First Lite

[BCHoyt]

Just placed my first order of First Lite gear.. Cant wait to get it and try it out for bow season! Got their new Obsidian pant and Chama midweight 1/4 zip shirt.

[Wentrot]

Really great stuff, you won't be disappointed.

[todbartell]

have both items and they're amazing. I am/was a Sitka fan but First Lite merino products is all I want to wear these days!

[Trojans16]

Just ordered those pants as well. For those who arent picky they have some of their old versions on sale at the moment as well.

[TARCHER]

have both items and they're amazing. I am/was a Sitka fan but First Lite merino products is all I want to wear these days!
eat some fat skinny. shorts and t shirt for me lately

[BCHoyt]

So I finally got to put the First Lite gear to the test yesterday on opening day... The Obsidian pants are amazing, super comfy, kept me cool in 25 degree weather, durable when crawling under logs.. The 1/4 zip Chama I wore all day long and I didnt feel warm at all.. This stuff is amazing and Im ready to start selling all my Sitka gear now!

[czarguy241]

I was looking into new hunting pants, how are the obsidians in the rain?

thanks,
Andy

[RadHimself]

I like the corrugate guides a bit better for the stretch... but i have a set of kanab's as well.... both are incredibly comfy, dry fast and are quiet

[todbartell]

been hunting this fall in the COrrugate pant, really like it. Dries super fast when wet

[BCHoyt]

Had my Obsidians soaked completely last weekend hiking thru wet bush... Dried in about 30 mins once back in the open..

[tailgate77]

I also got a pair of Obsidian pants this year. They are awesome! Superior to the original Knaabs. The pockets are great and the fit is perfect. So comfortable, kind of feel like I am wearing pajamas! But the seem really durable. I got the new Cypher pattern, which I feel is superior to Fusion(no green, darker shades of brown) Highly recommend these pants! I also have four Chama's. Wear them everyday. Couldn't imagine life without them!

[todbartell]

Just did a few days hunting in the Knab merino pants (Obsidian has replaced this pant), the Knabs were good, but plenty warm in the +20 to 25 temps I was hiking in. Aerowool long sleeve shirt is a great base layer, and I threw on the Chama 1/4 zip hoodie when I would stop to glass early in the morning or evening. Uncompahgre is super warm, I throw that one on at night in camp and it doubles nicely as a pillow when stuffed into the stuff sack for my sleeping bag

[BrodieG]

Im thinking of trying the Obsidian or the Corrugate guide pants. Anyone have both and prefer one over the other?? Looking for something I can wear all season and just layer under as the season progresses.

[todbartell]

I have both, haven't worn the Obsidians yet (too fat, got a size L on a smoking buy when Grouse River tanked) -- have two pair Corrugates and really like them. Merino Obsidian will be warmer

[nazarow]

I find the corrugates a little warm in the first place. Haven't tried the obsidians yet but don't think I would need any warmer. Can always throw some base layer underneath if you need.

[BrodieG]

I think im going to give the Corrugate guides a go this season

[redigar09]

where in BC sells first lite? hate not being able to try stuff on.

[Wentrot]

I have both, haven't worn the Obsidians yet (too fat, got a size L on a smoking buy when Grouse River tanked) -- have two pair Corrugates and really like them. Merino Obsidian will be warmer

If you plan on staying fat let me know if you want to sell the obsidians.

[ajr5406]

where in BC sells first lite? hate not being able to try stuff on.

Grouse River used to. I think I saw a small selection at Bass Pro I in Tswwassen to. I also think Vantage Point Outfitters on the island has some as well. I agree with you though, as much as I’ve heard they make awesome gear, I’d want to try before I buy.

[todbartell]

If you plan on staying fat let me know if you want to sell the obsidians.

:mrgreen: .

[ve7iuq]

I also got a pair of Obsidian pants this year. They are awesome! Superior to the original Knaabs. The pockets are great and the fit is perfect. So comfortable, kind of feel like I am wearing pajamas! But the seem really durable. I got the new Cypher pattern, which I feel is superior to Fusion(no green, darker shades of brown) Highly recommend these pants! I also have four Chama's. Wear them everyday. Couldn't imagine life without them!

Wondering where you could get them in southerly interior, region 3?

[tailgate77]

I order direct. If you know someone who has a US mailing address and could bring then across, it could save you some bucks in tax and duty. Not sure where in BC sells, aside from Vantage Point. I find the sizing true, which is good. Some brands sure don’t!

[Shuswap guy]

Just placed my first order of First Lite gear.. Cant wait to get it and try it out for bow season! Got their new Obsidian pant and Chama midweight 1/4 zip shirt.

Hey Hoyt, I see here that you ordered First Lite gear. I am in the process of doing the same and wanted to ask what the charges were across the border?

Did you get dinged for shipping, brokerage, and duty?

Can you remember approximately what said charges were?

I cant seem to figure out when duty and brokerage are applied and when they aren't.

I buy direct from Mystery Ranch and get dinged like crazy for duty and brokerage... yet I buy from Black Diamond or Patagonia and get charged $15 shipping only.

