First Lite System Help

[unfazed]

I’m building a western hunting kit from the ground up. I need some help picking my layering system. I live in St. George, UT and will be hunting Utah only for now. Elk & Deer rifle seasons. I don’t expect weather to dip much lower than 20-30 degrees at higher elevations.


Here’s what I’m thinking:

Base:
First lite wick brief
First lite wick hoodie

Pants: Wrangler Outdoor

Mid layer:
First lite kiln qz

Outter:
First lite Uncompahgre 2.0

Rain:
Arcturus poncho

Anything I should change or add? I’m sticking with mostly first lite as I get a discount through them.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

The original umconpahgre lost loft quickly and became useless in the cold. If your discount is for being a military vet, look into sitka and stone glacier too.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Tops and bottom don't always have to match. It's okay to go camo top/solid bottom. Deer/elk don't care and don't have a fashion sense. I would look at other major brands to complement your FL kit. Other brands may have better functional pieces to meet specific needs, especially pants and jackets/coats. I use primarily a combo of Kuiu/FL/Black Ovis and a few lightweight early season Sitka pieces. Some trial and error is in order. Over time you'll get your Western hunting clothing kit dialed in.

 

[Bump79]

I’m building a western hunting kit from the ground up. I need some help picking my layering system. I live in St. George, UT and will be hunting Utah only for now. Elk & Deer rifle seasons. I don’t expect weather to dip much lower than 20-30 degrees at higher elevations.


Here’s what I’m thinking:

Base:
First lite wick brief
First lite wick hoodie

Pants: Wrangler Outdoor

Mid layer:
First lite kiln qz

Outter:
First lite Uncompahgre 2.0

Rain:
Arcturus poncho

Anything I should change or add? I’m sticking with mostly first lite as I get a discount through them.

It looks like budget is a priority for you. Is camo pattern a concern? Honestly, the @blackovis stuff is fantastic for the price. Also - this classified forum is fantastic for picking up like new gear. Tough to beat that. Camofire = Black Ovis. If you have Expert Voice you can get all kinds of stuff on fantastic sales. I'd look at Outdoor Research as they have stuff 60% off and make great stuff.

Base:
The wick brief is expensive but idk if it's really worth the money. I'd invest elsewhere. There's some awesome options just on Amazon that do the trick. Look at 9" boxer briefs with a pouch. Tons of options.
The wick hoodie is nice.. but I love having a 1/4 zip. So it's the Sitka 120 for me at the moment as it takes me from early season to close as a base layer. I'd shop around or wait on the classifieds here. Or I'd save and get a Black Ovis 150 hoodie or OR .

For pants - I'd step up a little unless you've already got the Wrangler. They are cheap and OK but they aren't as durable in the seams etc. I find pants really affect my comfort hiking. I love something mid weight with a hip vent. First Lite Corrugate Guide, Kuiu Attack, FL 308, Born Primative 2.0, SG De Hav and many more.

Mid Layer
Honestly, I wouldn't double layer the 250 GSM kiln over another merino. After my base layer I don't see a benefit to it. A 250 GSM merino is a reference to weight per square meter.. not warmth per square meter. A 200 fleece will be more lofted, dry quicker, durable and warmer IMHO by a good bit than a Kiln. I would look at a Kuiu Fleece like the 200 Peloton or about any fleece as my second layer. Then add a active insulation like a Ambient 75-100, Cirque Lite or similar.

Outer:
Puffer - these are killer for the price. Many good puffers out there for the money honestly. I had an Uncompagre and liked it but didn't love it. It didn't do anything that other non-hunting synthetics do for less.

Forclaz Men's MT100 Hooded Synthetic Jacket

DescriptionHighlights: How to choose the right size: it all depends on layers ! With only 1 layer under, we recommend 1 size up. If worn with 2 or more layers under it, 2 sizes up will be better. Refer to the size chart for more details This light puffer jacket has been designed for backpacking...

www.decathlon.com

Forclaz Men's MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket

DescriptionThe Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Men's Hooded Down Jacket, Water-repellent is a high-quality jacket designed for cold weather. The jacket is made with a combination of down and synthetic insulation to provide warmth and comfort in temperatures between 41°F and 23°F. The jacket features a...

www.decathlon.com

Rain Shell:
So many good options. I got a Pnuma 3L on sale and like it quite a bit as it's quiet enough for hunting.

