First Lite range of products have been one of the best on the market.
It’s no wonder they have a large following of satisfied customers all across the world.
My opinion on the First Lite Storm Tight rain gear review? It is light weight; keeps you dry and doesn’t add extra weight to your pack perfect for long hikes to when weight and space are an issue. Pockets are well sealed and has a good size hood that is adjustable for any wearer. First Lite gear is hands down some of the best hunting gear I have owned.
We’d be reviewing two products today – First Lite Vapor Stormlight Ultralight Rain Jacket and the First Lite Seak Stormtight Rainwear.
First Lite Storm Tight Rain Gear Review
Ready? Let’s get right to it!
Seak Stormtight Rain Jacket
You’d like this jacket if you spend time where sunshine does not happen so often, but fog, rain, snow, or sleet are common.
This 3.5 layer SEAK Stormlight jacket was primarily designed for people who live in places such as Alaska, Pacific northwest, and the BC who expect to fish, hunt and just plain live in the rain for plenty of days on end but still want to enjoy unmatchable breathability without being exposed to the elements.
Cool Features
- Waterproof zippers
- 3-and-a-half-layer construction
- Super-burly construction
- Turret System Hood,
- Ultratight adjustable cuffs
The Seak is built for whatever you can throw at it. Now, compare this with its little brother, the Vapor Stormlight, and First Lite has your rainwear dialed from ultralight to bombproof.
My Review
I bought the SEAK Rain Jacket for a float/fishing trip to Alaska. The jacket was nicely comfortable and designed for rainy environments.
It rained during my trip, to some extent, everyday on an 11-day float trip. The minor flaw was the stitching on the sleeve cuff was too close to the end of the Velcro.
The jacket served me many years in its full capacity even with this small flaw.
10 out of 10, I buy it again!
ALSO SEE: Is Sitka Gear Worth the Money?
First Lite Vapor Stormlight Ultralight Rain Jacket
This rain jacket is designe to keep you dry without filling your pack. Weighing in at only 12 ounces, this hooded two-layer rain jacket is the best of both worlds.
It is a no-frills, bomber ultralight rain jacket that can keep you fry without filling your pack.
Like its big brother, the SEAK Stormtight Jacket, the Vapor features the Turret Hood and waterproof zippers.
My Review
My friend Julie spent 10 days in Alaska and she took this along as her primary outer layer.
According to her, this is the best rain jacket for Alaska she has ever worn.
It was tested in 40 mph winds cruising up the river to chase Silvers and in the pouring rain for 6 hours trout fishing the kenai.
It was so dry, even better than the jacket she had before. This jacket does not saturate, and sheds water really well, even when elbow deep trying to not let them get away.
The wrist straps are awesome at keeping water out when tight. Zippers are smooth too as the water are kept out with ease.
The hood wraps around a hat with ease and straps up to stay on your head.
The hood also serves as a stuff sack when the jacket is rolled up and tucked inside. I layered underneath the jacket with ease.
The jacket features a base, sawtooth vest, short sleeve and sawtooth jacket with enough room to spare.
Blew me away to have it fit so well with nothing underneath and then layer up without noticing much of a restriction. Good job First Light.
Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase and would definitely recommend this to a friend.
ALSO SEE: Best Laptop for Affiliate Marketing
First Lite Boundary Stormtight Pant Review
These pants are great and can be comapred to nylon mountaineering and hiking pants such as legendary Prana Stretch Zion.
The fabric is comfortable and stretchy, and the crotch is gusseted, so movement is quite good.
They are really quiet going through brush, almost as good as jeans.
They are breathable, while also cutting the wind a bit.
They should be good for warm weather (up to about 80F) to cold weather (with added layers underneath).
The one thing I’d change is to add knee pad pockets.
First Lite SEAK vs Vapor
Personally, I prefer the First lite seak. I own both Vapor and first lite seak and Vapor is my choice when I’m carrying a jacket for the what if rain showers.
However, for hunting western WA, and excpecting rain all day, I carry the SEAK. So far, the vapor seemed breathable to me.
First Lite Rain Gear vs Kuiu vs UA vs Sitka
UA is just well marketed polo long underwear.
I normally wear Sitka apex pants or Kuiu tiburon pants in hot weather. First lite corrugate guide pants and Kuiu attack pants for typical weather. The first lite corrugate pants are the most durable out of the bunch, sitka the least. I like the First lite and Kuiu merino base layers. Kuiu gets the nod for 1/4 zips. Ultra tiburon when it’s hot, Peloton and Strongfleece when it’s not. For jackets, the Kuiu Axis hybrid is awesome but too noisy for my liking to bow hunt in. The Sitka Traverse full zip cold weather hoody fits the bill for a quiet, warm piece. I haven’t tried the First Lite jackets but intend to soon.
Crispi boots are good but I have logged over 80 miles in Columbia boots during bow season in Colorado. They have a lot of room for improvement but good socks (Kuiu socks) help make any bolt serviceable.
I love my Kenetrek boots and highly recommend looking into them, they do take some time to break in though! Good socks are extremely important,
As for the shoes, if it’s Sitka, buy at least or size bigger. If it is Kuiu, buy 2 sizes bigger…
Void if you run like 2-3 mikes a day
Leave a Reply