Looking back now, I’m sure wishing I had some First Lite rain gear like this First Lite Omen Stormshelter set. My rain pants were ripped to shreds with fabric hanging every which way. My raincoat had multiple punctures and tears. Both the jacket and pants were entirely beyond repair and looked almost like a ghillie suit instead of waterproof outer layers. My situation was almost laughable, other than being wet and cold. A late October snowstorm in the Colorado high country had dumped close to a foot of fresh snow above 9,000 feet, and the animals were moving.
The morning hunt was successful, and I was thankful to have punched my 2019 2nd rifle tag on a nice 5×6 mule deer buck. While pursuing and then packing that buck out, my hunting partners and I had to slog through numerous stands of deadfall, deep snow, thorns, and snags. We survived (despite a few tumbles), but my rain gear did not. That hunt was a stark reminder of the importance of using high-quality rain gear. Since then, I have tested out a handful of different brands searching for the right balance of durability, breathability, and comfort.
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For many years, I have incorporated a variety of First Lite pieces into my kit, but hadn’t yet brought in the First Lite rain gear to the arsenal. I was a bit hesitant though when I saw they released a new system in 2022 called the “Omen Stormshelter.” It took me a few years and trying out multiple other options before finally taking the plunge to test out the Omen Stormshelter jacket and pants for the 2024 season.
The Testing: First Lite Rain Gear Review
2024 was an epic year of hunting, and I was fortunate to spend north of 40 days in the field this summer and fall with the First Lite rain gear with me the entire time for protection from the elements. This included all seven of my backpacking trips from May through August, and four rifle and archery hunts in Idaho and Colorado from September through November. These outings included a wide variety of conditions with significant wind, rain, snow, and temperatures down to the single digits. After a full season of use of the Omen Stormshelter rain gear, I have been able to put it through its paces.
What Is 37.5 Technology + First Lite Rain Gear?
Before diving into the details of the First Lite Omen Stormshelter rain gear, I was interested to better understand the technology behind 37.5 and why it works so well to regulate temperature and minimize odors. The overall concept and how it began is quite simple – pair merino wool’s moisture wicking and odor eliminating capabilities with 37.5 Technology’s ability to help your body naturally regulate its temperature by using fabric that keeps you cool when it is hot, and warm when it is cold.
The technology behind 37.5 is not quite as simple. 37.5 Technology was first “discovered” in 1992 by a Ph.D taking a volcanic sand bath in Japan on Mt. Aso. I had no idea what that even meant and had to do some research. Mt. Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan. The hot water beneath the surface heats up the sand. Bury yourself in the sand with a temperature range of about 122-131 degrees, and you can take a toasty “sand bath.”
The suggested health benefits are that the heat makes you sweat, which then expels toxins and inflammatory/pain-causing substances from the body. The warm sand promotes blood circulation, supposedly leaving you refreshed. Circling back to 37.5’s roots, the Ph.D. found that the volcanic sand removed sweat vapor so quickly that it continually cooled him via sweat evaporation. This evaporation helps remove sweat vapor before it turns to liquid which equals better control of retained body heat via evaporative cooling.
This concept became the foundation, and First Lite, paired with 37.5 Technology, has been perfecting the magic formula in their merino and synthetic apparel ever since. Interested in learning more about the finer details of 37.5? Take a look at their up-close videos, scientific studies, and literature on the technology here: www.thirtysevenfive.com/thermoregulation-technology/. It is fascinating!
Build Details: First Lite Rain Gear – Omen Stormshelter Set
- Proprietary Bi-Component laminate package forms a waterproof, windproof, yet breathable garment to handle the worst conditions mother nature can throw at you
- Durable fabric that can handle thick brush and undergrowth
- Eco-Friendly 80/30 DWR (“durable water repellent”) package outperforms traditional Polyfluorinated DWRs
- Material: 4.5-Layer Rain Shell
- Cut to wear over your kit
- 37.5 particle technology helps actively manage moisture and odor
- YKK Aquaguard zippers
- Built-in mechanical stretch
- Articulated patterning for improved range of motion and a comfortable fit as your outer layer
Specs and Features: First Lite Rain Gear – Omen Stormshelter
This First Lite rain gear set boasts some incredibly advanced features and technology to enhance your experience, keep you dry, and maintain your comfort.
