A fleece with arms as long as they should be. One complaint = there is no waist cinch.

6'0", 130 lbs, second or third layer, getting a large.

UPDATE: I returned this in favor of a Stoic Welder Hi Softshell from SAC. "Domination."

super soft, super breathable, air cuts right through, super toasty under a shell (10 degrees anyone?), REALLY LIGHT, but uh oh, where's the waist cinch? come on Patagonia!! i love your jacket, but no waist cinch? i've gotten over it though. first new fleece in 6 years, definitely not disappointed.

Definitely not the fleece to wear as an outer layer on a windy day, but toasty warm under a shell and keeps you war on a fall/spring day. As always, love the Patagonia fit. Something about the fuzzy outside makes me feel a little warmer. I also like the offset zipper...The beard always seems to grab on my other fleeces and jackets, but never on this one. They also went the extra lenght and sewed in an R1 fleece into the cuffs to keep em snug.

I love this mid-weight layering fleece - it's my favorite fleece that I own, and I own many. I find that I can hike in a thin baselayer and this fleece from temperatures in 40s and 50s. Above that and you'll likely find it too warm while hiking.

I see too many reviews of this product that say "didn't like it - not windproof". Well, it's not a windproof jacket, and in fact it's been purposefully designed to be virtually transparent to wind. Why? Because it's just about the most breathable fleece you can buy! The wicking ability is partly the fabric and partly the slim fit, as close contact to your base-layer will encourage better transfer of moisture.

So, this fleece will work well for you if you're doing high output activity in cooler conditions, but not if you're sitting at basecamp in a breeze without a shell on top of the fleece. It's mostly just a mid-layer, but works well alone if it's not breezy. If you want a windproof piece, then do you self a favor and buy the windproof fleece as this will result in you receiving what it is that you actually want. Check out the Lightweight-R4 for a thinner windproof, or the regular R4 for a thicker one. The LWR4 is about as thick as the R2, and the regular R4 is about as thick as the R3, which is another NON windproof fleece.

For Patagonia gear, check out their website as they have much more information on the products than Backcountry does....

I had a Mt. Hardware Monkey Man fleece that was warm but uncomfortable so I returned it for the R2. While the R2 is not as warm, it is a overall better fleece. The R2 is more durable, looks great and is welcome on the slopes as well as casual dinners, and it fits great. It has great side pockets that are very roomy and a double as vents when open. It has a great breast pocket that I put my phone and keys in and it keeps them warm, accessable, and protected. The R2 has provided confort on 28 degree 10 hour days of teaching with my Backcountry Shift softshell and on sunny 40 degree spring days I have really enjoyed this jacket with my Arcteryx Sidewinder Jacket. When the temps climb I just break open the pit zips and open the pockets on the R2 and I have direct venting. I bet the R3 will more closely resemble the warth of the Monkey man and I plan to try it next year for the 20 degree days. I don't get touched as much as I did with the Monkey but the look is still fuzzy and is more civilized. I find Myself wearing this fleece everyday and can see it as a useful item until temps are above 70 degrees.

This fleece is basically the softest and most comfortable jacket I've encountered. It is super breathable and dries really fast. Wind cuts through it, which is part of why it's so breathable. So if you need a windproof fleece go with the lightweight R4 or some other model. I normally wear patagonia small, but went with the medium for this because it fits tightly. If you're going to be using it exclusively as a technical layering piece I would not size up. It will be tight, but it is somewhat stretchy, and breathes well. Otherwise, if you want to wear it for a wider range of purposes, go one size up and it will fit more like a traditional fleece. Even with the medium, I can comfortably layer it under my normal shells. Considering how long these are rumored to last, and how great of a product it is, I think $150 is a really good price.

The R2 is a great fleece that is extremely comfortable and warm. It fits me perfectly and was designed really well. It also is light weight, but still affords a good warmth. A great fleece and well worth its value.

Once again you can feel the quality - well done Patagonia. Of course, you pay for it. The R2 is well designed and constructed but it is pitched at people who like a snug fit, so you may prefer to order one size larger than normal. Maybe it's the fleece equivalent of a muscle shirt? It feels great and is both warm and light but I'd give it an extra star if they slipped the sizes up one notch. Once you get the fit right -add a wind breaking outer shell and you're set.

