Cant find R1 hoody on sale…found several substitutes by not sure which to get

Hey Dan,

This is what I use. I think it may be a little warmer than an R1 since it only uses the heavier power dry but it’s awesome for me. I can wear it from the 50s down to 10F with a windshirt. You may be able to use a 20% off coupon at camp saver too

There’s also this, which is less expensive and has the coolest hood around, in my opinion.

Edit – Sorry, that’s actually Power Stretch. Wish it was power dry, it looks so cool!

New ones added every couple of days

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=patagonia&_sop=1&_from=R40%7CR40%7CR40%7CR40%7CR40&_osacat=15724&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l2632.R-1.TR11.TRC2.A0.H0.Xpatagonia+r1.TRS0&_nkw=patagonia+r1&ghostText=&_sacat=1059

What are folk's thoughts on the R1 over the Cap 4?

Any of those will work fine …

The T3 is between the cap4 and R1 … And canadians use it just fine for winter active layers

The OR is used by their athletes which do things crazier than most of us

Patagucci makes fine gear, but theres nothing you can do in it that you cant in the equivalent MEC or OR piece

What matters most is FIT

;)

I used the Melanzana micro grid on my PCT thru hike. I loved it. It's more a boxy fit so size down, but it's made in the usa by an awesome company. Love the hood, and kangaroo pocket. Medium weighs 8.5oz on my scale

I see Cap 4 more useful as a base layer. The R1 would be way too much for me to use while active unless I am below 0*f at which time I am not going outdoors. I am always surprised at how low I can go with just a mid weight base layer and windshirt while active. I do have an R1, a Malanzana grid piece, and cap 4 (I have some of the new stuff and my wife has some of the old and new cap 4). The Malanzana is sort of in between the two but closer to the R1. It is grid out (not the "hard" slick face of the Patagonia stuff and has a fuzzy soft inside as well. I could be wrong but I don't think it is Polartec fabric.

You can easily get the R1 for under $90 when it's on sale. Find a balaclava on sale for under $20 and you are set.

That's good to know that Patagonia does put the R1 on sale (or I can find some site that has it on sale eventually), and the hoody version, not just the jacket or some other version (like the upslope hoody).

I did go ahead and order the MEC t3 for $53 USD shipped, including membership. I'll still keep my eyes peeled for an R1 hoody (I love comparing things side by side). Hopefully one will come my way.

I recommend the Melanzana for several reasons:

They are not made by child slaves in China – even the fabric is made domestically (by Polartec).

They have a hood that cinches around the face.

They are unique and when you put one on you will be too!

Finally, they are made by the wonderful wife of a paying BPL member!

I did decide on getting a T3 on clearance. I'm still on the lookout for an R1 (I like buying stuff to compare). Will just wait that out though.

So, it was $53 USD including the new membership fee. Came really quick….4 business days (mainly b/c it went express as soon as it came out of customs in san Francisco). I did not have to pay a customs fee.

Initial impressions are really good. Yes, I can tell that it is a lighter weight than the R1. The MEC Vega is discontinued, at least for the time being, which would be the current equivalent to the R1.

Sizing seems to be the same as the R1.

It has really nice, long sleeves, that weren't too constrictive on the forearms like the r1 was. They are long enough that I almost need to use the thumbloops all the time just so the fabric doesn't bunch up too much. Fortunately…the thumbholes are super nice and comfortable..much better than the R1s. It also has a nice long torso.

The navy blue color, is navy blue, but with a slight purple tint. The inside fabric (fuzzy fleece) is purple. I'm fine with the color. There is a green in XL right now.

Hood fit well, like the R1. I actually prefer the style of the T3 hood to the R1, since the R1 balaclava was a bit tight around the mouth. I could only try a size Medium R1 though I need a large, though I don't anticipate the tightness around the mouth going down by much.

So, I plan on using a Buff under the hood and to function like the R1 hood. I bought a new Buff XL that they just came out with. I had a buff merino which was a great size, but my skin is sensitive to wool. The buff XL gets close to the same size, but just not quite as wide (or as long).

Anyway, with the buff I still get all of the benefits and functionality that a buff provides, but as a balaclava, I can turn the buff during the day when the mouth area gets too wet…can't do that with an r1.

John, I think you'll love the T3.

I've had one for about two years and much prefer it over the R1. The R1 never fit me right – too tight in the chest and armpits, constricting sleeves that choke my elbows if pushed up, a little too baggy near the bottom. For me, a strange fit. But the T3 is a dream – slim but not too tight anywhere, and sleeves and hem plenty long for my 6'3" height. I use a buff underneath the same way you plan to.

These days my T2 from last year has been getting more love for active use. The neck on my crew-zip hugs nicely, unlike some Patagonia variants with floppy, loose necks.

As others have mentioned, they change their line-up every so often, and I wasn't satisfied with the new fabric they use for the T2s, which to me felt like a Cap-3 equivalent.

All of my MEC items have been very slow-wearing after several hundred days of use and many washings.