IWOM Review

[Integracingsr]

So I finally pulled the trigger and bought the IWOM just prior to Christmas after months of going back and forth between IWOM, HBS, or Cabelas gear.  I couldnt go with the HBS because I didn't like not having arms and the water-RESISTANT rating.  I wasn't crazy about not having seperate legs but I'd rather seperate legs than no arms and the IWOM is waterPROOF.  I finally got out to test it the other day and unfortunately I'm going to be back in the market for another solution.  I figured I'd share my story for those of you who might be considering the IWOM.  First, it was hands down the warmest suit that I've ever hunted in.  It was in the mid to high 20's and I wore light Cabelas long johns top and bottoms, cotton pants, and a cotton tee shirt to the stand.  I put on a sweatshirt once I got up in the climber before putting the IWOM on.  After 5 mins of sitting, I was sweating bullets and had to take the sweatshirt off.  With just long johns, pants, and a tee shirt I was warm as could be inside the suit.  I actually had to unzip it a little to let some heat out.  The hand warmer/muff on the front of the IWOM is also extremely warm.  I was not wearing gloves and did not need any handwarmers stuffed in there to keep me warm.  Most of the time I had my hands outside of the suit because I didn't need the added warmth.  It's amazing how keeping your core warm affects even the furthest reaching extremities.  Typically, my hands would be gloved up and stuffed inside my fanny pack muff with chemical hand warmers inside.  So without a question, this thing will keep you warm.  Now on to the negatives.  It was a little cumbersome to put on up in the stand but then again I had only put it on once at home to try it out.  While pulling it out of it's pouch-packed configuration, one of the zippers stop/clasps bent and detached itself.  Not the end of the world since it still zipped up and IWOM has excellent customer service along with a one year guarantee but still worth noting.  I had read reviews that the material is quite loud but opinions varied on this so I figured I'd decide for myself.  At home, I didn't think this was an issue.  Once in the woods, it was more apparent and unacceptable.  What I found to be the loudest part about the suit was the foot area.  It's a rubberized material and when shuffling my feet to get into position for a shot with the bow, it made a lot of noise despite how careful I was to move slowly and deliberately.  I saw several deer coming in from about 50 yards out so I got into position ahead of time to try and eliminate any issues with the noise.  When it came time for the shot, I had to adjust my feet position slightly to get into a comfortable spot.  I was so loud that it immediately alerted the deer to my position.  One ran off and the others scattered. After a few minutes of waiting, two came back in and I finally had a good shot lined up on one of them who didn't know where I was and as soon as I drew back it was game over.  The sound of the material against itself was loud and spooked the deer.  Now I already was aware of the noise so I made sure to wait until I was able to try and get a slow, smooth draw on the deer but I never stood a chance.  Needless to say, the IWOM is going back.  If I was solely a gun hunter, I think I could look past some of the shortcoming for the benefit on warmth.  However, I primarily hunt with the bow and the noise of this suit is unacceptable when in such close proximity to deer.  The IWOM is certainly a good solution for some, just not for me.  Now I'm back on the hunt for a new solution and I'm going to go back to either a coverall or bibs and jacket.  I'm looking at the Cabelas Stand Hunter Extremes.  Does anyone else have any other suggestions?  I hope this review helps some others make their decision.  I posted this over on NJH too but figured I'd post it here for all of those banned from that site who may find this useful.

[gobblergetter]

I have a heater body suit a love it....zero complaints.

I used it in Saskatchewan during sub zero weather and all day sits, couldn't have done it with out it. I didn't like the confinded arms at first either but the material and zippers are silent and a non issue when it comes to marking a shot.

I looked at the IWOMs in Harrisburg and thought they were a better product but now I'm not so sure

[BowhunterNJ]

I've always heard great things about the HBS. Similar to GGs experience in Saskatchewan, my friend in ND swears by his for hunting the temps they get out there.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[68Ioweu1]

my buddy has these, one for him and one for his wife.
​he loves them....he never used them but he loves them! lol

[Whitetail31]

I have both and like both if you wash the iwom it does not make as much noise it needs to break in if I had to choose between the two it would be the iwom. I was a huge fan of the heater bodysuit until I got the iwom. The heater bodysuit is great it's just that your arms are not out. I would try washing it it takes a few days to air dry though

[LPJR]

A friend swears by his Heater Body Suit for all day sits in Saskatchewan like gobblergetter......

[Lady Bird]

I swear by my IWOM.  I have hunted in Alberta in minus 20 with it.  It takes practice to put it on in the stand, especially in the dark.  I've had mine a few years now.  They are always at the Harrisburg show if you want to try one on.

[midwestxpress]

Heater Body Suit hands down for me. I've been using it for 16 yrs. Its a little of a pia getting it on in the tree stand, but once your inside you don't want to come out. Not having any arms seems like a plus to me because you can move around inside, but there is no movement seen on the outside. Be sure to have your harness on and in short time you will be comfortable. 

[rocky]

I have the IWOM and I love it. Yes it is a little noisy but the warmth makes up for it. The more I used it the easier it was to hunt with fully detached and zippered in. When it is cold outside I am warm inside my IWOM.

[dlist777]

I have an IWOM.  I don't find the feet are noisy, the back can be a noisy as you rub on bark, but if you're careful, you can avoid this.  I love having my arms free...if you hunt with a xbow or gun, I would think the heater body suit would be hard to use.  However, I almost never use my IWOM in NJ/PA.  I find that my heavy parka and layers work fine at temps I usually face here and I have more maneuverability when compared to the IWOM.

 

Having said that, I wont' sell mine.  I keep it for the once a year (or less) that I hunt in really cold temps.  It absolutely keeps you toasty warm. 

 

In terms of getting it on, I carry it to my stand wrapped in the carry bundle.  Then, I put the top on, attach my harness to the tree through the slot in the back,  but cinch up the bottom when I climb.  I then only drop the bottom and zip up when I get into the stand.  I would not recommend putting the whole thing on in the stand.  You'd have to unhook and I could definitely see someone falling as they try to get that thing on.