New First lite Puffy Jacket North Range - Review ***Updated 12/21/25***

[Brock A]

The new North Range puffy jacket just showed up and it has the fixings to be a great insulating layer. I have been wearing the original Uncompahgre for years and this coat fits and feel similar, however, I can instantly tell its way warmer.

Men's North Range Puffy Jacket

A core piece of outerwear in any western hunter's pack, the North Range Puffy Jacket features lightweight ripstop fabric and PrimaLoft Gold insulation for ultimate packability, warmth-to-weight ratio, and weatherproofing for all-mountain performance.

firstlite.com

It has been in the 80's for weeks now with no end in sight, so I wont get this coat out in the field anytime soon, but I was able to wear it for a little bit this last weekend in the mountains. I ran an ultra marathon and when I got to the race (up in the cascade mountains) it was 48 degrees. I threw this jacket on while I waited in line to check in and I was PLENTY warm by the time I got my bib. I have no doubt this coat will keep warm this hunting season.

Stay tuned for my thoughts and a final review later this year,

***Update*** First Lite North Range Puffy Jacket Review

 

[Oregonhuntrboi]

I’m just curious, did you order this and decide to do a review on your own or did they send it to you so you are obligated to do the review?

 

[Brock A]

I’m just curious, did you order this and decide to do a review on your own or did they send it to you so you are obligated to do the review?

Good question, I am a long time writer for Rokslide, so Firstlite sent me this coat to do a review. Please keep in mind I have no affiliation with FL, only with Rokslide. My reviews are unbiased and point out both the good and bad (if any) of a product. I have purchased alot of FL gear in the past (like the original Uncompahgre I mentioned) and do believe they make quality products, which is I why I choose to review them.

 

[robby denning]

I’m just curious, did you order this and decide to do a review on your own or did they send it to you so you are obligated to do the review?

We review all our sponsors gear under the agreement "writers get to say what they want". We don't edit out any warts.

Been this way since we opened shop

 

[Primal-Understanding]

Anybody use this thing throughout the season? Thinking about picking one up on sale.


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[MT_Wyatt]

Anybody use this thing throughout the season? Thinking about picking one up on sale.


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Yes. Quite impressed with the piece for the price. Addressed in more detail here:

Thread 'Late 2025 - state of late season outer layers'

Oct 22, 2025

I'd like to capture a discussion accross the next couple months on late season outer layers. What's working and what is not. Photos and hot washes are very welcome here. Every year there's more options, updated models, updated tech, hybrids, change in DWR and breathability, blah blah. And there's also the idea that no real changes are seen, just rehashes on same truths.

So - simply, I'm looking to hear from those with field experience, in real time this fall (or the past), on a couple things.
1. What do you like to use and why (base/mid underneath as applicable are helpful for...

• MT_Wyatt
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Clothing

• 

 

[Primal-Understanding]

Yes. Quite impressed with the piece for the price. Addressed in more detail here:

Thread 'Late 2025 - state of late season outer layers'

Oct 22, 2025

I'd like to capture a discussion accross the next couple months on late season outer layers. What's working and what is not. Photos and hot washes are very welcome here. Every year there's more options, updated models, updated tech, hybrids, change in DWR and breathability, blah blah. And there's also the idea that no real changes are seen, just rehashes on same truths.

So - simply, I'm looking to hear from those with field experience, in real time this fall (or the past), on a couple things.
1. What do you like to use and why (base/mid underneath as applicable are helpful for...

• MT_Wyatt
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Clothing

• 

What activity and temperature ranges did you find yourself using it in? Always as an outer layer or under a shell?


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[MT_Wyatt]

What activity and temperature ranges did you find yourself using it in? Always as an outer layer or under a shell?


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Mostly worn as outer layer in cold/windy conditions. Have not used it under a shell at all this season. It is not a piece you can move uphill in unless it is very cold (think 20F range) and it is not vented like an SG Cirque (same level of insulation though). It is warm, but sitting/glassing for me, below freezing, for extended periods would require more warmth (I run cold though).

I don't think a single season of use is absolute enough to cover all things such as durability and other possible uses. For example, much of the fall was unseasonably mild here.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Brock's review is live. Check it out on the homepage.

First Lite North Range Puffy Jacket Review

 

[Bump79]

What's the Inner liner like? I felt like the materials on the original were backwards. Like the inner material was very unbreathable and synthetic feeling and the outer was a little better. Made me feel very clammy

 

[robby denning]

Well crap. I was liking my Uncompahgre...thanks a lot pal!

I think I'm on my 4th one in 13 years. While durability isn't their strong point, l keep going back because the warmth/weight and breathability is there.

Sounds like this North Range will fill the gap between the Uncompahgre and the Chamberlin (which is like wearing the sun)

 

[Brock A]

What's the Inner liner like? I felt like the materials on the original were backwards. Like the inner material was very unbreathable and synthetic feeling and the outer was a little better. Made me feel very clammy

It appears to be the same inner material that’s on the Uncompahgre. At least similar.


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[LookinforDirt]

This is a really nice puffy. Definitely meant for stationary hunting. It’s not active insulation. It doesn’t take much activity to get hot in it. That’s me at least. I’ve worn it only in the 20f-45f temp range. So single digit and below zero I imagine it could be used differently. 35f+ I can wear it and be comfortable with just a thin base layer underneath. Once it gets around freezing and a little beIow need a medium weight mid layer. In the 20’s heavy weight mid layer. A combination that worked really well on the colder days was a thin base, medium weight active insulation (e.g. KUIU Kenai) as a mid layer and then the North Range over that. I whitetail hunted in it and wore it several days this season sitting from 3-6hrs at a time. It blocked wind well up to maybe 15-20mph. Over that and I think I’d want a shell. But really I need more time in it in windy conditions to know for sure how much wind it can take. Pockets high above the belt line are awesome. In my case, when saddle hunting, the pockets sat above my saddles belt so I could put my hands in them to keep warm. I love that it has 133gsm throughout. No reduced insulation weight in the arms, hood, etc. You can shoot a bow in it without interference from the arms or collar. Really nice jacket so far. It worked well for what I bought it for.

 

[STL]

How was noise? Did you have to size up to be able to layer the kenai underneath?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

How was noise? Did you have to size up to be able to layer the kenai underneath?

Not bad and yes you’d need to upsize likely.

 

[LookinforDirt]

How was noise? Did you have to size up to be able to layer the kenai underneath?

First Lite large runs a little big on me and medium runs not too small but close fitting. I can still fit my Kenai under it comfortably. My Kenai is old though and has lost some of its loft. I’ve also worn a First Lite Furnace under it and it is a size large. They layer under it without being too tight but no extra room. It is only noisy if you rub the material against itself. But it is less noisy than a down puffy.