When it comes to choosing mid-layers for a hunting clothing system, the options can feel endless—and honestly, overwhelming. Every brand offers multiple choices, and when building your system, it’s worth considering the type of hunt, the time of year, and the terrain you’ll be facing. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Navigator Hoody by First Lite and why I think this piece can cover multiple bases with a single purchase.
First Lite Navigator Hoody
Made from a durable stretch-woven face fabric and an ultra-breathable 37.5 active fleece lining, this hoody does an excellent job knocking down wind and keeping you warm. At the same time, if you’re gaining elevation or covering ground on the trail, it breathes well enough to keep you from overheating. The deep chest zipper also helps when you need to dump heat quickly.
Temperature Range
According to First Lite’s website, this mid-layer is rated for 20°F to 60°F. After wearing it across that entire range, I’d say that rating is pretty spot-on. Once temps dip below about 45°F, I usually need more than just a T-shirt under it to stay comfortable. On the warmer end, when temperatures climb into the upper 50s, you won’t want to be doing much hiking in it—you’ll heat up fast. One of my test days included a 4-mile day hunt with roughly 2,000 feet of elevation gain, wearing the Navigator as my only outer layer. Temps hovered in the low 40s with light rain off and on. Once I reached my glassing knob, I threw on my First Lite puffy, then hiked out at last light the same way I came in. I had zero complaints with how the Navigator performed.
First Lite Navigator Features
The features on this hoody are straightforward, but they’re worth highlighting. The tight-fitting scuba hood (as First Lite calls it) is excellent—it doesn’t interfere with peripheral vision and keeps your head warm without feeling bulky. The fleece-lined kangaroo pocket is another great touch. If you’re like me and don’t love wearing gloves, it’s an easy way to warm your hands when the temps drop. One feature that really stood out to me was the torso length. It’s long enough that it never rides up or exposes bare skin, even when you’re sitting and glassing.
Negatives
As always, I want to point out any negatives I’ve run into with the gear I review. The biggest issue I’ve noticed is that the stitching that creates the baffles across the body is somewhat prone to coming undone. I’ve had several spots where the thread pulled out and needed trimming. I don’t think it affects the performance, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind. Aside from that, the rest of the fabric has held up extremely well.
Conclusion
I still have some hunting season left that will test the Navigator as a true mid-layer, with temperatures forecasted to drop into the single digits. But based on everything I’ve put it through so far, it appears First Lite nailed their goal of building a versatile hoody. It punches above its weight in a lot of scenarios, and despite a few minor issues, it’s a piece I’ll keep reaching for on future hunts. If you’re looking for a mid-layer that can handle a wide range of conditions without overcomplicating your system, the Navigator is worth a hard look.
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