First Lite just unveiled their brand new Forge Waders, and for the past four years, some of the MeatEater crew have been putting them through the ringer as part of testing measures. From setting beaver traps to bear hunting and, of course, good ole late-season duck hunting, the crew threw everything at these waders before landing on a finished product.
These waders have been expert-tested and reviewed, and the feedback from die-hard duck hunters helped inform the thoughtful and intuitive design of First Lite’s Forge Waders. Here’s a look at some of those specs.
Material: Nylon
Weight: 9.5 lbs
Boot: 14-in. LaCrosse Alpha Wader 1000 g PrimaLoft Gold
One-piece design
Zipper: YKK Aquaseal submersible
Seat: Mapped OrthoLIte O-Therm Aerogel
Magnetic, self-draining high hand pockets
Neoprene knee pads
MOLLE attachments on chest pockets
Camo Pattern: First Lite Typha or Darkwater
For starters, First Lite designed the Forge as a one-piece wader, eliminating unnecessary seams or potential failure points. While the Forge’s construction might be minimalist, they have plenty of features that make them one of the best waders available like, MOLLE loops on the chest pockets for shot shell holders or other gear. For the boots, First Lite went with a 1000g insulated 14-inch LaCrosse Alpha with plenty of traction on the Vibram sole.
They’re built to keep you warm and offer plenty of stability while wading through swamps, sloughs, or icy conditions. The seat has OrthoLite O-Therm Aerogel for those frigid mornings in the duck blind, and the reinforced neoprene knee pads are plenty durable. After years of testing, here’s what the crew had to say.
Steven Rinella
“They’re the warmest, most comfortable waders I’ve used. I’ve been using them for spring bear hunting on the coast, beaver trapping through the ice just to put them through the ringer, and they’re just phenomenal, durable waders.”
“They’re the best waders I’ve experienced.”
Brent Reaves
“I’m about as old school as Flint arrowhead, so when the Forge wader project started a few years ago, I was skeptical of the lightweight materials. But shortly after testing some of the early versions, I became a believer. I wasn’t nice to them either. I forced my way through buck brush and flooded timber in Arkansas and a beaver trap line in Manitoba without an issue.”
“This duck season will mark three years that I’ve been running the same pair without a single leak or issue. Wet, cold air doesn’t cut through these bad boys, yet they’re plenty breathable for those deep treks into the duck hole. I’m proud to have been a small part of this project and look forward to seeing other folks enjoy them as much as I have.”
Max Barta
“One of the biggest hurdles in waterfowl hunting is comfort. If you aren’t comfortable, you aren’t having a good time. I could spend an entire day along a riverbank waiting for birds in these waders. Top to bottom, the Forge waders are the most comfortable waders I’ve ever worn.”
“Walking into a creek or river can be rough on a set of waders. Along with balancing a truckload of gear on your shoulders, you have to wade through thick brush or even hop the occasional fence. These waders are built for that kind of abuse.”
“I hunted the last three days of duck season this past year. Those days ranged from a low of -20 to a high of 0, and I stayed warm enough to hunt those last three days. The LaCrosse Alpha boot helped keep my feet warm, and they’re super comfortable.”
Ryan Callaghan
“It was a painstaking, detail-oriented approach, but we built a durable, high-performance wader. The price tag behind this product leaves no room for guessing, so we tested them in every condition available. I think folks will love the result.”
Click here to check out the Forge Waders now!
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