Perfect Patagonia

By Niall MacRae Ranked #596 - Men's Fleece Jackets December 23, 2009

I have a bit of a love hate/relationship with Patagonia's fit, but this is one of their items that fits as billed, does more than I asked for and is now a midlayer mainstay out of my closet three months out of the year. I'm 6'2 and 170 and the cut is fitted but loose enough to pull on over a merino wool baselayer. Long with low-profile Polartec Powerstretch fleece below the beltline means it stays tucked in under a shell. Stretchy Polartec fleece throughout means the sleeve cuffs stay at my wrists but easily stretch to make the thumbholes usable. The long front zip vents core heat on command, and the offset at the chin eliminates zipper chafe, but does help to make it a bit goofy looking as casual wear. The scuba hood is superb, perfectly fitted and articulated, with a high collar that provides an instant balaclava when the weather gets nasty. And yes, you will look like a ninja if you get it in black. The Polartec gridded fleece that makes up the body wicks incredibly well, and is super-warm, belying its light weight. Under an uninsulated Gore-Tex shell, I've climbed, hiked, snowshoed, skiied, and boarded and I've never needed any more warmth than I get from this layer, unless I've stopped moving for lunch or get stuck on a lift. The only complaint I have is the price, but ultimately it is actually worth it. Pitch perfect design from Patagonia.

View Details: Patagonia R1 Hooded Fleece Pullover - Men's

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