Can’t figure out this Capilene thing…

Cap 2 is the best polypro out there IMO… don't ever pay full price for it though (like most outdoor gear).

I tend to use a thin merino base layer in the winter, but found that a Patagonia Cap 4 layer makes a really lightweight mid layer.

"if mec can do it at less $$$$ and still have it made in canada (well this item at least)"

Good thing you added the caveat. A quick look around the MEC site shows a bunch of their offerings made in China, and some in India, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.

Like the looks of that thermal hoodie though. And the China-made Reflex jacket, seems a very nice piece of gear.

Rock Creek had 20% off sale on Patty stuff so bought the Cap 4 crew there. Then plucked Cap 3 crew and Cap 2 bottoms off EBAY. I guess I'll see if it's better than the generic stuff I have now. Thanks for everyone's input.

Plenty of Patagonia gear is made in China. Just browse their site.

I take every opportunity to acquire the Patagonia gear I like, especially when it yields little or no profit to them. But each time I do this, I give a tree a big hug, so its OK. Then I pass a little gas to offset the carbon given off by the tree hugging. ;)

Good thing you added the caveat. A quick look around the MEC site shows a bunch of their offerings made in China, and some in India, Thailand, Vietnam, etc

nothing wrong with made somewhere else … as long as the savings are passed to me … and with MEC i find they generally are …

id put their labour and environmental practices against any "green" company any day

at least they dont sweep stuff under the rug and call it as it is …

im not saying patagucci is bad or makes bad gear … i have some cap4 and cap1 i bought on clearance a while back … but i find MEC to be just as good, for a much lower price, and with the same green and labour ethics

id like to see more companies follow this road of no frills, just as functional equipment at lower prices … with the same "ethics" … if mec can do it successfully, others can as well …. instead of playing the marketing game

thats what happens when yr a coop and elect yr own board of directors i guess …

from the mec site

Contract factories throughout the world have shortcomings. Ours are no exception. Human rights infractions are endemic regardless of geography, government, and culture. There is no ideal location for factories. The findings of our factory audits are sobering, yet we remain confident that we can foster measured and incremental improvements.
Our factory visits have shown recurring infractions in four main categories. These findings are consistent with independent studies by the Fair Labor Association, so are not likely to be under-reported.

Although infractions tend to be more frequent and severe in eastern (Asian) factories than western (Canadian) factories, Canadian factories are not flawless. Workers in the east are more likely to be physically harmed and improperly paid, but western factories have their share of health, safety, and payroll issues. We also see an overwhelming concentration of Asian immigrant women in local factories, which suggests an inequity common in developed economies: an occupational ghetto low in pay, status, and power, dominated by ethnic minority women.

That's a pretty refreshing tone there from MEC, Eric. I haven't had any dealings with them so I hadn't seen their statements on these issues before. Like you, I appreciate the way they tell it like it is.