@@galinswigart.. first lite has come along way with their gear.. the last 2 seasons I’ve purchased few pieces at a time and I never been so comfortable in the woods! Keep up the good content
I use the uncompahgre pants as insulation if I’m hiking further than I want to pack bibs. They work really well and are far quieter than most puffy layers. They pack way smaller and weigh a fraction of what the solitude system weighs.
I’ve been considering them, I have the jacket, haven’t worn it hunting yet but I agree it’s not super noisy, in a stand or sitting your legs aren’t moving around much so they’d probably be just fine
The thumb loop is only for the layering process, keeps your sleeve from bunching or having to fight it down to the end of the layer over the top. Only what they build for laying has loops. I personally love the loops on layering systems as a tall guy myself. Great review and this will become part of my system soon, as if I needed any more…..😂
Yes, I don’t wear the thumb loops except for layering, but on this piece I don’t use them at all because of the sleeve length. I’m scared to pop the seams
I agree, I don't think thumb loops were ever designed to be "worn" they are for putting layers on top of each other and it keeps the base layers from bunching up when you put on the outer layers.
100% agree on the sleeves. I'm 6ft 180 and Went with medium. The body fits me perfectly but the sleeves are too short. I just received the large size in and the sleeves are great but now I'm swimming in the body. Might just send both back and be happy with my Celsius midi
Nope, I machine dry them most of the time. Occasionally I’ll hang the wool layers just to avoid wearing them down but I honestly wash them only a couple of times a season if they get blood on them. Wool simply doesn’t stink, no sense wearing those layers out in the wash for no reason!
Figures they came out with it after I bought the Sitka active jacket, seems similar but with white tale hunting features. I hunt 3d in pa which wmu are you close too if you don’t mind me asking
Tried to buy one they sold out before I got series. Not sure why First Lite limited the camo patterns on this. I see no reason why it wouldn't be a great waterfowl layer! How windproof is it? Does it really hold up as an outer layer to serious wind?
Yeah, I’m bummed they started releasing things in only certain patterns too. I don’t think the camo pattern makes it unusable for waterfowl, but it would be nice to have more options for sure. It’s not a windproof piece, just an ultralight insulation piece. You’d definitely want something over this that has a windproof membrane if you were hunting in serious wind.
@@galinswigart Thanks! I imagine they will expand the camo line after seeing the success of the initial release, I hope. Do you know of a light windproof layer from First Lite?
Hey is this replacing your catalyst layer? Having both almost seems redundant now. Do you think the source would get you from early season straight to your solitude?
You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about that. The Catalyst offers far more weather protection and the Source is warmer and fits into a system better because it can be used over or under other layers but they do fill the same general gap in a system. I think they could certainly be used together, but I agree if I was building a system having both seems redundant.
@@galinswigart Interesting. Both are supposed to have a DWR coating, you think the catalyst is more water resistant or wind? And which would you choose if you only grabbed one?
@@vog7271 the material of the catalyst is just a much smoother and burlier fabric. Definitely more water resistant, but not 100% sure on wind yet. If I had to choose I might go with the source because it’s so packable and light. But the Catalyst is great for a lot of things too, just not as versatile IMO. I value versatility and the Source gives that.
@@galinswigart that’s what I’m leaning towards. I’m looking to upgrade my current catalyst system and with the ability to layer the source and the solitude I feel like that would almost get me through the entire season. Really appreciate the input Galin. Are you using the origin hoodie at all?
It's tough to say exactly until I put some mileage on it in the field this year, but I would expect that combo to be comfortable in the 40's. There's nothing water or windproof in that system, so that would be the downfall most likely. But on a dry, calm morning I could see this working in the mid 40's easy
It’s my new favorite piece. Can’t wait to get some in field testing on it. I’m actually tempted to buy a second in size XL to layer them and ditch standard whitetail outerwear for half the weight.
It isn’t. Sometimes the audio on a video is deceiving. But this is the quietest compressible puffy jacket I have ever worn. Not quite fleece/wool quiet but quieter than almost anything else.
You should do an updated version of your First Lite Whitetail Kit
It’s in the works. I’ve been pretty awful about consistently making videos, but several news ones coming up very soon
I purchased one myself!! I love it! Super quiet and packable!
Absolutely. I was surprised by how light and packable it was for how quiet it is.
@@galinswigart.. first lite has come along way with their gear.. the last 2 seasons I’ve purchased few pieces at a time and I never been so comfortable in the woods! Keep up the good content
Jacket looks nice, may have to put it on my list. Be cool if they make a pair of packable pants like this for whitetail hunting too
I use the uncompahgre pants as insulation if I’m hiking further than I want to pack bibs. They work really well and are far quieter than most puffy layers. They pack way smaller and weigh a fraction of what the solitude system weighs.
