Patagonia R4 Jacket - Men's - 2005 BCS

I have looked for the ideal fleece for many years and come up short, but I have to say that this jacket is a perfect combination of warmth AND wind resistance making it extremely versatile in the winter. I spent a weekend in the White Mountains of NH at around 5F and never felt the cold or the wind. It would have rendered my TNF Denali jacket useless which now, I guess, it is. Buy this jacket if you need a heavy fleece, it's the best.

This is the best fleece I've ever owned, bar none. It is extremely warm and windproof, but still very breathable, and provides masses of venting with the front zipper fully unopened. The mesh over the inner surface means it slides on and off quickly without snagging. Oh, and did I mention that it looks great too?

Put this on indoors and you are going to be instantly too hot, it's that warm and cozy. Outdoors the windproofing works just like they say it does. I wore this layered under a MH Gore-Tex shell to ski. I was in a slow group so there was a lot of time standing about in temperatures around freezing, and I was comfortable all day.

The R4 is a great jacket for a wide range of conditions and activities. I've used it for Fall and Winter Fly-Fishing, Winter hiking, Cross-Country Skiing, Winter Biking and general all around utility jacket for cool conditions. I'm long and lanky and the fit is perfect. The internal wind blocking membrane makes this jacket so very versatile. I bought a second one to have as a spare, just in case. The long waist cord adjuster can get caught on brush and branches. The inside waffle pattern, requires careful planning when layering. If the layer isn't smooth, the sleeves cling together. No problems other than those minor details. Great product.

Great jacket! Super warm. Be careful of sizing as they seem to run small. I am usually a XL buyer but had to go XXL on this bad guy.

My only complaint is it would have been nice to have some sort of slippery lining in the sleeves. They do hang up when being pulled over other fleece (expected) and shirts in general.

A friend also bought the R4 Jacket and we both consider it well worth the money. It performs well in cold windy conditions and is lightweight and soft. My only concern are the webbed pocket lining, mainly as I'm using it for everyday use. In the bush it would be a problem.

Ordered a patagonia R4 jacket through backcountry.com when they were having a sale a few weeks ago. Got a great deal on a great coat. The fleece is phenomenal. Had a mishap and took care of problem with a very helpful customer service person. Would definitely recommend this site. Easy to use, easy to contact, quick shipment. Thanks!

The Patagonia R4 is the best windblocking fleece out there. It fits great and unlike my other wind-proof fleece it's comfortable to wear next to skin. If you need anything warmer, you need a puffy jacket. I recommend it highly.

This is the best jacket ever. I am using everyday outside in windy, cold Cedar Rapids weather. I only wear a tee shirt underneath, and this jacket keeps me warm in weather down to -20F, and I am waiting to test it in a snow storm. I was skeptical buying such an expensive item because I am not an experienced outdoorsman. However, I am glad everyday, and I look forward to putting this jacket through hell and telling people my results.

Great jacket. Warning: if you are usually a large, better order extra large. The sizes run small. Even the extra large was a little tight on the shoulders, and I’m not a fat guy.

I wear it every day both in the house and outside. Ridiculously comfortable! I am 6'2 with a long torso and this jacket (size large) fits me like a warm glove. It stretches with movement too. What is unreal is that I have been wearing this jacket (with properly insulated winter pants, boots and hat) in down to -15F temps with no shell and only two light layers below. I have worn only a tee shirt underneath in 25F weather. It’s a great jacket. It keeps the warm in and the cold wind out very effectively with minimal weight. Then I walk in the house take my winter stuff off and put the jacket back on... It doesn’t over heat... I was skeptical of paying the high price for what seemed like just a windproof fleece jacket but I can honestly tell you that it’s worth every penny. It is the most versatile jacket I have ever owned, and damn good looking too.

The jacket is everything I expected. The effectiveness of minimizing windchill is unreal. The only question is durability and I have not had it long enough or worn it enough to comment on that aspect of the product.

If you are looking for a warm fleece, this is the jacket you want. The Patagonia R4 does not have great thermal versatility; however, in cold (below 45 F degrees) and windy conditions this the jacket you want.

I have many Patagonia products-always high quality and practical features. R4 is warm, flexible, no restriction of motion. Recommended. :-)

I used to be a loyal EMS shopper who believed that there was no real reason to pay up for brand names. But after purchasing the R4, I realized that there is no generic equivalent for any Patagonia product. Like other reviewers, I feel comfortable wearing the R4 over a T-shirt in 30F weather, and feel downright toasty wearing it over a Patagonia Capilene base layer. I love that the jacket is so snug: it blocks the wind and provides for ultimate moveability when backpacking. My only gripe is that the high pile of the fleece traps a lot of dirt and grit; a simple monthly wash solves this however. Pay up for the R4, or get a deal on it during the off season from a site like this, because it’s worth every penny.

I have owned this jacket for more than a year and it has been very useful to have for those cold Wisconsin winters. It not only keeps you warm in cold arctic temperatures but also blocks the wind very well. What I find most amazing is that the coat has minimum bulk, but it still keeps you very warm. Patagonia has been able to reduce the excess bulk by creating a very dense jacket with high quality materials to protect you from the harsh elements. It came in very useful for spring fishing in Canada where the winds were very bone-chilling. It also comes in very handy after a winter trail run. It is very well made and I expect it to last a very long time.

This jacket is amazing, When it's cold out, I feel like I am wearing a 700 WT down jacket, fits like it was custom made for my body. I have an R2 & love it, but this R4 blows it away.
The chest pocket is a real plus too.