Great review video, man. Really liked that you threw in the price and comparison with other top camo companies. Also was very beneficial seeing the close up function of the pockets/zippers/hood. 10/10. Make more of these vids!
Another great review on first lite products Galin. I picked up the whitetail catalyst system and i like it. I agree with what you said, depending on how you layer you can get down into the 30's or lower. I had the first lite furnace bottoms and top with the klamath hoody under the jacket and topped the jacket off with the solitude vest and i was quite comfortable. As you said the catalyst is very versatile. When the temps dipped lower i would use the sanctuary as long as the winds were calm failing that i would use the sitka fanatic layerd with first lite merino wool. I haven't yet to see a real review of the new sanctuary 2.0 would be curious if it handles the wind better than the old sanctuary. Keep up the great reviews!
Great review! This was very helpful. Definitely looking forward to your follow-up video on this! Quick question... would you mind sharing what sizes you wear in this kit? I'm 6'2" 165lbs and am looking to get the same kit myself. Much appreciated!
I appreciate the kind words! Glad it was helpful. Follow up video coming shortly. I’m 6’3/6’4 and around 185, I can get by with mediums on base layers because I like a slimmer fit. Outerwear I go large!
Could I get a recommendation? Trying to decide between Sanctuary and Solitude system. Hunt in Central and Northern Indiana. I know the Solitude can get me into the single digits, but the issue is wind. Even though solitude would probably apply to the majority of my hunting situations the windproof membrane on the Sanctuary is making me think I should go with that. Do you have issues when it comes to those 20 degree days that have a feels like temp of 8-13 with your solitude system? Side note...I grew up in the south, so I always prefer to be warmer than wishing I was warmer. My core body temp doesn't run as warm as some of you northern folk lol
It’s a tough call. Personally, I’m taking the Solitude every time. I haven’t noticed the wind being that significant of an issue for the temps I’m generally hunting in. If you’re really bothered by wind, you could consider some sort of lightweight down vest underneath your jacket. I wear the Brooks vest under the solitude to cut the wind on my core in below freezing temps and it works really well. Most any down vest or jacket will be nearly windproof because down doesn’t breathe very well. That said, if you run way cold, the Sanctuary might be a better bet, but you won’t be able to wear it until temps are below freezing so obviously you’re trading away some versatility for ultimate comfort in lower temps. Hopefully that’s helpful!
I hunted with the solitude set it’s perfect just make sure to buy a size larger then what you wear I normally wear a L size jacket and Large bibs both are a little tight for my liking i feel that the Xl size would fit me best but the bibs are a little short on the length but i am 6’5 almost 6’6 so if your an average height male I wouldn’t be worried to much about length when it comes to wind resistance i hunted opening day for bow in Wisconsin 41 degrees and it kept me nice and warm and no wind was going thru but i still have to wear it in colder weather but i am lookin forward I think the solitude set is just perfect for colder weather. My base layers i use the first lite hoody and regular track pants that’s pretty much it and the material is extremely quite! Go with the solitude its more mobile I don’t think I’ll ever get the Sanctuary unless I’m gonna be hunting in below zero temps which i have never done. But it all depends on the person!
How was the system? How’d it handle in cold weather? I’m usually hunting from a range of mid 20’s-50’s. I’m afraid the solitude will be too hot. What’s your experience in the cold with the catalyst?
Video on this upcoming, but I’ll say this - if you hunt the majority of the time above freezing but occasionally hunt below freezing into the 20’s, I would go catalyst system and a solitude vest. If you hunt mostly around or below freezing, I would go with the solitude system, but you won’t be able to use it above the low to mid 40’s. I don’t wear the solitude until we get below 40 degrees, and I’m barely layering under it at that temp range. The catalyst is much more breathable and layering under it makes it extremely versatile. But, you aren’t going to be able to wear the catalyst into the 20’s or teens unless you layer properly.
