Gear We Love: First Lite’s Uncompahgre Puffy Pant

Every year, the guys atFirst Litereach 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 theUncompahgre 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 ofUncompahgre Puffy Pants. You’ll feel really happy about yourself.

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