Asio Gear Lightweight Hoodie & Pants Review (for Bowhunters)

As a seasoned bow hunter, I’m no stranger to the trials of early-season hunting. Unpredictable weather and persistent insects are just a few of the challenges that come with the territory. So, when I came across the Asio Gear Lightweight Pants and Hoodie, I was intrigued.

Asio claims these items answer early-season hunting woes, offering lightweight breathability, moisture-wicking, scent control, and durability.

To put these claims to the test, I wore them through some rough spring scouting, early summer treks up trees, and through the fall archery season in the mountains of central Pennsylvania.

I had the opportunity to review the Asio Gear Lightweight Hoodie last year and was impressed with its performance. This year, I was eager to see how the pants and hoodie would perform together as a complete early-season hunting solution.

Here’s my detailed Asio Gear Lightweight Pants and Hoodie review.

Review Criteria

When it comes to early-season bow hunting, my review criteria for clothing are specific. I look for garments that are lightweight and breathable, to handle the warmer temperatures. They need to offer effective moisture management to deal with sweat. Insect protection is a plus to keep ticks and bugs at bay. Deer vision defeating camo is a high priority. And of course, scent control is crucial for getting close to the game. You can read more about my criteria here.

Product Descriptions

Asio Gear Lightweight Hoodie

The ASIO Gear Lightweight Hoodie is designed to provide comfort and protection for bowhunters during early-season hunts. Made from 100% polyester birdseye mesh, this hoodie is quick-drying and features a UPF 50+ rating, offering excellent protection against harmful UV rays.

The hoodie has a quarter-zip design, allowing for easy ventilation and temperature regulation. It also includes a built-in hood and facemask, providing additional concealment and protection from the elements.

The Lightweight Hoodie is treated with the highest level of Durable Water Repellent (DWR) and has an antimicrobial treatment for scent control. It is printed with the ASIO RAPTOR CAMO® pattern, designed for effective concealment in various hunting environments.

Asio Gear Lightweight Pants

The ASIO Gear Lightweight Pants are made from a blend of 90% polyester and 10% spandex, providing a four-way stretch for ease of movement. These pants feature moisture-wicking channels, which help to keep the fabric away from your skin, promoting breathability and airflow during warmer hunting conditions.

The pants come with concealed zippered pockets that are designed to minimize noise. They are also quick-drying and have been treated with a high level of Durable Water Repellent (DWR) for added protection against the elements.

In addition, these pants have an antimicrobial treatment for scent control. They are printed with the ASIO RAPTOR CAMO® pattern, which is intended to provide effective concealment in the field.

The ASIO Gear Lightweight Pants are recommended for use in early-season hunting when temperatures are 60 degrees or warmer. For a complete early-season outfit, these pants can be paired with the ASIO Gear Lightweight Hoodie (and that’s what I did).

Asio Gear Lightweight Pants and Hoodie Review

Asio Gear Lightweight Hoodie Review

The hoodie is priced competitively at $99.00. When I first tested the Asio Lightweight Hoodie during the early archery deer season last year, I was impressed by its lightweight, cool mesh construction. It dried quickly when I sweated hiking into my stand. The hood itself was very comfortable and the mesh mask was not hot or an issue in the hot weather. I really like this hoodie.

The only negative was that it has a rangefinder pocket on the right chest side of the hoodie and it does not have a left breast pocket which is something I look for in any outer garment I am wearing for bow hunting. The hoodie has a grey material on the inside of the hood that keeps it from standing out to deer when hunting (unlike the Forloh SolAir Hoodie I just reviewed). The hoodie is treated with the highest level of Durable Water Repellent (DWR) protection. This is really unusual and stands out in an early-season garment like this.

Pros

The hoodie is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for early-season bow hunting. The mesh construction provides cooling and quick drying. The Asio Raptor Camouflage pattern is well-designed and blends seamlessly into the environment. The hoodie is extremely comfortable to wear, almost like wearing pajamas. The DWR protection is a standout feature, providing excellent water resistance.

