All in all, the North Face Catalyst has the best combination of features and they work well while wearing a pack or harness. It has zippered hand pockets, conveniently stuffs into a hand pocket, and the Pertex Quantum fabric is slightly more durable and water resistant compared to other fabrics used on these jackets. However, this jacket is expensive, and the MontBell Alpine Light wins our Best Buy award because you get the most for its price.
All that said, it was really hard to make big distinctions between the competitors. For many people it will come down to style, looks, and what is on sale. Half of the down jackets in this review are very similar in features and quality, those being: Patagonia Down Sweater, Mountain Hardwear Nitrous jacket, North Face Catalyst jacket and MontBell Alpine Light Parka. If you are looking for a lightweight down layer for the mountains, one of these jackets will do the job. All four are of similar warmth and have high quality 800 fill goose down, all come with a hooded or non-hooded option, and all stuff and pack easily. The Down Sweater and the Catalyst stuff into a pocket while the Alpine Light and the Nitrous stuff into separate stuff sacks. Each of these jackets weighs between 10 and 13 ounces, the Nitrous being the lightest and the Catalyst being the heaviest. Prices range from $185 for the hooded Alpine Light Parka to $250 for the hooded Down Sweater and Catalyst jackets.
Check out our complete Down Jacket Mens Review to see how this compared to others.
Hands-on Gear Review |
Street Price:
Varies from $149 - $190 | Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros: Lightweight, durable and relatively water-resistant fabric, pack compatibility. Cons: Cinch on hood is hard to adjust with one hand. Best Uses: Alpine climbing, belaying, backpacking, around town.
Overview
OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
Likes
For a lightweight down layer (12.9 oz.), the Catalyst is a comfortable, relatively durable jacket. It is made of a fabric called Pertex Quantum that is less likely to tear and more water resistant than the Nitrous Jacket or the recycled polyester that makes up the Down Sweater. It has no interior pockets, which saves some weight from an extra zipper, and stuffs into one of the hand pockets. The North Face classifies this jacket in its “Summit Series,” meaning it is designed to work well while wearing a pack or a harness. The hand pockets are long, so the top opening is reachable with a pack waistband clipped, though it is still a little awkward to get into the pockets underneath a harness. Dislikes The only complaint I have of this jacket is that the cinch on the hood is a bit difficult to adjust with one hand, but this is quite minor. It only has a cinch cord around the face and not one around the back to pull tight around the circumference of your head. Overall the jacket is well constructed and functional. Best Application Just like the Down Sweater, this versatile jacket can be used for just about anything, from a long overnight trip to being clipped to your harness to everyday use. It is thin enough to be worn under a shell or can be used by itself as an outer layer. Value The price of the Catalyst is pretty average for a jacket of this type. The hooded version is the same price as the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody. Other Versions The North Face Catalyst Jacket - Men's The North Face Thunder Jacket – Women's The North Face Thunder Jacket - Men's — Chris McNamara and McKenzie Long
OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews of North Face Catalyst JacketMost recent review: April 26, 2012
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 North Face Catalyst Down Jacket Credit: The North Face
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