First lite vs Sitka gear

[KJStechly]

Which do you guys like better, and why?


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[WoolyBugger]

First lite because I don't get sick for it

 

[big44a4]

First lite fits better for normal sized people. Both are nice but I like a little looser fit in the quads for pants. 5’10” 205 lbs 30” waist so not a large person by any means.

That said I still own pieces from both companies.


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[BeaverHunter]

Bought first lite a few years back, very comfortable wool but it doesn't hold up and they basically have no warranty on it. The 3rd time I wore the pants the crotch ripped out just getting up from a seated position, without anything getting caught on them. I was basically told by First Lite tough luck. Called S and S archery where I bought them and was told "thats basically how all of these high performance clothes are." I have a shirt still(Llano I think) and it has pin holes all along the sleeves. I have Kuiu and Sitka now. I really like everything I've heard about Sitkas warranty which is basically no questions asked. I'm going to stay with Sitka from here on out. This is just my opinion.

 

[CorbLand]

Never owned First Lite and my Sitka has never let me down.

 

[dieselchessy]

First lite and Kuiu for me though I own all 3 and some more. For me its about fit. Sitka fit is more slender/athletic than I prefer. Quality wise I think they are all on par.
I choose by comfort, specific features, fit, and price in about that order on a piece by piece basis. I'm not brand loyal. More often than not I'll have 3 or more brands of clothing on when I head out on a hunt.

Kuiu merino base layers are itchy to me. First lite is comfortable.
Sitka and First lite pants fabric seems too thin to me. I prefer the thicker fabric of the Kuiu attack pants, but preferred the older thinner version of those better than the newer vented version.
First Lite raingear (storm tight?) was a joke where I play in the PNW. Kuiu and Sitka do well. I wear Kuiu Chugach.
I didn't care for the First lite boxers. They creep. I wear the long fruit of the loom or champion boxers (haven't found a suitable merino boxer).
I like the Sitka 1/4 zip tops and the First lite 1/4 zip llano and their newer 200 weight base top.
Costco merino wool socks and some of their Merino blend base layer tops.
I wear a Cabela's fleece top as my soft shell.

I've worn holes in every brand of gear after years of hard use or a trip through the briars. Never thought to try and warranty something I wore out. If I really liked it after a few years use I generally get annoyed cause the company discontinued or changed it before I could order more.
Kenetrek or Kuiu gaitors. Currently favor the Kuiu version.

I take into account where reviewers live and how they hunt. If they say Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, ect.. then I don't take into consideration their rain gear reviews, ect..... Keep in mind where and how you hunt when reading reviews.

 

[fiskeri1]

Primarily Sitka here and partially because of the more athletic fit. But I'm not "normal sized" so others may do better with First Light. But all three (adding Kuiu into the discussion) make great stuff so you kinda need to evaluate on a per-piece basis. Choices are good and for much of this stuff there is no "wrong" answer.

 

[303TrophyHusband]

Big fan of certain pieces from both companies. I wear mostly Sitka outerlayers while archery hunting because I do prefer the athletic fit, seems like I get caught on less brush. That being said, I own Obsidian and Corrugate Guide pants in solid colors and really like them when I get into rifle hunts and just for casual wear all winter. Recently spent the coin on some AeroWool, the 150 hoody is money and I really like the midweight Kiln hoody too. Can't wait to try out some of the new merino base layer stuff from Sitka too, I hope they have some lightweight merino offerings similar to the AeroWool hoody but with their built in facemask, that's the only thing I wish the First Lite hoodies had. I really enjoyed the Apex hoody from Sitka this year and will probably be adding the Apex pants to my repertoire.

 

[isu22andy]

I bought First Lite mainly for the ASAT pattern. Now that its gone though it has me wondering if I made the right choice. I dont have any of their merino underlayers other than the Chama which imo its nuts what these companys charge for merino that the animals never going to see anyway.

 

[KJStechly]

I bought First Lite mainly for the ASAT pattern. Now that its gone though it has me wondering if I made the right choice. I dont have any of their merino underlayers other than the Chama which imo its nuts what these companys charge for merino that the animals never going to see anyway.

I couldn’t agree with you more! Love the fact that merino is naturally anti bacterial and helps keep the scent down after a few days of being in the same clothes, but dang is it expensive for all the more it is


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[Back Country Hunter 2]

Never owned a first lite piece. I own almost all Sitka. Have a few Kuiu pieces like the gatiers, Chugach rain gear, and various gloves. To me Sitka makes clothing that is more durable than Kuiu. I use my gear a lot and want gear to hold up, so that is why I switched from Kuiu to Sitka. There is nothing wrong with picking and choosing from both. For example: First Lite Baselayer and a Sitka Jetstream jacket. That to me sounds like a great combination.

 

[Trial153]

Sitka for this guy. Had too many issues with fit and durability with first Lite for the pieces I had. Granted I haven’t had any of the stuff manufactured in the last two years so many it’s changed. The Sitka line has everything I need to fill my kit for any bowhunt I will every do.

 

[MtnMuley]

FL for merino layers, KUIU for most pants and down, and Sitka for the rest. I like owning what I feel is the best regardless of brand.

 

[tracker12]

Sitka for me. I have had pieces for years and they still look and work great. I have had similar experience with FL and there warranty.

 

[fiskeri1]

Forgot to mention, no knee pads in pants is a no-go for me. A friend did this in AZ last season. He is now a convert also.

 

[sveltri]

First Lite, only because I don’t stink like I did in Sitka.

 

[*zap*]

Sitka for me and pants with knee pad pockets are a must, I wear them everyday but not in Sitka pants.

 

[mclovin]

Big believer in First Lite wool. The merino they use is the best in the business in my opinion. Then, the 2018 release was unreal... I love the Wick Hoody, Klamath Hoody, and the Catalyst. And I know for 2019, they are coming out with some really great stuff. They are a great company and I love what they do for the hunting industry.

 

[Bulldawg]

Forgot to mention, no knee pads in pants is a no-go for me. A friend did this in AZ last season. He is now a convert also.View attachment 85498

WhoA! I don’t know what knee pad would protect you from that, what happened.


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[slowelk]

I wear stika pants, the timberline primarily, and various of First Lite tops. MerinoX which is their blend is very durable and quiet. I like their Kiln hoody a lot. Sitka also has some good tops with their core series and I also like the apex hoody.

I too am sad that they stopped licensing ASAT, but cipher is a good replacement.

Mix and match is the way to go. No company is a one-stop shop in my opinion.