Patagonia R1, Polartec Power Dry and Military ECWCS Tops

hi dale,
i'd like to see some pictures…

It is medium weight Polartec Power Dry gridded fleece.

Manufacturer's description:

The GEN III Mid-Weight Shirt and Drawers provide light insulation in mild climates and serve as a base layer in cold climates.

Constructed with Polartec® Power Dry® grid material, this layer provides extra warmth in cooler conditions but still wicks moisture away and dries fast. The material offers stretch for increased comfort and is lighter weight with less bulk than previous systems.
Features:

* Constructed with Polartec® Power Dry® Grid material
* Provides extra warmth and stays dry in cool weather
* Highly breathable, fast drying next-to-skin layer
* Moisture wicking for evaporative cooling in mild climates
* Significantly lighter with less bulk than previous ECWCS
* Thumb holes aid in donning multiple layers
* Reduced chaffing and increased comfort during movement
* Mid-chest zipper converts to a mock turtleneck with throat protection
* Contoured long tail for additional protection from the elements
* Drawers have an elastic waistband and access fly
* Color: Desert Sand

My mec version costs like $60

For something as simple as a grid fleece … Spending $$$ for the expensive patagucci versions are basically a rip off

Realistically they all work more or less the same …

Unless u really want the name

Dont get me started on $275 dead bird fleece jackets that are made in el salvador =P

Watch the manufacturer as not all of them are actual Polartec

There are some manufacturers who market to the military with similar items that follow military specifications but "not exactly" to quote an old commercial. My faux- ACU rainjacket bought for "the field" was not Gore-Tex but "Aqua-something"; it cost only $80 with a faux foliage green fleece included, so I could save my issued Gore-Tex ECWCS jacket for turn-in when I retired. Nowadays it's all under body armor anyways so we used the old field jacket liner with the Army's new "wind-shirt" over it in eastern Afghanistan last winter.

That's another problem with used technical wear surplus – not knowing if the owner followed the laundering instructions or not.

I didn't realize that I have two or three of these laying around. I've never seen an actual R1 in personal. Are these the same weight (or provide the same warmth or whatever the right term is) as Patagucci R1?

Read and weep— or laugh some more.

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-r1-regulator-pullover?p=40107-0-791

Like I said, there is some “fashion” and marketing involved. For $119 you get an athletic fit and a chest pocket. And you don’t have to enlist or go to Afghanistan to get one!

Patagonia description and specs below. I would guess the weight is for a large? My find is 13oz and marked large/regular, but it is an XL at my house. We’re only off by 1.1oz.

Sunrise to sundown, from epic approaches to alpine traverses, the versatile R1® Pullover stretches, breathes, moves moisture and insulates. And it is the best it has ever been: We collaborated with Polartec® to fine-tune the high/low interior grid polyester fabric (Polartec Power Dry®) into an exclusive that’s more breathable and compressible and has an improved feel and increased durability, while still maintaining its warmth. Sized to accommodate light underlayers, it works as a stand-alone top or as a light midlayer. With a smooth, microfiber face for easy layering, offset shoulder seams for pack-wearing comfort and a zippered chest pocket.
Details

* Recycled polyester R1 fabric provides excellent stretch, warmth, wicking and breathability in a variety of temperatures
* Fleece has high/low grid on inside for enhanced compressibility, airflow and decreased dry time
* Microfiber face speeds moisture wicking and allows for easy layering
* Off-the-shoulder seam construction reduces bulk while wearing a backpack
* Pockets: One zippered, brushed polyester mesh chest pocket
* 6.8-oz Polartec® Power Dry® 93% polyester (41% recycled)/7% spandex
* 337 g (11.9 oz)

looks pretty great for $5

I prefer Power Stretch, but for $5 I can get over it :)

Dale — is this it? http://www.tacticaldistributors.com/apparel/base-layers/gen-iii-l2-top

Looks like you got a great deal.

That's the one. Even at the retail price of $68, it beats the R1 at $119, which was my point more than the used one and a lucky $5 find.

You can see why we Australians buy on the internet if you check the following link.
My local store here sells the Patagonia R1 top for AU$202.0 which is currently about US$220.00!!
http://www.mainpeak.com.au/outdoor/clothing/fleece-and-windbloc/124366.html

We get a discount because we buy a lot of stealth aircraft and cruise missiles, right? I *do* feel your pain– that stings!