First Lite Omen Stormshelter Jacket:
- Tricep vents assist in allowing the wearer to circulate air and dump excess heat as needed
- Chest cowl vents allow for air circulation along with access to layers or gear worn under your rain jacket
- Magnetic closure dump pockets that lie above the pack belt allowing for easy access or gear storage, even while wearing your pack
- Patent pending, three-way, adjustable hood, with flip-up Channel Brim to direct precipitation away from your face
- The adjustable hood allows for a range of adjustment to preserve peripheral vision and range of motion depending on your fit preference
- Patent pending, adjustable, flat seal cuff design minimizes fabric bunching at the wrist while creating a tighter cleaner seal using a Velcro adjustment
- Listed weight per the First Lite website: 26oz
- Note the actual weight from my scale of the size XXL jacket I wear: 1lb 15oz (31oz). I’m assuming the listed weight on the First Lite website is for a smaller size, but I have not verified this with First Lite directly.
First Lite Omen Stormshelter Pants:
- Magnetic closure thigh dump pockets allow for easy storage of gear on your outer layer
- Traditional zippered hand pockets provide storage and security for any loose items
- Built-in, flexible splash guard creates secure seal around your boots and locks into place with a lace hook grommet
- Adjustable Velcro waist band allows for a customized adjustment to the waist to accommodate a great fit throughout the temperature and layering needs of the specific season/use
- Full-length, side zips allow for ventilation, easy access to pockets/layers underneath, and easy changing in the field while keeping your boots on
- Optional suspender system keeps pants in place without needing a belt. (Note that the Omen Stormshelter pants do include loops for traditional belt usage, if desired.)
- Minimalistic closed cell foam pad in knee reduces the chance of contact tearing and pinholes to laminate material
- Listed weight per First Lite’s website: 30.25oz
- Note the actual weight from my scale of the size Large/Tall I wear: 1lb 12oz (28oz). Again, I’m assuming the listed weight on First Lite’s website is for a different size, but I have not verified this with First Lite directly.
My Favorite Features: First Lite Rain Gear – Omen Stormshelter
Breathability: Waterproof and breathability truly conflict with each other, and that is evident on just about every piece of rain gear that advertises that it is also breathable. However, First Lite rain gear did something a little different to solve this issue.
Of the handful of brands of rain gear I have previously tried, the most common issue I encountered was that during any activity other than sitting, they were waterproof, but had the breathability and feel of wearing a trash bag (and sounded like one too). If inclement weather hit, I’d be left with the choice of NOT wearing rain gear and getting wet or wearing the rain gear and getting wet from the inside out by sweating with any notable movement.
I have found that my primary issue around moisture/sweating arises from the waist up. This First Lite Omen Stormshelter jacket solves this issue on the jacket by using 37.5 technology and incorporating a two-way, front zipper and chest/tricep vents that allow for heat dumping while still keeping the wearer dry.
On the 2024 Ivory Holsters “Death Hike” where I tested this First Lite rain gear, I was able to experience this over an extended period of time as we hiked 36+ mountain miles in less than 32 hours. This included hiking through significant elevation gain and loss with the Omen Stormshelter for multiple hours during heavy rains in the Colorado high country. I was honestly blown away at the effectiveness of the breathability of this system while using the chest and tricep vents specifically.
At a few points during this hike, the rain slowed to a moderate level, but I intentionally kept hiking with the First Lite rain gear on just to see if I would overheat as I wanted to really test out the breathability of the system. While some sweating is inevitable during steep climbs, by layering appropriately under the First Lite Omen Stormshelter jacket, I did not have the “normal” issues I’ve previously encountered with excessive sweating underneath rain gear with different brands I have tried. The vents work amazingly to dump heat and kept me on the move with moisture at a bare minimum.
Durability: The issues I have had in the past with my rain gear failing are now officially history. The proprietary Bi-Component laminate package of the Omen Stormshelter is built for the toughest terrain. During my outdoor escapades in 2024, I wore the Omen Stormshelter pants while hiking through a variety of cactuses, thorns, and deadfall with zero damage to report.
On one of my thorn and cactus filled hunts in Southwest Colorado, I was able to successfully harvest a bull elk on opening day of Colorado’s third rifle season in an OTC unit. Quartering an elk is not a quick or small job, especially doing it solo. While spending a bunch of time maneuvering around on the ground and in deep snow, I had no moisture make it past the Omen Stormshelter pants through to my base layer pants underneath. It was a huge bonus to be able to keep my legs and pants moisture and blood free while doing the necessary knife work on this bull.
This was a base camp style hunt with no ability to wash my pants, and we had multiple other tags needing to be filled throughout the following week. I was extremely grateful to be able to keep my primary pants moisture and blood free for the remainder of the hunt.
