Firstlite 308 Pant Pre Review *Updated with review*

[Brock A]

Review - https://www.rokslide.com/first-lite-308-pant-review/

New to Firstlite this year are the 308 pants. I got a pair a couple of weeks ago and have been wearing them around the house and recently got them out on the ocean for a couple days of Salmon fishing. I have been wearing the Prana Zion pants for years with no real reason to switch, however, The 308's are making me think twice about it. Time will tell once they get some time in the mountains and out in the brush but so far they are looking promising.



The pocket layout is standard with the additional thigh pocket. Well thought out and handy, I can see this being utilized for licenses, wallet, etc. The side vents will come in handy for the early season hunts and those big pushes to gain elevation. They are plenty wide and long enough.





Fit is right on par. I wear a 34x34 in all pants and these track perfect. They fit just like I want them to. The comfort and stretch is insane. You can do full depth squats all day long and it feels like you are not wearing pants! Post any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them.

 

[cv_CO]

New to Firstlite this year are the 308 pants. I got a pair a couple of weeks ago and have been wearing them around the house and recently got them out on the ocean for a couple days of Salmon fishing. I have been wearing the Prana Zion pants for years with no real reason to switch, however, The 308's are making me think twice about it. Time will tell once they get some time in the mountains and out in the brush but so far they are looking promising.

View attachment 737281

The pocket layout is standard with the additional thigh pocket. Well thought out and handy, I can see this being utilized for licenses, wallet, etc. The side vents will come in handy for the early season hunts and those big pushes to gain elevation. They are plenty wide and long enough.

View attachment 737282

View attachment 737283

Fit is right on par. I wear a 34x34 in all pants and these track perfect. They fit just like I want them to. The comfort and stretch is insane. You can do full depth squats all day long and it feels like you are not wearing pants! Post any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them.

View attachment 737284

How quiet are they? I am looking for a silent pant for elk and mule deer bowhunting.

 

[H80Hunter]

Curious about this too.

 

[Brock A]

They are pretty quite. I am not going to say silent, though. Its not like any material I have seen that is out there right now. They are less noisy than the Prana Zion and Kuiu Attack

I would offer an audio recording but I think phone microphones makes everything sound louder than they are.

 

[cv_CO]

They are pretty quite. I am not going to say silent, though. Its not like any material I have seen that is out there right now. They are less noisy than the Prana Zion and Kuiu Attack

I would offer an audio recording but I think phone microphones makes everything sound louder than they are.

No swooshing though ? Would you say quiet enough for bowhunting ?

 

[RADunfee]

How are they different from the corrugate foundry?

 

[Brock A]

How are they different from the corrugate foundry?

Much quieter than the Foundry. Different pocket layout. the Foundry has re-inforced stitching in the knees and butt where the 308 are more a straigh forward pant. I would wear the 308 to dinner, the Foundry's not so much. Both have their place but if I am picking one its the 308.

 

[Brock A]

No swooshing though ? Would you say quiet enough for bowhunting ?

I know exactly what you mean and the swooshing is minimal. I would absolutely bow hunt in them. I don't think you are sneaking in on a bedded mule deer at 20 yards on a quite day, but I think a guy could get it done in them. I have killed bucks with my bow wearing the Prana Zion and theses are slightly less noisy then those.

 

[rarmitage915]

Thanks for your insight on these pants. Warmth/weight wise, how do they compare to the Kuiu Attack pants? I see these have the side vents like the Attack pants do, which I'm a big fan of.

 

[jbelz]

If an Attack pant and a pair of business casual chinos got it on and had a baby, you’d have a 308. That’s how they feel to me. They’re not loud, but I didn’t find them to be quieter than my Attacks. That said, they’re new and my attacks are broken in. The 308’s are good hunting pants, and I will wear them. The only thing that gives me pause about using them on extended backpacking trips would be the dry time. I waded out to fish a couple weekends ago during a scouting trip, and they stayed damp for most of the afternoon (got out of the river around 1). Fit is nice, they’re comfortable, and are certainly able to be worn around town, but I will likely get a second pair of attacks when I’m in the market for pants like these again.

 

[Vrybusy]

Thanks for the review! By chance do you have the lined version as well? If so, can you give some insight on the differences?

 

[AnyMinuteNow]

Thanks for the review. After years hunting in army navy wool pants I switched over to attack pants and have considered the new 308 collection now too

 

[Zak406]

Just bought the 308 lined pants. Hoping I made the right decision over the catalyst foundry for tree stand hunting.

 

[doc holiday13]

I have a pair. I think their sizing has changed for sure. Bought a pair of 34's for my son and they were about the size of a smaller end 36 perhaps size 35. Exchanged for size 32 and the 32 is still big and slighly bigger than a Kuiu 34

I might buy a pair for myself and see whats what

 

[smshuntr]

Great review.

 

[Zak406]

I ended up sending my lined 308 pants back.

The good-
Fit true to size I’m a 32 in Levi and these fit great length and width
Comfortable
Quiet
Seem warm
Light

The bad-

They feel similar to under armor sweat pants.
Would not be anywhere near water proof (not even resistant)

All in all I am trying out some catalyst foundry pants now. My search continues for pants with similar warmth to bibs without wearing bibs

 

[sr80]

If an Attack pant and a pair of business casual chinos got it on and had a baby, you’d have a 308. That’s how they feel to me. They’re not loud, but I didn’t find them to be quieter than my Attacks. That said, they’re new and my attacks are broken in. The 308’s are good hunting pants, and I will wear them. The only thing that gives me pause about using them on extended backpacking trips would be the dry time. I waded out to fish a couple weekends ago during a scouting trip, and they stayed damp for most of the afternoon (got out of the river around 1). Fit is nice, they’re comfortable, and are certainly able to be worn around town, but I will likely get a second pair of attacks when I’m in the market for pants like these again.

Would you say these are on par or less warm than the attacks? How about fit compared to the attacks?

 

[jbelz]

Would you say these are on par or less warm than the attacks? How about fit compared to the attacks?

I'd say they're on-par warmth-wise and comfort-wise. Fit is a bit looser than attacks. Just as quiet. I have essentially settled on wearing 308s on days with zero to minimal moisture, and would wear Attacks if it is a wet day (because they dry more quickly).

 

[sr80]

I just got these in the mail yesterday, i usually wear a 33/34, sometimes depending on pant it'll be 32/34 or even a 34/34. I got these in 32/34 and they might be the best fitting pants ive ever had. Excited to test em out. Slightly thinner feeling than an attack pant and SH reg DH pant i would say.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

I just got these in the mail yesterday, i usually wear a 33/34, sometimes depending on pant it'll be 32/34 or even a 34/34. I got these in 32/34 and they might be the best fitting pants ive ever had. Excited to test em out. Slightly thinner feeling than an attack pant and SH reg DH pant i would say.

Is your experience they dry slow? They are advertised as having no elastic and 100% poly therefore they should be no difference between attack and these in dry times.