Kelvin Active vs Catalyst

[jm1607]

I'm looking for something to wear when hiking or still hunting with my bow when it's cold, say 15-35 degrees.. When it's a little too cold for my thin Halstead Fleece to do much. Also, I get cold pretty easy..

Anyway, now that some time has gone by and these aren't brand new any more has anyone had a chance to use both of them? Thoughts?

 

[Brightwhite]

I love my kelvin active, it has totally taken the place of my mid weight layers, the full zip makes it easy to slip on and off rather than having to take off your bio harness to put a 3/4 zip over you. The Active is lighter, but warmer than the traverse zip-t. It doesn't block the wind, but it cuts its some and better than other mid layers that I've had.

I personally wouldn't "hike" with it to cover ground, I would get to hot. But still hunting in those temps moving slow...perfect piece for that.

 

[ChanceinMN]

The catalyst jacket is my new favorite. I wasn’t sold on it when I got it this September. I thought it might have been a waste of money and really considered sending it back. HOWEVER, I have been using it duck hunting, bow hunting, and I took it on a short backpacking trip. It was worth it. It breathes super well and keeps you warm when standing still. I’ve been using it with a fleece down to 40 degrees and I am warm. When I was hiking with it and a 30 pound pack, I just wore a merino t shirt and the catalyst. Performed amazing. I think the kalvin would get too hot with the amount of insulation, but I haven’t used it to know. I definitely recommend the catalyst.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fightthenoise]

The catalyst jacket is my new favorite. I wasn’t sold on it when I got it this September. I thought it might have been a waste of money and really considered sending it back. HOWEVER, I have been using it duck hunting, bow hunting, and I took it on a short backpacking trip. It was worth it. It breathes super well and keeps you warm when standing still. I’ve been using it with a fleece down to 40 degrees and I am warm. When I was hiking with it and a 30 pound pack, I just wore a merino t shirt and the catalyst. Performed amazing. I think the kalvin would get too hot with the amount of insulation, but I haven’t used it to know. I definitely recommend the catalyst.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I second this. I’ve been wearing it since September archery. Wore it during 1st and 2nd rifle, I’ll wear it to Minnesota next week and plan to wear it into 4th rifle for a cow tag. The sleeves are slim so layering usually consists of a puffy over the top or fleece underneath. Can’t fit a lot underneath because of the sleeves but I’m cool with it for archery reasons. I love the thing. I think it’s the best mid layer I’ve tried. Really wish I could comment on the Kelvin. Seems like a great piece too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[skaldugwas]

I haven’t tried the catalyst, but I love the kelvin active. I have used it more this season than any other piece, as its incredibly versatile. I wear it over a baselayer while hiking, as an insilation layer it really shines when used under a shell. It will also dry you out incredibly fast if you put it OVER a windstopper layer. I was really dubious about this piece when I first got it but now I never leave it behind. Might be a good idea to size up, especially if you want to wear it over a windstopper layer.

 

[BloodAndRust]

I'm looking for something to wear when hiking or still hunting with my bow when it's cold

The Catalyst is going to make a much more silent draw than the Kelvin Active, if noise is a concern. Adding a Kelvin Lite vest under the Catalyst will extend it's useful temperature range, and get all of the noisy material off of your arms.

None of those are going to save you if you're sitting in 15 degrees, though.

 

[Trial153]

Kevin active is dead quite, not sure how anything could be any quiter then that matterial

 

[BloodAndRust]

Kevin active is dead quite, not sure how anything could be any quiter then that matterial

My mistake, I have the Kelvin, Kelvin Lite, and Kelvin Lite Vest. I incorrectly assumed they were the same material.

 

[303TrophyHusband]

Kelvin active is one of my favorite pieces from archery all the way through rifle. Stand alone on cold mornings during archery, amazing insulating layer during rifle. Don't have any experience with the Catalyst but looks similar to the Jestream jacket, maybe lighter weight. I'd use it in a system with the Kelvin Active, the Catalyst being the outer layer maybe?