First Lite Sanctuary Jacket

[Leftridge]

sounds like he had to have a little alone time with this jacket...haha

No shame.. If it feels good go with it!

[rascal71]

Tagged

[Leftridge]

So ya, I can do up a short deal about this jacket from first looks.. The real test for me is how warm will I be in the teens and windy but everything is in place to make this jacket maybe the best investment in cold weather gear since I bought FL Chama hoodie..



There are videos that already talk about most of the features, including on FL website.. But I'm going to hit a few of the details they don't talk about.

First, quiet? Oh heck yes.. The jacket truly is soft like a pillow. In fact it reminds of of an old school down coat from the early 80s. It's a soft I can't really describe. As a result the exterior fabric is super quiet. Is there a little friction yes. Would it be quieter than my bow drawn in total quiet, probably. Not as quiet as just pure wool but in a garment that's water resistant I don't think you'll find anything quieter in ANY price range.

When you put it on it feels super light. Compared to the Sitka Fanatic I just sold, which is an awesome jacket, it feels pounds lighter. Literally. And may be. This is where I'll be interested to see of the warmth to weight ratio comes into play.

So a few details worth noting:

1. I thought this was an mess up in sewing.. Then I realized they added a collar to the back of the neck to seal up the jacket.. Very small but excellent detail I've seen no one talk about including FL.



So there are two sets of adjustments to the hood. One to control the depth of your head into it, the other circles to draw in the face. They put the face draw strings internal to the jacket. Not sure what I think of this. Probably equals less stuff to get caught on a bow string so from that point it's great.

This is the ONLY thing I don't really prefer about the jacket. I don't care for hooded jackets. I'd prefer to remove the hood but it's sewn in. I think I'll find it ok, just not generally something I would prefer.



The zipper system is high quality and medical grade. That being said they are tight and take two hands to work for the most part. But the benefit is the waterproofness.. I mean look at this seal..



So back to keeping heat in.. Look at the cuff.. See where the jacket ends and the cuff begins? There is a nice amount of cuff material that's creates a seal at the wrists but not with elastic.. Its loose but seals.. Its comfy and a great design.



Speaking of seals.. This is covered by FL, but the hand gaskets in the pockets I find to be much nicer than I imagined. There is just enough closure to seal around your wrists when you slide your hands in, but for sure loose enough to not be hard to get your hands out when you need to hurry cause a big deer is coming. This design rocks!



One last little detail most people wouldn't notice but I do, and to me a sign of quality.. Look at the above pic. See where the zipper meets the fabric. That 1/8" seal.. Not only is the zipper sealed outside over the sewing, it's sealed inside. They didn't have to do it and no one would ever miss it, But they went all in on quality.

It's interesting that the face material is the same as the North Branch Pant because they don't feel the same at all. I think because of the laminate in the pant.

To make a long story short, and without actually having it in the tree I think they made a jacket worth ever penny, made to last, quiet and warm. 5 Star jacket all day.. If I had to choose between this and the Fanatic Jacket I'd take this one all day, not to take away from Sitka whom I have a fondness for.

[Etxbuckman]

No shame.. If it feels good go with it!

So what was the verdict?

Edit: just saw your review

[adam_p]

So ya, I can do up a short deal about this jacket from first looks.. The real test for me is how warm will I be in the teens and windy but everything is in place to make this jacket maybe the best investment in cold weather gear since I bought FL Chama hoodie..



There are videos that already talk about most of the features, including on FL website.. But I'm going to hit a few of the details they don't talk about.

First, quiet? Oh heck yes.. The jacket truly is soft like a pillow. In fact it reminds of of an old school down coat from the early 80s. It's a soft I can't really describe. As a result the exterior fabric is super quiet. Is there a little friction yes. Would it be quieter than my bow drawn in total quiet, probably. Not as quiet as just pure wool but in a garment that's water resistant I don't think you'll find anything quieter in ANY price range.

When you put it on it feels super light. Compared to the Sitka Fanatic I just sold, which is an awesome jacket, it feels pounds lighter. Literally. And may be. This is where I'll be interested to see of the warmth to weight ratio comes into play.

So a few details worth noting:

1. I thought this was an mess up in sewing.. Then I realized they added a collar to the back of the neck to seal up the jacket.. Very small but excellent detail I've seen no one talk about including FL.



So there are two sets of adjustments to the hood. One to control the depth of your head into it, the other circles to draw in the face. They put the face draw strings internal to the jacket. Not sure what I think of this. Probably equals less stuff to get caught on a bow string so from that point it's great.

This is the ONLY thing I don't really prefer about the jacket. I don't care for hooded jackets. I'd prefer to remove the hood but it's sewn in. I think I'll find it ok, just not generally something I would prefer.


The zipper system is high quality and medical grade. That being said they are tight and take two hands to work for the most part. But the benefit is the waterproofness.. I mean look at this seal..


So back to keeping heat in.. Look at the cuff.. See where the jacket ends and the cuff begins? There is a nice amount of cuff material that's creates a seal at the wrists but not with elastic.. Its loose but seals.. Its comfy and a great design.



Speaking of seals.. This is covered by FL, but the hand gaskets in the pockets I find to be much nicer than I imagined. There is just enough closure to seal around your wrists when you slide your hands in, but for sure loose enough to not be hard to get your hands out when you need to hurry cause a big deer is coming. This design rocks!



One last little detail most people wouldn't notice but I do, and to me a sign of quality.. Look at the above pic. See where the zipper meets the fabric. That 1/8" seal.. Not only is the zipper sealed outside over the sewing, it's sealed inside. They didn't have to do it and no one would ever miss it, But they went all in on quality.

It's interesting that the face material is the same as the North Branch Pant because they don't feel the same at all. I think because of the laminate in the pant.

To make a long story short, and without actually having it in the tree I think they made a jacket worth ever penny, made to last, quiet and warm. 5 Star jacket all day.. If I had to choose between this and the Fanatic Jacket I'd take this one all day, not to take away from Sitka whom I have a fondness for.

Awesome. Thank you. I'm now just kind of waiting to see if they have a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale. Might as well since it is so close.

[sweetinlow660]

IN

[Leftridge]

I might add as well, the jacket fits a tad big.. No problems with layering under this jacket at all, unlike the North Branch Pant that fits smaller like the Kanabs. Also, the Boundary Storm Tight in XL fits fine over this XL Sanctuary with out feeling constrained in any way so you could wear both..

[Leftridge]

This jacket has a DWR finish so its water resistant.. How water resistant I don't know.. It FEELS like it would soak up water like a sponge.. Its not the Boundary jacket which is made for foul weather..

I think the best thing for me to do is put it on and pour a bucket of water on my head and see..

Video to come..

[Stick'n'String]

I'm ready for this video! You may start the ice bucket challenge for the GS

[Leftridge]

Here is the water "test"

[ame="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-omlQRnSupM"]First Lite Sanctuary Jacket Water Resistance - YouTube[/ame]

[buckybill]

thanks for the review and the comedy. got to love kids

[Maui-diver]

Ha! Classic! "Rain don't shoot at you sideways" looks like sum nice gear there sir.

[Stick'n'String]

Thanks for the review and the video!

[Daniel75]

Here is the water "test"

First Lite Sanctuary Jacket Water Resistance - YouTube

Awesome video, awesome review. I'm gonna buy one

I like that new camo color too.

[adam_p]

Well, mine is on the way. 20% off right now.