My First Take on First Lite
Last year I made the decision to invest in some higher quality hunting clothing. A few friends recently made the move to getting some top-tier hunting gear, and I was ready to take a stalk in that direction. While I had some decent gear, I had been using some clothing and packs that could use a proper upgrade.
I began researching various clothing companies in the hunting and outdoors space, and I continued to return to First Lite’s website. I heard about them originally on the MeatEater podcast, and then started seeing more folks talk favorably about their gear online and in various hunting forums.
I was searching through their website and had a question that popped up, so I opened their “chat now” feature and one of their support members connect almost immediately. I fired off a few questions and the gentleman helped me to figure out what jacket and underlayers would fit best for a range of weather. I chose a L short sleeved, a L long sleeved, a L hoody, and a L jacket.
This was to be my set up for, arguably, the majority of my Texas hunting trips.
Note: When I ordered these, I was 5’ 11” and 180lbs. After I received these, within a couple weeks, I ended up losing about 5-7lbs. I remain 5’ 11”, despite always reaching for another inch. I decided to order one of the M short sleeve and one of the M long sleeve under layers. Those have provided me the best close fit and become my go to when layering. I sometimes throw on the large ones, just to have a little more wiggle room. If layering, the medium provides the best close form fit.
For the pants, I went with a L set of pants, and was thoroughly impressed with its fit and functionality. I decided to get a thermal type insulated layer for the colder weather days, and they fit very well inside these pants.
For underwear, I originally went with a L set, in the brief and boxer brief options. I also ordered a L 3/4 boot cut set. I had never used a 3/4 cut before, but I liked the idea and felt they would work well as an underlayer for days when the thermals would be too much. I also have on snake boots year round when hunting or working on the ranches. I figured the 3/4 and higher topped socks would work well in the snake boots.
Note: Just as I jumped down a size on the shirts, I did the same with the brief and boxer brief underwear and got mediums for each. Both fit perfect. Weight range was 172-175 around that time. Still 5’ 11”.
Socks: who doesn’t love a good pair of socks?! First Lite had tons of options…and what’s a man that loves good socks to do? Try em all, right?! I order the ….. and planned to put them all to the test.
Headwear:
There are two primary ranches where I spend most of my time in the woods. When thinking about the various trees, brush, grasses and forbs at both ranches, I felt that the Specter camo patterns would be my best fit.
Shortly after the Dove Opener, my buddy Matthew Mitchell and I made a quick two day work trip to the ranch in Central Texas. This was my first opportunity to suit up and out my First Lite gear to the test. I put on the M boxer briefs, socks, L pants, L long sleeve, and hat. Head to toe and ready to go! We went down towards a small pond and scared up a few doves, but no clear shots presented themselves. We ended up punching our dance card with chores for the majority of the trip, but I basically kept outfit on anytime I was vertical.
Headwear
Gloves
Lost one first day. Ordered another (can’t be ordered individually.
I began researching various clothing companies in the hunting and outdoors space, and I continued to return to First Lite’s website. I heard about them originally on the MeatEater podcast, and then started seeing more folks talk favorably about their gear online and in various hunting forums.
I was searching through their website and had a question that popped up, so I opened their “chat now” feature and one of their support members connect almost immediately. I fired off a few questions and the gentleman helped me to figure out what jacket and underlayers would fit best for a range of weather. I chose a L short sleeved, a L long sleeved, a L hoody, and a L jacket.
This was to be my set up for, arguably, the majority of my Texas hunting trips.
Note: When I ordered these, I was 5’ 11” and 180lbs. After I received these, within a couple weeks, I ended up losing about 5-7lbs. I remain 5’ 11”, despite always reaching for another inch. I decided to order one of the M short sleeve and one of the M long sleeve under layers. Those have provided me the best close fit and become my go to when layering. I sometimes throw on the large ones, just to have a little more wiggle room. If layering, the medium provides the best close form fit.
For the pants, I went with a L set of pants, and was thoroughly impressed with its fit and functionality. I decided to get a thermal type insulated layer for the colder weather days, and they fit very well inside these pants.
For underwear, I originally went with a L set, in the brief and boxer brief options. I also ordered a L 3/4 boot cut set. I had never used a 3/4 cut before, but I liked the idea and felt they would work well as an underlayer for days when the thermals would be too much. I also have on snake boots year round when hunting or working on the ranches. I figured the 3/4 and higher topped socks would work well in the snake boots.
Note: Just as I jumped down a size on the shirts, I did the same with the brief and boxer brief underwear and got mediums for each. Both fit perfect. Weight range was 172-175 around that time. Still 5’ 11”.
Socks: who doesn’t love a good pair of socks?! First Lite had tons of options…and what’s a man that loves good socks to do? Try em all, right?! I order the ….. and planned to put them all to the test.
