Patagonia Capilene 4 Hoody question

I use it as a light mid layer over a thin base layer. But it doesn't get that cold here.
I don't see any issue with wearing it as a base layer if its cold enough you wont overheat in it. I've used it next to skin when I take off my sweaty base layer for sleeping in and it's very comfortable.

I wear my Cap 4 crew neck or zip neck under an Eddie Bauer cloud layer fleece an almost all of my winter outings. Sometimes I'll wear a Cabela's ECWS thermal zone zip neck under the fleece…I really like it but the neck is a little tight. The material is great though.

I think a light grid fleece next to the skin really wicks moisture, and fleece on top is very breathable. If it gets windy, break out the wind shell.

You mention in your post that you have read that cap 4 under fleece doesn't work that well. I'd be interested to hear where you read that just to see if I"m missing anything, because I think it is fantastic.

I read that Patagonia Capilene 4 Hoody under fleece doesnt work well do to the lack of wind blocking material. I do not have a wind shirt (yet) but I was planing on just using a shell if needed. I don't think I could use the Patagonia Capilene 4 Hoody as a mid layer just because it pretty tight (sport fit) as a base layer it fit me perfect. Are most of you just wearing a wind shirt or do you wear a mid-layer with them too?

The Cap4 Hoody works very well as a next-to-skin baselayer. Depending on your physical build, the Patagonia is a very slim/athletic cut, you may have room for a thin merino layer under the Cap4 but it is not necessary (in my opinion). The Cap4 and R1 are very breathable grid fleece garments and work best under a wind shell. I use the Cap4 with a Patagonia Houdini and I find this combination keeps me warm enough while working hard snowshoeing down to about 20*. If I find I am getting a little too warm, I simply unzip the wind shell to let in a little breeze.

If I expect daytime temperatures to be less than 20* I swap out the Capilene 4 Hoody for an R1 jacket (alas, I don't have a hoody R1).