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Sitka vs First Lite vs Kuiu

I have Kuiu for early season, and mid season if I'm going to be hiking a lot and it's over 40 degrees. Or for tracking in the winter, when I won't be sitting at all. It's light, it breathes, it dries quickly, and the soft shell (Guide series) is super durable. And in a pinch, I can throw a down jacket under the soft shell and stay warm for a few hours while sitting.

Like others, I found Kuiu doesn't really work for cold weather sits. So I now have Sitka for that - Stratus and Fanatic for when it gets into the teens. Windstopper is a must-have for me now. Only problem is needing to carry the fanatic set in, because you can't walk 200 yards in it without bursting into flames. It's not super heavy, but it is bulky.

Never owned any First Lite, but apparently the base layer merino is rad.
 
IMO Out of the three, FL has the best merino base layers by far for fit, function and feel. beyond that both FL and Sitka make great outerwear for stationary sits and its really a toss up. I just preferred the fit/cut of FL over Sitka, but i wish that FL had a windstopper membrane in some items as Sitka does. As far as KUIU, like others have said it would be good for early season and more active hunts...it really is purpose built stuff and it was not designed at all with whitetail in mind. That said, I really do like Kuiu stuff in solids for everyday type wear.
 
Aeds151 said:
I have used First Lite as they actually have some articles in Big and Tall with 36 inseam 27 sleeve, unlike the other brands. The obsidian pants are great as far as comfort, warm in early winter, cool in summer but do not expect them to hold up in thick woods. My obsidians have been to the seamstress twice in one season and need to go back again. They shred like lettuce. My llano had pin holes and pilling within a few hunts. I have a wick but I bought it half off used. I use my pro deals for FL and could not imagine paying their full retail price. I have since purchased camo from midwayusa at a fraction of the cost, great fit, and they are transparent about materials used (primaloft silver ect.) way more durable but if you want to look cool in your youtube video and get 37 views, then you have to have matching fusion or EVII from head to toe.


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I must not be finding the right brush to bust through with my obsidians. Been through briars, hawthorne, and everything else I could find here in Michigan from whitetail to small game to turkey and they don't have so much as a stitch out of place. Still, not the first review like this i've read so there is some merit to what you say. What year were your obsidians? Maybe it's something they worked on for 2018+?
 
I got them winter of 2017. XLT in the brown color. My seamstress had to put a giant patch in the crotch since that blew out big time. I ripped them from knee to dang near waist line in Kansas quail hunting. Had to use medical tape all the way around the leg just to keep covered. I mean kansas! Now I have about a 6-8” rip from the ankle straight up in front of pant. Not to mention the pilling and small holes scattered around. Might as well hunt in a bed sheet toga. But since Steve Rinella says they are cool, its all just make believe haha.


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