good waterproofing agent, which does not allow it to get wet quickly, which means that the fisherman has a chance not only to save his life, but also not to get colds as a result of hypothermia, even with long-term exposure to ice water.
A winter float suit can be single-piece (it has a higher buoyancy and moisture resistance) or consist of a jacket and trousers, which is much more convenient from the point of view of operation.
Advantages of a Float Suit
For the outer layer, a special soft cloth is used, which has moisture resistance and vapor resistance and retains its properties even after numerous washes. The role of the insulation is performed by such an innovative material that allows the fisherman to feel comfortable both outdoors in severe frost and indoors.
The buoyancy of these clothes is so high that you can not be afraid to take all the equipment with you. A float is a suit that, if necessary, can hold up to 140 kg of weight in water. A special isolon filler, of which the floating layer is made, does not allow mixing of the surrounding water with the one that has already entered the suit. This allows the fisherman to resist the cold for a long time, waiting for help.
An important advantage of such equipment is its convenience. In it you can freely move, use a drill or fishing rod. Each trifle is thought out in the suit (numerous pockets, hood, adjustable cuffs, etc.), which creates additional comfort.
The variety of models allows you to choose the most suitable depending on the climatic conditions of the area where fishing is planned.
Top models
Despite the fact that the fishing bobber suit is still considered a novelty today, there are many different models produced by well-known brands on the market. Among them, the products of the domestic manufacturer of sports and tourist equipment Raftlayer are distinguished by their characteristics. The specialists of this company have long been engaged in the development of equipment for extreme conditions. Therefore, a float suit is in demand not only among lovers of winter fishing, but also among rescuers, workers of water objects. It attracts attention primarily due to its convenience and ability to retain heat when the thermometer column drops to -40 ° C.
The products of the Baltic company Norfin have been in demand on the Russian market for about 10 years. The fishing clothes she produces are quite diverse. A wide range of products allows you to choose a suit for every taste. Due to additional protection from the wind, the presence of snow-protective leggings, as well as a high temperature threshold (up to -35 ⁰), such equipment is often used for riding snowmobiles.
Appreciated by our anglers and Polish suits Graff. Their creation uses the latest technology. Modern Polartek insulation provides heat storage at a temperature of -50 ⁰.
Alaskan suits are distinguished by true Japanese quality. The ergonomic design combined with the perfect fit and the best materials creates maximum comfort in the most extreme conditions.
Benefits of Sundridge Costumes
The float produced by this English company is a suit that deserves special attention. This is the most balanced combination of comfort, weather protection and safety. It is perfect for fishing, and just for outdoor activities, providing convenience and safety. The company is a developer of high-quality materials, which are successfully used by other manufacturers of clothing for fishermen. Sundridge's know-how is floating foam inserts. When a person begins to make very active movements, the cells of this foam are ajar and all the moisture that appears is pushed out.
The suit is made of durable nylon fabric with increased water resistance. Convenient Velcro fasteners located on the cuffs and on the bottom of the trousers prevent water from entering the suit.
A hard visor with an adjustable hood and a high collar perfectly protect from snow and wind. Semi-overalls are additionally insulated in the knees and lower back. The Sundridge Float Suit is a great gift for a winter fishing enthusiast, hunter, or hiker. The company offers models designed specifically for the Russian winter, allowing fishing in the most severe frosts.
Costumes SeaFox
A very warm and non-restrictive clothing is the SeaFox float suit. Thanks to its unique design, it is possible to stay for a long time satisfied on the surface of the water. The material from which it is made does not absorb water at all.
The suit for 5 seconds flips the person who appeared in the water face up. Along with bright colors, it has reflective stripes, so you can spot a fisherman in trouble very quickly. Water can enter only through the top of clothing or from the feet. This fishing suit-float has a temperature threshold of -25 ⁰, therefore, in severe frost it is unlikely to protect, but it will always provide dryness. Comfort and safety are complemented by many thoughtful details, such as secure pockets, tight seams, etc.
Float suit for women
Despite the fact that almost all such clothes for fishermen belong to the unisex category, manufacturers do not forget about beautiful ladies. Indeed, among them there are many lovers of winter fishing, tourism and various extreme activities.
Women in any situation want to look modern and elegant. Therefore, when developing models for them, the features of a female figure are necessarily taken into account. The jacket in such sets can easily be pulled in at the waist, and various belts with reliable fasteners help to fit it in size.
How to choose a float (suit)?
The issue of choosing a brand does not really matter. The main thing is that all the specifications declared by the manufacturer are present. It is important to pay attention to the quality of the material. Comfort will largely depend on this. High-quality material does not rustle and does not harden in severe frost. The "breathing" ability of the membrane is usually indicated by the manufacturer and is expressed by a certain number - from 3000 and above. For more active classes, it is necessary that this indicator be at least 6000.
Suit should choose the appropriate size. He should not constrain movements, at the same time, too spacious clothes will retain heat much worse. It is advisable to listen to the advice of experts before purchasing a float suit. The feedback of those who have already managed to evaluate a particular model in practice will also help to make the right choice.