I’ve been considering them, I have the jacket, haven’t worn it hunting yet but I agree it’s not super noisy, in a stand or sitting your legs aren’t moving around much so they’d probably be just fine
The thumb loop is only for the layering process, keeps your sleeve from bunching or having to fight it down to the end of the layer over the top. Only what they build for laying has loops. I personally love the loops on layering systems as a tall guy myself. Great review and this will become part of my system soon, as if I needed any more…..😂
Yes, I don’t wear the thumb loops except for layering, but on this piece I don’t use them at all because of the sleeve length. I’m scared to pop the seams
I agree, I don't think thumb loops were ever designed to be "worn" they are for putting layers on top of each other and it keeps the base layers from bunching up when you put on the outer layers.
100% agree on the sleeves. I'm 6ft 180 and Went with medium. The body fits me perfectly but the sleeves are too short. I just received the large size in and the sleeves are great but now I'm swimming in the body. Might just send both back and be happy with my Celsius midi
I have same issues with stuff. I’m 6’3” 235. Large tall usually fits me good in most. XL are usually too baggy.
Thanks for the video, it’s been awhile! Curious, do you hang dry your First Lite pieces and about how often are you washing them?
Nope, I machine dry them most of the time. Occasionally I’ll hang the wool layers just to avoid wearing them down but I honestly wash them only a couple of times a season if they get blood on them. Wool simply doesn’t stink, no sense wearing those layers out in the wash for no reason!
Good review buddy!
Thanks man, I appreciate it!
I’m 6’-1” 200Ibs. Would you suggest buying an XL if I wanted to layer the Furnace and Klamath underneath?
I just grabbed one 6’1”. 236lbs
Fit kiln 250, the furnace still have room for sawtooth vest or hoody if need be. It was an XL
Figures they came out with it after I bought the Sitka active jacket, seems similar but with white tale hunting features. I hunt 3d in pa which wmu are you close too if you don’t mind me asking
I’m in 5C, but I do a good bit of hunting up north in 3D as well!
Small world!
Tried to buy one they sold out before I got series. Not sure why First Lite limited the camo patterns on this. I see no reason why it wouldn't be a great waterfowl layer! How windproof is it? Does it really hold up as an outer layer to serious wind?
Yeah, I’m bummed they started releasing things in only certain patterns too. I don’t think the camo pattern makes it unusable for waterfowl, but it would be nice to have more options for sure. It’s not a windproof piece, just an ultralight insulation piece. You’d definitely want something over this that has a windproof membrane if you were hunting in serious wind.
@@galinswigart Thanks! I imagine they will expand the camo line after seeing the success of the initial release, I hope. Do you know of a light windproof layer from First Lite?
Hey is this replacing your catalyst layer? Having both almost seems redundant now. Do you think the source would get you from early season straight to your solitude?
You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about that. The Catalyst offers far more weather protection and the Source is warmer and fits into a system better because it can be used over or under other layers but they do fill the same general gap in a system. I think they could certainly be used together, but I agree if I was building a system having both seems redundant.
@@galinswigart Interesting. Both are supposed to have a DWR coating, you think the catalyst is more water resistant or wind? And which would you choose if you only grabbed one?
@@vog7271 the material of the catalyst is just a much smoother and burlier fabric. Definitely more water resistant, but not 100% sure on wind yet. If I had to choose I might go with the source because it’s so packable and light. But the Catalyst is great for a lot of things too, just not as versatile IMO. I value versatility and the Source gives that.
@@galinswigart that’s what I’m leaning towards. I’m looking to upgrade my current catalyst system and with the ability to layer the source and the solitude I feel like that would almost get me through the entire season. Really appreciate the input Galin. Are you using the origin hoodie at all?
I just bought this.. how low in temperature you think I can go if I pair this with the origin hoodie?
It's tough to say exactly until I put some mileage on it in the field this year, but I would expect that combo to be comfortable in the 40's. There's nothing water or windproof in that system, so that would be the downfall most likely. But on a dry, calm morning I could see this working in the mid 40's easy
Man! I need to add this
It’s my new favorite piece. Can’t wait to get some in field testing on it. I’m actually tempted to buy a second in size XL to layer them and ditch standard whitetail outerwear for half the weight.
i love all my first lite
It's gonna shrink when you wash it
That has not been my experience with synthetic insulation pieces. It’s possible, I suppose but I haven’t had any noticeable shrinking in the wash
Sounds very noisy
It isn’t. Sometimes the audio on a video is deceiving. But this is the quietest compressible puffy jacket I have ever worn. Not quite fleece/wool quiet but quieter than almost anything else.