Probably my favorite fleece that I own. The R2 is uber comfy and wicks away sweat well. It is my go-to fleece while starting out hikes in cooler temps and have used it as a layer while snowshoeing. Not very windproof but thrown on under my acteryx beta AR it is the perfect match. Bomb proof construction is what I expect from patagonia and I was not disappointed.

Far and away this is the most versatile fleece jacket that I have ever owned. It doesn't do much to cut down wind but it is super breathable and doesn't restrict movement one bit. The sleeves have a narrow cuff so you can slide into your shell without any annoying cuff bunchage. If you are looking for a great fleece for both high performance layering and casual wear this is it. A note on fit: this bad boy runs slim. I am 5'9" 190 and a size large is stretching it for anyone looking for a more casual fit.

A nice jacket that can be used in a layering system pretty effectively. However, this is not the jacket to wear everyday as i would have liked. The wind cuts right through like your wearing nothing at all. Nice and fashionable but i would have went for another stand alone fleece instead of just a layer.

This seems more like a really heavy shirt to me than a really light jacket. The fit is very tight, I usually wear a M and the L in this still inhibits movement when I climb, so order up a size and don't expect to be doing anything too flexible. The sleeves are too tight to be pulled up without cutting off circulation at the elbow, which for me is a problem because when cooking or climbing, I like to have my sleeves up. And finally, it is not windproof at all. I didn't expect it to be, but it really has no windproofing whatsoever, to the point where if you are wearing it at a comfortable temperature and a breeze kicks in, you will be too cold. All that said, it is a great fleece for day to day, walking to class, not too cold, urban environments, etc, it's just not practical enough for me to want to take it anywhere.

Perfect for what it is, I am 6'4" wear an XL in patagonia and this is very fitted which is awesome. Breathes like a champ and wicks fairly well. This is my go to layering piece when it is too warm for my mountain hardwear monkey man. R2 is one of the lightest and warmest peices i own and it packs down fairly small. hope that helps

This fleece was exactly what I was looking for. If you are looking for a wind proof heavy duty fleece look elsewhere. However, for a cool weather low wind fleece this is perfect. This is the type of fleece you can leave on when you go indoors. Its also about as good looking a fleece as I've seen. Some fleeces are extremely warm and windproof at the expense of comfort. The insides are sometimes rough and uncomfortable. This one is not. This is the most comfortable fleece I've worn.

a couple of years ago I bought this jacket for rowing and hiking in the colder months. it has served the purpose (and plenty of others) perfectly, and has lasted well over 2 years of nearly daily use four months out of the year. it's just roomy enough to fit a layer of capilene and/or R1 base underneath, and streamlined enough to toss a vest and shell over without feeling like a pufferfish. i realized today that i need a fresh jacket - this one will be relegated to outdoor chores. and i also realized one reason i enjoy getting up on cold mornings is the pleasure of tossing this thing over my shoulders. buy it!! you'll be happy.

I have to say that I didnt purchase this fleece from Backcountry I got it off ebay a year or so ago. I got it in red which is the best color I think. Anyway; its a great fleece. Same as others have said; on a windy day it will cut through but its a GREAT layer under my Mt Hardwear Typhoon jacket (plenty warm in 10F or so). The fit is a little tight; if you have a coller'd shirt on you will choke! But with a nice base layer and a nice shell its the perfect mid layer. And it looks great as a spring/fall coat too. I get compliments on it all the time!

Good warm fleece. I wore it all winter under the Ascentionist and I never had complaints. I was a little put off by the fuzzy exterior at first, but I still wear it because of the performance.

I didn't get it for 50 bucks..BUT I'm used to paying for clothes in NYC & I usually shop online..but MISSED that deal....but I got a size larger and just layer away ...This is the fIRST time in my life that I haven't worn a winter coat yet but it does take time to get the look...AND I do not like the snow so don't ski...but I have gotten so many compliments on this jacket ,I can't tell you how many and it's so comfy , I don't want to take it off....but those layers I learned you have to take extra when they get wet...while walking to the gym(like 1/2 mile)..just the bottom two...I have had about 5 thin layers and just this jacket at temps in the 20s and it works...now the legs is a WHOLE other story..

if you can get it for 50 bucks get it in all colors..I want the RED!!