Cons

The only negative was that it has a rangefinder pocket on the right chest side of the hoodie and it does not have a left breast pocket which is something I look for in any outer garment I am wearing for bow hunting.

For more information about the Asio Gear Lightweight Hoodie, click here.

Asio Gear Lightweight Pants Review

The Pants are priced at $139.00 and come in various sizes. The Asio Lightweight Pants, much like the Asio Midweight pants I tested, I found that the lightweight pants were built identically, just lightweight. I tested them during the spring Turkey season here in Pennsylvania. They are extremely high quality and have zip vents for airing out and keeping you cool on the hike into your stand.

They are treated with the highest level of DWR and like the hoodie, come with taped seams and high-quality YKK zippers. Things I did not like about the midweight and lightweight pants were that they had a double pocket that was placed on the top of each thigh, making it hard to climb into a stand or hike comfortably in some cases with things in these double stacked pockets.

The rain flap on top of the double zippers is a great feature though to ensure the highest level of durable water resistant (DWR) protection. The pants are very durable and you can feel the durability when you touch them. They do not feel exceptionally light when you pick them up, but they feel light when you wear them.

Pros

Like the hoodie, the pants are lightweight and breathable. They are surprisingly durable, holding up well even when going through rough brush. The pants are comfortable, almost like wearing pajamas, and the Raptor Camouflage pattern is effective. The zip vents are a great feature for airing out and keeping cool on the hike into your stand. The rain flap on top of the double zippers is a great feature though to ensure the highest level of water-resistant protection.

Cons

Things I did not like about the midweight and lightweight pants were that they had a double pocket placed on the top of each thigh, making it hard to climb into a stand or hike comfortably in some cases with things in these double-stacked pockets.

For more information about the Asio Gear Lightweight Pants, click here.

Personal Experience

Having tested the Asio Lightweight Hoodie during the early archery deer season and the Lightweight Pants during the spring Turkey season in Pennsylvania, I can attest to their quality and performance. The hoodie quickly became a favorite due to its lightweight, cool mesh construction, quick-drying capabilities, and comfortable hood. The pants, on the other hand, impressed me with their high-quality construction, zip vents for cooling, and high-level DWR treatment.

Fit and Comfort

Both the pants and hoodie fit well and were comfortable to wear. The hoodie’s mesh mask was not hot or an issue in the hot weather, and the pants felt light when worn despite their durable construction.

Comparison with Other Brands

Compared to other brands like FORLOH or Sitka, Asio Gear holds its own with its focus on quality, functionality, and value. The unique Asio Raptor Camo, based on an owl, adds a unique touch to their gear. At $99 for the hoodie and $139 for the pants, Asio Gear offers excellent value for the price. The quality and features of these products are comparable to those of higher-end hunting clothing companies.

Conclusion

This Asio Gear Lightweight Pants and Hoodie Review shows that these are excellent choices for any bow hunter looking for high-quality early-season gear. They offer a great combination of comfort, functionality, and value, making them a worthy investment. The unique Raptor Camouflage, based on an owl, adds a unique touch to their gear, and the antimicrobial odor control embedded in the fabric is a great feature for bow hunters.

One comment I do have is that if you can only afford to buy one set of Asio Gear hunting pants, buy the midweight pants. They can be worn all season long. They might be a little warm and make you sweat in the early season, but the zip vents help with this and you can layer under them as the season progresses. The midweight is a great all-season pant that easily compares to Sitka, Kuiu, and other high-end hunting clothing.

I would definitely buy these products again and highly recommend them to other hunters. The Asio Gear Lightweight Pants and Hoodie are excellent early-season gear that is built to last for bow hunters. Their performance in the field, coupled with their advanced technology and comfort, make them a worthy consideration for any serious hunter.

If you’re interested in trying the Asio Gear Lightweight Hoodie and Pants for yourself, you can purchase them here: Buy Hoodie | Buy Pants.