@@aotec89 agree with Galin. I live in South Mississippi. 20* and up is what I hunt in. I went with the base layers and Solitude. I feel like I have a weird gap in my system for those 45-55* type days. Solitude is to hot for my walk in but fine for my sit. Feel like the Catalyst would be perfect with my Source Jacket up top and Kiln/Furnace based on bottom to get me through that weird temp range and below.
Looking to get the catalyst jacked but don’t have one nearby to try on. 6ft 175 lbs and pretty skinny. Think I can get away with medium or should I go large? I typically wear medium hoodies. Thanks in advance!
If you generally wear a medium in First Lite gear, you’d be good to go with the same size for this. Their outer layers are sized larger to fit over base layers, but I’m 6’3 185 and wear a large. I prefer a bit extra space personally.
@@galinswigart thank you for the info. This would be my first piece of first lite clothing. Looking at getting this with the bib. Just got my first bow earlier this year
Great video! What do you think about the sizing of the bibs? I'm kinda in between their sizing at 5'9" at 155lbs so Im on the fence if I should size up or down.
I’m probably not the best person to ask, but First Lite has an incredible customer service department and I’m sure they are very used to getting people into the right sized clothing. I would assume you could get by with a medium. For reference, I’m 6’3 and around 185, l wear a large just for some layering room on outerwear pieces.
@@stefanpozder8376 Thanks. I own a handful of their gear, and it's all between Medium, and Small. Some of their mediums I feel like I'm floating in, but others fit just right. I've seen some other reviews that say the bibs run alittle small so that had me thinking Medium probably is the best way to go. I have spoke with their customer service about sizing, but when you run in between sizes like I do it really just becomes a personal preference at that point. I think I will size up with the mediums. Thanks for yalls responses. I appreciate it.
@@WudWrxCustoms yes sir! I’m gonna the whitetail catalyst bibs for the early to mid season hopefully the xl size fits me but again they have less material then the solitude bibs so the Large might fit me its been hard
What are the low end temps you would be using this setup for? I'd say low 40's is the sweet spot with a layer or two underneath, and you could push it to the freezing mark but it would take strategic layering.
@@galinswigart yeah I’d say around there. Probably swings around 56 high and average lows around 37-41. So that system with an origin hoody and some long Johns should be enough I’d think? What’s your thoughts?
Nope, I mention that around 6:45 - this is not designed to be a late season, way below freezing type of outfit. In cold and windy conditions, you will need something else to completely block wind. It does block wind surprisingly well for something without a membrane, but not technically windproof. The Sanctuary system is the only First Lite system with a windproof membrane.
Great review video, man. Really liked that you threw in the price and comparison with other top camo companies. Also was very beneficial seeing the up-close function of the pockets/zippers/hood. 10/10. Make more of these vids!
I’m still on the fence between Catalyst/Solitude/Sanctuary. I’m in Eastern Oklahoma so it does get pretty cold here just depending on the year. Our season is from October 1st-January 15th, so there are some days it will drop below freezing usually around mid December-January. Overall though it’s not too bad, 30’s-40’s. My initial thought was Sanctuary since the price difference was only about $100 but I’d sure hate to buy it and not be able to wear it until the last month of season.
Appreciate the kinds words, man! I think your best two options would be the Solitude or Catalyst, probably leaning towards the Solitude if you want to take it into colder temps. My hang up with the Sanctuary is that it's so specific, you can't really use it until it's really cold out. It's amazing at what it does, but it isn't the best value because it's made for a specific purpose.
@@galinswigart yeah I’ve decided the Solitude is what I’m gonna go with. Just waiting for the BF sale to pull the trigger. You think the Catalyst is worth looking into as well if I already have Wick, Kiln, & Furnace base layers, along with the Klamath quarter zip and Obsidian Foundry pant for early-mid season? I just don’t wanna spend the extra $ and have redundant pieces if not really needed.
@@rylandrummonds you can probably get by with the solitude and no catalyst. Personally I think they overlap quite a bit. They’re different but I wouldn’t own both full sets. Maybe just the jacket for versatility.