 

[handwerk]

After owning many different pants I've settled on the FL 308's being the best of the bunch.

 

[Sammymusi]

I pretty much run the same thing but add the sawtooth hybrid jacket , I rarely used the puffy unless it was freezing and I was glassing. It’s always in my pack as a just in case and I also use it for my pillow on the days we spike ours. I usually run the black ovis merino tee , then the kiln then the sawtooth and I’m comfortable all day long. The wrangler hikers are a very underrated pant for some reason. I bring 2 or 3 pairs for the 2 weeks I’m on the hunt and they handle everything I’ve thrown at them.

 

[Rosey1004]

If you glass a lot, the furnace top and bottoms might be something to look into. Those are my favorite base layers I have ever had

 

[T3clay]

Mid layer…. A grid fleece. Personally I have a kuiu peloton and I’m not Impressed….. but I do have an older Firstlite grid fleece and it’s my favorite piece of hunting clothing. I’m planning to replace it with the Klamath which I have heard is very similar. I’ll also add that I’d recommend getting your mid layer without a hood. I hate having a hood on both my mid layer and jacket.

 

[dan33]

It looks like budget is a priority for you. Is camo pattern a concern? Honestly, the @blackovis stuff is fantastic for the price. Also - this classified forum is fantastic for picking up like new gear. Tough to beat that. Camofire = Black Ovis. If you have Expert Voice you can get all kinds of stuff on fantastic sales. I'd look at Outdoor Research as they have stuff 60% off and make great stuff.

Base:
The wick brief is expensive but idk if it's really worth the money. I'd invest elsewhere. There's some awesome options just on Amazon that do the trick. Look at 9" boxer briefs with a pouch. Tons of options.
The wick hoodie is nice.. but I love having a 1/4 zip. So it's the Sitka 120 for me at the moment as it takes me from early season to close as a base layer. I'd shop around or wait on the classifieds here. Or I'd save and get a Black Ovis 150 hoodie or OR .

For pants - I'd step up a little unless you've already got the Wrangler. They are cheap and OK but they aren't as durable in the seams etc. I find pants really affect my comfort hiking. I love something mid weight with a hip vent. First Lite Corrugate Guide, Kuiu Attack, FL 308, Born Primative 2.0, SG De Hav and many more.

Mid Layer
Honestly, I wouldn't double layer the 250 GSM kiln over another merino. After my base layer I don't see a benefit to it. A 250 GSM merino is a reference to weight per square meter.. not warmth per square meter. A 200 fleece will be more lofted, dry quicker, durable and warmer IMHO by a good bit than a Kiln. I would look at a Kuiu Fleece like the 200 Peloton or about any fleece as my second layer. Then add a active insulation like a Ambient 75-100, Cirque Lite or similar.

Outer:
Puffer - these are killer for the price. Many good puffers out there for the money honestly. I had an Uncompagre and liked it but didn't love it. It didn't do anything that other non-hunting synthetics do for less.

Forclaz Men's MT100 Hooded Synthetic Jacket

DescriptionHighlights: How to choose the right size: it all depends on layers ! With only 1 layer under, we recommend 1 size up. If worn with 2 or more layers under it, 2 sizes up will be better. Refer to the size chart for more details This light puffer jacket has been designed for backpacking...

www.decathlon.com

Forclaz Men's MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket

DescriptionThe Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Men's Hooded Down Jacket, Water-repellent is a high-quality jacket designed for cold weather. The jacket is made with a combination of down and synthetic insulation to provide warmth and comfort in temperatures between 41°F and 23°F. The jacket features a...

www.decathlon.com

Rain Shell:
So many good options. I got a Pnuma 3L on sale and like it quite a bit as it's quiet enough for hunting.

Are you talking about the back pocket stitching or the main ones? I have somewhere in the ballpark of 70 days on a pair of wranglers and the only stitching failure was the back pockets where I keep my chew can.