I am not a backpack hunter in the sense that this sub-forum is dedicated to, but I know this group of members is more focused on technical equipment, clothing and brands than other sub-forums which is why I am posting this here.

I have several pieces of First Lite's clothing and have been very pleased with them. One piece was their Kanab 2.0 pants. Unfortunately, after several years of ownership, these finally developed a tear just right of the fly (pretty tough spot for a repair) during this past hunting season. My wife was hopeful that she could repair them if she could get a piece of material to patch with. So I reached out to First Lite via email to see what they could do. I was not expecting much though, given that these pants had been discontinued for a while. But who knows, maybe they had some material on hand that would work.

Fran Magee (Customer Service Representative) responded and was very nice to deal with. Without much back and forth, she asked for my mailing address and assured me a piece of material was going in the mail the next day. I knew it would be a few days and left it at that. That was back in mid-February and I just realized a few days ago that nothing ever showed up. Responding to the same email, I asked if this went out and if she had a tracking number since I never saw anything. She said it was indeed mailed but had no idea what happened and then said she was putting another one in the mail. That piece did show up at the house yesterday. I was expecting one, maybe two 3"x3" or 4"x4" squares...what I got in the mail was a square foot of material. Now I just have to get this on the wife's "To-Do" list which may be the biggest challenge yet.

Not exactly earth shattering or a big ticket item, but it was nice to see the company respond and take care of such a minor issue in such a positive way. Being as how these pants have been discontinued for a bit, they very easily could have said "sorry, those are discontinued, but feel free to buy a pair of our current product line." It pleased me that this wasn't the tact they chose and just wanted to share with the group.

Thanks for sharing that. Good to know there are real people on the other end of the line.

I wrote and asked them questions and never heard from them. I have 4 pieces of their clothing. Kuiu answers every question the same day or the next at the latest so I pretty much have converted to them.

My son had a zipper break on a pair of First Lite pants. He took some pictures and e-mailed the company. First Lite exchanged the pants with a new pair within the week. Seemed like fair service.

i worte the copany off as soon as Rinella bought it.

Why?

I got rid of all my FL stuff after I figured out it isn’t very durable.

The FL gear I have is excellent and have a ridiculously wide comfortable temp range and are very light.

Their zippers do suck though and their pine/green color seems to get stained super easily with grease - like it’s a magnet for grease stains. They’re not very thorn resistant either.

I ripped the schidt out of a brand new Uncompargerambhbvffa jacket trying to put my hands into the pockets with a pack on. They replaced it without any drama.

I have a far amount of their product. It’s good fair gear if bought on sale. A season or two of hard hunting and it will need replacement.

I tried to order an Uncomphagre Puffy in ASAT. they had none available and sent out another color, kinda a coffee colored brown. I never opened the little bag it came in. Whatever was in there didn/t have enough insulation in it to keep a bird warm. Sent it back. Designer outfits to be warn around town or trips to Cabela/s for weddings.

Based on your experience of not wearing it?

I have a few pieces of FL and like it. Never needed to contact customer service for a return, but a few years back, before I owned any FL, I called to ask questions and was impressed with people I talked with.

They knew the product and it was like having a casual conversation. Not like calling some places where the person on the other end reads the product description to you and you can tell they have no idea what they sell.

Plumdog,

You really don't know anything. The "Puffy" is a very warm coat. Its insulation puffs right back after the jacket is unpacked. With a hoody underneath and Puffy for outside I have pretty much handled some pretty tough Co conditions.

Of course living in Florida you would know what cold is......


Lefty

You should have tried it. The Uncompaghre is very warm. Best puffy I've owned in fact.

I like the Uncomphagre so much that I have 3 of them

The Uncomphagre vest is a vital part of my layering system.

Hey Lefty, I lived in Colorado From 1965 to 2020 and hunted elk every one of those years. Got cold a couple times too.

I have a pair of insulated pants I can zip over others when I am sitting/glassing and a jacket. I have been very happy with them for late season use in MT.

