MY FIRST LITE WHITETAIL SYSTEM -

As many of you have noticed, I switched to hunting in First Lite gear this year and have received dozens, if not hundreds, of questions about what pieces I'm liking and using. Today I wanted to walk through the system I've found that works best for me throughout the year. If you're interested in trying some First Lite out for yourself, MeatEater is running a special 20% off sale at the MeatEater shop. For 20% off all First Lite gear and free shipping on orders over $50, use promo code: wired
Click here to visit the MeatEater shop: store.themeate...

[@mikenutto396]

I'm very interested in this new mid season bib , I've been looking at the soft shell jacket. I'm glad your putting input in pockets are way needed. The idea of being able to pass your hands through into the bib pocket is priceless. I'd really like to see a mid season quarter zip hoodie with chest pocket and a kangaroo pocket. Glad I heard there is a new bib coming out

[@grizzledmillennial4765]

The internet is weird. I was just about to pull the trigger on either a Woodbury, Chamberlain, or Sanctuary jacket for the late-season coming up. So this video is right on time

[@markkenyon5329]

Grizzled Millennial haha funny how it works! Make sure to use that 20% off promo!

[@grizzledmillennial4765]

@@markkenyon5329 I cant now that you said you are trying some prototypes that may drop in the spring. Looks l Iike I'll be sticking body warmers on for the rest of the season. Been a longtime Wired fan, glad you linked up with the Meateater crew.

[@andrewshort4141]

Should do an updated version with the new Specter line that just came out!

[@nikolasshay4974]

People complain about the cost of these technical garments. Im not going to get into all the advantages of these types of clothing/layering systems. All im going to say is that if you hunt public land a good layering system that keeps you comfortable qnd manages your moisture on long hikes followed by long sits. If you primarily hunt public land you can get a few choice garments that will work for you from 20 degrees up to 80 degrees for under 1000$. Way less than lease dues or owning property. If you have a lease or property where you only have a 1-200 yd walk to your stand, by all means you dont need this gear. You can wear cheap synthetic pieces and be fine. Especially when you can go back to camp midday and change. When i hunt public land i got 2-3 miles deep and stay there all day. For this application i can justify spending more on gear

[@lucaswade576]

Love First Lite. Picking up a few pieces each year. Def jump on the sales and deals lol. That black Friday deal though!

[@michiganoutdooraddiction4543]

Awesome video Mark ! This video played a big roll in purchasing my first lite gear. Thank you !

[@jhamelin119]

I got a buck wearing red head gear....... under 200 bucks for bib and coat. Hunting at around 10-15C below zero. Will I be guaranteed to shoot a 185 plus buck every year if I own this gear??

[@Orange_pickles]

Love the channel, great content. Klamath hoody I presume is named after the Klamath tribe of Northern California. If that’s the case it’s pronounced like Klam-ath vs Kla-math.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

This is a great video. What type of camera are you using ?

[@brad4010]

Mark, have you covered on the reasoning why you moved away from Sitka? Not trying to stir up anything. Just wondering if there was technical reasoning behind the switch.

[@brad4010]

Just finished the video. I didnt realize that you've been given the opportunity to work with Steve Rinella/Meat Eater. Makes sense now. Best of luck!

[@matthewmoore5840]

He is working with Meat Eater/Steve Rinella. They are sponsored by First Light. That’s why I’m assuming he is wearing it and not the Sitka. My question is, what did you do with your Sitka Gear? Sell, Give Away? Keep it for the family or friends. Just curious.

[@Kyrodan022]

do you not wear Sitka anymore????

[@MrRickyelder]

FirstLite is owned by MeatEater so probably not.

[@agashamnon]

I like merino for warmer weather cause it doesn't tend to smell as much when I get a bit sweaty. I do wonder if the Sitka color pattern would work better when the leaves are all down and the sky is more exposed once it gets colder and getting sweaty becomes less of an issue. Thoughts?