[todbartell]

18% duty is safe bet for offshore built clothing. add 12% BC tax and $10 border fee

[twoSevenO]

18% duty is safe bet for offshore built clothing. add 12% BC tax and $10 border fee

If you bring stuff across yourself and keep it to $250 or less you won't be charged anything. Closer to $500 with nexus. At least that's what I have been getting away with and I have been shipping stuff to Blaine and bringing it across for 10+ years.

Even if they make you go in and pay you will just pay 12% tax. They don't bother with duties unless it's tobacco or booze.

Shipping across the border, yes, they will automatically ding you for duties in addition to tax, which I really have a problem with because if you decide you don't want the item and want to ship it back ... good luck with getting that duties/tax money back.

If possible. It is much, much easier and cheaper to just ship to a parcel receiving business in Blaine and go and get it yourself. I pay $3 per package and do it all the time.

Best haul so far, without having to pay tax is $650usd. They are definitely more lenient to Nexus holders. If I had known I would have gotten Nexus sooner. Lol.

Not sure what the "border fee" that Bartell is mentioning is though ...

[todbartell]

Canada Post charges $9.95 to handle a package going across border

[Shuswap guy]

18% duty is safe bet for offshore built clothing. add 12% BC tax and $10 border fee

Copy that, and it's made offshore without a doubt. Very good, thank you. Will mail to US post box.

[Sitkaspruce]

FL is only going to be selling direct, like Kuiu, in 2018.

Start looking south of the border for deals, I saw a bunch at Midway, FL, Black Orvis and many others. Not much north of the border. You will pay the duty, unless you know someone who has a box near the border or has family members south.

Cheers

SS

[todbartell]

some nice looking stuff offered for 2018

[tailgate77]

The Catalyst looks really intriguing.

[SR80]

Ive got my eye on that corrugate jacket, looks pretty slick.

[firebird]

Only selling direct now?

I was getting Fl from MilArm in Alberta.

[Sitkaspruce]

Only selling direct now?

I was getting Fl from MilArm in Alberta.

Milarms is done.

Yes selling straight from the company now, just like Kuiu.

Cheers

SS

[firebird]

Darn, I hope in the process the items don't end up more expensive. I thought that MilArms pricing was pretty decent, I never complained.

I slowly switched to Sitka and then started acumulating some FL and was planning on getting more. We will see lol

[Ryo]

Most of the US dealers are clearing out stock because of the shift to direct-sale. If you have a way to purchase to a US address (use a shipping broker in Blaine, drive over to pick it up), it's a good time to stock up.

[KBC]

I've read on another forum that prices will be lower.

[Squamch]

I ordered a neck gaiter awhile back, used it the first time yesterday while snowshoeing. Holy crap it's awesome. Don't need to do the toque over a baseball cap to keep my ears warm, just pull it up so it covers my ears, drop a baseball cap over it and rock on. Neck stays warm even though we were in the clouds. I'm sold!

[jim2325]

Bit late on this tread but here's a question.

Does anyone have any experience with the First Lite Vapour Ultralight 2 layer rain gear? Does not really make sense to buy rain gear that is light in weight if it is also "light" in performance. Thoughts?

[firebird]

Bit late on this tread but here's a question.

Does anyone have any experience with the First Lite Vapour Ultralight 2 layer rain gear? Does not really make sense to buy rain gear that is light in weight if it is also "light" in performance. Thoughts?

ive got the 'old' boundary stormtight jacket and pants. Minimalist design and nicely packable, I believe it's a little heavier than the new VAPOUR. But I wouldn't be afraid of buying for fear it's 'light in performance'. I have a stormfront set I use for all day rain wear. But the 'old' boundary stuff is my just in case packed set. I'd have no fear wearing it all day either in the bush

[tailgate77]

I have the vapour jacket. Not right for the coast. I bought it to have as a emergency layer in my pack. Wear it in a downpour, it wets out pretty fast. The SEAK is much better for all kinds of rain, and thats how those two pieces are intended to be worn. I will wear my Helly Hansen or Arcteryx when it is pissing.

[firebird]

When are the new products going to be up for sale?

[Wentrot]

I was told mid march

[tailgate77]

March sometime for pre-order, shipping July.

[Steelpulse]

Have some good sales right now, I picked up cirrus ultra light puffy jacket. Heard they fit tight but this jacket intrigues me something useful for my hunting I think. Any experience here?
also waiting on a pair of guide shorts. Look amazing

[firebird]

I'm not sure about the Cirrus. But the uncompahre puffy fits big

[Steelpulse]

Just got the cirrus puffy, amazing all I can say is it seems like one awesome jacket. Also ordered the seak rain jacket. Awaiting arrival but expect nothing but greatness

[mmckimmi]

Just got the cirrus puffy, amazing all I can say is it seems like one awesome jacket. Also ordered the seak rain jacket. Awaiting arrival but expect nothing but greatness

Let us know what the seak is like when it shows up. I've been eyeing one up to replace my lobster red beta lt...