First Lite Clothing Choices for CO

[Luked]

planning a trip to CO for Elk with a bow in late Aug early sept.
i have no experience with the higher end clothing like First Lite at all.
im looking for some opinions on a layering system from First Lite.
i plan on getting base layer bottoms with the 230 base bottoms, 230 Chama quarter zip.
I also have picked out the Corrugate Guide pant, and the Uncompahgre puffy,
what would be other items that i should get

 

[5MilesBack]

The only First Lite products I use during CO archery are the lightweight Llano tops and lightweight bottoms. I also keep the beanie in my pack if I need to wear it under my ball cap, but generally not cold enough during archery to worry about that. Those 230gm weight would be too much for me, as I'm always on the move and sweating enough already. I need to try their new even lighter weight Aerowool. But those shorter base "pants" would literally be long shorts on me. Even their Allegheny's come to the middle of my calves.

 

[LandYacht]

Short sleeve llano and the Chama are as heavy as I get during archery. Unless you are a really cold person save your cash and don't get long underwear, the Corrugates will be plenty. I got the hooded chama to try this next year because everyone raved about them. I run the northbranch jacket and it has proved to be waterproof for every rain storm I've ever endured in Colorado. I run a First Lite puffy under if it's really cold. I use a merino beanie glassing in the wind or at night sleeping if it's really cold.


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[twall13]

My favorite two First Lite pieces that I own are my Llano QZ top and my Corrugate Guide pants. My Llano is getting a little worn after a couple of years of hard use. I'll most likely replace it with the new Aerowool QZ top when the time comes. I have the aerowool liner gloves and like those a lot as well. I love the idea of the Chama Hoody and wear it a lot but it's short in the torso for me. I can't decide if I'll get another when it wears out or if I'll look for a better fitting fleece alternative for a mid layer. No personal experience with the "unpronounceable" puffy but I hear it's a good piece.

I guess it all depends on how you hunt but for August/September I'd think the full length long johns would be too much. Even in October I typically don't want full length long johns all day unless the weather is crappy. As soon as I start moving I get too hot under normal conditions. You'll have to figure out what works for you there. I just made my first Kuiu purchase this year to get some zip off long johns that I don't have to take my pants and boots off to remove. That versatility can come in handy and I really like the idea. Not enough use to give a full review on them yet but I can definitely say I like the feel of First Lite merino and Aerowool WAY better than the Kuiu Nuyarn Merino.

 

[JollyRoger]

Unless you're up really high I dont know if the long bottoms will be needed. For September archery I wore the Corrugates and long sleeve Llano crew neck daily and they did great. Also used the hooded Chama in the cool mornings quite a bit, but it came off as soon as I started moving around.

I also packed a light softshell and a light puffy just in case, they didnt come out of the pack much though.

 

[5MilesBack]

Unless you're up really high I dont know if the long bottoms will be needed.

A lot of us use them as a wicking layer to get the sweat away from the skin.......so I use mine even hunting for Pronghorn in 100 degree temps. That's why I use the lightweight merino. I never use them for insulation.

 

[geriggs]

Llano qz and corrugate pants. Also the new aerowool longslive zip is great too. I have FL rain gear but jacket is usually lightweight sitka mountain jacket and if it gets cold.....kelvin lite jacket or vest

 

[geriggs]

Red desert boxers are probably the biggest thing I can't live without

 

[b.hunts]

Check out the latest Gritty Bowmen episode on Youtube. They talked about their clothing systems for their hunts this year in great detail, sweet podcast!!

FYI im also looking to get my first set of technical hunting clothing for archery elk and I believe I will be running the corrugate guide pants, wilkin QZ, chama hoody, kifaru lost park parka, and dobson boxers.

 

[Felix40]

I'm one of the guys who needs long underwear in September. Last year we got snow and hail and freezing temps in Colorado on opening day. Imo you need to look into the kuiu zip offs if you want to get some though. My experience has been that you are either working hard and hot as hell or sitting still and freezing to death. Almost never in between. I think I'd go crazy trying to regulate temps if I had to take my boots off every time I wanted to take my base layers on or off.

