Fleece Outer Shell – Patagonia R2 Fleece Jacket ?

I used a Patagonia R2 jacket on my AT thru-hike. I had a Capilene Zip-T Medium Weight and a Red Ledge Thunderlight Parka as raingear/windshell. I also had a Coolmax T-shirt and a (gasp) spare cotton t-shirt that also served as my towel. I started March 31 and was plenty warm.

I own the R2. Its a loosely knit fleece, i.e., the wind sails right thru it, which is by design. This increases breathability, makes it more compressible in the pack, and faster to dry out.

For warmth I always use it under a shell, either a wind shell or a heavier shell. I takes a while for the R2 to "warm up," but also longer to overheat. When I feel too warm I start unzipping the shell zippers and finally remove the shell altogether, and ultimately remove the R2 (then put the shell back on, or just go with the base). I've been comfortable while moving with a LS silkweight base, the R2, and a Pat. Houdini windshirt down to 40 F, but that's me.

Don't think of the R2 as a warm shell layer for breaks and in-camp use; this domain is for the lofting layers (synthetic or down), since they are inherently windproof and typically warmer for the weight.

Without running out and buying new synthetic or down jacket, a good combination to investigate is the fit of the R2 over the midweight SmartWool and under that GoLite wind shirt. This also fleshes out the "can I wear all my layers at-once" philosophy of LW.