First Lite Wool

[perry f.]

Been looking for some wool clothes. Wanting something I can layer and use both early and late season. I was curious who had the first lite wool and what they thought of it? Also, is it made in the U.S.A? And how durable is it? Thanks

[KSdan]

Early only.

[doug77]

I have a few pieces of their base layer's and their a very good product, but you can buy Minus 33 for less money and get the same thing.

doug77

[perry f.]

Where is it made? Looking for something made in the U.S.A.

[Daz]

First Lite is made in China. I own several pieces of merino wool under and mid garments from several manufacturers, none of which was made in the U.S.

The older Arc'teryx was made in Canada (by the same cut house as KUIU now, i believe), but all of the new stuff, including Smart Wool and Ice Breaker is made in China.

Even some of Dale of Norway's merino products are now made there.

Good luck with your search.

[Burnsie]

So is there much difference in the wool base layers from KUIU, First Lite and Minus 33??  They all seem to have similar micron fiber sizes and pricing??

[Daz]

I don't have any experience with Minus 33.

Fit and stitching quality is often the only differences. After years and years of merino wool use and abuse, i find it hard to beat the Core4Element line, that is often sold through a particular internet site for a quality merino base layer.
I am usually wearing at least one item of merino approximately 250 days a year and so far, the C4E stuff is awesome.

The simple fact is, a lot of products in the world are made in the same factories, but just "branded" differently based on the contractor.

Don't forget that not every piece of gear you own needs to be camo. Often, the camo pattern is the extra mark up (licensing and royalties, plus cost of pattern production in raw material stock).

I'm sure REI and other outdoor retailers (Backcountry) will have some killer sales on  merino in the spring.

[V I Archer]

I'm an icebreaker fan myself.   Wear a 200 weight under my uniform shirt everyday from october to march.  Would really like to try the first lite outer wear stuff though, may have to try the gila pants net year.

[DeCurry]

I have two pieces of Minus33's lightweight merino wool, a t-shirt and one of their 1/4 zip pullovers.  They're well-made and of good quality.  My only complaints would be that they offer far too few color options (for bottom layers, this is obviously a very minor issue) and I was led to believe their sizing was 'loose fitting' but in my experience both pieces fit very snug, almost like compression items.

I own a First Lite 1/4 zip in ASAT camo (the Chama I think it's called, I forget) and it is much heavier than my Minus33 1/4 zip; I'd call it mid-weight.  It's very high quality, fits extremely well (and stretches to allow lots of other items underneath it as I've worn it as an outer layer over sweaters as well as a base layer; always retains its shape); has the thumb holes at the ends of the sleeves.  I'd definitely buy more of their items, but for the time being, I simply don't need any.

I also own a pair of the First Lite Gila pants.  These are a bit thinner than I expected and they weren't kidding on their website when they stated they're an 'athletic cut'.  I normally wear Large BDUs, but I bought a used pair in XL that still had tags on them.  They fit, but they're very snug all around.  I don't know if I'm going hunting or to the disco.  Not impressed with their pant design; if you order any, be certain to get at least 2 sizes larger than normal.

Hope this helps.

[Autumnarcher]

I have some of the lightweight First Lite wool, and asolutely love it. After wearing it,I rarely wear my Sitka Core Zip T's. I've worn it the entire fall, from September elk hunting to late season deer. When it gets real cold, I wear an additonal layer of either wool or a polypro top. I dont typically need a heavy bottom layer.

The big thing I like about it is it doesnt get stinky like poly pro does. It has good natural odor control, its soft, non itchy,very comfy.

You really dont need camo base layers, although for elk hunting or early season hunting, the wool ase layer top is all you need if its nice enough to hunt in just a shirt.

[screamin]

I have owned or do own firstlite, sitka, kuiu and core4Element. The best, at least in my opinion, is the core4 and it now comes in mountain mimicry camo. All is finished in china with new zealand or australian wool but kuiu is put together in canada. good luck on your search.

Classic Bowman Sporting Woolens here--
I will be offering merino wool in the future--
For the past 6 years I have used minus 33
I have had not complaints --- the fit was loose, which i like--- they offer 3 weights. I use the mid weight which is just a bit heavier than the light weight--
I find that buy layering with merino wool then a light wool shirt--- it is the way to go---
Merino Wool is still comfortable up to 60 degrees.  I have worn  mine to alaska several times and hunting in Iowa --- it can get nasty -- windy and cold--- tops and bottoms will be about $60.00 each--- which is very reasonable for merino wool.  I will offer a dark green color--
By the way to my knowledge, there isn't any merino wool made in the USA. Most comes from  New Zealand -- then to China for processing--
I try to offer only 100% made in the USA products, howerer, it isn't always possible---
The demand for US products is making a strong come back--- when you support a US company--- you are assisting many other companies that you probably don't even realize-- wool doesn't grow on trees-- someone has to raise them - feed them
shear them--  wool is often blended with other types of sheep wool---  my best--- R