great review! super helpful! I've been wanting that first lite hoody for years but just too expensive. i'm going over to black ovis right now to check theirs out.
Good review, picked up black ovis 250 last year. Quality product IMO. Seemed to run a little small on sizing so i just sized up one size. Thanks for comparison.
Great comparison, Ben. I've been a first lite wearer for several years and picked up a black ovis merino base layer and was very impressed with the qualit.
I've had a pair of their bottoms and a t-shirt for the past year or so and they are pretty good but I feel they really stepped up with this Keele hoody
I bought a Keele and was all excited. Ordered a 3x knowing this stuff runs small and I’m a bigger guy. The Keele was so short it didn’t even hit my waist line.
I used the Kiln and Keele as a base layer, a mid layer and outer layer depending on conditions; they truly are that versatile. I typically wear a thin merino t-shirt as the first layer in most cases
@@aarongoeppner413 definitely. I use it for an outer layer when out west hunting in sept and then back here in Wi, I use it as a mid layer for stand hunting whitetail - typically merino t-shirt, then merino hoody then soft shell fleece lined jacket. If it’s below freezing, I skip the soft shell and go with the first lite sanctuary jacket/bibs.
Watch these vid,s. with the guys wanting tiny sizes. i am 6, tall and weigh 180 lbs.....good grief go eat a full dinner hunting clothes it all works thank you Bob
I’m becoming a big fan of the Black Ovis stuff. The pants have been very comfortable and the mid weight merino hoody has been awesome. Build quality is nowhere near a Sitka but you wouldn’t expect that at the price. Long term durability verdict is still out for me but so far I’ve been happy. B.O is made in China, that sucks but Sitka is Sri Lanka, Kuiu is China, don’t know about First Lite. If they’re made in USA that’s the only real benefit.
FirstLite is not made in the USA. Like most companies, the design and distribution is USA-Based but the supply chain and manufacturing is outsourced. Hard to find Made-in-USA textiles and if you do, the prices are pretty steep (understandably). Duckworth and Beyond Clothing (Axios and Mission Lines) are about the only ones that are Made in USA
Good info, thanks. I’ve recently been looking to ad a few pieces so I had looked at Firstlite to see about where they’re made. With it all being outsourced, the Black Ovis stuff is definitely worth a look. Been real happy with mine.
great review! super helpful! I've been wanting that first lite hoody for years but just too expensive. i'm going over to black ovis right now to check theirs out.
Thank you. Black Ovis frequently has sales on and occasionally their merino is posted on CamoFire too. Might help save a few dollars.
Good review, picked up black ovis 250 last year. Quality product IMO. Seemed to run a little small on sizing so i just sized up one size. Thanks for comparison.
Still holding up great too. I’ve since added a few more pieces of black Ovis gear - fleece hoody and their rain jacket - both are great.
Great comparison, Ben. I've been a first lite wearer for several years and picked up a black ovis merino base layer and was very impressed with the qualit.
I've had a pair of their bottoms and a t-shirt for the past year or so and they are pretty good but I feel they really stepped up with this Keele hoody
Blackovis is my go to shop for gear also 👊🏻
I bought a Keele and was all excited. Ordered a 3x knowing this stuff runs small and I’m a bigger guy. The Keele was so short it didn’t even hit my waist line.
Great review. Do you know how the sizing compares to Kuiu sizing? I’m a husky 5’6” @ 165# and the Kuiu Medium is a good fit on my torso. Thanks.
Sorry can’t speak on sizing compared to Kuiu. I’m 6’ 185 lbs, average build and the mediums fit me great with plenty of room.
Do you use this as a base layer or would this work over lighter weight merino tops for layering
I used the Kiln and Keele as a base layer, a mid layer and outer layer depending on conditions; they truly are that versatile.
I typically wear a thin merino t-shirt as the first layer in most cases
Are you still happy with the Black Ovis? Was thinking about getting one
Yep, still super happy. I have a few sets of boxers, t-shirts, base layer bottoms and this hoody, and all are real good.
Midwest MTN Outdoors so you would recommend for a mid weight layer to hunt in?
@@aarongoeppner413 definitely.
I use it for an outer layer when out west hunting in sept and then back here in Wi, I use it as a mid layer for stand hunting whitetail - typically merino t-shirt, then merino hoody then soft shell fleece lined jacket. If it’s below freezing, I skip the soft shell and go with the first lite sanctuary jacket/bibs.
Who makes the sweater you’re wearing?
This is from Public Land Tees
@@midwestmtnoutdoors thank you! I’ve been looking for that for over a year now.
@@johnwaw6363 One of my favorites! And not just for September 😀
Watch these vid,s. with the guys wanting tiny sizes. i am 6, tall and weigh 180 lbs.....good grief go eat a full dinner hunting clothes it all works thank you Bob
I’m becoming a big fan of the Black Ovis stuff. The pants have been very comfortable and the mid weight merino hoody has been awesome.
Build quality is nowhere near a Sitka but you wouldn’t expect that at the price. Long term durability verdict is still out for me but so far I’ve been happy.
B.O is made in China, that sucks but Sitka is Sri Lanka, Kuiu is China, don’t know about First Lite. If they’re made in USA that’s the only real benefit.
FirstLite is not made in the USA. Like most companies, the design and distribution is USA-Based but the supply chain and manufacturing is outsourced. Hard to find Made-in-USA textiles and if you do, the prices are pretty steep (understandably). Duckworth and Beyond Clothing (Axios and Mission Lines) are about the only ones that are Made in USA
Good info, thanks. I’ve recently been looking to ad a few pieces so I had looked at Firstlite to see about where they’re made.
With it all being outsourced, the Black Ovis stuff is definitely worth a look. Been real happy with mine.