I wear a lot of midlayers. Fine fleece pullovers, USGI waffle-top fleece, synthetic down jackets, windshirts—the list goes on. The problem? Most of them do one thing well and ask you to slack off on everything else.
The First Lite Navigator Hoody is different. It has the features and fabric to work very well in many stages without forcing you to sacrifice performance. Weighing only 12 oz / 340 g, it combines breathable stretch fabrics with a high-performance fleece lining, making it a serious contender for one of the most versatile steels you can fit in your pocket.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Navigator Hoody.
Good and bad
+ Temperature control: 37.5° technology controls heat and humidity during peak output.
+ Weather Resistance: The 30D knitted shell blocks wind and light rain better than regular wool.
+ Warm-up-to-Weight: 12 oz / 340 g and packs down smaller while still providing coverage.
+ Excellent Travel: Four-way stretch fabric allows full range of motion without binding.
+ (Top) Suitable for layer: The slim athletic cut and scuba hood layer easily under outer shells.
– Brush Density: The lightweight 30D shell can shred or rip through heavy brush or sharp rocks.
– Cut Strictly Cut: The built-in fit can limit the layering of thin layers underneath.
– Costs: Technical fabric requires a premium over regular wool.
– DWR Maintenance: PFAS-free water repellants require periodic backwash to remain effective.
First Lite Navigator Hoody Specs
- Weight: 12 oz / 340 g
- Important: 100% Recycled Polyester Shell, 100% 37.5 Polyester Lining
- Temperature Range: 20°F to 60°F / -7°C to 16°C
- Shell Material: Waterproof, slightly stretchy, waterproof fabric
- Line: 37.5 functional wool technology that resists odor
- The hood: Adjustable scuba hood (comes with helmet)
- Packages: Kangaroo pocket fleece-lined handwarmer (includes pocket)
- Zippers: Deep quarter-zip for ventilation
- Packaged Size: Smaller than a standard 1L Nalgene bottle
- Colors: Conifer, Walnut, Dry Earth, First Lite Spectre, First Lite Fusion, First Lite Typha, First Lite Cerca
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- MSRP: $200
Evaluation Criteria
The first time I wore this was on an early March ptarmigan hunt in the Alaska Chugach Mountains. The morning started at 6°F / -14°C with light flurries, and I layered over a long-sleeve mid-length merino wool shirt (I’m a little hot).
Late-season bird hunting here can be tricky in gear coordination – I use backcountry skis with full skins to quickly reach a ptarmigan site without needing a hot snow machine or post-holing in snowshoes – once you start climbing the slopes, you can get dangerously sweaty walking in single-digit temperatures.
Gallery of First Photos of the Lite Navigator Hoody
Good
Versatility & Warmth
The First Lite Navigator Hoody is designed to keep you dry while moving and warm while standing; The water resistance of the shell works very well. The 37.5 fleece lining inside is a new trend that the hiking world is just starting to embrace. It’s undeniably warm and miraculously resistant to body odor.
A bag
One of the best design features of the Navigator Hoody is the kangaroo hand fur pocket. It sits high enough to clear a backpack’s hip belt, and the pocket pouches fold down inside so nothing falls out if you have to duck, bend, or climb over fallen trees on the trail.
The hood
A simple tie-dye scuba hood dialed in well. It fits perfectly under a ski or bike helmet and, more importantly, it moves with your head as you turn, so it doesn’t block your vision around you.
Heat Management
If your output increases, the deep quarter zip allows you to quickly dispose of heat. If it’s too hot, don’t worry—you don’t need a lot of space to put it; it’s not bulky and packs down to a smaller size than a standard Nalgene bottle.
Bad
“Sticky” Fleece.
This is the main advantage of the First Lite Navigator Hoody: the fleece lining strongly adheres to the merino wool layers. I have never been able to remove a hoody without removing my base layer as well. This is a great pain when it is cold outside. If it was the only shirt and jacket combination I had on when I hiked, that clash would be a major daily annoyance.
Sleeves
Because the Navigator Hoody is technically a hunting top, the sleeves are designed to be tight (made specifically so they don’t catch the bowstring). If you don’t have large forearms or prefer a loose fit to carry heavy layers underneath, the arms may feel restrictive.
The decision
The First Lite Navigator Hoody is a premium midlayer that is both warm and light.
It’s an excellent choice for active use in cold weather—layer under it on high-output days below 30°F (-1°C), or use it as a shelter in between heavy rain or extreme cold. It packs down to an incredibly small size if you need to put it away and is light enough to replace a lightweight down jacket that might get a few uses. As long as you don’t mind the stiff sleeves and sticky fleece-to-merino interaction, it’s an amazing piece of gear.
Do you have questions, comments, or personal information about the First Lite Navigator Hoody? Leave a comment below or get in touch, and let me know!
Get the original Lite Navigator Hoody here.