After a year of owning the older version, I realized it was the one piece of clothing I never leave home when I head into the alpine. So, when the new version was on sale, I had to try it out. Compared to the older, furrier version, the new R2 seems sleeker, more compact, easier to layer, but perhaps a tad less warm. I've found this to be a good tradeoff.

This little vest provides an amazing amount of warmth, yet lets your arms and pits sweat. Its loft provides warmth and allows it to breath amazing well. It also seems impervious to retaining any water and dries immediately. I own another Patagonia fur-type fleece and have found them to provide greater warmth for their weight than any traditional fleece. Additionally, as with all of Patagonia's technical clothing, its cut trim and slim for active, fit people using it as intended - in the alpine and backcountry.

Used this on a trip in the Guadalupe Mnts mid March. Was plenty warm when I needed it. Thinner fabric on sides of vest are nice under a light shell and pack (no bunching up). Could stand to have a chest pocket, the only reason it didn't get a 5.

The Patagonia vest is the worst! We are too lazy to mail it back, but the zipper gets caught in the fleece in two spots when trying to zip it up. Really poorly made. The pants are SUPER!!!