So going through the reviews I really worried about sizing, I decided to order a large, so I had room for layers if I need. It fit exactly how I wanted it to super stoked on it! As a side note I usually wear a medium in soft shells. I use this shell for hunting in varied weather in eastern idaho/western wyoming.

The Catalyst jacket (and pants) have quickly become the first two items I grab when I know I'm in for a long day in the mountains with all the varied weather that Idaho throws at us during big game season. I use the jacket as my outer layer and have been really pleased with how well it keeps me comfortable in deep cold/wind/light rain while also not getting in the way. The shooter cuffs are SO nice - I typically don't like when cuffs are tight around my wrist but these are not uncomfortable in the slightest and make the jacket a true workhorse on even my longest days. The only complaint I could possibly think of is that the hood is just a bit big for my noggin and leaves space for wind to get into. Once I have another layer on underneath that also has a hood and I want to double up on hood warmth, I'm always glad that extra space is there. This jacket is a staple piece for us rocky mountain hunters.

I bought the catalyst soft shell jacket and pant set for this year’s hunting season. My hope was that I would be able to regulate my body temperature to avoid a Raynaud's attack. For those of you that don’t know what Raynaud Syndrome is... it’s a condition that constricts small arteries in your body in response to cold. In turn, limiting blood supply to the affected area (fingers and toes). In short, I have to stay warm to keep blood flowing to my fingers and toes. I mostly spot and stalk hunt so this set up did get in 20+ degree weather (PNW) when paired with the Kiln top and bottom. Now, when temps moved up to the 30s, I had to dress down to just my kiln top. I did make an attempt to sit in the catalyst set however, after about an hour I needed to move again (now that can be because I wasn’t wearing the best boots either... lesson learned).
Just as mentioned above in the other review, the cuff is a bit snug but not uncomfortable at all. I typically wear a medium however after speaking to a First Lite rep I chose to go with a large (med base layer tho) with the intention of laying more than the average person. I love that the jacket and pants are super quite, even when brushing up on foliage and branches in the dense woods.
I give this set a thumbs up and can’t wait to get my puffy to pair with the catalyst set.

This Soft Shell Jacket, is just that... soft. The inside is fleece-ish. It is super thin and light. However, I was hunting in Crested Butte, the first day it was beautiful, 60 degree weather. I wore this with a tank and sports bra and was comfortable. As the sunset and temperatures dropped, this jacket was out of the question; it was too light. It didn't block out the wind either. The next morning I tried to use it as a layering jacket. I had insulated base layers and an UA fleece top. To have layers and wear this jacket, it was simply too tight. I bought a medium and always wear a medium but you cannot layer as the wrist/cuff material is too tight for layers. I really wanted to love this jacket, but it really serves me no use for the winter time. I will bring it back out during spring and warmer temperatures...

This jacket is great! Fits great and is very quiet. Trying to test it out and find the temp limits for myself I went out and fast hiked in 50 degrees with a t shirt and realized it’s a bit warm for moving like that. But slow walking(still hunting) was fine. I used it next for grouse hunting on a 30 degree morning with just the lupine baselayer under and was super comfortable; even once it started raining! The dwr works great and it does a good job blocking wind as well (haven’t yet tested it in severe wind though). highly recommend this jacket and can’t wait to be able to buy the pants to go with it.