Today I talk with Nathan Owen, a master predator hunter who launched his own company LifeIsNowOutdoors.com that is dedicated to supporting predator hunters and providing the insights and gear they need to reach the highest levels of success. We talk strategy, guns, optics, gear, and everything you need to hunt predators, day or night.
Do you really need camouflage gear for every hunting situation? Are there times when buying gear that isn’t camo is actually better? Is black, green, or brown hunting gear just as good as camo? On this episode I am going to share some things you won’t hear in the marketing that can help you save some money.
On this episode I dive into the basics of goose hunting ammo. I cover topics about different metals and shot sizes as well as hunting styles and distances to help you make informed decisions about your goose hunting ammo selections. We will talk about steel ammo, bismuth, heavier than lead, and pure 18 gcc TSS ammo.
I am not much of a hoody guy, but when I saw the First Lite Rugged Wool Zip Hoody first released, it immediately caught my attention. This is not your college sports logo hoody; no this is a piece of high quality and highly technical hunting gear. The hood itself is unlike anything I have ever worn before, more about that later.
I normally would not do an entire review of a hoody, but this is my favorite hoody that I have, and it is useful for more hunting scenarios than just about any other piece of gear I have. First Lite was very smart with this thing, both in the materials and construction. I wouldn’t consider myself a merino wool junky, until now.
Made of Merino
I have long been a fan of merino wool base layers for all of the popular reasons, they are very warm when dry, provide most of their insulative value even when wet, are thermally regulating, wick moisture maintaining a dry contact surface with the skin, generally dry faster than synthetic layers, and resist odors. So, I have been using merino for everything that is in direct contact with the skin, from balaclavas to long johns to socks. But why would you want merino wool as a hoody?
Merino offers something very appealing as a hoody, all around wet/dry performance that is thermally regulating. I don’t overheat when wearing the hoodie come midday when the sun is on me or when I begin covering ground. It breathes well, dries fast, and is a great mid layer when you know you are going to get wet, like while waterfowl hunting.
Many other hoodies are just as good when sitting still while dry for long periods of time. But when the realities of weather and high physical activity set in, this thing leaves them in the dust. It helps maintain a consistent body temperature, keeps you warm when wet, and dries fast.
Durability
When they put the word rugged right in the name of the piece, you expect some solid durability, and this hoody does not disappoint in that area. Merino wool is known for its softness and comfort more than anything else, but they made use of both properties with this thing. It’s made of 410 gsm merino wool that is double knit with a soft brushed inside and a durable exterior. You could probably wear it as an oversized base layer it’s so comfortable, but it also deals with brush and brambles well on the outside. It’s not invincible by any means but it’s the strongest piece of merino gear I’ve ever seen.
Smart, Simple Design
The most appreciated aspect of the design is just how well it fits. It is neither too tight or lose, it’s not baggy nor is it restrictive. They just nailed it on the fit. I wear a size large in just about everything and that is the perfect size for me here also. There is plenty of room for a heavy base layer under it as well. It is also super quiet, making it perfect for deer hunting or chasing turkeys.
The front pockets are simple and well cut, and the single chest zip pocket is perfect for some TSS ammo, a duck call, or a quick place to ditch your phone when a deer or turkey approaches. I am glad it does not have 16 pockets, as that would seriously hinder the fit, which is far more important.
I am a big fan of the zipper as well; it is actually a deal breaker for me. I do not like hoodies without a zipper. You can put it on and off easily, open it to dump heat, and zip it up all the way to cover most of your neck when it is really cold. Which takes me to the best part.
The Best Hood Ever
Most hoodies are just a sweatshirt with a hood tacked on, but not this one. The First Lite Rugged Wool Zip Hoody feels like they designed the hood first and then built the rest of the garment around it. The good fits similarly to a beanie, and when you zip up the sides it hugs most of your head like a heavy balaclava. There is no hood sagging down over your eyes, everything stays in place. And the way it is cut; you have a tremendous field of view. Whether you are hunting ducks, deer, turkeys, or pheasants, you will be able to see everything while enjoying the warmth of the heavy merino hood.
Mid Layer vs. Outer Layer
The great part about this hoody is that because it is so rugged, it can be used as a legitimate standalone outer layer. When I first got it, I was skeptical that it could be more than a mid-layer, but I was quickly proven wrong. Thankfully I got it in Typha camo, which is very versatile in my area. It does shine as a mid-layer though, because of how effectively it moves and evaporates moisture. It is the kind of layer than you can use for almost every kind of hunt from early season to late.
And because it is merino wool, it will not develop perma-stink after getting hot and sweety or cold and rained over and over. You can climb mountains hunting elk or long beards with this and not have to deal with the odors that just about all other hoodies will take on eventually.
