First Lite 308 Pant
With the recent surge in hunting’s popularity, consumers are enjoying a wealth of options in the market. Outdoor companies are continually introducing innovative products, making choices abundant. First Lite has been a key player since 2007, and for 2024, they’ve launched the 308 pant. I believe it is an exceptional all-around pant for the gear closet. For this review, I’m covering the unlined version.
First Lite 308 Pant Fabric and Design
Made from 100% polyester 4-way stretch fabric, these pants are as comfortable as they get. They allow a full range of motion in any position while being extremely quiet. (I was able to sneak into 88 yards and shoot a whitetail deer with my muzzleloader this fall.)
Pockets are well thought out and streamlined, meaning they are nice and tight to your body. The zippered thigh pocket is an excellent addition. Side leg vents make these pants very versatile for year-round hunting. I tested this on a quail hunt recently. As I was hiking up a small hill, the temperature was hovering around 70 degrees, and I was getting warm. I opened the vents up and felt immediate relief. See them here.
Fit and Finish
The fit of these pants is great. I wear a 34×34 in just about every application, and these were true to size, something First Lite focused on with this line. Coated with a DWR, water is shed effortlessly to a certain extent. When busting wet brush, it’s eventually going to soak through, but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly they dried out while hiking or riding in the truck to the next spot.
Key Design Features
There are several details that I want to touch on that left a good impression on me. Starting at the top of the pants, six robust ¾” wide belt loops help keep your belt flat to your waist. I counted five on my Levi blue jeans, which are ¼” wide at best. The zippers (YKK) are of good quality, and I don’t foresee them to be a failing point. The zippers that have string pulls have a rubberized coating around the knot. It’s a small but appreciated detail.
The back pockets feature an oversized flap that provides extra security for pants designed for this type of use. Another nice little touch is that the waistband button can slide about ¾” of an inch, which is handy if you decide to have seconds at Thanksgiving dinner. They also clean very easily. I wore them for five days in a row, got them covered in sweat, deer blood, and dirt, and with a standard wash, they looked brand new again with no stains.
Extremely Versatile
When I mentioned an all-around pant earlier, I meant it. Since July, I have had these pants on the Pacific Ocean fighting King and Coho Salmon, cutting down trees on my property, wearing to my office for work, Mule Deer hunting in the mountains of Washington, Whitetail Deer hunting in the lowlands, upland bird hunting in the sagebrush and Russian olives of Eastern Washington, and lots of time dog training. Their season is just getting started, and there are many more hunts planned from Washington to Montana to South Dakota, all the way into January. I believe pairing these with a base layer would get you through the cold weather with ease.
My One Complaint
One minor inconvenience I have found so far with these pants is the streamlined pockets when it comes to either pulling out or putting your phone into your pocket, especially if you have any sort of rubberized protective case on it. It’s just a tad on the tight side, and that could very well be based on how these fit me, but I found it challenging. Hardly a deal breaker in my opinion.
A Great Choice
As a longtime First Lite customer, I believe these are their best pants yet. They offer the perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and durability. Available here.
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