First Lite Umcompahgre

[Kotaman]

I think a lot of the differences on fit are simply a personal choice on how we use our outer layers. I like to have enough room to wear a shoulder holster under
my jackets. I am a handgun hunter and carry a 7 or 8 inch revolver in an across the chest nylon holster.
Even at my ideal weight of 215-220, a large in the First Lite is just too tight for me. I do NOT like the so called athletic fit of a lot of the clothing lines,especially KUIU!!

Bob

You got that right Bob. ALOT is about how each individual likes to wear their stuff. Nick brings up a good point about the "usage" of the First Lite Jacket. I"ve actually started taking TWO puffy jackets on hunts where cold weather is an issue. One for under and one for over. May seem like overkill, but when laying on the side of a mountain at 9000 feet with it snowing sideways and the wind blowing 30 mph, I love taking out the extra puffy (in most cases the First Lite) and putting over the top of everything. I feel that with two puffy's I can endure just about any weather thrown at me. Well worth the extra 20 ounces and a little space in extreme conditions.

 

[BRobertson]

You got that right Bob. ALOT is about how each individual likes to wear their stuff. Nick brings up a good point about the "usage" of the First Lite Jacket. I"ve actually started taking TWO puffy jackets on hunts where cold weather is an issue. One for under and one for over. May seem like overkill, but when laying on the side of a mountain at 9000 feet with it snowing sideways and the wind blowing 30 mph, I love taking out the extra puffy (in most cases the First Lite) and putting over the top of everything. I feel that with two puffy's I can endure just about any weather thrown at me. Well worth the extra 20 ounces and a little space in extreme conditions.

Exactly!!
I am planning on the same thing. I just got a custom made Wild Thing hooded jacket in XL size for general wear. I am going to order an XXL for use as an " over
every thing layer" for when it is cold and windy, glassing for bears on my spring Peninsula hunt!! It can get a little windy there!!!

Bob

 

[pyroducksx3]

I was on the fence about what color the ASAT or brown but after Justin's pic I'm going ASAT. I like the athletic fit so ill try a large and if I don't like then ill sell it or exchange it for xl. The most ill be layering underneath it is a llano and chama

 

[BRobertson]

I was on the fence about what color the ASAT or brown but after Justin's pic I'm going ASAT. I like the athletic fit so ill try a large and if I don't like then ill sell it or exchange it for xl. The most ill be layering underneath it is a llano and chama

Yes, that is a fantastic photo!!
I wish I was smart enough to post photos!! maybe someday!!

After seeing what the ASAT looks like in the field it makes me think I should keep this new jacket!! I have never been much of a camo fan,
but the ASAT would be my choice if I was going camo.
However, it will be for sale in the classifieds, as I just ordered an xxl Wild Things hooded insulated jacket.

Bob

 

[Trr15]

Just picked up one of these in Max-1 and I love it. Great jacket...Also picked up the Boundary Stormtight shell in Max-1. Together they make a nice combo. Highly recommend them both.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Received my first lite puffy, loving the ASAT. I did get a size large and it fits but just barely, it's right on the border of being too small. There is plenty of room in the chest/torso but at the shoulders and arm length is where it's cutting it close. So for others if you have really broad shoulders or longer arms (I'm 6'2" and 200lbs and would say i just barely fall in to the broad shouldered longish arm length caragory) you might look to the xl. I haven't got any good use with it yet but I like it more once I got in hand then I thought I would.

 

[Matt W.]

I had been searching for an upgrade to my Mont-Bell Thermawrap Parka for a while now. The Thermawrap is a great jacket, amazingly warm for its weight, and super light. I’ve been using mine since 2009, and its been a good piece of insulation. (Even if it is “Red”) My issue with the Thermawrap is how fragile it is. (McNett Tenacious Tape is great for fixing little tears!) If you are gentle with your gear this is a hard jacket to beat (weight to warmth ratio is high!).

I picked up an Uncompaghre last fall in the Dry Earth color, and I’ve used the jacket in a variety of field conditions since then. I'm 5'11'' 165lbs and my size medium fits a bit on the generous side, but not overly baggy. A cool feature the jacket is the unique backing system to the zipper. It pretty much ensures you will never snag the zipper on the jacket! It also has a DWR treatment on it that sheds water exceptionally well for a puff jacket. The Cocona technology surprised me and makes this a highly breathable jacket that insulates even when it is damp. The fabric is more durable than my Thermawrap and shows little wear even after months of testing. There is some slight "pilling" on the front of the shoulders, but living in Alaska this jacket has seen a ton of wear this winter.

For days when I don't need a hood and its slightly warmer out I run the Sitka Kelvin Lite, when it really cold I can double them up and that is some kind of warm there!

 

[Roy68]

I echo the part about the FL puffy being awesome for all the same reasons already stated. This past season was my first running it, but it spent better than 30 days in the field.

I'm with pyroducksx3 ___ I'm 5'11" fighting weight of 200# and the large was border line tight for me in the shoulders in any position beyond normal sitting or standing with layers on. I went up to the XL and like the extra room.

I'm the opposite of High Country's opinion on the zippers. I constantly zip the hand pocket lining into the zippers, how is beyond me but it could certainly be the operator. I do think that it is possible that when removing stuff from the pocket I inadvertently pull the lining out some and that's when it happens. I do not have the problem with the main zipper though. The zippers are great in the rain as they do not leak. I do wish the zippers were bigger or had bigger pulls.

 

[Shrek]

I couldn't find weights on the First Lite site. Anyone know how much the XXL weighs?

I almost pulled the trigger on one of these back at Christmas time when First Lite was having a great sale on them. Kind of wish I had.

I weighed my ASAT XXL and got 22.75 oz

 

[voidecho]

Thanks Shrek.

 

[Matt W.]

I'm the opposite of High Country's opinion on the zippers. I constantly zip the hand pocket lining into the zippers, how is beyond me but it could certainly be the operator. ...

Hand pockets I am with you, its the main front zipper I like. Way better than the one on my MontBell, I was always snagging it zipping it up.

 

[Roy68]

I should add the material being used in the pocket lining is tough as nails, as it shows no signs of damage when I have snagged it in the pocket zippers. This is not a fragile puffy.

 

[Matt W.]

I should add the material being used in the pocket lining is tough as nails, as it shows no signs of damage when I have snagged it in the pocket zippers. This is not a fragile puffy.

I concur. I usually snag that loop for hanging the jacket. Been debating cutting that out...

 

[Jlbmlb4]

I was looking at getting this jacket because I thought it was lighter than that. I think IiI will go with the Cabelas passage jacket. I like the jacket but was turned off a little because it weighs 22oz. I think for $60 on sale I will give it a try. Thanks for posting the real world weight up Shrek. I wear a L or XL.

 

[Shrek]

Remember that weight is for the xxl and it's pretty tough too.

 

[Roy68]

Jlbmlb4

I was able to eliminate a soft shell layer from my kit with this jacket. So the perceived extra weight of the jacket was a savings in the end for me. Just a point for consideration if you are looking at the weight gain. It could be a reduction for your pack depending on your set up.