A sheath (113) of a catheter introducer system, the sheath being an elongated tubular member including a sheath proximal end (110) and a sheath distal end opposite from the sheath proximal end, the sheath defining a sheath lumen extending from the sheath proximal end to the sheath distal end, there through, wherein the sheath includes one or more regions (L1, L2, L3) of varied stiffness, the sheath including a sheath distal tip (306) positioned at the distal end of the sheath, wherein the sheath distal tip is more stiff than an adjacent region of varied stiffness.