[@agashamnon]

i.e. when it's warm, being up in leafy trees, First Lite might work better for concealment, but once it's gotten cold and the leaves have all fallen, Sitka might be better for concealment with it's more gray hues

[@thehunter9149]

I wondered the same thing, and after asking multiple people and doing some research, Elevated II should work fine early season through late season. They claim it’s built to deer vision and not our vision. I personally prefer the first lite patterns, but think Sitka would work great to. I don’t own either, but am planning on upgrading to one of them

[@TheYamahog12]

The pattern is fine even when the leaves drop. I use it and have never been picked off by deer. Your stand placement is far more important than a camo pattern.

[@melvinsacromentoe]

Mark, with the solitude system, how low temp wise were you able to go with that layering system?

[@fx4fxnytro]

I use the solitude system from mid to late season with proper layering. I hunt southern and mid eastern ontario canada. I feel that the solitude is more versatile then having the solitude and sanctuary systems. With proper layering the solitude can be worn all season.

[@melvinsacromentoe]

Cory M what I was looking to see 👍🏼

[@toddbehm8230]

What color is that?

[@robertmarch0920]

Mark, I use the scent crusher roller bag and noticed that the elastic in my furnace base layer pants and sanctuary bibs suspenders seem to be loosing their elasticity. Have you noticed that at all? Does first lite recommend not using ozone products such as sent crusher?

[@joshkraai7657]

YES!!! Don't Use ozone on anything that has elastic it will break it down to the point it will break.

[@robertmarch0920]

It’s weird my under Armour base layers don’t seem to have this issue

[@joshkraai7657]

That is wired....I would check with FL and see if they would honor some kind of replacement. I know that Sitka will void the warranty for that very same reason if used with ozone.

[@haterproof17]

Yup, I knew about it but wanted to see for myself. So I used my $30 bass pro suspenders and my muff had elastic holes. Used them in my crusher bag and after a season it destroyed the elastics.

[@dionysis84]

Why did u get rid of sitka?????

[@rustbeltpipes]

He's a part of the MeatEater crew now, and they own First Lite.

[@jhamelin119]

I got a buck wearing red head gear....... under 200 bucks for bib and coat. Hunting at around 10-15C below zero. Will I be guaranteed to shoot a 185 plus buck every year if I own this gear??

[@loganlittrell945]

With a base layer system, what's the coldest you would take the catalyst set?

[@xxbryan715xx]

Logan Littrell with a set of Allegheny bottoms and the furnace bottoms I have worn the catalyst pants into the low 20’s and stayed warm. Weather in the 10’s was a little too much for the pants. I don’t have the jacket yet but I would estimate mid 30’s with good layers. The catalyst pants and Woodbury jacket are a killer setup for the Rut and Into late season.

[@WiredToHunt]

Yea, I would say with the right base layers underneath and when temps really dip, an insulation piece, like a vest or something on top, the catalyst system has worked for me down into the 30s. I wore it exclusively on my Nebraska hunt, where morning temps got down into the 30s.

[@al3xnull]

I wear -- TOP: [ Fuse - Kiln - Sawtooth - Catalyst ] -- BOTTOM: [ Furnace - Catalyst ], up to double merino socks, and midweight neckgaiter and beanie. I can sit in the wind at powerlines in the 30's for roughly a couple hours before I start to feel just stiff and shivering and need to move. Once moving though, I generally am fine and may need to take off the jacket. So 30's for me is where I'm starting to add more insulation and it's really in the pants.

[@loganlittrell945]

al3xnull this is almost the exact setup I was think of doing. I already have a catalyst jacket but haven’t got to use it yet. Are the furnace bottoms that critical compared to a 200 weight?

[@al3xnull]

​@@loganlittrell945 I would say if you are wanting to push to lower temps with that setup, yes. You could give it a go though.

[@DawnForRealvlog]

I love when whitetail hunters act like they’re this extreme hiker with harsh conditions. like hey buddy ur not hunting elk or moose knock it off

[@j.johnson2792]

You've never hunted whitetail here in the Appalachian ls then. It's just as extreme as anything you've ever done I guarantee.

