This jacket is impressively well made, The hood is awesome and doesn't constrict your field of view. It feels more like wearing a sweatshirt than a heavy jacket with it's brushed interior, so I put it to the test. I wore it on a float trip in Eastern Oregon, and used it as my primary outer layer on a pretty unpredictable weather trip. It worked flawlessly against light rain, heavy wind, and was a champ when the temps dropped at night with a light mid layer. It layers extremely well. The arms have that little extra room in the upper that makes it really comfortable with other items under, but is tapered to the wrists making it perfect for archery hunting. This jacket does it all. Best of all, it is completely silent.

I use this jacket for everything. I originally bought it for cooler days on the mountain during September elk hunting in Montana. I thought it would be a great throw in the bag, slip on quick jacket for glassing and sitting. While it was great for the intended purpose, I’ve found myself using it for all hunting (from spring turkey to duck hunting). It is now my go to piece of First lite. The material is comfortable, not bulky, and super quiet which is great being an archery hunter. I was worried it would be too hot to hike in but it regulates temperature well, much like my other merino pieces. It blocks some wind, but is by no means windproof. The hood is surprisingly warm and doesn’t get in the way. I would highly recommend adding this to your must have list.

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.