First Lite Sanctuary 2.0 Jacket Review
I bit the bullet and wanted to build a clothing system that could last well into the late season but also be easiest to pack. That solution was to drop several layers with packable solutions and accept not-so-packable solutions when and where needed. It might be important to know my hunting style when referring to a packable solution. I hunt mostly public land, at least 1 mile in, and for the most part almost exclusively out of a saddle. To get a sense of what I pack, I also self-film, so I am always filling most of my pack with cameras, lenses, camera arms, batteries, etc. This doesn’t leave much room for layers. Before this year, I carried a fleece, or two, then one or two larger jackets if it was colder. This was the year to snag one solution to fight the cold that could integrate with an already dialed-in saddle-hunting lightweight system.
First lite Sanctuary 2.0 Jacket
The Sanctuary 2.0 Insulated Jacket builds off the foundation of the original Sanctuary Jacket with updates to the fabric package, fit, and features. The jacket is purpose-built for bitter-cold days in the treestand and is the coldest weather component of the First Lite Layering Kit. With a proprietary combination of six layers of fabric and insulation carefully positioned to maximize warmth, this thing is an oven.
Price: $380
- Layering Position
- Insulated Outerwear
Features
- True to Size: Purchase your normal size
- Exclusive 37.5 Active Particle Technology
- Exhausts moisture and maintains core body temperature
- Traps odors (human signature) and releases them when laundered
- 200g of 37.5 synthetic insulation in the body
- 160g of 37.5 synthetic insulation in the sleeves/hood
Packing in Cold Weather Gear
The solution I needed was simply an approach with 2 pieces of essential gear…before jumping into that it’s important that my base system is comprised of a thermal or two thermal layers under the First Lite Obsidian Foundry pants and the thermal layer under a Kilm hoodie. That’s my base that often is also packed within my sanctuary jacket so as to not sweat on a mile + walk in. I simply pack the thermals, only wearing a t-shirt (First Lite Aerowool) and the obsidian foundry pants. Once I get to the tree I slide the thermals back on, usually changing socks in the process. I climb the tree with the thermals, then get my next 2 jackets on.
The first solution I use is a packable down insulation I carry on the inside of the pack. For me, an 800 down REI packable jacket was the solution. Packing-wise, this is great as it offers a cushion for the camera gear. It is not silent, but I usually slide my Kilm over it if I don’t need my Sanctuary 2.0 Jacket, or if it’s cold just wearing the Sanctuary mutes the jacket noise completely. This gives me massive warmth for a very small, and very packable solution quickly and easily makes up for the multiple layers of fleece I used to carry.
The second solution was the Sanctuary 2.0 Jacket. No, its not “packable” like the down jacket, (I’d love to give the Source jacket a try in the cold weather soon as it seems more packable too!) but the “bigger jackets” arent…so usually they are packed on the outside of the pack or backpack anyhow. Since I hunt with the Platow Pack (see how I pack my saddle hunting gear here), I can simply throw the sanctuary right over the top, strapping it down with the cinch straps. These keeps me fast and agile, dropping the jacket quick if the temps are above 40 or so and the wind is not ripping. Anything else the Sanctuary is coming with!
Now to get into all the finer details.
Sanctuary 2.0 Jacket Sight Specs
First Lite markets this jacket as an oven, and I have to agree, the thing is damn warm. The fact that I can omit so many layers and run my 2 jacket system is awesome and simple.
Features
- True to Size: Purchase your normal size
- Exclusive 37.5 Active Particle Technology
- Exhausts moisture and maintains core body temperature
- Traps odors (human signature) and releases them when laundered
- 200g of 37.5 synthetic insulation in the body
- 160g of 37.5 synthetic insulation in the sleeves/hood
- Windproof membrane
- Maximum insulation for warmth in extreme conditions + moisture-resistant DWR exterior that repels snow and rain
- Face fabric: silent, brushed 2-layer Catalyst softshell
- Windproof
- Dead quiet even in sub-freezing temperatures
- Built-in stretch for complete range of motion
- Constructed with biomechanically accurate Shooter’s sleeves, shoulders, and hood
- Kitlink™ 37.5 fleece-lined chest muff and pocket seamlessly integrates with zippered pass-thrus on the jacket
- Tree Stand harness pass-thru
- Insulated hand pockets with a seal-tight gasket to block out cold air
- Two gear loops on the chest for anchoring rangefinders and calls
- Stays warm even if insulation becomes wet
- Capable of accepting a 44.5 mm lens
PROS:
CONS:
Coldest Weather Hunts
By far one of the coldest hunts this year was a stiff 13-18mph winds by 10 am at just under 30 degrees. Now I know to some that’s not bad but so far that’s the coldest i had been in for the 2023 year and it was pretty miserable. However, I took refuge in the Sanctuary 2.0 Jacket.
One of the main things I love about this jacket is the vent pockets on the side that give me access to the core. Here is how I use it! I put my hands inside these pockets with gloves on, and hold a rechargeable hand warmer directly against my chest. This not only heats my core with the hand warmer on full blast but allows me to scan/film etc with my hands and then back in for a warm-up. If the going gets tough like on that particular hunt, I simply hunker down and cinch the hood up tight. I was still able to scan back and forth, and to my surprise, I was seeing deer move in the thick bedding. That’s what you get when you’re able to push that far back with the right gear and escape the pressure!
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AUTHOR BIO
Weston Schrank is a hunting industry professional with years of whitetail management and hunting experience in the Midwest. He is currently expanding that experience in the mobile hunting world, and the world of western hunting.
Instagram- @wes.schrank