Headwear:
There are two primary ranches where I spend most of my time in the woods. When thinking about the various trees, brush, grasses and forbs at both ranches, I felt that the Specter camo patterns would be my best fit.
Shortly after the Dove Opener, my buddy Matthew Mitchell and I made a quick two day work trip to the ranch in Central Texas. This was my first opportunity to suit up and out my First Lite gear to the test. I put on the M boxer briefs, socks, L pants, L long sleeve, and hat. Head to toe and ready to go! We went down towards a small pond and scared up a few doves, but no clear shots presented themselves. We ended up punching our dance card with chores for the majority of the trip, but I basically kept outfit on anytime I was vertical.
Headwear
Gloves
Lost one first day. Ordered another (can’t be ordered individually.
Gear
Midweight Merino Wool Neck Gaiter
Color: First Lite Specter
Men's Kiln Hoody
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
socks
Mercury Lightweight Crew Sock
Size: L
Color: Charcoal Heather
Treeline Midweight Crew Sock
Size: LG/XLColor: Dry Earth
Talus Fingerless Merino Glove
Size: LColor: Conifer
Men's Wick Long Boxer Brief
Size: LColor: Black
Men's Wick Boot Top Bottom
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
First Lite
Men's Wick LS Crew
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Obsidian Merino Pants
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Men's Furnace Long John
Color: Ash GreySize: M
Talus Touch Full Finger Merino Glove
Size: LColor: Conifer
Men's Wick Game Bag Brief
Color: BlackSize: M
Zero Cold Weather OTC Sock
Size: LG/XLColor: Dry Earth
Men's Solitude Insulated Bib Pant
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Men's Solitude Insulated Jacket
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Kiln 250 Beanie
Color: First Lite Specter
Men's Wick Short Sleeve Crew
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava
Color: First Lite Specter
Shale Touch Hybrid Glove
Size: L
Lo Pro Hat
Color: First Lite Specter
Origin Hoody
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Rapid Rifle Cover
Size: LColor: First Lite FusionQuantity
1
Total
$49.00 USD
First Lite
Rapid Rifle Cover
Size: XXLColor: First Lite Fusion
Phelps
MeatEater X Phelps Turkey Call 3 Pack Diaphragm
FHF Gear
Bino Harness PRO-M
Size: LargeColor: First Lite CipherQuantity
FHF Gear
Harness Shoulder Pad
Color: First Lite Fusion
FHF Gear
Turkey Kit
FHF Gear
Harness Shoulder Pad
Color: First Lite FusionQuantity
1
Total
$25.00 USD
FHF Gear
Rifle Sling and Pack Attachment System
Color: First Lite FusionQuantity
1
Total
$70.00 USD
FHF Gear
Chest Rig
Color: First Lite Fusion
Midweight Merino Wool Neck Gaiter
Color: First Lite Specter
Men's Kiln Hoody
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
socks
Mercury Lightweight Crew Sock
Size: L
Color: Charcoal Heather
Treeline Midweight Crew Sock
Size: LG/XLColor: Dry Earth
Talus Fingerless Merino Glove
Size: LColor: Conifer
Men's Wick Long Boxer Brief
Size: LColor: Black
Men's Wick Boot Top Bottom
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
First Lite
Men's Wick LS Crew
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Obsidian Merino Pants
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Men's Furnace Long John
Color: Ash GreySize: M
Talus Touch Full Finger Merino Glove
Size: LColor: Conifer
Men's Wick Game Bag Brief
Color: BlackSize: M
Zero Cold Weather OTC Sock
Size: LG/XLColor: Dry Earth
Men's Solitude Insulated Bib Pant
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Men's Solitude Insulated Jacket
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Kiln 250 Beanie
Color: First Lite Specter
Men's Wick Short Sleeve Crew
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava
Color: First Lite Specter
Shale Touch Hybrid Glove
Size: L
Lo Pro Hat
Color: First Lite Specter
Origin Hoody
Color: First Lite SpecterSize: L
Rapid Rifle Cover
Size: LColor: First Lite FusionQuantity
1
Total
$49.00 USD
First Lite
Rapid Rifle Cover
Size: XXLColor: First Lite Fusion
Phelps
MeatEater X Phelps Turkey Call 3 Pack Diaphragm
FHF Gear
Bino Harness PRO-M
Size: LargeColor: First Lite CipherQuantity
FHF Gear
Harness Shoulder Pad
Color: First Lite Fusion
FHF Gear
Turkey Kit
FHF Gear
Harness Shoulder Pad
Color: First Lite FusionQuantity
1
Total
$25.00 USD
FHF Gear
Rifle Sling and Pack Attachment System
Color: First Lite FusionQuantity
1
Total
$70.00 USD
FHF Gear
Chest Rig
Color: First Lite Fusion