Patagonia r1 full zip – alternative?

I too wish I knew of a cheaper alternative. I looked around and could not find one. I finally pulled the trigger and just bought the R1. It is a great piece. I recommend it.

There was a recent thread about a similar hoodie from EMS- at the time they had some "seconds" for $50. When I checked they were sold out.

Here's the thread:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=18751

Jim

It is made out of R1®: 6.5-oz Polartec® Power Dry® so just find a 100wt jacket made out of this and you are done.

MEC has a few similar pieces-

Example: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442624758&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302698749&bmUID=1235919604735

Prices are Canadian so check the currency converter they have

No direct experience, but you might look at this reasonably priced US made polartec grid hoody:

http://melanzana.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/34?osCsid=ffa330629d3f294531ecdfa635705184

Patagonia R1 and the other PowerDry pieces available from other brands are quite a bit different than the traditional Polartec 100 weight fleece. Also, note that Malden Mills PowerStretch is also different from PowerDry.

Appreciate the suggestions everyone.

I'm not looking for a hoody (sorry, should have said that), but knowing I should seek a powerstretch full zip jacket helps a lot. I sort of forgot that's what r1 was.

Powerstretch is a little different to powerdry, it has more elastic.

so I can get this year's r1 pullover at 20% off; I haven't seen the hoody in person but it seems to be made differently–the thin "skirt" etc. I don't think that I need a hoody–have hats–but for snowshoeing and nordic skiing, will I regret not getting the hoody? And any comparable pieces that are less pricy?

Eddie Bauer carries some of the micro-grid fleece. I think it may be slightly thinner than the similar fabric in Patagonia's lineup. I have their mid-weight bottoms rather than the R1 bottoms and I like mine so far.

They have a hoodie too called the Bat Hang.

It's not on sale currently though so you may be better off with the R1.

here's another thread with some grid power dry alternatives
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=51304

http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=37539&&categoryId=28476&categoryName=MENS-FIRST-ASCENT&pCategoryId=28475&pCategoryName=FIRST-ASCENT&gpCategoryId=1&gpCategoryName=EB&catPath=~~categoryId=28476~~categoryName=MENS-FIRST-ASCENT~~pCategoryId=28475~~pCategoryName=FIRST-ASCENT~~gpCategoryId=1~~gpCategoryName=EB&viewAll=y&pg=1

This has a similar build I believe.

I've been pondering the same dilemma recently. There is another contender I noticed recently that could be something to consider. Maybe someone with some more gear knowledge than I could clarify this but Mountain Hardwear released a Micro Grid fleece that is similar to the Patagonia piece. I don't know if this is a new piece or just new to REI but it seems comparable. It may not be powerdry, it doesn't say. I would love to know how this might compare. I'm also looking into that Hangfire hoody from Eddie Bauer but I have a good bit of credit at REI so would love to find a product there. If anyone has experience with this Mountain Hardwear piece let us know how it stacks up!

Forgot Link:

http://www.rei.com/product/785675/mountain-hardwear-micro-grid-quarter-zip-top-mens