First lite sanctuary.

[BIGHORNtracks]

Do you own a first lite sanctuary jacket?

I am a bit confused by the advertising on the first lite site.

"Purpose-built for bitter cold days in the tree stand"
"With a proprietary combination of seven layers of fabric and insulation carefully positioned to maximize warmth, this thing is an oven."
"Designed to be dead quiet and hotter than July,"
"Maximum insulation for warmth in extreme conditions"

But then in the additional information section it says.......

"Temperature Below - 20F, 20F - 45F, 45F - 60F"

I don't understand the 3 different temperature ranges.
Unless they are ranges when using a layering system.
For example, the jacket alone would be rated for 45 - 60 degrees.
The jacket with a uncompahgre vest would be rated 20 - 45 degrees.
The jacket, with a uncompahgre west, and a merino or tech fleece would be rated below zero - 20 degrees?

See what I am saying?

Confusing right?

I have many pieces, from many companies.
What I am lacking is a very cold insulation piece.

I have kuiu super down.
I have sitka kelvin down, kelvin down ultralight.
I have kryptek kratos.
I have first lite uncompahgre.

All of these are fine.

What I am looking for is something seriously warm. All by itself. I have plenty of stuff that I can layer.
Typically I merino base layer, and will toss on a traverse zip t.
From there, I add either a vest or a insulated jacket.

When I am sitting on a ridge line in late November, 40 mph winds, blowing snow, glassing sheep, I want a piece that is super warm.

The sanctuary below zero - 20 degree sound good. But when they toss in a 45 - 60 degree range...... well thats not good at all.
The description sounds good, but those are just words, I want a true temperature rating for this one piece as it stands alone.

So, do you have one? Do you have other insulation pieces? How does the sanctuary compare?

If you were a little sweaty from a long hike, and were sitting for hours, glassing sheep in November, exposed to wind, and blowing snow, would it keep you "hotter than July" as advertised?

Do you know of any pieces that fit? Maybe not kuiu, sitka, first lite, kryptek, ect. I don't want a big, bulky, heavy coat. I have plenty of those.

 

[justinspicher]

I own one of theses and use it extensively for treestand hunting here in Kansas from October to January.

It's warm. It blocks the wind. It shed rain and snow. It doesn't pack very well.

I've worn it from 35* with just a t-shirt on under it, to three layer and the jacket in -20* weather.

 

[Boman]

I can not speak to the first lite piece. But it sounds like you need a Kifaru lost park parka

 

[justinspicher]

I had one of those but didn't care for it. It was extremely bulky and loud. I couldn't shoot my bow very well with it on. It was stupid warm though.

 

[cg2737]

I have one and really like it. I use it for treestand hunting only. I have worn it in temps from the mid 40s down to about zero with steady winds. This is the warmest jacket I have ever owned. Like stated before it is bulky for packing purposes, but I shoot my bow fine with it on. I did not find the Sanctuary to be noisy at all. Very warm and well thought out. It is far to warm to walk in with it on.

 

[Hesseltine32]

If you want a jacket for really cold conditions this is your jacket. It's really warm to warm to walk around in.

 

[IaTrent]

Best cold weather tree stand coat your will find. Too warm for any movement, just need it to sit.

 

[brcrawf]

I wore mine down into the 20's with 2 merino base layers and was the warmest I've been in years. It fits like a Parka(ish) with a longer torso than most jackets. Very water resistant and quite (not that you need the latter for glassing). It isnt very packable though. As it takes up about 2/3's of my MR Longbow. Not to throw a plug in but I am selling my Sanctuary Jacket (L - Fusion) in another thread if you want to get one for cheap.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?41062-For-Sale-First-Lite-Fusion&highlight=fusion

 

[huntr6]

Warm jacket. I've hunted in a tree down to the low 20s (20 mph wind)with just a merino base layer under and was toasty. Probably as quiet as anything you'll find except for wool or fleece. Love the jacket for whitetails and tree stands. Only gripes I have is the threads on the sleeves are fraying pretty bad after about 5 days in a tree where the bark rubs them. Also my last gripe is I hate the pockets. The elastic folds in with your hand and only allows half your hand in the pocket. Good idea that just does not work for me and I have small hands. If it had regular pockets it would be near perfect. Tailored well in the sleeves and body so no bowstring interference. Made for a bow hunter. I'll also say it would probably be to warm to stalk in, but does a really great job of wicking any moisture from body heat. Also if athletically built you might order a size smaller than normal. I wear med or large t shirts and the small sanctuary is perfect with still room for a few layers.

 

[LifeAndLiberty]

The Sanctuary is very, very warm. I didn't even wear it this year in the Northeast because the temperature didn't drop down low enough. I wouldn't even consider taking it out unless it was below freezing and I was planning on sitting. It is too heavy to pack as others have mentioned, you're probably better off with the Uncompahgre puffy or the new ultralight puffy they are coming out with this year. The Sanctuary is really geared more towards still hunting. Any kind of motion in it and you will sweat.

Also worth mentioning is First Lite's customer service. I had an issue with the zipper on mine, and my entire jacket was replaced no questions asked.