Cheers..
Tony(NYC)

The layers I wear underneath are NOT cotton t-shirts...they are all very thin wicking, heat insulating materials they have out now...so 3-5 layers...

You need a good piece of fleece to wear under a shell? Then this one is your choice! This fleece jacket offers a perfect weight to performance ratio which keeps you really warm when worn under a shell. Unfortunately it is not windproof, but somehow that is made up for by a very high breathability which might be preferred especially when skiing or hiking with a waterproof jacket. The touch of this fleece is very cool, it feels just like a sheep!

I own at least half a dozen fleece jackets, but this particular Patagonia is by far the best! I'm 5'6" and 145 lbs. and the small fits me just right. I could wear the medium, but I like especially like the way it hugs my body as an sublayer. My other fleece jackets are loose, so they're too bulky as an under garment. The R2 is perfect alone as a warm jacket, or fantastic as an insulating layer under a softshell jacket like the Backcountry Shift Welder Hoody. I purchased the pirate blue which is an awesome color. My next one will be black. I really like the high collar which keeps my neck warm, yet lays out of the way when unzipped. Great stylish jacket!

I love my R2. Just took it skiing in Canada. It works great as a mid layer or outer layer on days when it isn't windy. This is a very athletic jacket as it breathes well and insulates well when needed. However, I would never pay 150 for it. I copped this badboy on Patagonia's website on closeout for 54 bucks. Great jacket, bad price, super breathability.

this jacket is warm when it needs to be, breathes when it needs to, and it always looks cool. the best part about the R2 is that it is so comfortable. i've been everywhere in this thing, in the same day. skiing, dinner, bar, it's awesome and performs well in all circumstances. buy one, you'll feel the same!

I have recently been turned onto Patagonia gear, and I must confess it lives up to the hype. This particular fleece is absurdly comfortable and lightweight, utilizing variable length fibers that mimics 'fur' for maximum warmth.
The weight to warmth ratio is fantastic, quickly replacing my TNF Denali fleece. With a BC.com Merino Crew underneath, I could wear it down to the mid 20s. With a shell of sorts, you could certainly meander about in temperatures near zero. however, like the Denali, it is not windproof. Hence, if there is wind or precipitation of sorts, a shell is necessary.
The R1 interior material is very comfortably against the skin, and stretches very well. The pockets are conveniently snag-free due to the use of supplex around the zippers. At roughly 15 oz, the R2 is very packable and relatively lightweight. Honestly if you want only one midlayer, for most of you, this is would be it. But for frigid regions, a Polartec Windpro fleece would be better suited (like the Patagonia R3 or Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Jacket).

I have only two gripes: first, is the lack of internal pocket (just one for an iPod wouldn't hurt!) Secondly, the material, like all fleece, attracts pet hair. This could be a problem for some, which would make a softshell jacket a feasible alternative.

TARZAN LIKE!!! this thing is fitted nice and slim, with an extra long external fleece which performs like a thug on the inside of a shell. assuming no wind, it is a great outwear peice which looks like a classy version of the MH monkey man jacket. granted, this puppy aint cheep, but if you see it at a patagonia outlet or steep/cheap, snatch it up. you will look smoking hot, your lady will love snuggling to it, and you dog will love leaving his hair all over it.

I was lucky enough to get one of these issued at work. As a layer under a shell, this is fabulous...lightweight, stretchy, and breathable. As an outer layer, it does not do so well...the slightest wind goes right through it. Traditional old Polartec 200 fleece is more windproof than this making it a better outer fleece, but not as good as the R2 under a shell. I also would never pay $150 for this thing. Bottom line... great if you want to invest in a very high quality, but expensive layering system, look elsewhere if you want a versatile fleece usable as an insulation or outer layer.

I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend. He loves it and the the bright green looks really great on him. However, I tried it on and took it for a test run. It's not very warm, probably better for layering. Wind was coming right through it and I was cold. I think $150 is quite a lot for such a lightweight jacket.