Useful For All Game
I have worn this under my First Lite Refuge Parka on freezing mornings hunting late season ducks and geese. I then packed up the decoys, shed the heavy parka and went jump hunting ducks, and ultimately pheasants by the end of the day with only this hoodie and a base layer under it. It is so versatile, You can use this thing for hunting waterfowl, deer, turkey, upland game, just about everything. Which really helps justify the cost. It is not a specialized single use piece that you will only use a few times a year. I’ve also expanded its uses to include everything from hunting to putting up Christmas lights.
Conclusions & Recommendations
I am a huge fan of the First Lite Rugged Wool Zip Hoody, it is a great, versatile piece of technical hunting gear. The only thing you will probably wear more often than this is your base layers and socks, after that, this hoody is about the most useful piece of gear out there. The biggest issue is trying to pick the one color that will give the most possible uses.
Be sure to listen to The New Hunters Guide Podcast and check us out on YouTube.
Till next time. God bless you, and go get em in the woods!
George Konetes Ph.D. – Founder and Host of the New Hunters Guide.
The New Hunters Guide is simply what George wishes he would have had when learning how to hunt; a single place to get practical hands on knowledge about different kinds of hunting, gear, strategy, and tips that can improve your comfort and fun factor in the woods.
As a note, First Lite gave me this hoody at my request to do this review, thanks to them for their support.
From the first time I ever heard of the First Lite Refuge Parka, I was excited about it. In truth, I did not need another heavy-duty outer layer, I was already well equipped with high end gear, but I could see that the Refuge Parka was a cut above anything I had laid my hands on thus far. And I needed to get one.
What is so impressive about this thing? Two main things really, the first is raw performance and the second is the technical features. It is the best coat/parka I have ever hunted in. And yes, I hunt with everything I review. I’ve worn this thing in very cold weather and couldn’t be happier with it.
I must regularly make it a point to give a disclaimer about my enthusiasm when it comes to my favorite gear pieces, this is ultimately a heavy coat, and it is not magical. But it is about as good as a heavy parka can be for duck hunting. If you want to stay warm and dry during the worst, coldest, windiest, and rainiest days that waterfowl hunting has to offer, you will be hard pressed to find a better way to do it than with the Refuge Parka.
Raw Performance
This is the heaviest parka that First Lite makes for the duck and goose hunter. It is windproof and waterproof. It is as its name states, a refuge from the elements. It has one job, to keep you warm and dry and it does it very well.
Once I get my decoys and blind setup I will sit down and put on the hood and tuck my hands into the handwarmer pockets, effectively retreating into the fortress of warmth that is this parka as I wait for shooting light, and it is truly a great experience. I almost feel as if I am sticking it to the cold windy weather, saying “take that”.
First Lite also makes the Refuge Bibs, but I almost always have waders on so I do not have a need for any waterfowl bibs. Though I wish I did more late season duck and goose hunting in fields so I could use the bibs because they would be MUCH warmer than my typical waders! You can get a better look at the Refuge Parka in my video review as well:
Technical Features
Yes, other companies make coats of similar weight with quality insulation and waterproof layers, but the features are what set this thing apart. This is also one of the major reasons I was excited about this parka. First Lite tends to make very smart gear, filled with features that real hunter’s treasure, such as:
A Technical Hood – Most jackets have a hood. But it feels like First Lite specifically engineered this hood and then built the rest of the parka around it. The detachable hood is patent pending and is a three-way adjustable “turret” style piece. What this amount to is a hood that fits your head all the way around and doesn’t sag over your eyes while giving more field of view than any other hood I’ve ever used. You can flip up the brim down to keep the sun out of your eyes. You can also leave the brim flipped up in its default position and it will allow water to channel around the face opening into a rain gutter that drips down the sides to keep your head and neck dry. You must try the hood on, it is an outstanding design.
Front Dump Pockets – The First Lite Refuge Parka has two front shotshell dump pockets that can each hold a box of shells. These use a very smart heavy flap design that is magnetically self-sealing. I cannot stress how much I like these pockets. First, it is so nice to be able to just grab shells without needing to work a zipper or snaps. Second, if you are hunting in the rain the pockets reseal by themselves keeping rain out of your pockets, something you may forget to do with zippered or snapped pockets.
Other Pockets – This thing has a bunch of cool pockets, a front horizontal zippered pocket on the left with another self-sealing magnetic horizontal pocket on the right. There is a zippered pocket on the left bicep, two dump pockets inside, and two very nice fleece lined handwarmer pockets on the outside. These are so warm and well placed that I do not see a need to use a hand warmer muff when hunting with this coat.
Body Mapped Insulation – The parka has between 200g and 300g of mapped synthetic insulation. The term “mapped” means different parts of the garment have different thicknesses of insulation based on the needs of the hunter for warmth and freedom of movement. The body is thicker, but the arms are a little thinner to give you more range of movement and to make it easier to shoot.
