First Lite Waders

[Holski]

Wanted to get some opinions on these $1000 plus waders. I have had few different brand waders over the years that have done fine but nothing to write home about. They last a few seasons at most normally only one or two then I am back to buying another pair. I haven't been able to bring myself to pull the trigger on $1,000 plus waders but maybe that's the move rather than replacing every few years.

For those that have had the Sitka Deltas or maybe the chance to test the First Lite Forged (that dropped today). Do you feel its actually worth the investment or is it just the brand name and people get lost in the hype? Its just hard to drop $1200 on a pair of waders that will need replaced like the rest.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Duckhunterbrad]

I can't speak for those brands, but I do use Chene waders, and they have been nothing short of phenomenal over the last few years. Quality construction and the boots are superior to anything I've ever worn in the past.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’d never spend that type of money on first lite clothing. I had a few merino pullovers that were ok but all the other stuff I got from them didn’t last long enough to justify the cost. Lots of piling and tearing at the crotch seams just from regular hunting use. Maybe it’s gotten better over the past 7-8 years but I personally havnt even looked at their website since like 2018 after the problems I had with their stuff.

 

[BigDuckHunter]

Yeah I’d also avoid First Lite. Their stuff seems to be the lowest quality of the “higher end” clothing brands. Definitely not something I’d want to spend that kind of money on.

Like you, I always bought cheaper waders and they only seemed to last a season at most. The final straw was a pair of banded waders that were $4-500 that lasted less than a week. Sure they warrantied them but I didn’t get the new pair until the next season. They also lasted less than a week. At that point they said they were out of warranty and I was SOL.

I read a ton of reviews and to me it seemed like Sitka offered the best wader for the price. I bought a pair of them this spring but haven’t had a chance to hunt in them yet. Seems like most people are pretty happy with them. I’m sure they will eventually leak as well, but I like that they can always be repaired. I’ll probably keep a cheap pair around as backups in case that happens on a hunting trip.

 

[Zak406]

Take my opinion for what it is worth

I wear a mix of Sitka and first lite. The first lite stuff is comfortable but it’s not as well built as the Sitka stuff.

Most of my first lite stuff is base layers and pants but I can say 100 percent it’s not built as well as the Sitka. Comfortable? Yes. Durable? Not as much.

If I was deciding between the two I would go Sitka but to be fair I don’t have experience with either of there waders

 

[Wheels]

They tried to introduce the First Lite waders last year or the year before but had a bunch of QC problems. Hopefully they fixed their problems but would give it a year or two on the market before I would try them.
I’ve had the Sitka waders for a few years and have had zero issues with them.