I don't know where you are going but if it's sw Colorado you are going to want a rain jacket at minimum. I always bring pants too. Haven't had a full hunt where we didn't get at least one turd floater yet.

You are on track with the puffy. It's legit.

My list:
Top:sleeveless lightweight shirt, chama, puffy vest, puffy, rain jacket
Bottom: prana zions, zip off base layers, rain pants.

 

[camelcluch]

1/4 zip Llano top, Halsted Fleece, and whatever pant you like. That would be a good start and cover you for a range of temps. Add an insulator, a coat and that should be a good system.

 

[charvey9]

I own virtually every piece of First Lite, and this is what I run on my backcountry trips

Llano LS Top
Allegheny 330 bottom - If I need to wear bottoms, its either really cold or I'm sitting, so I go with the heavier option.
Springer vest
Kanab 2.0 pants
Cirrus Puffy
Vapor Stormlight Rain Jacket
Boundry Stormtight Rain Pants
Tag Cuff beanie
5 Panel Tech Cap
Crew socks

If the weather is going to be a bit cooler, I may also throw in a Halstead fleece or swap out the Cirrus jacket for the Woodbury.

If you will be hunting from a camp or getting packed in, the North Branch jacket is really nice on damp days. It is quieter than the Stormlight jacket, but heavier. It also layers easily over the Cirrus puffy.

 

[justinspicher]

I basically run the same system all year down here in SW Colorado. I use black FL base layers (Llano to Halstead fleece) then I've got my outer wear in ASAT. I use a Labrador, Springer vest and a Vapor jacket. I'll add the puffy for late season use.

I did a lot of stopping to down size and up size my layering system this year, which was good for me because I tend to charge full throttle everywhere and walk right past animals. (Fixitman can attest to this)

I don't usually take my allegheny bottoms unless it's a three plus night out and I'm above 11k.

I've hunted from September to December and into January if I have to using this system.

I don't use any hats or gloves from FL as I have others that I use, so until those wear out I won't be trying any FL accessories.

 

[skaldugwas]

one super versatile piece is the neck gaiter, it doesn't take up much room either.

 

[rbljack]

one super versatile piece is the neck gaiter, it doesn't take up much room either.

I totally agree with this....either the neck gaiter of the lightweight balaclava. They don't weigh nothing, and are versatile pieces for sure. Its ALWAYS in my pack along with the super light weight gloves.

Here is a recap of our system, which isn't totally dialed in yet, but might help. First off, I wouldn't recommend wearing the base bottoms for hiking around during the season you mentioned. Way to hot. That being said, we do take them (just in case) and are used at night in the sleeping bags typically.

We hunted NM in early November, so here is the FL system we used. Llano long sleeve base, followed by chama quarter zip. Those damn thumb holes are SO NICE to have by the way...LOL...use them all the time. I may switch and try a chama hoodie instead of the quarter zip. I originally thought the chama hoodie would get in the way because the puffy has a hood. But everyone seems to rave about the chama hoodie, so my theory may be off.

For cool to colder weather, we also have the Labrador or the vest either on or packed...depends on what we are doing.

From there, the Puffy Jacket goes in the pack. If hiking in moderate temps, it wont be needed until you stop to glass or rest. For pants, we have been wearing the Kanabs. I bought a set of the corrugates to try for next year during early season hunts. I will say the kanabs by themselves get cold when the temps get near or below freezing if we don't have the base layers pants on. The problem is that when we tried those base layers under the kanabs, it was too warm when hiking. We also wear kenetrek gaiters. These kept our lower legs dry when walking through the dewy cold morning tall grasses.

In listening to the gritty bowman podcast, there MAY be some type of Puffy Pants on the horizon. THOSE would be SWEET! Light and packable, and throw them over the kababs when we are sitting still. If they come out over the winter, I will be looking at those for sure.

 

[mavmskyb8]

I'd check out Kuiu & Sitka too. Camofire has a ton of Sitka on sale.