Here's another data point: I'm 6'1', 180 lbs, 40" chest, 36" arms (measured per KUIU size chart), 33" waist. So I'm long armed and not super burley in the torso - shaped more like a monkey than a bear. My Kenai fits a hair snugger across my shoulders and arms than I'd prefer but not bad...
I wear size large in Sitka and Kuiu but in the past I've gone with medium in First Lite. FL said they'd worked out the sizing issues for the new 2018 line so I got a new Klamath, Kiln hoodie, and Furnace 1/4 zip - all in size large. I'm happy to say that they have indeed brought their sizes...
I've noticed that the camo patterns tend to be brighter and sharper on synthetics than on merino. That's been true for gear I've bought from Sitka, KUIU, and First Lite. I'm guessing its just how the different fabrics take dye.
I was talking with FL customer service last week and they told me the delay on the camo aerowool was due to the camo print somehow not being up to quality standards. I assume they had to get that figured out and that’s why the delay. I didn’t ask about solid colors though.
I just got my new stuff yesterday - a Klamath hoodie, Furnace quarter zip, and Kiln hoodie all in size Large. They all fit me well, with just a little extra room in the torso but I think I'm better off in size Large then I would be in Medium. I'm built more like a monkey than a bear and it's...
I second the advice about getting a puffy. And maybe you don't need a soft-shell(?). Carry a good lightweight rain shell (which is always a smart move) and that will be your windbreaker when you're stationary. That strategy would eliminate the need for corrugate/catalyst. I know that some...
The new stuff looks great and I'll be ordering some soon! I agree with dplantz that the prices are very reasonable. Question for FL: were any changes/tweeks made to the Obsidian pants for 2018?
Glad to hear that about the FL sizing! It's taken me some trial and error to figure out how I fit into the FL sizing scheme (I'm size M in FL but size L in Sitka, KUIU, and virtually everything else). Now that I've figured that out its fine, but it does seem that a the FL sizing is more...
Ryan, thanks for being so generous with your scouting information on the new FL gear - I hope you've got patience for another question... I think you said (in the sheep show video) that the Catalyst jacket had some warmth to it(?) I've never been a soft shell guy, mostly because of the low...
I bought a mid-weight jacket from FL a couple years back (I think the official name is Boundary Stormtight) that is pretty analogous to the KUIU Chugach. I like the stormtight a lot, it offers a nice compromise between ultra lightweight-but-maybe-not-so-durable and bombproof-but-heavy. Not...
Thanks again for the new product info Ryan. So that makes the Catalyst a little lighter than the KUIU Guide jacket (24 oz). IMO any time you can make a product lighter than KUIU you're doing all right.
The local bow shop in Bozeman still has a pretty good stock of First Lite ASAT - I saw Llanos, Chamas, Kanabs, and Springer vests when I went there to shoot my bow at their indoor range the other day. It looked like they were marked down in price about 25% from retail. Check out Big Sky...
I read that research too and started worrying that all that expensive camo I've bought just makes me glow. But then I realized how much gray naturally occurs in the outdoors - dead wood, rocks, sagebrush, muleys, etc, and how zillions of animals have been taken by hunters wearing Sitka Open...
Somebody may have already mentioned this above - it's a long thread and I maybe missed it, but I heard First Lite has gone direct sales only (ala KUIU) so no more retail. I called and asked their customer service if the rumor is true and the guy I talked to confirmed it. I asked if that meant...