After a full season of using this First Lite rain gear in a wide variety of terrain and conditions, I can confidently say that I would have seen a repeat of shredded rain gear in 2024 if I had not upgraded to the Omen Stormshelter system.
Technical Features: The Omen Stormshelter is absolutely loaded with features that make it extremely functional and versatile. The variety of pockets inside and outside of the jacket can be used for storing gear as needed. Additionally, the intuitive design allows for easy access to layers underneath via the cowl vents of the jacket to reach your bino harness or inner layer pockets.
The adjustable hood on this First Lite rain gear allows the user to adjust the fit accordingly to keep the hood or brim from creeping into your field of view. Oversized hoods that obstruct field of view are a personal pet peeve of mine, and I loved the adjustability here. It did take me a bit of trial and error in the field to get the fit “just right,” but the hood adjustability of the Omen Stormshelter jacket is an awesome feature. Lastly, the adjustable brim can be modified down to keep snow or rain off your face/hat or folded up to direct moisture back and away from the user’s face.
On the Omen Stormshelter Pants, each leg includes a zippered pocket for your phone or anything else that needs to be secured, along with dump pockets for any larger items. The side zips of the pants were one of my favorite features to be able to access my pant pockets underneath the Omen Stormshelter rain pants. Additionally, being able to quickly and easily zip off the rain pants over my boots when inclement weather subsides is a notable upgrade from other brands I have tried that only have partial side zippers. The design is functional and well thought out.
Adjustability/Versatility: I used the First Lite Omen Stormshelter pants on my aforementioned mid-November hunt along with my summer backpacking trips during warmer temperatures. On summer trips, I was wearing my favorite hiking pant underneath (Prana Stretch Zion) as compared to late season when I was wearing the First Lite Kiln Long Johns and a much thicker/heavier pant (First Lite Catalyst).
The adjustability of the “hook and loop” Velcro waist band works well and allowed me to modify the fit of the waist for the situation, so it is never too loose or too tight. To save weight on several of my summer excursions, I opted to use the Omen Stormshelter jacket as my outer layer. It can easily double up as a functional windbreak or outer jacket if temperatures are not extremely low.
Warranty: First Lite Rain Gear – Omen Stormshelter
When I unboxed the First Lite rain gear, I could immediately tell it was built entirely different than your average “thin” rain gear. In the event of an issue with durability, First Lite does offer a “Practical Lifespan” warranty, defined as the “customary wearable life of the product.” As with any piece of clothing that is heavily used, it will not last forever, but can be warrantied if it has a manufacturers defect or if the failure is not simply due to regular wear and tear.
I have used a wide variety of First Lite gear dating back to 2015 and have not yet had a reason to send in any of my items for warranty needs. The only “issue” I could find on my First Lite rain gear Omen Stormshelter set after a full season of use was that a couple of the letters of “First Lite” have peeled off the brim. This is insignificant to the functionality of the set though, and I would expect the Omen Stormshelter to last a long time.
My Takeaways: First Lite Rain Gear – Omen Stormshelter
What I Loved: First Lite Rain Gear
- Extremely durable. The Omen Stormshelter is as advertised and is built to hold up to harsh use and handle tough terrain
- Waterproof and windproof to keep you dry in the worst of conditions
- Adjustable to the user’s specific build to accommodate your desired fit
- Loaded with features, storage, and extremely well thought out design of the set
- Built for comfort and breathability while in motion
- Excellent cut for layering underneath
What I Didn’t Love: First Lite Rain Gear
- Weight – not the lightest rain gear on the market at an advertised weight of 56.25 oz or 3.51 pounds (Note, my XXL jacket and Large/Tall pants weigh in at 59oz or 3.68 pounds)
- Price Point – $780.00 retail for the set ($390.00 each for the jacket and pants)
Conclusion: First Lite Rain Gear Review – Omen Stormshelter
During the 2024 season, I was fortunate to make a mountain of amazing memories: Solo harvests of an archery bull in Idaho and a rifle bull in Colorado, filming my brother harvesting a beautiful Colorado mule deer buck, time with family backpacking in the mountains, fishing alpine lakes in the high country with good friends, and getting to experience some of God’s finest handiwork in the backcountry all contributed to an adventure filled year.
Having high quality gear like the First Lite rain gear in my pack gave me an added sense of security on each of these outings, knowing that I would be protected from the elements regardless of the weather conditions. After a full season of use I can confidently say that the Omen Stormshelter will be my go-to rain gear moving forward. If you’re looking for bomb-proof, long lasting, versatile and functional rain gear, look no further.
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