NEW Patagonia stuff for Fall 2015

Has anyone tried the new R1 hoody? They don't have them in the Seattle store yet.
I am wondering how the fit and length is compared to last years.

It looks like it changed for the worse. No more light weight material around the wrist, waist, and underarms. The zipper is right over the chin and mouth. Is the center zip just as long as it was?

Jeff, i have a new r1 i'm not sure i'll keep. Its really nice, but it might be a regression depending on what you're looking for. The cut is maybe slightly wider, but it mantains a very similar overall fit. The front zip goes lower, and is easier to operate with one hand. The hood of the new one doesnt fit me as well as the old one (6'2, size medium) when its fully zipped up. It goes over my mouth, but if I'm looking strait ahead, the collar will tug up away from my neck a little bit, which I dont like. If I were 6' or a little shorter, it wouldnt be an issue though. In its favor, the grid pattern seems improved and its supposed to be more breathable. Also, i didnt own one, but the extra fabric around the mouth and the side zip make for an awkward flap when not in use, whereas the new R1 hood will get out of the way easier. Its kind of a coin toss between the two IMO, but I'm thinking I'll probably return mine since its more warmth than I generally need as a baselayer. Hope that all makes sense. Fit is overall very similar.

I actually love the new R1. The sideways zipper thing never really worked for me.
Getting rid of the stretchy fabric on the bottom means it doesn't ride up on me.
R1 breathes so well I didn't see the benefit of the stretchy fabric parts. Overall weight still the same. 12.7 oz I think? (Men's med)
Just my opinion though.

Thanks for the info. I'll snatch one of the "old" models. It seems like the new one is quite a step backwards, whereas each version before improved on the one it replaced.

While I love the R1, I find the Cap 4/Thermalweight hoody superior for a few reasons:

– better cuffs

– better thumbholes
– more breathable and thus covers a wider temp range .

I'm assuming the r1 is also warmer than the cap 4? I overheat and cool down easily so I need my second layer to be thin and light. Cap 4 is almost too warm at times while just a baselayer is a little too chilly.

Babak, you said the merino air top had a slim fit? You wouldn't have any pictures would you? On gear junkie Stephen Regenold showed a very loose looking fit, but perhaps he just had a size to big for his body. On their website someone mentions that the chest is 39.5" for M, vs 37.5" for the new Cap Thermal. The durability seems a serious concern for backpacking, and considering the price in general. Also, the lack of any venting at the neck/chest seems like a challenge for active use. Even in VERY cold weather I might briefly zip down the neck to dump heat. I do love the idea of the fabric, since the comfort and odor prevention of merino is great for multi day tints, but the moisture retention has been a problem for me in winter. I like the Rab Meco, but the fit is rather boxy, since it's not particularly stretchy. If it's as warm as it looks, I would love some boxer briefs, they would be the perfect winter underwear! And a balaclava, again the claimed soft feel and odor fighting properties of the fabric are really useful in a balaclava.

Hi Babak – you said: "UL Jacket and Hoody- newer Pertex Quantum Y fabric, packs into the chest pocket (FINALLY) and a better cut (longer)." Are you referring to the Houdini? Just checked out Patagonia's site and couldn't see references to the changes. I'm just about to go for a windshirt, probably a Houdini, and I'd be interested to know if there are some improvements. Thanks!

No these are down jackets, on their UK site here you can see both versions, the older ones reduced.

@ tjaard, I saw that on GJ as well and it does look totally oversized. I'm 6'2 175 and went with a size medium and the fit is very form fitting, perfect for a winter base, but not something I'd want to wear out in public. I'm very curious to see how it'll perform but yes the fabric seems snag prone. I imagine using this mainly for backcountry skiing, most often under a breathable windshell or softshell. The fabric is more breathable and (strethy) than just about anything I've seen, which may offset the need for a zip. What actually concerns me about this garment and might cause me to return it is that the fabric is so airy, that I doubt it provides the type of sun block I want esp in the snowy conditions I'll wear it in.

Looking at these, I noticed that Midweight uses a heavier fabric then Thermalweight and yet, although both use Powergrid, Thermalweight is supposed to be warmer. Has anyone been able to verify this ?

I doubt the Thermal (Cap 4) is warmer, as you point out the midweight is using 4.4oz powergrid, the thermal is 3.8oz stuff; looking at the weight of a crew vs crew – the thermal is 5.2, the midweight 6.7 the midweight is also devoid of spandex, the thermal has ~ 9%

Anyone here try the midweight capilene stuff yet?  Is it really less warm than the thermal weight?  I’m still baffled that it’s supposed to be warmer despite having lighter weight power grid….