[@thomasmitchell3432]

Ya that’s what I’ll wear instead of paying my bills.....get real

[@mree0805]

Thomas mitchell don’t buy it then. No one is telling you to buy anything troll.

[@xxbryan715xx]

Mark, can you work with First Lite on behalf of the whitetail guys who are looking for the perfect hand warmer muff?

[@WiredToHunt]

I can definitely mention it!

[@galinswigart]

I second this! I’ve been waiting for a “Sanctuary” Hand warmer muff for a few years.

[@mikestrubhart9028]

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[@nickanto]

Exactly what I was going to ask

[@gtaylor9218]

Out now

[@thejaytea24]

What made you give up on Sitka? I like the quieter exterior on the first lite, but I’ve snagged my Sitka on barbed wire and managed not to rip it up. I don’t think you could say the same with that first lite exterior.

[@dionysis84]

I have both and sitka has way better outerlayers. First lite has better base layers

[@melvinsacromentoe]

He got sponsored by meat eater/first lite that’s why

[@mr.gtmsworld2494]

Bebate of wearing the jacket under or over the bibs. If it’s windy or raining I wear the jacket over the bibs. And tucked in the bibs when it’s not.

[@stewmac23]

Mark can you expand on what you do about your lower legs and feet? What footwear are you wearing in the stand? And what socks are you using and layering if you do so? Thanks.

[@sawyerhall6564]

I’d be interested to hear what boots you’re running as well.

[@outdooranalytics7887]

I am a First Lite Fanatic! The only 2 pieces that I have found that fit a bit differently are the Sanctuary bibs and the Sawtooth hybrid jacket. Both of those pieces seem to run small on me. Did you have to size up for the bibs then use the Velcro to tighten back down?

[@ML-ks2lj]

How quiet is the gear too? I need some wind proof and quiet gear and don't want to drop 1,200 on it if I'm going to be loud and cold walking through some brush. I hunt Michigan and want all the same stuff light compact gear that is quiet and warm sitting in a tree stand or in a natural blind

[@ML-ks2lj]

How is wind block with their gear? Gets pretty cold In a Michigan tree stand with a steady 13 mph wind when it's -4 degree Fahrenheit

[@BroScience710]

Be great if your sponsored by them. I can see buying cold weather or rain gear, which I'm thinking of. But that much money for so many layers and season changes is for the sportsman not the outdoorsman

[@thomashood3748]

As you go thru your garments list, i wish you would hold up each item for us to see

[@trouty407]

Great video man! I've been listening to the podcast every morning this fall during my commute to school. You make some really solid content and seems like I pick up some new info every time I watch / listen. Thanks for all you do! Would love to see another Podcast w. you, Dan, and the boys from The Hunting Public.

[@WiredToHunt]

Thanks Nathan! Glad you're finding it helpful. We'll definitely get the THP guys on again!

[@ZGADOW]

Klamath is pronounced "Clam - ath' not "clay-math"

[@mikenutto396]

When you live in Oregon you know lol

[@jp1419]

Klamath falls whoop whoop

[@jacobkuhmann1795]

How long was the promo good for?

[@root2614]

And a thousand dollars later. There ya go!!

[@travisbowers5143]

FL runs a couple different sales each year where things go up to 50% off. I bought the North Branch jacket and bibs on closeout for $400 total, normally that would have ran near $600

[@jp1419]

Catch that big sale after hunting season and put in a big order for 30% off

[@pahuntnut]

Well now your going to have to throw it all out and get Specter. You’ll never be able kill another deer unless you get the new camo. Lol

[@jasonwillis1376]

Why did you change from Sitka to first light ?

[@rustbeltpipes]

He partnered up with the crew from MeatEater, who own First Lite.

[@matt76cmich64]

Hoping the Uncompahgre layers under the Solitude as good as it does under my Woodbury.

[@mrgood1cor13]

Did you end up getting the Solitude and if so, how do you like it? Its sitting in my cart but Im a little leery to pull the trigger.