My Honest Review of First Lite Technical Hunting Apparel

When choosing the right clothing for elk hunting, there are a ton of options, which is why I wanted to share my honest review of First Lite technical hunting apparel. I’ll break down the specific items I used during my archery Colorado elk hunt and how First Lite held up over the duration of the hunt.

Over the years of hunting, I never really committed to any one brand of hunting apparel. I tried various brands, mostly low to mid-range in cost from brands like Cabelas and Wal-Mart, and just made it work. It wasn’t until after my 2018 Colorado over-the-counter elk hunt, and the research I did during the offseason, that I came to realize quality does make a difference, especially when hunting at high elevations in changing temperatures.

During my 2018 Colorado elk hunt, I used a basic t-shirt and sweatshirt for my base layer and then used basic camo top layers. After climbing to high elevations, and having the temperature range from 30 degrees F. to 50-60 degrees F. in the evening coming down off the mountain, I was drenched in sweat. The layers provided no wicking support, and the material became drenched with sweat.  I was always getting too hot or too cold. I decided to invest some money before the next season and started searching for a better product.

I had a few pieces from Sitka, but I really liked the look of First Lite technical hunting apparel. I watched hunting videos and liked what people were talking about with First Lite so I actually called First Lite directly and talked to their customer service. They were excellent to talk to – I shared my previous experience and what I was looking for and they recommend some items to start with. They weren’t pushy or salesy and gave me their honest recommendations of pieces to get started with – that in and of itself sold me on this company! I ordered what they recommended, I am so glad I did.

First Lite technical hunting apparel I used during my 2019 Colorado elk hunt

Below are the First Lite techncial hunting apparel items I added to my hunting apparel collection before my 2019 Colorado archery elk hunt.

• Kiln boot top bottom
• Kiln hoody
• Catalyst soft shell jacket
• Obsidian Merino pants
• Aerowool touch liner gloves
• Mountain athlete compression socks
• Tag cuff Merino beanie
• Aerowool neck gaiter
• Tenacious tape repair patches

My new base layer – the Kiln boot top bottom and kiln hoody, were the best pieces I could have added to my collection. They’re soft and kept me warm without making me overheat. The wicking fabric did it’s job to perfection. I stayed dry, even though I know I worked up a sweat covering that mountain top. I also only had to take my jacket off one time during the day, compared to last year when I repeatedly had to remove my outer layers and backpack to cool down.

The Merino beanie, aerowool neck gaiter, and liner gloves were a must with temperatures around 20 degrees in the early mornings. They kept me warm when I needed it, and were easy to remove and store away once I warmed up. The mountain athlete compression socks were impressive. I wore them all five days, and they never stretched out and became loose. My feet also never felt damp and believe it or not; they never developed an odor!

I’m also glad I purchased the tenacious tape repair patches. During the hunt, we had to traverse a major blowdown, and my pants got a small tear in them from the downed tree limbs. I repaired my pants with tenacious tape repair patches, so I was happy that First Lite provided a solution for when these things occur.

I highly recommend doing your own research for good, quality hunting apparel before you set out on your Colorado elk hunt. And, don’t just go with the hype and what’s expensive or what’s popular. Do your research, even reach out directly to the brand like I did, and find what’s going to work for you. Late season elk hunts will require different apparel than what I’ve listed above, so it’s important to know your terrain, know your season, and do your research.

Other elk hunting gear I recommend

Primal Pioneer participates in the Amazon affiliate program. Please see my affiliate disclaimer. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Below are products I’ve personally invested in that I highly recommend for your Colorado elk hunt.

Enjoy these Wild Game Recipes

• Venison Reuben Sandwich – a melt-in-your-mouth reuben sandwich that can be made with venison or elk
• Elk Bolognese – a rich pasta dish using ground elk