Seals – Every opening has great adjustability to ensure weatherproof seals. The cuffs have low profile easily adjustable straps that are the best I’ve ever used. There is an adjustable wading belt around the waist so you can keep the elements out or cinch up the parka when crossing deep water. And of course the hood and neck portion are great for keeping the weather out of the top opening.
Mobility/Surface Finish – The internal finish is a little silky but not slippery. This makes it very easy to put the parka on over your mid layers, but you do not feel like you are swimming in a coat that sloshes around over your layers. It is a great combination that when paired with the mapped insulation gives you great range of motion. Overall, this thing fits and moves very well for a parka that is this heavy duty. The outside finish is also a little smooth and is quieter than my other waterproof jackets. It is by no means quiet, but all rain proof layers make some noise, and this one is better than the others I have.
Zippers/Access – Overall the zippers are of nice quality and have good, coated pull strings that make them easy to grip and operate with gloves on. The bonus feature is that next to the hand warmer pockets is a second set of zippers that enables you to reach right through the parka and access your layers underneath. This is not a feature I often make use of, but if you get into some serious rain, this is a great way to access things without the risk of getting them wet. It also enables you to take hand warming to a higher level.
Layering Strategy
To get the most of any parka, you need to wear the right layers under it. The Refuge Parka makes that easy to do. In the 20s, I will wear a mid-weight base layer like the First Lite Kiln Merino Wool crew top, a mid-layer like the First Lite Rugged Wool Hoody, and then this parka. These are what I actually use. I may be a bit of a First Lite junky, but any quality base layer and mid-layer like a fleece would work.
There is also plenty of room for more layers, but they just aren’t needed unless its below 20 degrees. When the weather is even more severe, I would add an insulated mid layer like the First Lite Source Jacket and perhaps use a heavier base layer. If you layer properly, I can’t imagine any conditions in which you might realistically hunt waterfowl where this parka will not keep you warm.
Multi-Purpose Use
When looking at a high-end piece of gear, one of the big questions I ask is; what else can this be used for? If it is the ultimate late season waterfowl hunting parka that is great. But can I get any more milage out of an investment piece like this? The answer is absolutely yes. In wet and/or windy conditions, this heavy insulated coat is great for deer hunting. Yes, it’s a bit noisy for deer hunting but in heavy winds or precipitation, that doesn’t matter, all noise is muffled by the weather.
There are also non-hunting uses, like ice fishing, cold weather ocean fishing, and winter camping. I’ve worn it Christmas caroling, and it would be good to wear to outdoor winter sporting events like football games. It would make a very effective ski jacket as well.
Conclusions & Recommendations
The First Lite Refuge Parka is an outstanding piece of gear for the toughest conditions any waterfowl hunter will face. It may not be cheap, but it is actually a bit less expensive than some of its top brand competitor parkas. It is not just a heavy duty insulated windproof coat, it is packed with features that make it more comfortable, versatile, and enjoyable to use.
Be sure to listen to The New Hunters Guide Podcast and check us out on YouTube.
Till next time. God bless you, and go get em in the woods!
George Konetes Ph.D. – Founder and Host of the New Hunters Guide.
The New Hunters Guide is simply what George wishes he would have had when learning how to hunt; a single place to get practical hands on knowledge about different kinds of hunting, gear, strategy, and tips that can improve your comfort and fun factor in the woods.
As a note, First Lite gave me this parka at my request to do this review, thanks to them for their support.
At what point is it too cold for ideal deer movement and hunting? And at what point is it too cold for hunters to be able to stay in the woods and pursue the deer? Today I am going to address both questions to help you in your late season deer hunting no matter where you live.
Everyone is used to hunting ducks in the cold, but hunting in the freezing cold is a different story. When it’s below freezing, or even subzero, the tactics change, the gear changes, the locations change, and the risk factors are multiplied. On this episode I talk about how to hunt ducks in extreme cold, and how to stay safe doing it.
If you have a good duck hunting blind where birds come into your decoys in waves, then stay there! If not, I am going to teach you how to take the hunt to the ducks and use unconventional tactics to put birds on your table! These are more than just jump hunting strategies, this is guerrilla waterfowl hunting! Get your FREE Tetra Hearing 2-Year Extended Service Plan. Simply add this plan to your cart when purchasing a Tetra Hearing device and use this code at checkout to make it free: NewHuntersGuide
What should you be looking for in a good deer processor and why does it matter? On this episode I share what sets apart a good butcher from a great one. And I will give some insights into what identifies a bad one as well. How you process your meat and what you do with it will impact you for months, maybe years to come, so it is important to do it right.
What do you do when you make a big mistake field dressing a deer? Or how do you salvage, and field dress a gut shot deer? On this episode I am going to give you some insights and guidelines to help save as much meat as possible and help make the best out of an unfortunate situation.