First review of Lite Core jacket and bibs

The point is, you don't exactly need expensive clothing to hunt whitetails in the tree in temperatures of 45 to 30 degrees. Put on long johns, heavy bibs and an insulated jacket and you'll probably be fine for a morning or two. But if you want to hunt seriously and sit all day – day after day in increasingly nasty conditions – you'll need more technical gear to stay warm, dry and comfortable. That's true The core of the first Lite series arrives.

I field-tested the Core jacket and bib this fall in the heart of my bow season in Wisconsin and found the system to be one of the quietest and most comfortable whitetail suits I've ever worn. On the other hand, I noticed some durability issues that you might want to consider before pulling the trigger on this $900 combo (for the jacket and bib). We'll get into the details below.

Core jacket Specifications and key features

See it

• Sizes: Small to XXXL
• Camo: First Lite Spectre
• Body fabric: nylon with DWR
• Microfleece lining
• Removable hood with zipper
• Chest pockets that are accessible when wearing a bino harness
• Pass-through port for safety harness
• Hand pockets with double zipper
• Ports for access to inner pockets and handwarmer sleeve on the bib (magnetic closures)
• PrimaLoft Gold insulation (80 gsm in the body and 60 gsm in the sleeves)
• Price: $450

Kern Bib Specifications and key features

See it

• Sizes: Small to XXXL
• Camo: First Lite Spectre
• Body fabric: lightweight nylon with DWR
• Microfleece lining
• Full-length side zippers
• Chest pockets with zipper
• Kangaroo style hand warmer pockets
• Double access cargo pockets optimized with magnetic top flap and side zippers
• Price: $450

Testing the first Lite Core series

I hunted in northwestern Wisconsin from mid-October to early November with the Core jacket and bib, wearing them on nearly a dozen stands. Temperatures ranged from 60 degrees to mid 30s. I saw winds up to 20 miles per hour and only light precipitation (all in all, we've had an unusually mild fall here). All my hunting was from tree stands. Like most whitetail hunters on private land, I walked a few hundred yards from my truck, climbed into my stand, and then waited.

How the first Lite Core series performed

Comfort and tranquility

The first thing I noticed about this suit was how incredibly comfortable it is. Both the outer nylon material and the inner fleece feel super soft. Although the jacket is insulated, it doesn't feel bulky or heavy. I never felt like the Michelin Man sitting in my booth, even when I had layers.

I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 185 pounds and the Large fits me well with plenty of room for layering. The jacket had some extra material around the waist, but I didn't mind that at all.

The second thing I noticed was how wonderfully quiet the jacket and bib are. Because the outer nylon material is so soft, it is also super quiet, both when rubbing against itself or other objects. This is essential to be able to draw an arc unnoticed, but also to get into your setup. This is subjective, but in my opinion this was the second quietest whitetail hunting suit I field-tested, behind only the Sitka Fanatic, a cold-weather jacket with a Berber fleece outer layer.

I appreciated the quietness of this pack when a nice buck entered my setup to chase some deer and outrun a younger buck. I drew my bow stealthily with the arrows directly under my stand and made a perfect shot at him at 25 yards. The Core jacket and bib earned a few bonus points on that evening hunt.

Heat and weather resistance

First Lite says this combo is ideal for temperatures from 30 degrees to 45 degrees, and I'd say that's about right. With the right layers underneath I could wear this suit comfortably in 20 degree weather, but if it were much colder I would opt for heavier gear.

I never felt cold while hunting in the Core, and I usually just wore a base layer, a long-sleeved shirt, and uninsulated pants underneath.

One thing I was pleasantly surprised by was how water resistant the Core series was. One morning I hunted in very light, sporadic rain and stayed completely dry. For a more rigorous test, I sprayed the arm of the jacket under my kitchen sink for a full minute and found that no water ever penetrated. I attribute that to the jacket's DWR finish, but I'm curious to see how that finish and water-repellent performance will hold up over time (or maybe not).

Yet this is not a completely waterproof suit. If you plan to hunt in persistent rain, use legitimate rain gear. But the Core series must withstand snow and light, and occasional rain.

Smart functions

Both the Core Jacket and Bib are packed with features that whitetail hunters will appreciate. From the top, the jacket has a detachable hood that fits snugly. It also has a harness port on the back so you can wear your treestand harness under your jacket, which is what I prefer to do.

The jacket has openings on the sides, just above the pockets, so you can access the inner pockets and the kangaroo-style pocket in the suspenders. These ports are closed by a strip of magnets (they automatically click closed when not in use). I thought it was an unobtrusive way to keep my hands warm. It's especially fun for bowhunters, who don't like wearing gloves. A little finishing touch is that the jacket has a small loop in the cuff, which you can attach to a thumb release, so you don't drop it from the tree – or forget it.

The bibs have adjustable straps on the sides, so you can tighten them to size. They have magnetized cargo pockets on the legs. The cozy kangaroo-style pocket on the front is a great place to store hand warmers on cold days. And they have full-length zippers on the sides.

Sustainability issues

The only criticism I have of the Core suit is potential durability issues. Although the outer nylon is soft and quiet, my sample was not burr or thorn resistant. A few times when I walked into my setups I had to slip through thickets of brambles and thorns. After removing loose burrs from the jacket, I later inspected the sleeve and noticed that the outer material was pulling out and coming loose – not exactly coming off at the seams, but sort of. First Lite Warranty shows that the type of damage “pilling, abrasion, holes or other cosmetic wear that does not affect the performance of the garment” would likely not be covered.

The jacket is still functional, of course, but for $450 I want a hunting jacket to last several years with heavy use, including the occasional burr patch.

This wouldn't be a problem if you hunt open hardwoods and don't have to walk through thick material to get to your spots. But for public land hunters who need to cover a variety of habitats to get deep into their rigs, the Core suit's long-term durability could be an issue.

How the core stacks up against the competition

Over the past few seasons, I've also field tested a handful of other top-rated whitetail hunting suits, most notably the Sitka Incinerator and Kuiu Proximity. Interestingly enough, I'd say the First Lite Core falls right between the two in terms of warmth and price, but in my opinion it's more comfortable than either. Here's my quick look at each:

Sitka Incinerator

This is the warmest and most weatherproof of the three, but also the most expensive and largest. If you spend a lot of time hunting in freezing temperatures or get cold easily, this is a good suit to consider.

First Lite Core

This is the second warmest and second most expensive of the three. I found it the most comfortable and quietest of them all. But my concerns about long-term sustainability are real.

Kuiu proximity

This is the least bulky and cheapest option of the three. I found the Proximity to be good for mild weather, but not suitable for cold temperatures.

Read next: Sitka vs. Kuiu Whitetail Gear

Final thoughts

Overall, I was impressed with the First Lite Core System and plan to wear it on more deer hunts this year and in the future. I think it's an ideal jacket and bib combo for a serious whitetail bowhunter who prioritizes comfort and quiet – perhaps not one who has to cross a blackberry patch to get to his stand.

Expert gift recommendations

The best outdoor gear, plus in-depth product reviews and recommendations for hunting, bowhunting, fishing and camping.