Patagonia R2 fleece jacket vs. Mountain Hardwear Bedlam Fleece jacket

Really it should be between the MH Monkey Man and the R2

I have a R2 vest that mainly sees duty during very cold conditions while on the move (layered over a thin base layer and a R1 pullover and sometime under a windshirt))- in that role it does very well, provides some insulation value while wicking effectively and is very breathable.

They made some changes to the R2 in 2010 (maybe 2009?), mine is the newer style- I think the older style had a little longer nap, possibly some other changes???

No experience w/ the Bedlam however

Thanks Brett, any insight on which is better?

Thanks Brett, any insight between the Monkey Man and R2?

Personally I like the R2 because the XXL fits me while the Monkey Man does not. I would get last year's R2 though and not the new one as it has the Power Stretch in it which is not every breathable. The Monkey Man might be a tad bit warmer though.

Any idea where I can find the old version R2?

Patagonia web specials has both old and new style R2. I really like my older R2, extremely breathable and the high nap insulates well under a windshirt or rain shell. The new style seems like a denser fabric, with almost a velour surface.

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-womens-r2-jacket-special?p=11700-1-686

I just realized that is the women's model. Men's are available only in newer fabric. There a a few R2 jackets floating around produced for military but prices are exorbitant.

New R2 is much nicer then the old stuff – thinner and feels warmer and more windproof, patagonia also claims its more breathable. I cant speak to that though as I've only tried on this years stuff in the store.

new- ^ this was what I was told by someone who owned both as well (he was selling his old and told me to look for the new style)

not having tried the old style I can't comment on breathability of it, but the new R2 breathes very well

Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it. I plan to buy the new R2 and see how that works for me.

The new R2 is thinner and more windproof but the older one is warmer when worn under a shell. My old R2 is all Thermal Pro with none of the PowerStretch panels.

I've got a new(er) R2 and it is quite breathable, soft and fairly warm. Agree that a MH Monkey man would be a similar but warmer jacket.