r2 as insulation and rain gear

I wrote this a year or so ago when a similar discussion came up:

http://www.pmags.com/fleece-revisited

TL;DR – When I need warmth when moving, I’ll take the fleece. For warmth when stationary, use the puffy.

A 100 wt fleece is part of my kit for a good chunk of the year now. Cold and rainy? Cold and dry? I’ll be wearing a light fleece while moving.

I find the R1 too warm while on the move, around 25-30 degree's, so I've gone to the Capiline 4 as a mid layer but only tested it at about 40 degree's and it was fine, so I'm not sure what's it's range will be, I'm taking it out this weekend but my next lighter fleeces are the Eddie Bauer or Montane Polartec sports, it's got mesh panels in key points for extra breath-ability, so no matter what I use, I've alway got a fleece of some type.

the R1 is really meant for deep winter/alpine sports

or activities like technical climbing where there is a lot of stop and go

;)

For me, R1 is a cross-over base layer and mid layer. Patagonia certainly markets it that way with snug-fit pull-overs as base layer and looser cut full-zip cardigan-like jackets for mid layers.

I have an R1 vest that is great for just a little more warmth while walking on level or downhill sections. I often carry it as a spare layer for summer day hiking. It is killer under a wind or rain shell and much like the traditional British sweater vest.

Agreed, that it would have to be very cold to see me hiking uphill with a load and wearing the R1 as base layer. But it is perfect to layer under a shell for rest stops and camp in cool wet weather, just as I might use a sweater or sweatshirt. I have R1 tops and bottoms that make perfect cold weather pajamas, but I wouldn't normally carry them as sleep wear only and would included them as part of my layering scheme.

The benefits of fleece are breathability and the wicking, hydrophobic nature of the fabric. It is perfect for cool, wet, humid environments. It will keep a warm layer of air near the skin while moving moisture out and away.

While water may bead up on the surface for a short time in light sprinkles, fleece should never be considered as rain gear of any kind.

Hard to beat an R4 Hoody down into the low 30's when on the move, IME. If it's windy, I'll add a Rab Boreas or my trusty MH Transition Featherweight vest(no longer made).

Brett, Funny but I've had a similar experience with an old light weight Polartec sweater from the former Chuck Roast in temps in the lower 50s. When the terrain is not so flattish, pulling the sleeves up above the elbows and lowering the chest zip all the way is helpful, and when the temp drops, pulling up the zip to make a turtleneck is very helpful.
How it fares in the rain depends on how much: in a drizzle, same as you; in a downpour, not so much, but it's never gotten sopped and continues to insulate when quite wet.
A similar, but less worn out Polartec one from Black Diamond stays in the daypack or on me year round for dayhikes.

I do have a more expensive ($99) Patagonia grid fleece (R1?), used only for backpacking as it is much lighter and compresses smaller, and want it to last.

"especially in technical terrain (scrambling, bushwachking, mud trails filled with roots)"

When I have hiked off trail in areas with lots of brush and blowdowns, I end up moving slow and require a lot more active insulation than on a trail. I might be wearing a light midlayer under a nylon button up shirt in temps where I would be sweating in a t-shirt on a trail.

I also got pretty cold walking downhill on an icy trail last winter.

This azn knows what's up with cold and wet.