Patagonia R1 question

The R1 is definitely slim fitting, and listed as such.  Their website lists different items as slim or regular – not sure if there is other fit categories.

I have a R1 hoody (L) that was slim on me.  My son is using it now.  I tried on an XL on an REI clearance rack and thought that would work better for me, but it was too big in the chest, and the arms are beyond long (L was long, but it has the thumb holes).  If I were to get another one, I would probably go for the L again.  On impulse I picked up a military R1-like pullover on BPL last week, size M – which is supposedly like a civilian L.  Just received and not yet tried on.  If you are going to replace this one, I would find a way to try on the next size first – REI is carrying them right now and I would think the Patagonia stores are stocking up on them too.

I’ve only worn it as a mid-layer, and usually over a slim fitting nylon or poly T-shirt.  I prefer to hike with a T-shirt and wind or bug shirt, and would only add the R1 if it was cold at the trail-head, or I was expecting it to get colder while hiking later.  My wind and bug shirts are loose fitting, and would probably come off if I put on the R1 – or at least the R1 would be under them.

I’ve heard of others wearing the R1 as a baselayer, but I gotta think that’s for really cold weather.  The slim fit is ideal in that scenario for the best wicking.

I have the R1 1/2 zip pullover in M and it is definitely not baggy! I wear it over an OR Echo t-shirt in late fall and winter, when I know it’s going to remain fairly cool all day.

One thing that surprised me is the weight… the pullover weighs 348g. The Montbell Chameece weighs 235g and has a full zip so it often wins the contest when packing as lightly as possible. But for winter I’ll go with the R1 because it seems to dry faster.

I’m 6’3 190 and wear a large.  I got my R1 quarter zip off ebay for $16 because it had been monogrammed with a drug name (part of launch swag or something).  I wear it nearly every day during winter it’s so comfortable.  Sleeves are long, the fit is perfect for me.  My wife hates it, which is even better.

I wear mine over my Patagonia Everyday crew or over bare skin.

The everyday is very lightweight and very slippery, I can’t layer over the old Cap 2 as this combo has the problem you describe

I sized up to use the R1 as a mid layer. For winter snow travel I wear an Ibex Indy hoody under the R1 hoody.  I do not have much hair left and I find that it is easier to regulate my head temperature by reaching for a hood versus a hat.

Over the R1, depending upon conditions I wear a softshell jacket and or windshirt.  When it is really windy, the windshirt is under the softshell. If it starts snowing really hard with wind or the temp drops, then I put on the Goretex shell. After I set up camp and the sun sets, I will put on a puffy synthetic down jacket.

As additional general information I can only wear the R1 if it is below freezing, otherwise I get too hot when walking hard.

I’ve got an R1, and yes, depending on your build, they fit very slim. I’m 5’11”, 175 lbs, and often between a medium and a large. I’ve tried medium R1s on, and they were uncomfortably tight in the armpits and chest. Wearing them as a baselayer might have been bearable, but I had some serious armpit wedgies with just a tight-fitting baselayer underneath.

So I sized up a bit and bought a large R1. Much more comfortable, but still fits my arms and chest snugly. It’s just a bit long and a bit loose in the abdomen. Now I wear it with a light capilene 1-weight baselayer underneath, and there’s no twisting or struggling.

I bought an R1 jacket and returned it for the reasons the OP described. Too tight as a mid layer. If I went up one size the arms would be too long and bunch-up. I ended up buying (and keeping) the Mountain Hardware Microchill full-zip hoody. It might not be as warm as R1, but it does the job for me. Costs less too.

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I’m going to have to work harder on my dad bod to fit more comfortably in the R1.

A question about Patagonia R1: what is good about having a “non-fleecy” fleece (smooth face) fabric? For the same weight, a fleece with velvety face is thicker, warmer and nicer to the touch. “Regular” fleece is also more abrasion resistant (the only fabric that survives canyoneering, where even millimeter thick vinyl and heavy duty Dyneema get shredded).

What is it that makes manufactures to use the “silly fleece” for garments, as opposed to “regular” fleece?

On that note, I am constantly amazed by how warm is the Patagonia Synchilla pullover is. It’s heavy, it’s baggy. But it is easily the most bombproof and warm item I own. Last weekend I was going in and out of a hot spring in freezing temps (no towel) and would simply put on the Synchilla. That thing did not even get wet, somehow it dried out when everything else simply froze.

For the lighter weight “real” fleece I have been buying the Mountain Hardwear Microchill pullovers. In the last couple of years they seem to have had a couple of updates, some for worse, some for better (but mostly for worse, the colors suck these days). There are 2 types, a lighter one and a warmer one. So far, these are the best I found.

Smooth faced fleece layers better in my experience

They can charge more for the “fancy” fleece.  Regular fleece has become so copied and “generic” that it is available at any WalMart or Old Navy.  I still prefer Polartec brand classic 100wt fleece over the R1.  I have an R1 pullover and my wife has a pullover and a jacket, but they get front country use and in the back country if I bring a fleece it is a 100wt classic fleece.

The R1 stuff is quite a bit heavier than classic 100wt fleece, it has spandex, which makes it slower to dry, and while it “might” be better on the move, it rarely gets cool enough where I can hike in a fleece of any kind.

They can charge more for the “fancy” fleece.

Yes :) So, we ought fight this tendency. Don’t buy “silly” fleece. It’s colder, heavier and not as functional.