First Lite Refuge Parka Review - Waterproof & Insulated

This is a review of the First Lite Refuge Parka, a waterproof insulated waterfowl hunting coat for late season use on the coldest, rainiest, and snowiest days. It has a fully adjustable hood, magnetic dump pockets, zippered warming pockets, a wading belt, 300g of synthetic insulation, a two way zipper, and alot more. This jacket is amazingly warm and has plenty of room for layers underneath.

This competes with other duck hunting parkas made by SITKA Gear, Cabela's, Kuiu, Drake, and many other top brands. I believe it is the warmest hunting parka that I have every used and is the most weather resistant. It is fairly quiet for a waterproof layer, though not quiet enough to sneak up on things, but it is quieter than my GORE-TEX rain jacket. It comes in Typha camo and one other camouflage pattern. #duckhunting #waterfowlhunting

Hunting Gear

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[bent]

Thanks for the video! One of these days I'll need to upgrade my duck coat

[doughanson]

another great topic :-) Thanks for sharing

[davidbilbrough]

They have obviously done their homework: a real hunting coat made by hunters. No wonder you like it -it's got proper pockets.

[adamsheldon]

I run the Sitka Hudson set up. With the gradient, pants and hoodie for cold weather applications. One system all year. 14 below and 40mph winds last weekend in Kansas snow storm. 10 hour day in the field.

[ncsmooth]

I'm glad you've done this review. Have been eying First Lite for a while now. Just the price tag makes me want to cry. The bibs look good too. Just wonder about the durability? If I make an investment like that, I just hope it lasts a while.

[veteranironoutdoors]

I have a first lite thermic set. I want to say I’m impressed with it but it has a few deficiencies that crush all the positives.
It says its for use in 20° and below. That may be true, if you are active and moving-but static you get uncomfortably chilly. The only gripes I have with the bibs is that the knees aren’t reinforced, and the buckles are kinda wonky. The jacket is the worst part about the set. The hood sides detach way too easy, and is impossible to reattach with anything but bare fingers. Theres no pull down face covering in the hood (like they have on some of their other hooded products) which is inexcusable on their coldest weather set, and theres no heat dump zipper under the armpit to keep you cool during moderate activity. Its sweat or freeze.

[David-hnix]

If it doesn't use a battery it's outdated technology