Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

No....

At nearly half the price of the hyllus the Patagonia LW R4 will perform plenty well for you. Fully windproof with a killer windproof membrane that stretches incredibly well, moves well with you, and isn't crunchy at all.

Both are fairly comparable. Both are windproof and are water resistant. Similar weight. Patagonia has a lifetime warranty as well and they are very good to their customers in regards to warranty service from what I hear (I personally don't know since I've never had any of my Patagonia gear fail). If you look at the material on each, Polartec says the Windbloc on the Patagonia is 100% windproof and that the Power Shield 02 on the Arc'teryx is 96% windproof while the other 4% supposedly circulates within the jacket but doesn't get through.

I think that they're almost identical so really it would come down to which looks better to you and how much you want to spend. I personally have the r4 and I love it and have had no problems with it. Hope that helps you out.

For my two-cents on the comparison, because the R4 and the Hyllus aren't as close, performance wise as is portrayed. The Hyllus is constructed without a membrane, and therefore,isn't as windproof as the R4, but will breathe better. The Hyllus is designed to be worn alone in medium weather conditions (it blocks more like 70% of wind, and is moderately water resistant) but also cut to be worn as a really warm insulator under a water-proof shell when the weather gets fierce. This is the really appealing part of the Hyllus- it can be used across a wide range of conditions, in various configurations. Both Patagonia and Arc'teryx have lifetime warranties and make excellent quality products, so it really boils down to fit and your intended uses.

You are right in the middle of the sizing chart for patagonia. However, the R4 LW is a slim fit. I am 6'2" 190 and a large is perfect for me, both allowing for layers underneath and using it as a layer piece under a patagonia primo jacket. This jacket is great on it's own too. Super warm and breathable but really windproof as well. I'd go for the medium for your purposes.

I'd go for a medium in the Lightweight R4 for your size, and intended use. The regular R4 is slightly bulkier, and I would wear it as a piece on it's own mostly, and layer it occasionally. The Patagonia R3 might be another warm layering option for you as well. It's not windproof, but is very very warm and has a similar fit to the LW R4.

One consideration on layering under Gore SoftShell jackets like the Arc'teryx Stingray; a smooth face fleece will slide smoothly and not bind on the brushed inner face of the shell. The high loft face fleece are super efficient insulators but can have a "velcro effect" when layered up under fuzzy shells.

Sounds like you found the right jacket for your Dad for sure. There are some lighter options, the Patagonia R1 being the lightest, but once it gets down into the 20's and 30's the R4 here will be the best for him.

The R4 is warmer than the Lightweight R4, the fit between the two is very similar. and the Lightweight R4 overall is a little more breathable due to the R1 fabric under the arms which is lighter weight and has no windproof membrane to it.

You would probably fit in a small, assuming you are fairly trim. If you've got a big waist (over 33") you might want to bump up to a medium as this fleece has more of slim fit. I'm 6' 175lb, 32" waist and wear a medium. I bought it to wear under my ski shell, so I didn't want it baggy.