Every year, the guys at First Lite reach out to a network of avid mountain hunters to see what products they’d be most excited to see. For a couple of years, I suggested that they whip up what I was describing as a pair of “glassing pants.” Basically, I was looking for a set of packable insulated britches that could be zipped on and off over my regular hunting pants whenever I got chilly. I envisioned something extremely lightweight, really warm, with full leg zippers.

While I don’t want to oversell my influence at First Lite, I’m excited to say that they followed my advice –coincidentally or not– and came out with the Uncompahgre Puffy Pant. These are the perfect insulated pants for backpack hunters who don’t want the extra weight of heavy insulated pants but don’t like to freeze their asses off while hanging around camp at night or posted up on a cold and windy glassing tit. They roll up smaller than a Nalgene bottle, weigh just 18 ounces, and sport a water-repellent finish. What’s more, they dry extremely quickly.

The next time you’re trying to decide between freezing your ass or bringing along your gigantic insulated Carhartt bibs, go for a set of Uncompahgre Puffy Pants. You’ll feel really happy about yourself.

Whether you're glassing late season goats, layering for a long sit in the stand or sitting around a chilled, backcountry camp, the Uncompahgre Puffy Pant provides the hunter with packable insulation for the lower body. 

Light and packable but warm and comfortable over a wide range of conditions, this is one of our favorites. It goes pretty much everywhere.

Is it really camping without a tent? Yeah, there are those rare, glorious nights when the wind and weather permit us to sleep beneath the stars—but you’d be dumb to not have a shelter handy just in case. And the booming popularity of techy truck campers and tow-behind sleepers is great for those who can afford it, but those mobile apartments sure do remove a lot of ruggedness from the situation. The MeatEater crew is very particular about our...

For relentlessly wet and cold weather, nothing can beat the Omen Stormshelter jacket and pant. It’s heavy-duty but not bulky, and the folks at First Lite engineered it specifically to get you out farther and keep you out longer. The jacket’s tricep and pit vents allow you to dump body heat without sacrificing dryness. The pant offers a full leg-length zipper for easy venting during a hot hike. It also makes it easy to put-on and take-off over...

We are very excited to announce that the outdoor equipment maker FHF Gear is joining the MeatEater and First Lite family! FHF—which stands for Fish, Hunt, Fight—builds badass gear that combines the utility and durability of tactical equipment with the functionality required by serious hunters and anglers. FHF makes our all-time favorite binocular harnesses and a slew of other great products right here in the USA, based out of their office just...