+1

definitely not very durable. Their wool shirts, jackets are really fragile. like their pants and vests

Because some of us don't like giving our hard earned money to Liberal anti 2A owned companies.

I'll give them credit though they have done a great job at suckering a bunch of fools to give them money to fight against our 2A Rights! Well played.......... Don't forget FHF, OnX Maps, and BHA!

I know BHA is anti-gun, but haven't heard of the others being so. What evidence is there to show they are anti-gun?

Do your research it has been told many times on here and else where. You are aware of who owns Meathead right? OnX is a big supporter of BHA! You are aware that FHF was just sold right? It's your money you do what you see fit with it. Just don't come crying when and it is merely a when our gun rights are GONE!

Only anacronym I recognize is OnX. Never herd of Meathead, except for Mike Stivack. Sounds like you have no evidence, but should you come up with some I will listen.

Let's see the smoking gun on OnX please.

EVERYBODY is using that app as it is pretty dang handy.

If there is anything other than internet hearsay I think we all should take note and be looking for an alternative, but if not, the skullduggery needs to stop.

BHA, onX and Meateater are anti 2A? Please explain...

Wow! He disappeared.

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

I find it hard to believe that MeatEater, OnX maps, and Firstlite are anti 2A. Especially since they are hunting companies who thrive off of the second amendment. If we had no guns and no reason to hunt, then we would have no reason to purchase their products and they would go out of business. Alot of "professional hunters" get some unwarranted hate mainly because we are all jealous of them. Rinella is a good guy I believe and he is FAR more involved in conservation and 2A rights than almost everyone on here. Until I see some hard evidence against him I am sticking to that.

I'm sorry, but that explanation doesn't fly either. There have been numerous people who hunt who come out against a certain type rifles. Jim Zumbo is the most famous for it, but there have been others. I am still waiting for the evidence for those named however. I think it will be a long time coming.

Huge difference between a fudd like Zumbo saying something stupid about AR’s and OnX/First Lite possibly, maybe somewhere there is an article that says he is anti hunting on the very trustworthy internet that one guy says you can find yourself if you just Google and then the 24hourCANCELCULTURE can sic balls!

Nope didn't disappear, I actually hunt, and shoot. I was out of town shooting a match in Idaho.

Cleanly you don't have any concept of who owns meathead, google is your friend!!!!! If you are ok with giving your money to a person that is clearly 100% anti 2A that's your business. First Lite also owned by a clearly anti 2A fool. Again your money you spend it how you see fit. If you can't figure out BHA and OnX on your own then I am sorry there isn't anything anyone or myself can do for you to help you. Maybe give a listen to Kifarucast with BHA, even though Arron gave them an easy pass. It's still laid out in the podcast pretty dam clear!

Funny I was shooting this weekend in ID and was talking with a NRA Rep from HQ in VA. His words "man you have done your homework" That was in reference to both the state of the NRA and all those I have listed above!

Again his words, "I don't understand how so many are fooled by them" (BHA, First Lite, Meathead, OnX).

"Cleanly you don't have any concept of who owns meathead, google is your friend!!!!! If you are ok with giving your money to a person that is clearly 100% anti 2A that's your business. First Lite also owned by a clearly anti 2A fool. Again your money you spend it how you see fit. If you can't figure out BHA and OnX on your own then I am sorry there isn't anything anyone or myself can do for you to help you. Maybe give a listen to Kifarucast with BHA, even though Arron gave them an easy pass. It's still laid out in the podcast pretty dam clear!"

I know of the two you mentioned and know that BHA is anti-gun. What is Meathead. When I Google it I get all the references to name calling and Mike Stivac. Nothing showed up about OnX either.

https://www.thehuntingnews.com/steve-rinella-response-to-anti-gun-claims-listen/

That’s your smoking gun on OnX? That you shoot a lot and some random NRA guy said you’ve done your homework?

Fire up the cancel culture boys!

OK, still waiting for your evidence.

DA DA DA DA dadada Waiting

He's out, you know, hunting and shooting.

Yeah, THAT's the ticket.