I've got to buy some gear for this coming season. I currently rock first lite bibs for southeast whitetail hunting. I go to Montana in September and have future trips planned. With my arsenal I need additional clothes. What are preferences between the two. I want to be sure I buy the best I can
First lite or Kuiu
- Thread starter ColeT96
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FireFlyFishing
Well-Known Member
Buy what's on sale.
On sale and solid colors. You can wear for everyday wear then.
Ricky C
Well-Known Member
Hey, there was a very similar thread a few days ago, use the search function for Kuiu and you should be able to see a bunch of info. A lot of good "opinions" on that thread
Take Care
Take Care
Buy what's on sale, camo isn't the end all be all. I normally bring a base layer or two, fleece pullover, and some sort of puffy.
Don't forget rain gear, I hardly ever use it but there's no replacement for one if you need it. Sucks being wet.
I normally have some sort of long johns and pants that vent. Maybe pick up a vest of sorts. Don't forget decent boots that are broke in.
Don't forget rain gear, I hardly ever use it but there's no replacement for one if you need it. Sucks being wet.
I normally have some sort of long johns and pants that vent. Maybe pick up a vest of sorts. Don't forget decent boots that are broke in.
txaggie1
Well-Known Member
I prefer Kuiu myself, I would wait for sales usually holiday sales will occur between now and seasons. Solid color pants I highly recommend unless you just want to own a bunch. This will allow u to use daily or match other items.
Warmer weather im a big fan of the brush pants, kutana for even warmer weather.
Axis or guide for colder weather - these usually run on all sales they have.
Axis hybrid or guide jackets are versital, axis thermal is a personal favorite. Down series for extreme cold and packable jacket pant combos. Allot of options get stuff on sale or you can also follow buy/sell sites on Facebook for lightly used clothes just do your homework on seller and if they seem sketchy move on. Good luck
Can't comment on first lite I've never owned any.
Warmer weather im a big fan of the brush pants, kutana for even warmer weather.
Axis or guide for colder weather - these usually run on all sales they have.
Axis hybrid or guide jackets are versital, axis thermal is a personal favorite. Down series for extreme cold and packable jacket pant combos. Allot of options get stuff on sale or you can also follow buy/sell sites on Facebook for lightly used clothes just do your homework on seller and if they seem sketchy move on. Good luck
Can't comment on first lite I've never owned any.
Sdvldog1371
Well-Known Member
When I was looking for a final set of good hunting clothes, I looked at all the name brands. I stumbled on Skre hunting gear. I ended up buying a whitetail clothing set 7 years ago. I've since added the Ptarmigan jacket and pants (down insulated) for 20°-30° day sits and some Meriwool 400 base layer. At almost 67 year old I found with this combination I can still sit in ladder stands or ground blinds for 4-5 hours with no problems. I wear this clothing hard every year and it still looks good. I did have 2 zippers break on the side pockets of my pants and Skre offered to pay for shipping back and repair them after 7 years of use. You don't have to spend twice as much to get quality clothing.
I have First Lite and with a few outliers, it has served me well. Usually my go-to pants are the corrugate guide pants. Absolutely love them. But I'll say even more comfortable than those are their obsidian pants but they're not durable at all. I wore my first pair of them about 10 times before a hole wore out in the seat/crotch area. And it wasn't rough wearing either. Mostly light hiking and glassing. They replaced them for me but the replacement pair wore a hole in them without too many outings too. Their obsidian foundry pants seem a little more durable but I still go back to the corrugate pants most of the time. I only have one pair of those and they've seen a ton of use and have held up great. I have their fleeced lined soft shell pants too but those are saved for the coldest weather because they can get hot hiking around.
I also have probably one or two of each of their upper base layers and the Uncompagre jacket. I've hunted first and third rifle elk in Colorado and my normal setup is an Under Armor short sleeve as my next-to-skin, then the Fuse long sleeve shirt (and sometimes short sleeve as well) and Corrugate pants. I'll hike in that and then put on the jacket when I stop if needed. I'll also wear the Furnace or Kiln long sleeve if the weather is cold enough but that's usually still worn over the initial two thinner layers.
For long Johns, I'll buy the MidwayUSA midweight merino bottoms when they go on sale. Don't pay full price for those because they can tear easily around the seat or crotch.
I never wore merino wool until I bought those first pieces of First Lite gear but it made a believer out of me. It seems like the warmth-to-weight ratio is unbeatable but the downsides is that it isn't the most durable in the lighter weight stuff and you smell a bit like a wet animal if it gets wet. Haha! But it's not offensive (at least to me).
I bought, and stay, with First Lite because their tall sizes seem to fit me well (6'5" 220lbs).
I also have probably one or two of each of their upper base layers and the Uncompagre jacket. I've hunted first and third rifle elk in Colorado and my normal setup is an Under Armor short sleeve as my next-to-skin, then the Fuse long sleeve shirt (and sometimes short sleeve as well) and Corrugate pants. I'll hike in that and then put on the jacket when I stop if needed. I'll also wear the Furnace or Kiln long sleeve if the weather is cold enough but that's usually still worn over the initial two thinner layers.
For long Johns, I'll buy the MidwayUSA midweight merino bottoms when they go on sale. Don't pay full price for those because they can tear easily around the seat or crotch.
I never wore merino wool until I bought those first pieces of First Lite gear but it made a believer out of me. It seems like the warmth-to-weight ratio is unbeatable but the downsides is that it isn't the most durable in the lighter weight stuff and you smell a bit like a wet animal if it gets wet. Haha! But it's not offensive (at least to me).
I bought, and stay, with First Lite because their tall sizes seem to fit me well (6'5" 220lbs).
Buy a Duckworth Powder Hoody for Montana, It's all you'll end up wearing!
Chranah
Well-Known Member
If you're willing to pay a littlie bit more look into Forloh. They are an American company and their products are Made in USA. They're in Montana.
jeep351
New Member
First Lite and Kuiu is pretty much all I use. I hunt white tail in Louisiana and 3rd rifle Elk in Colorado every year. For base/mid layer, I am all about First Lite merino. It's warm, yet breathable, it somehow makes you not stink when you've gone days without a shower, and still keeps you warm if you take a tumble into a creek. and it's so soft and comfortable. I've tried Kuiu base layers and they just weren't as comfortable as the First Lite, I think they were not nearly as good wicking sweat/moisture away.
I've got a set of the Kuiu Super down puffy jacket and pants and they are fantastically warm and decently rugged considering how light and packable they are. Also have a few different Kuiu pants, hat, gloves, etc and they are great as well.
For me, I just buy whatever is on sale between the two... except for the base/mid layers, I won't settle for anything except First Lite Merino stuff! (i have an old Chama Hoody that I wear on a weekly basis for the last 10 years and it's still going strong)
I've got a set of the Kuiu Super down puffy jacket and pants and they are fantastically warm and decently rugged considering how light and packable they are. Also have a few different Kuiu pants, hat, gloves, etc and they are great as well.
For me, I just buy whatever is on sale between the two... except for the base/mid layers, I won't settle for anything except First Lite Merino stuff! (i have an old Chama Hoody that I wear on a weekly basis for the last 10 years and it's still going strong)
Explorer147
New Member
KUIU, yes it is expensive, their Christmas sales are very good and if you join you get discount notifications. Light weight, durable, I find it runs a bit cold, vs a bulkier "normal" camo. Attack pants are great, the Merino wool is really nice. I layer heavy and strip one off if needed.
I love Kuiu, Kings Camo is awesome as will. If you are looking for deals on clothes go to Camofire. They have a new deal every day. 20 to 40% off.
